41.3 Miles!

**Old_Fart2** · September 11th, 2006, 09:53 AM

New record: 41.3 miles - average speed 16.0 mph.

When I bought my bike in May, 2005, I started out riding the hike and bike trails. I could only stretch that to about 12 miles, so I started riding on the street and figured out a 17 mile loop.

When that became too easy, I noticed a lot of riders on the west side of town, so I took a ride out that way and stretched it to 20 miles.

Then one morning I hooked up with a guy right after I left my house. He showed me a route that is a 23 mile loop. It also has a 9 mile inner loop that you can repeat for more mileage. At about the 8th mile of the inner loop is a long hill ("The Hill") which is apparently famous around these parts for those wanting to train for hills.

Last week, after reading the thread on gearing, I experimented a little with the gears. I had never actaully used the front gear, always leaving it on the highest (or lowest - I can't ever get that straight - the biggest one) gear. Then about a 4th of the way up the hill, I'd have to get off the seat. Well, when I dropped the front gear, I mananged to make it all the way up seated.

Yesterday, on my 41 mile ride, I did the loop 3 times. The first time up the hill I stayed on the seat all the way, dropping to 10.6 mph but actually passing 2 people. The second time - still on the seat but my speed dropped to 8.6 (I didn't pass but actually caught up to 2 more guys). The 3rd time - I had to get off the seat and my speed dropped to 7.6 mph. So I decided to head back home.

Next week I 'm going to do the 41 mile again, then I'm going to try a 50.

One thing I want to work on is improving my speed. I only have time to ride once a week and work out with weights 3 times a week. So I've changed my workouts to include supersetting and higher reps in the hopes of increasing my stamina.

**engr** · September 11th, 2006, 10:12 AM

Way to go OF! Sounds like that ride rocks and to hit "The Hill" 3 times is sweet.

**Old_Fart2** · September 11th, 2006, 10:17 AM

Yeah, the first time I did it, it almost killed me so naturally I had to circle around and try it again!

http://planobicycle.org/rides/rideview.asp?rideid=461

**engr** · September 11th, 2006, 10:18 AM

Of course...wouldn't have expected any less.

**Doughboy** · September 11th, 2006, 10:56 AM

Great job Farty (Man I need to learn how to ride a bike)

**sucher67** · September 11th, 2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Fart2

One thing I want to work on is improving my speed. I only have time to ride once a week and work out with weights 3 times a week. So I've changed my workouts to include supersetting and higher reps in the hopes of increasing my stamina.

I think that is excellent-- obviously you make fitness a priority. Reps to you, Mr. Fart. I am feeling a bit more motiviated today...

**pigperson** · September 11th, 2006, 09:52 PM

awesome OFII -- I'm sure you'll be able to handle the half-century with no problem!

**swss** · September 11th, 2006, 09:56 PM

NICE.......great ride, you'll breeze up to the 50. I myself currently am topped out at about 30 miles on a similar route, I can only hope get to were you are. Nice job though.

gonzoguri · September 12th, 2006, 05:24 AM

My first ride on a mtb was about 8 kms

Last may I rode 173 kms on a marathon race

keep on the good work

**Wangle_It** · September 27th, 2006, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old_Fart2

New record: 41.3 miles - average speed 16.0 mph.

Next week I 'm going to do the 41 mile again, then I'm going to try a 50.

One thing I want to work on is improving my speed. I only have time to ride once a week and work out with weights 3 times a week.
So I've changed my workouts to include supersetting and higher reps in the hopes of increasing my stamina.

Good work Old_Fart, totally impressed with your approach and attitude to reach a goal, .....

Hope the 50 goes well without any interruptions, Good Luck.......... Cheers..

**Goose102** · September 27th, 2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wangle_It

Good work Old_Fart, totally impressed with your approach and attitude to reach a goal, .....

Hope the 50 goes well without any interruptions, Good Luck.......... Cheers..

Took the words right out of my mouth.

**Old_Fart2** · September 28th, 2006, 10:28 AM

Well, here's an update:

I was unable to ride the weekend after this ride. After I don't know how long, it finally rains and picks my ride day to do it!

So I headed out this past Sunday after a week layoff (still hitting the weights of course). I hooked up with my buddy and off we went. We decided from the outset to do the 3 laps for the 41 mile ride and if it went well, go for the 4th lap for the 50 mile.

Started out fine but after about 30-40 minutes the wind started really picking up. "The Hill" was fine, the uphill side was sheltered from the wind but some of the lessor hills were killers - against a 15-20 mph wind. It felt like we weren't even moving, yet we were busting ass.

So on the 3rd lap, I stood up on trying to bust it through a light before it changed and noticed some cramping in my legs. Then we got around to "The Hill" and I had to get off the seat for practically the whole thing. My legs were cramping all the way up!

When he asked if I wanted to try another lap, I told him about the cramps. He said since he didn't have a tow rope, maybe we should head on back. We took a slightly different route home and ended up with 42.5 miles but only at an average speed of 15.2 mph.

When I got off the bike, my legs started cramping painfully. I couldn't sit, stand or lay without pain. So I filled the tub with hot water and soaked myself in epsom salts for about 20 minutes. Finally, I could function again!

I'm not sure what happened; I was staying hydrated. Maybe I was just hitting that proverbial wall with the extra effort I was expending due to the wind. My wind was fine; the muscles just quit working.

Anyway, this weekend, we're going for a mini-vacation in Austin so I'll miss my ride again. In a few more weeks I'll try to work back up to the 50 miler.

**bouncer** · September 28th, 2006, 11:46 AM

I really appreciate a post like this. I gotta hand it to ya Oldfart. You keep on pushing!

Makes me want to go to Costco and get a new bike....and some Tylenol.

**Old_Fart2** · September 28th, 2006, 11:52 AM

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger!

kingkirby · October 2nd, 2006, 04:02 PM

Way to go, Old Fart! I am just a couple days back on my bike after a lengthy injury and I'm pretty much keeping it light until Spring. You're story is a definite motivator and I'm stoked I'm not the only one that gets the highest gear/lowest gear thing mixed up!!