Raedeke

I need some help. I've been riding again for over a year now. Have tackled the MS150, and a couple of other 50-75 mile rides, but yesterday I failed to complete my first Century. Not sure quite what happened, possibly the wind, possibly my diet, or I just plain haven't trained properly. I thought I had this thing nailed, but could only get 65miles done before my legs started to cramp and my lower back did me in.

I need some help. I'm contemplating giving up this kind of cycling - there's no reason to not have finished this thing yesterday.

I'm open to suggestions on training books or other information, but I'd really like to actually meet with someone who could put a program together for me, review my bike and my back to see if they can live together or if I should think about something else. I love this sport, but the back pain and leg issues are making it very difficult. Yesterday I had the lungs - but the legs just don't have the strenght to get me over the hills. I cruise on the flats (25-28mph) but when I hit the hills, it all falls apart. I can recover on the flats again, but I need to be able to get up these hills in something other than my 32/23!!! And obviously that wasn't enough yesterday. Problem is the next event I'm doing has some even bigger climbs on it.

How do I go about finding a coach? Is it worth it, as I would expect it to be fairly expensive? Any and all assistance is welcome...

I have a two day event in a month and if I feel like this after day one... I'm not going to making that either.

OK - let me have it...
R

Joat

have you been fitted?
You may find this is all you need.

Raedeke

I have - and feel very good about what they did.
I had it done in mid January and when I rode after that, I did feel good. But the longer I go, the worse the pain in the back is...

One more reason I think to find someone who could look at what I'm riding, how I'm riding and help me make some determinations as to what I should be doing.

R

Stubacca

What sort of terrain have you been training on? How much did you eat and drink on the ride? Were you keeping up the salt and potassium intake along with the fluids?

I assume the ride you're talking about here is the Elephant Rock ride... which is not an easy route at all, especially with the wind that was around yesterday in Colorado! It was a hot day yesterday, too, and I know I was sweating a lot on the ride.

DnvrFox

Why don't you go to Treads in Parker (Cottonwood and Parker Road) and talk things over with the older gentleman there - sorry, I can't remember his name right now, (it will come to me just as soon as I post this) but he will be obvious to you.

He does a lot of riding, his wife sort of runs the shop, and his son works there when not attending college. An awfully nice and knowledgeable guy.

I recently got some new cleats and SPD riding sandals, and he spent a tremendous amount of time updating my bike fit to fit my "aging" body. He wanted to be sure everything was perfection.

He has a lot of experience and perhaps could offer you some insight.

Also, I was just a bit disturbed by your comment:

Perhaps you are asking too much of yourself too quickly? Perhaps relax and enjoy a bit is in order?

Nothing wrong with climbing 32/23, IMHO. (I had a 28 put on my triple so I could better handle Colorado hills).

You must have pooped on the Elephant Rock. The temps yesterday were near 100 degrees, and the winds were noticeable. 65 miles is a good effort.

I know you are worried about the Triple By Pass coming up.

Relax, take life a bit easier, give thanks to God that you have the ability to go 65 miles on a ride (about 99% of the world can't), and check with some knowledgeable shops!

Good luck!

late

You need to pace yourself. It sounds a lot like you went too fast on the flats; and didn't have the reserves you needed for the hills. If it's hot, electrolyte depletion or dehydration are also common. You can do it, it's just a matter of getting the details right.

Raedeke

Thanks Fox... You and I have tried at least once to hook up for a ride - and your words of encouragement renew my interest in meeting you in person. No offense on the 32/23... It just kills me when I'm in my lowest gear, going up the hill at 7 MPH and instinctively reach down and try to drop it another gear.... talk about a demotivating feeling...

I will try Treads and see what they have to say. Thanks

Regarding my intake - I had Gatorade in my camel back, and Accelerade in both of my bottles.
Went through it all and filled up again on the bottles at least twice. Had bananas, bagels, a trail mix bar, some gel, - not sure if that's all??

