daily riding distances
03-28-11, 09:08 AM
#51
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I was only being half sarcastic.
I talked her out of going on the trip. While she wanted to do it, and I wasn't pushing - after she read the forums to see if people agreed with the what I told her:
100 percent dedication
Accept that riding these distances is hard, very hard (mentally and physically)
Never let people tell you it can't be done
The reward for success is personal, but life changing
She found that what most people told her is that the effort was beyond her. I jokingly told her to take up knitting. Regardless, she still wants to ride a bike, but now she just doesn't want anything to do with riding long distances or this forum.
Sad really, because I told her about how people on BF encourage people to ride 25-40 miles one-way commuting 5 days a week; I told her how the Clyde/Athena forums are really amazing and the people there have my respect (and have helped push me to get back what I lost). I even told her that people like Machka do exist, and that being a woman is the last "excuse" that can be made about what can and can't be done on a road bike.
And then she saw this thread. I've been a semi-regular poster on the forums for almost six years, but I probably will just start keeping my riding and my advice to myself from now on.
Good luck, ride safe and if you see a heavily tattoo'd rider on a Synapse/CAAD9-5 in South Texas - it might just be me.
I talked her out of going on the trip. While she wanted to do it, and I wasn't pushing - after she read the forums to see if people agreed with the what I told her:
100 percent dedication
Accept that riding these distances is hard, very hard (mentally and physically)
Never let people tell you it can't be done
The reward for success is personal, but life changing
She found that what most people told her is that the effort was beyond her. I jokingly told her to take up knitting. Regardless, she still wants to ride a bike, but now she just doesn't want anything to do with riding long distances or this forum.
Sad really, because I told her about how people on BF encourage people to ride 25-40 miles one-way commuting 5 days a week; I told her how the Clyde/Athena forums are really amazing and the people there have my respect (and have helped push me to get back what I lost). I even told her that people like Machka do exist, and that being a woman is the last "excuse" that can be made about what can and can't be done on a road bike.
And then she saw this thread. I've been a semi-regular poster on the forums for almost six years, but I probably will just start keeping my riding and my advice to myself from now on.
Good luck, ride safe and if you see a heavily tattoo'd rider on a Synapse/CAAD9-5 in South Texas - it might just be me.
By and large, the people in this group are extremely supportive of all things touring. There are people here of all different interests, abilities, and experience. The only common dissension here is when people ask for advice, knowing full well what they want to hear and actually hear something else. Don't misunderstand. This isn't the Road Cycling group where some of the regulars take pleasure in putting down new or less experienced riders. This group welcomes people to touring.
If you're using this discussion as some sort of perverse "nobody thinks you can do it" motivation, count me out. Of course it's possible. It's just that most people here assumed you wanted this to be an enjoyable experience for you and your wife.
Keep your riding and your advice to yourself if you like. We'd rather you and your wife join the touring community and participate online and on the road. The passive-aggressive approach is rarely satisfying to anyone.
03-28-11, 12:13 PM
#52
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Santaria,
It's a pity that you couldn't adjust your need for daily mileage to suit your wife's riding ability. She will be able to join you on your century rides with enough preparation, but for you to consider setting out with a novice on a ride requiring multiple back to back centuries is....well let's say misguided. You'd get similar advice from any experienced cyclist, tourer, roadie etc. It would have been easy to design a route doing 50 miles a day. The section you wanted to push through could be split into sections. It's only 56 miles from Raymondville to Riviera. You are definitely doing an endurance ride so maybe it's best that your wife doesn't go with you because it would be miserable for you both.
It's a pity that you couldn't adjust your need for daily mileage to suit your wife's riding ability. She will be able to join you on your century rides with enough preparation, but for you to consider setting out with a novice on a ride requiring multiple back to back centuries is....well let's say misguided. You'd get similar advice from any experienced cyclist, tourer, roadie etc. It would have been easy to design a route doing 50 miles a day. The section you wanted to push through could be split into sections. It's only 56 miles from Raymondville to Riviera. You are definitely doing an endurance ride so maybe it's best that your wife doesn't go with you because it would be miserable for you both.
Last edited by nun; 03-28-11 at 12:20 PM.
03-28-11, 12:28 PM
#53
Every day a winding road
I think it is obvious from his last post that he never really wanted advice, just blind encouragement.
03-28-11, 12:32 PM
#54
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I probably won't even consider a single ride further than 10 miles until June. I figure by December I'll shoot for a weekend of two 50 milers back to back, yes.
This isn't something that I'm doing tomorrow, or even next week. I'm just letting her get accustom to riding again until AT LEAST June.
