Wish me Luck
11-23-11, 07:59 PM
#1
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Wish me Luck
After completely over-doing my first time back on a bike last month (first time in 30 years), I've been slowly building my time in the saddle and gaining some more experience. We've been blessed with amazing weekend weather over the last 4 weeks here in Northeast Ohio and this weekend looks pretty good as well. I will be attempting a 65 mile ride on the Ohio Erie Canal towpath on Friday. My plan is start at the north entrance (Harvard Avenue in Cleveland) and ride to Akron. This direction is slightly uphill (the canal had 40 some locks to get to the elevation in Akron). The trip back will have the wind at my back and the force of gravity making things a little easier.
After lurking in this forum over the last few years, I can see why so many get excited about riding. I'm hooked and feeling pretty good about the process. Thanks for all of your posts here... I appreciate all of the expertise.
After lurking in this forum over the last few years, I can see why so many get excited about riding. I'm hooked and feeling pretty good about the process. Thanks for all of your posts here... I appreciate all of the expertise.
Last edited by Rktman; 08-20-12 at 11:28 AM.
11-23-11, 08:24 PM
#2
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Overdoing it on the bike is probably the leading cause of giving up. It hurts when you overdo it. I probably didn't do a 65 mile ride until a year into it. Just don't stop.
11-23-11, 08:30 PM
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Wow, 30 years! Its never too late. Good luck Rktman, I'm hoping to be on the towpath Friday with my two sons while they're home for turkey. Happy Thanksgiving!
btw, nice bike! Looks perfect for the towpath.
btw, nice bike! Looks perfect for the towpath.
11-23-11, 08:41 PM
#4
Procrastinateur supreme
I wish you luck. I also suggest that you may be heading for a burnout. It takes time and gradual building up of stamina to avoid hurting yourself, especially as the years pile on.
But do let us know how it goes and how long you take to recover. The body is a marvelous thing.
But do let us know how it goes and how long you take to recover. The body is a marvelous thing.
11-24-11, 07:20 AM
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+1 IMO the best way to get back to (or into) cycling at this age is to have reasonable expectations. That would include giving yourself some time to get "up to speed." It will take a while but you are less likely to get injured and/or burned out.
11-24-11, 08:19 AM
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Good luck! The next couple days should be fantastic. You will not be alone on the Tow Path as plenty of others are going to be out to "work off some holiday". A ride report is a must since you posted it.
11-24-11, 08:21 AM
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+1
__________________
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking. - S. Wright
Favorite rides in the stable: Indy Fab CJ Ti - Colnago MXL - S-Works Roubaix - Habanero Team Issue - Jamis Eclipse carbon/831
11-24-11, 09:04 AM
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After completely over-doing my first time back on a bike last month (first time in 30 years), I've been slowly building my time in the saddle and gaining some more experience. We've been blessed with amazing weekend weather over the last 4 weeks here in Northeast Ohio and this weekend looks pretty good as well. I will be attempting a 65 mile ride on the Ohio Erie Canal towpath on Friday. My plan is start at the north entrance (Harvard Avenue in Cleveland) and ride to Akron. This direction is slightly uphill (the canal had 40 some locks to get to the elevation in Akron). The trip back will have the wind at my back and the force of gravity making things a little easier.
After lurking in this forum over the last few years, I can see why so many get excited about riding. I'm hooked and feeling pretty good about the process. Thanks for all of your posts here... I appreciate all of the expertise . . .
After lurking in this forum over the last few years, I can see why so many get excited about riding. I'm hooked and feeling pretty good about the process. Thanks for all of your posts here... I appreciate all of the expertise . . .
Best wishes for a fine ride!
11-24-11, 09:09 AM
#10
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I wish you luck. I also suggest that you may be heading for a burnout. It takes time and gradual building up of stamina to avoid hurting yourself, especially as the years pile on.
But do let us know how it goes and how long you take to recover. The body is a marvelous thing.
But do let us know how it goes and how long you take to recover. The body is a marvelous thing.
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Momento mori, amor fati.
Momento mori, amor fati.
11-24-11, 09:12 AM
#11
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Good Luck.
Stop every 5 miles, rest, take a photo or two.
Have fun with it.
Stop every 5 miles, rest, take a photo or two.
Have fun with it.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
11-24-11, 09:20 AM
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It's out and back - right?
Just ride out until you're halfway tired, then turn around and ride back. The wisdom comes in knowing when you've reached the halfway tired point. I've made some bad calls in my day.
Just ride out until you're halfway tired, then turn around and ride back. The wisdom comes in knowing when you've reached the halfway tired point. I've made some bad calls in my day.
11-24-11, 09:25 AM
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Good luck, I started back in July after 25 Years, and I am 57, longest run for me was a lot shorter then 65 miles, my average MPH went from 9 to 13, I am good, will start in the spring, all out!
11-24-11, 09:26 AM
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Bring a bike-lock and have a nice lunch in Peninsula. It's an relaxed ride without too many challenges. The slope is slight and you will have any easy time on the way back.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
Last edited by Barrettscv; 11-24-11 at 09:30 AM.
11-24-11, 09:27 AM
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Don't overdo it. Ride in an easier gear than usual so you don't run out of energy or get tired too quickly. As others have said, don't feel bad about stopping every 10 miles or so to rest. Take plenty of water, Gatorade, and food (PBJ, gels, fig bars, etc).
I did my first metric century (it was ~64 miles) when I had been riding about 5 months. I was 56 at the time.
Good luck and post pics.
I did my first metric century (it was ~64 miles) when I had been riding about 5 months. I was 56 at the time.
Good luck and post pics.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
11-24-11, 09:44 AM
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Rktman, you missed this option by a few weeks. https://www.cvsr.com/bikeaboard.aspx
11-24-11, 01:09 PM
#17
Uber Goober
Sounds like a plan, 10Wheels nailed it, have fun.
I started bicycling because I was fat and out of shape. So it wouldn't mean much to tell you how long it took me to get to 65 miles unless you just happened to be the same degree of fatness and out-of-shapeness, which is unlikely. So go for it.
I started bicycling because I was fat and out of shape. So it wouldn't mean much to tell you how long it took me to get to 65 miles unless you just happened to be the same degree of fatness and out-of-shapeness, which is unlikely. So go for it.
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"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
11-24-11, 01:51 PM
#18
just keep riding
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Good luck.
11-24-11, 02:14 PM
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I'm sneaking away from the family turkey get together to say thanks to everyone for the advice and comments. For me, planning for something like this is almost as fun as the actual event. I mapped out the ride on Ride with GPS and downloaded the course to my Garmin. I purchased an additional cage so I can carry two water bottles. I have a few energy bars packed as well. It looks like the weather will be great with sun and temps in the low 60's. My wife is on standby with a car and carrier to pick me up if I can't make it back to the start.
I'll post a complete ride report once completed. Here is the course...
I'll post a complete ride report once completed. Here is the course...
11-24-11, 07:34 PM
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Sounds like fun and your back up plan sounds like you have it covered. If you werent in too bad of shape when you started it should be doable. I hope to come up and ride on the tow path some summer.
11-24-11, 10:14 PM
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What time are you starting from Harvard. I plan to ride tommorow and might be able to meet up with you at Station Road Brecksville or at Pennisula depending on your timing.
11-24-11, 10:36 PM
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Can't wait to hear the outcome of this... I share the burnout concern but hope for the best. Good luck Rktman!
11-25-11, 05:36 AM
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11-25-11, 04:20 PM
#24
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How was the ride?
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.