Counting descent
09-19-18, 08:24 PM
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Counting descent
Hello BF members! I had a question for you guys and girls.
I try to cycle at least once a week, for about one to three hours in an effort to keep fit and stay in shape. I usually average 10-15 miles or more, but not all of that mileage is constant pedaling. When my wife asks how much I rode, I tell her what my CatEye has recorded. She seems impressed and I am more than happy for her support, but not all of that mileage is pedaling. I rest my legs when I go downhill and somehow feel this shouldn't be included in my total mileage. What are your thoughts?
I try to cycle at least once a week, for about one to three hours in an effort to keep fit and stay in shape. I usually average 10-15 miles or more, but not all of that mileage is constant pedaling. When my wife asks how much I rode, I tell her what my CatEye has recorded. She seems impressed and I am more than happy for her support, but not all of that mileage is pedaling. I rest my legs when I go downhill and somehow feel this shouldn't be included in my total mileage. What are your thoughts?
09-19-18, 08:25 PM
#2
Non omnino gravis
If you rode up the hill, you damn well earned the right to coast down the other side.
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09-19-18, 09:12 PM
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Get a fixed gear bike, that'll 'fix' your dilemma. You won't be able to stop pedaling!
09-19-18, 10:41 PM
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The real danger is your wife finds out those 10-15 miles don’t really take three and a half hours
09-19-18, 10:46 PM
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i ride slow and take stupid instagram pictures lol.and uphills are tough. haha
09-19-18, 10:52 PM
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MAN you nailed it right on the head!
Soooo... Bikey bro, what are you REALLY up to hmmmmm?
/this is a safe place
//tell us your secrets
///where's the gold?
09-19-18, 10:56 PM
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09-20-18, 12:03 AM
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I rode in San Francisco for a couple years. You keep doing it you'll either get strong or get hurt. I had my worst ever wipeout there, which fortunately wasn't too bad. It's been too long to remember what street I was on, but for some reason, the city saw fit not to put a manhole up to the grade of the road, leaving a roughly front wheel pit right at the bottom of a very steep hill. I flew right into that pit and over my handlebars. I landed on my hands, and luckily didn't break anything, although I really couldn't do much with my left hand for a couple weeks.
Otherwise, riding in the city is great. You have your choice of some spectacularly beautiful rides.
Otherwise, riding in the city is great. You have your choice of some spectacularly beautiful rides.
09-20-18, 12:26 AM
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And if you start and finish in the same place, for every down there had to be a corresponding up.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
09-20-18, 02:11 AM
#10
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So, on average, every ride is flat.
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Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
09-20-18, 05:25 AM
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If someone wants to know how far you rode your bike, just give them a number that indicates how far you rode it. That's all. You don't have to qualify it. Even if you had a tailwind the whole way, and it was downhill, if you rode your bike, you rode your bike. You can say it was an easy ride if you want.
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09-20-18, 07:38 AM
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Non omnino gravis
I have a "surplus of climbing," AFAIC. I did the Onyx Summit ride with the gents from Bicycle Club Irvine back in June. Only instead of doing an out-and-back, I met my wife for lunch in Big Bear.
We live at ~1,200ft, Onyx Summit is at 8,449ft, and Big Bear Lake is at about 6,700ft. So for the day I climbed 8,833ft, and only descended 3,316ft.
Now, I have done one-way rides to the beach where I climb about 900ft and descend over 2,100ft, but a net loss of 1,200ft over 74 miles isn't exactly downhill. I think I'm still ahead.
We live at ~1,200ft, Onyx Summit is at 8,449ft, and Big Bear Lake is at about 6,700ft. So for the day I climbed 8,833ft, and only descended 3,316ft.
Now, I have done one-way rides to the beach where I climb about 900ft and descend over 2,100ft, but a net loss of 1,200ft over 74 miles isn't exactly downhill. I think I'm still ahead.
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09-20-18, 09:15 AM
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There's also this:
A common ride for Mrs. Grouch and me is to coast 2 miles down Jungs Station hill to the Katy Trail, ride into St Charles for breakfast and ride back home. Obviously, the last two miles back is uphill. We ate a meal, however, at the low point of the ride so we have to work harder on the return trip than we benefit on the way out. Is that fair?
A common ride for Mrs. Grouch and me is to coast 2 miles down Jungs Station hill to the Katy Trail, ride into St Charles for breakfast and ride back home. Obviously, the last two miles back is uphill. We ate a meal, however, at the low point of the ride so we have to work harder on the return trip than we benefit on the way out. Is that fair?
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
09-20-18, 10:04 AM
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There's also this:
A common ride for Mrs. Grouch and me is to coast 2 miles down Jungs Station hill to the Katy Trail, ride into St Charles for breakfast and ride back home. Obviously, the last two miles back is uphill. We ate a meal, however, at the low point of the ride so we have to work harder on the return trip than we benefit on the way out. Is that fair?
A common ride for Mrs. Grouch and me is to coast 2 miles down Jungs Station hill to the Katy Trail, ride into St Charles for breakfast and ride back home. Obviously, the last two miles back is uphill. We ate a meal, however, at the low point of the ride so we have to work harder on the return trip than we benefit on the way out. Is that fair?
Do you get extra credit if you get toast AND pancakes with your eggs?
Got to tip my hat to you for creating a rationale to eat more--because it makes the workout harder is a rationalization I'm going to steal.
09-20-18, 04:50 PM
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thanks everyone for your response! as funny as they were...lol i do feel better that i am still putting more effort than just cruising. that's my goal! and if any of y'all wanna show me some good paths around the bay area, hit me up! i'll try not to slow you down tho haha
09-20-18, 09:15 PM
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Well as someone who lives surrounded by mountains and some long climbs you better believe those descents count. Try descending in the drops working every corner, maximizing aero position for every mph of speed, for 20 miles or so and tell me that's not a workout in and of itself. Maybe not the legs but the arms, shoulder, neck, etc, they all get into the action and wore out by the work.
Heck and even the legs. Clinching the knees tight to hold them in for less air resistance, keeping the toes dead level and pointed ahead takes a toll on you too.
Heck and even the legs. Clinching the knees tight to hold them in for less air resistance, keeping the toes dead level and pointed ahead takes a toll on you too.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
09-20-18, 10:44 PM
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Well as someone who lives surrounded by mountains and some long climbs you better believe those descents count. Try descending in the drops working every corner, maximizing aero position for every mph of speed, for 20 miles or so and tell me that's not a workout in and of itself. Maybe not the legs but the arms, shoulder, neck, etc, they all get into the action and wore out by the work.
Heck and even the legs. Clinching the knees tight to hold them in for less air resistance, keeping the toes dead level and pointed ahead takes a toll on you too.
Heck and even the legs. Clinching the knees tight to hold them in for less air resistance, keeping the toes dead level and pointed ahead takes a toll on you too.
09-20-18, 10:52 PM
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I did a ride an organized ride up to Onyx Summit. By the time I finished the climbing, nearly 12,000 ft in 72 miles (Breathless Agony) , I sure would have not minded skipping the downhill return. 
09-20-18, 11:49 PM
#24
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I live at 3.14 Escher Square... if I turn left it is downhill all the way!
09-21-18, 12:07 AM
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If you are still married, then I'm not sure you need to worry about impressing your wife. 
There are a few hills that could take a couple of hours to get to the top. And, a well deserved rest going back down.
There are a few hills that could take a couple of hours to get to the top. And, a well deserved rest going back down.