Ultimately, I'm going to undermine her confidence, erode at her will to do this and hope she gets back into watching Glee, eating Domino's Pizza and listen to her complain that I'm never around cause I'm always out riding. This way she doesn't have to put forth any effort, worry about anything and can just live vicariously through my accomplishments.
It's so much easier and less work that way
This isn't something that I'm doing tomorrow, or even next week. I'm just letting her get accustom to riding again until AT LEAST June.
Ultimately, I'm going to undermine her confidence, erode at her will to do this and hope she gets back into watching Glee, eating Domino's Pizza and listen to her complain that I'm never around cause I'm always out riding. This way she doesn't have to put forth any effort, worry about anything and can just live vicariously through my accomplishments.
It's so much easier and less work that way
03-28-11, 12:54 PM
#55
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I was never seeking blind encouragement. There is a LOT of reason for my (poorly-laced) sarcasm.
First, today is March 28, 2011. I wouldn't even consider letting her go unless she was able to get up to speed on her own before March 28, 2012.
That's 52 weeks of riding. Even at a leisurely pace, she could get in 51 weeks of riding with 100 mile weeks before Christmas. I don't see that as being too aggressive. That's, at a min. 5100 base miles. I could go on and on, but none of the details of this is really important.
I said that I would work her up to a two day, 100 mile total, weekend to see how she felt at that point. I did not mean this weekend, or even next weekend.
Hell, the root of the idea was flexible enough that with a year to plan, train and prepare we might find a lot of things that have to be changed. Hence the reason I gave it an entire year (not including April, May and June) -- so technically 15 months before we rolled one single mile onto this.
I apologize for losing my cool. I was very happy that she wanted to do this ride, and was impressed that she wanted to on her own accord. It's neither here nor there now, I've already said that what advise had been given to me was accurate. That I made the wrong assumption that this would be akin to a credit card touring experience. I'm doing it solo as a rando. She's going to go up with her parents and listen to them preach and drive her insane (gotta love in-laws) while I take the five days and do it alone.
Once again, I'm sorry for anything I said that offended anybody.
First, today is March 28, 2011. I wouldn't even consider letting her go unless she was able to get up to speed on her own before March 28, 2012.
That's 52 weeks of riding. Even at a leisurely pace, she could get in 51 weeks of riding with 100 mile weeks before Christmas. I don't see that as being too aggressive. That's, at a min. 5100 base miles. I could go on and on, but none of the details of this is really important.
I said that I would work her up to a two day, 100 mile total, weekend to see how she felt at that point. I did not mean this weekend, or even next weekend.
Hell, the root of the idea was flexible enough that with a year to plan, train and prepare we might find a lot of things that have to be changed. Hence the reason I gave it an entire year (not including April, May and June) -- so technically 15 months before we rolled one single mile onto this.
I apologize for losing my cool. I was very happy that she wanted to do this ride, and was impressed that she wanted to on her own accord. It's neither here nor there now, I've already said that what advise had been given to me was accurate. That I made the wrong assumption that this would be akin to a credit card touring experience. I'm doing it solo as a rando. She's going to go up with her parents and listen to them preach and drive her insane (gotta love in-laws) while I take the five days and do it alone.
Once again, I'm sorry for anything I said that offended anybody.
03-28-11, 01:35 PM
#56
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as I agree with what the others have said (I wouldnt want to do this trip myself, too long distances per day and I've done a fair amount of touring) I would like to add that of the time I have spend looking around on Bike Forums, the touring section is quite unique for respectful, thought out and insightful comments.
My wife likes biking, but not to the extent as I, so last summer we did an organized 6 day tour, still camping, but the event organizers truck your stuff to the days end point and they provide meals. (look up "Velo Quebec-Le Grand Tour" if you want to see what sort of thing it is, about 1800 participants)
Yes this was pricier than doing something on our own, but having support people on bikes, support vans to pick you up if too tired to finish the day or get injured, THIS is what appealed to my wife. It was fun for her, she took advantage of the "return home to base" trucks a few times, but she still did 60, 70, even over 100kms per day (40, 45, over 60 miles). I carried the days stuff with us (I always have flat repair kit, pump, extra food etc) so she would have no weight, especially as we had lots of climbing for the first 3-4 days)
but it was fun for her and not overly ambitious.
to give you an idea of average speeds, when I toured I used to average about 17kph or just over 10 miles per hour. Unloaded, on a day to enjoy myself, I do about that still, maybe 20kph max. Yes, hills, wind, getting tired all plays a part, but honestly, as someone who rides a fair amount and who knows how it is to be on a bike all day (unlike your wife) 10mph average is a realistic average. A LHT is not a light road bike, and weight notwithstanding, spending 4 or 5 hours actually riding is hard, for your hands, your neck, your bum. Your wife doesnt bike, so this is all going to be new to her (the pains I mean) she wont know what to expect nor what to adjust to help matters. Her keester or other parts might hurt like hell and think that "that is normal" and put up with it to her detriment. She could also be ok for the comfort side of things but she still will be sore everywhere even after an easy hour long ride.