I have had problems with cramping in the past and recently started taking some Potassium supplements. Seemed to help for a while...

My hill training consists of riding up Deer Creek Canyon... taking a left and going up High Grade. It's a good ride, but when you're only putting in the hill mileage, and not the distance, it's not a fair assessment of my current ability.

R

DnvrFox

Get a lower gear!

Good. Never know if this will pay off or not, but worth a try!


I did Deer Creek Canyon once. Once was enough! Got bombarded by some motorcyclists trying to set speed records on the curves, and vowed "Never Again." One dangerous road, IMHO.

timmhaan

unless there is a problem with fit (it sounds like you have that under control through), your back probably just needs to get used to the postion. being on a bike for several hours (or any position for that matter) is not the most comfotable thing. even in the most comfortable car seat, for example, i cannot drive without stopping for more than 4 hours.

my advice would be to get off the bike more, stretch, etc. during the ride. alternate positions often, get out of the saddle once in a while. sometimes i message my legs while i'm coasting so they don't tighten up so much. that may be in my head, but it seems to help when they are really burning.

good luck with this!

prabbit

How fast do you think you should be climbing?

What sort of training did you do before attempting the century?

flyefisher

25mph is very fast on the flats. For endurance try taking it down a notch to around 19-20mph and cruise there. 100 miles should not be done like a time trial or you will snap pretty early on. An HRM will help you keep track of where you are. Generally on those endurance rides you should maintain around 65-75% maximum.

LordOpie

Perhaps it was the friggin' evil wind??!! Perhaps it was Roller-friggin'-Coaster Rd??!! Maybe the heat?

I'm assuming you're talking about ERock.

I nearly called for a sag wagon at mile 90 myself. And I know several people who stepped down to the 65 or 50 after facing that headwind to the second aid station.

Dude, don't be so hard on yourself.

As for your 23T... I went from a 25 to a 27 just so I could spin the steep stuff, like Deer Creek Canyon. Oh, I couldn't care less what people may say, the rides are far more enjoyable now.

As for intake... did you get enough protein? I read somewhere that you need it to help manage the carbs. I was annoyed that all the aid stations ran out of peanut butter after the first wave.

Keep it up yo!

LordOpie

You had the bike fit to you, but I don't think a shop can tell you whether the saddle you're on is right for you or not? I switched (granted, from the OEM saddle) to a Terry Fly and my back problems decreased significantly. Perhaps try a different saddle?

hey man, I'm not that knowledgeable, but I'll ride with ya and point out stuff. I ride with better people than me and try to mimic them, so I'm learning too.

Drop me a line if you wanna ride.
Steve
scohn4@yahoo.com

You can also drop by our yahoo group -- https://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/FRMB/ -- it's mostly mtb, but we've got some roadies too.

Raedeke

Yep - The Elephant got the best of me...
In hind sight, we went past the 50 mile turn (which we took last year) claiming we would not wimp out in this. Got to the 65 mile turn off way too quickly and both agreed that we should not do the 100... But someone had to come by and say " you can always ride 65"... and so it was we went left.... of the pain.

In hind sight, I think there were many factors in my failure yesterday. Elements were certainly a large part of it, but I don't think I eat well or hydrated very well either. My training before the ride consisted of a 65 mile ride not more than two weeks earlier which I cruised on. And my typlical rides during the week. About 25 miles 2-3 times per.

I have been temped to drop another gear in the back... and probably will after this experience. I'm not interested in trying to keep up with the Jones' or the Bob's or any of the other groups of riders that went wizzing past me as if on the TDF... I just want to enjoy the ride, get to each rest stop and not want to pass out and to finish and finish with a smile on my face instead of the disgusted look I had yesterday.

Raedeke

Honest I'm happy with the 7-9 mph that I was doing... I'd just have preferred to have done it for another 38 miles. My real problem is that I don't have the stamina to keep up a climb - or do it over and over...
Hence - Roller Coaster Road was the deciding factor.

R