Originally Posted by awc380

Charles, I gotta give you props on that post! I've had the same opinion for a while as well.

It seems that between 'extreme' and nothing, there's little (popular) reason or point to get on a bike, go for a run, etc...but I think most people will agree that for almost all things in life, a balance or moderation between the 2 extremes would be ideal - even if we can't agree what that may be. Although I guess I'd be more to the side of the faux-pro kinda guy, I do feel that the elevation of cycling as either a high speed or extreme activity tends to somewhat ostracize potential riders.

If I can spout personal doctrine for a moment (and I think I may, because this IS an internet forum), I'm a bike commuter, tourer and lover, but I try my best to keep the sport as politically democratic as possible - if that makes any sense. I 100% appreciate the roadies who I always try my best to race when I see them in the city, and on the other hand I dig the fixed gear bike messengers with their rolled up jeans and flat handlebars because they are as mad intense as any roadie or mountain junkie. I just like seeing people on bikes...I can handle criticism both of my non-carbon seatstays and of my singlespeed NOT being a fixed gear because I know these people are just passionate about something that I love as well.

As for me, although I definitely criticise as much as anyone else, I just want to see people on bikes, so I try my best to meet each rider on their respective level, regardless if they actually ride or not - I fully understand why an out-of-shape or unacquainted-with-bikes individual would be intimidated trying to get into cycling (hell, we've ALL been to "certain" less-than-friendly bike shops I bet), but they certainly shouldn't be. I think that (besides cities dramatically altering their transportation networks), the most effective thing that we can do to get more people cycling is to be as understanding and friendly as possible to other cyclists - especially those who are obviously new to the sport and are not quite comfortable with every aspect involved.

[PS: Although this IS a touring forum, so sometimes it's acceptable to have no job for a while and ride 5-7 hours a day. ; ) ]

Originally Posted by charles vail

High mileage isn't all that good for you. Just because young, paid, elite pros, do it, doesn't make it a valuable activity when it comes to having a healthy body. Over training, for one's own ability, is an easy thing to do. I'd just about bet most pros retire in their mid to late 30's max, because professional level training cannot be maintained at any competitive level for much longer, without sustaining injuries or burnout. The older we get, the less quickly we recover from training.

We have a whole nation full of excercise junkies training at levels way beyond what is neccessary to maintain a decent level of fitness. Its the exact pendulum opposite of overweight "couch potatoes" who do nothing but eat and drink beer while watching others excercise. Neither focus is a good thing. Unfortunately, I have fallen into the sedentary group for the last 15 years after being a excercise junkie in my twenties, so I am living proof of the pendulum swing. I'd say find a saddle that will allow you to ride for 50-70 miles per training day maximum and cycle your training to have several higher mileage peaks during the year, then take the winter off to do something else and let your body recover. 100+ mile days are a fine goal and easily accomplished by younger and or elite riders but really now, who needs to excercise steady for up to 5-7 hours a day. Either someone is a pro or they don't need to work for a living!

Originally Posted by froze

I also agree with this for the most part. I use to race in the 70's and 80's but was lucky I didn't experience any injuries other then dislocated shoulders from accidents. But I did suffer from burnout and stopped riding for 5 years because of it. Now I'm in my 50's and ride between 4,000 and 5,000 miles a year and don't have any difficulty recovering from long 150+ mile rides, it may take a 3 or 4 days but no real lasting pain or discomfort. I ran into an 64 year old retired woman who never rode much at all till she retired, then started a training program to tour across the US. That's what she was doing when I ran into her! She rode between 50 to 120 miles a day with no problems, but she wasn't trying to beat any world records. The crazy thing about her is she was doing this alone, but that's another story.

I think most people's problems is that they over achieve because they think their super studs when their really not ready, that's when most injuries occur, doctors will tell you that too.

Originally Posted by awc380

I think 3 things could be culprits here:

1) Find a true micro-adjust seatpost (ie: 2 bolts, no locking grooves)
2) Tighten up the saddle - a loose Brooks is nowhere near as comfortable as a properly tightened one.
3) Riding so long on ANY saddle hurts, I agree with the above posts. 160 miles??? Jesus...