I mentioned the organized trip thing as a possible alternative, dont know if that sort of thing exists down there. But even if it doesnt, even just little hour long rides along some pretty areas this season could perhaps whet her appetite for biking.
cheers
My wife likes biking, but not to the extent as I, so last summer we did an organized 6 day tour, still camping, but the event organizers truck your stuff to the days end point and they provide meals. (look up "Velo Quebec-Le Grand Tour" if you want to see what sort of thing it is, about 1800 participants)
Yes this was pricier than doing something on our own, but having support people on bikes, support vans to pick you up if too tired to finish the day or get injured, THIS is what appealed to my wife. It was fun for her, she took advantage of the "return home to base" trucks a few times, but she still did 60, 70, even over 100kms per day (40, 45, over 60 miles). I carried the days stuff with us (I always have flat repair kit, pump, extra food etc) so she would have no weight, especially as we had lots of climbing for the first 3-4 days)
but it was fun for her and not overly ambitious.
to give you an idea of average speeds, when I toured I used to average about 17kph or just over 10 miles per hour. Unloaded, on a day to enjoy myself, I do about that still, maybe 20kph max. Yes, hills, wind, getting tired all plays a part, but honestly, as someone who rides a fair amount and who knows how it is to be on a bike all day (unlike your wife) 10mph average is a realistic average. A LHT is not a light road bike, and weight notwithstanding, spending 4 or 5 hours actually riding is hard, for your hands, your neck, your bum. Your wife doesnt bike, so this is all going to be new to her (the pains I mean) she wont know what to expect nor what to adjust to help matters. Her keester or other parts might hurt like hell and think that "that is normal" and put up with it to her detriment. She could also be ok for the comfort side of things but she still will be sore everywhere even after an easy hour long ride.
I mentioned the organized trip thing as a possible alternative, dont know if that sort of thing exists down there. But even if it doesnt, even just little hour long rides along some pretty areas this season could perhaps whet her appetite for biking.
cheers
03-28-11, 01:41 PM
#57
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Shoot, Santa - just keep her riding and keep urging her to increase what she can do for a year, then reevaluate the trip.
In a year, odds are good she'll be either hardcore and wanting to do it, or she'll have gone off into some other interest, like almost every other body that takes up riding as an adult. A year of South Texas riding will seperate the chaff from the wheat.
If she still wants it, go out and make that long ride your b!tch. If not, do something else, no foul. It may be a death march in the end anyway, but it won't be a failure unless you don't go. The difference between and ordeal and an adventure is only a couple of weeks and a few retellings of the story.
For the record, I've ridden from DFW to Corpus Christi a couple times and figured out it was the wrong direction to go. At least you'll have some nice tailwinds for the ride.
In a year, odds are good she'll be either hardcore and wanting to do it, or she'll have gone off into some other interest, like almost every other body that takes up riding as an adult. A year of South Texas riding will seperate the chaff from the wheat.
If she still wants it, go out and make that long ride your b!tch. If not, do something else, no foul. It may be a death march in the end anyway, but it won't be a failure unless you don't go. The difference between and ordeal and an adventure is only a couple of weeks and a few retellings of the story.
For the record, I've ridden from DFW to Corpus Christi a couple times and figured out it was the wrong direction to go. At least you'll have some nice tailwinds for the ride.
03-28-11, 01:56 PM
#58
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I've been riding my bike everyday and touring for 30+ years.You couldn't pay me to ride that far in Texas in June.
If that seems like a doable ride to you and your honey,go for it.
If that seems like a doable ride to you and your honey,go for it.
03-28-11, 02:00 PM
#59
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To the OP--
Some people need larger goals and challenges to provide motivation and encouragement. If your target mileage and the glamor of the trip gives your wife the push to exceed what she thinks she's capable of then go for it. As you said, there's an entire year until the trip. That's more than enough time for the ups and downs of building mileage to help her figure out whether or not she can make it.
No one on this forum knows the dynamics within your family, they can only speak from their own experiences. Just because their spouse (and mine, by the way) would not react well to this situation doesn't speak to your spouse. You just have to figure out how to engage her to get the greatest effort from her to accomplish the trip . . . and it's a year away. At the end of the day you just need to make sure that your enthusiasm doesn't create personal problems between the two of you (and though I'm sure you know that it's easy to forget in the heat of training).
Lots of people put large goals out there as motivation and the joy is in achieving the goal--surpassing one's own perceived mental and physical limitations. Perhaps your wife is one of those individuals. If so, then give it a shot.
Some people need larger goals and challenges to provide motivation and encouragement. If your target mileage and the glamor of the trip gives your wife the push to exceed what she thinks she's capable of then go for it. As you said, there's an entire year until the trip. That's more than enough time for the ups and downs of building mileage to help her figure out whether or not she can make it.
No one on this forum knows the dynamics within your family, they can only speak from their own experiences. Just because their spouse (and mine, by the way) would not react well to this situation doesn't speak to your spouse. You just have to figure out how to engage her to get the greatest effort from her to accomplish the trip . . . and it's a year away. At the end of the day you just need to make sure that your enthusiasm doesn't create personal problems between the two of you (and though I'm sure you know that it's easy to forget in the heat of training).
Lots of people put large goals out there as motivation and the joy is in achieving the goal--surpassing one's own perceived mental and physical limitations. Perhaps your wife is one of those individuals. If so, then give it a shot.
03-28-11, 03:10 PM
#60
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I'm curious: why were the terms of this endeavor so stark? Why does it have to be "you do this grueling, extreme, hot, boring tour with me or we don't tour together at all"? What did you expect to get out of this thread?
Can we change the name of this thread to "Santaria's narcissistic self-fulfilling prophecy" and close it already? At it's core, this thread has been nothing more than really longwinded trolling on the OP's part.
Can we change the name of this thread to "Santaria's narcissistic self-fulfilling prophecy" and close it already? At it's core, this thread has been nothing more than really longwinded trolling on the OP's part.
03-28-11, 03:15 PM
#61
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I'm curious: why were the terms of this endeavor so stark? Why does it have to be "you do this grueling, extreme, hot, boring tour with me or we don't tour together at all"? What did you expect to get out of this thread? Can we change the name of this thread to "Santaria's narcissistic self-fulfilling prophecy" and close it already? At it's core, this thread has been nothing more than really longwinded trolling on the OP's part.
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03-28-11, 03:30 PM
#62
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But it seems from the tone of his posts he seems downright happy that, equipped with this thread, he has convinced his wife not to go on this tour with him. What I saw on the other side were dozens of reasonable people suggesting that, with a year to plan and save, he try something less ambitious and more in tune with what ANY first time tourer can handle. I don't care if his wife is Wonder Woman - those miles would scare anyone away from touring. To me, posing a question that you have a predetermined answer to with no real intention to take the advice elicited to heart is a waste of the time everyone took to give him requested advice. Furthermore, showing his wife this thread to undermine her confidence (which he alluded to and clearly did, whether his comment was sarcastic or not) completely goes against what the other posters were aiming for in suggesting he take a more reasonable course of action. The idea that "he knows his wife, we don't" is really a cop-out, because this whole forum is premised on taking advice from usually anonymous people that don't know any more about your situation than what you tell them.
03-28-11, 04:47 PM
#63
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But it seems from the tone of his posts he seems downright happy that, equipped with this thread, he has convinced his wife not to go on this tour with him. What I saw on the other side were dozens of reasonable people suggesting that, with a year to plan and save, he try something less ambitious and more in tune with what ANY first time tourer can handle. I don't care if his wife is Wonder Woman - those miles would scare anyone away from touring. To me, posing a question that you have a predetermined answer to with no real intention to take the advice elicited to heart is a waste of the time everyone took to give him requested advice. Furthermore, showing his wife this thread to undermine her confidence (which he alluded to and clearly did, whether his comment was sarcastic or not) completely goes against what the other posters were aiming for in suggesting he take a more reasonable course of action. The idea that "he knows his wife, we don't" is really a cop-out, because this whole forum is premised on taking advice from usually anonymous people that don't know any more about your situation than what you tell them.
Just as much as you have a perspective that I'm trying to upset, rattle or otherwise cause visual dissonance in your touring forum is as much as I was hoping for something other than being told that it was a completely 100 percent bad idea.
At heart, I still have every intention of gently guiding my wife into riding long distances if that is her decision.
To suggest a reasonable course of action is different than making an absolutism in fact. To say this probably would be a bit much for the average rider to undertake one year into "regaining" pedaling legs after a long hiatus would be valid. To say it is impossible is the direction I felt many were saying.
I do, once again, apologize for offending your sense of balance Uosdwis R. Dewoh.
03-28-11, 05:41 PM
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This will all sort itself out in good time, of which there is plenty.
The daily mileage has to be left up to her, with a little bit of coaching from you. Just a little bit. If she becomes motivated to 100+ miles/day, and is physically able, she'll do it. Otherwise, forget it. Won't happen.
As you'll be heading north, the odds of a push from the wind are pretty good. But Texas chip seal will push back and summer heat/humidity will be brutal. I'd do this trip in fall or spring and have a day or two cushion for breakdowns and severe weather surprises.
Why a LHT? You don't need that for a credit card tour. Why not a racer, as this idea is more a race than a tour.
The daily mileage has to be left up to her, with a little bit of coaching from you. Just a little bit. If she becomes motivated to 100+ miles/day, and is physically able, she'll do it. Otherwise, forget it. Won't happen.
As you'll be heading north, the odds of a push from the wind are pretty good. But Texas chip seal will push back and summer heat/humidity will be brutal. I'd do this trip in fall or spring and have a day or two cushion for breakdowns and severe weather surprises.
Why a LHT? You don't need that for a credit card tour. Why not a racer, as this idea is more a race than a tour.
Check back with us in a year. I'm 99 44/100% certain that the itinerary will be significantly different by then, but who cares? The new itinerary will be based on one more year of experience and a much better defined idea of what is desirable/possible.
03-28-11, 06:44 PM
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I think Cyclebum did wrap it up nicely. Although it needed a bow
And I put the LHT frame away for now. She already pulled the trigger on her bike she wants, and what a wife wants, she gets after having four of my children
She ordered a Synapse 105. I'm sure she can keep up with me on my CAAD9 for now on that, and let the rest of the details sort themselves out.
And I put the LHT frame away for now. She already pulled the trigger on her bike she wants, and what a wife wants, she gets after having four of my children
She ordered a Synapse 105. I'm sure she can keep up with me on my CAAD9 for now on that, and let the rest of the details sort themselves out.
03-28-11, 07:06 PM
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03-28-11, 07:15 PM
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I don't mean to be annoying by posting in the wrong category in the forum. But can someone tell me where I can post a picture so that someone can help me figure out the make and model?
03-28-11, 07:15 PM
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I don't think my gf would be up for a 30 mile a day plus hotels kind of tour, and I'm not sure I'd be up for the 100+ a day for several days, but maybe i'll work towards that for myself...
03-28-11, 08:10 PM
#69
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Oh ... is this an officially sanctioned randonneuring event you're talking about? What is it called? Who is the organiser?
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03-28-11, 09:21 PM
#70
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This thread should really be over in the "Long Distance" forum. It's got nothing to do with touring
03-28-11, 09:58 PM
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I had the same mentality when I was younger. Luckily, I outgrew it before I met my present wife who is an avid bike tourer. She showed me what touring was really about. She has averaged 50 loaded miles a day for 74 consecutive days, smiled a lot during that trip and is now planning our 4 month tour for this summer. The point is she smiled a lot!
......................and here is the proof of my conversion
......................and here is the proof of my conversion
Last edited by Doug64; 03-28-11 at 10:17 PM.
03-29-11, 05:30 AM
#72
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One thing I also do myself, is some advance planning but try to keep enough flexibility in my touring days as well. If I've got some great tailwinds I may not want stop at original planned location. With headwinds or extreme heat, it might end up being a shorter day than originally planned. I'd also do this if traveling with someone where we're less certain of what might be done.
As an example, when I cycled from Brownsville to Dallas, in advance I'd looked up what towns had motels and created a google map with those marked on it: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UT...11c276e818304d
(There might be a few missed but gives the idea).
When I knew there was a larger gap like that of the King Ranch, I planned accordingly. In my case it wasn't too hard since I flew into Brownsville mid-day and so the first day was a half day to ride to one side of the gap, and start of the next day rode across it.
On further days I didn't have one specific place picked out, but instead each morning had a few likely options and would pick from them as the day unfolded. Overall, I had (what turned out to be) two extra days in my schedule by time I got to Dallas which worked well since a rain storm was coming so I rode a bit longer to avoid it.
You've got a year to figure things out and adjust and train. Why does everything need to be such a black and white stark choice now?
Last edited by mev; 03-29-11 at 05:33 AM.
