Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fifty Plus (50+)
Reload this Page >

60 Miles on 60 (C&O Canal)

Notices
Fifty Plus (50+) Share the victories, challenges, successes and special concerns of bicyclists 50 and older. Especially useful for those entering or reentering bicycling.

60 Miles on 60 (C&O Canal)

Old 08-03-21, 03:35 PM
  #1  
Warbird21
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Warbird21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Maryland (Western)
Posts: 245

Bikes: Salsa Warbird

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 163 Times in 85 Posts
60 Miles on 60 (C&O Canal)

My odometer clicked over to 60 today. I celebrated by riding 60 miles on the C&O Canal. I've been riding regularly for about a year now, but limited to a max of 30 mile rides (I can average around 16 mph on those). I live two miles from the Canal, so its a regular ride for me. For this event, I went upriver 15 miles, than downstream 30 miles and back 15 miles to my starting point. I lucked out, and it was a cool day here in Maryland, in fact at 59 degrees at 7 AM, I had to layer on a long sleeve windshirt. At 30 miles, I was averaging 15.4 mph and held that until the 45 mile mark. Then, fatigue set in and I dropped a few. A group of six riders had passed me at the 45 mile turnaround point. I ate a banana and drink then set out after that group I caught them 8 miles from the finish and didn't have the energy to pass them. At 3 miles to go, they said go for it and I was able to get around them and finished strong, with a 15.3 mph average (I was pleased with this outcome). They stopped when I finished and chatted,a very nice group of riders from NJ, doing the entire canal. I gave them some tips for lunch at my town (Williamsport) and where to eat at their evening's destination upstream. I was pretty beat at home, but now at 5, I'm ready for my birthday dinner and some beers to celebrate (but in our MGB, NOT the bike!). A lot of folks here in my age group have done significantly more difficult rides and reading about them was definitely inspirational - so thank you folks! Cheesy pictures to follow.


Victory salute, managed to do this without breaking anything or hurting myself

Ride summary, Garmin did great!



Near Ft. Frederick

45 mile point



Done!
Warbird21 is offline  
Old 08-03-21, 05:10 PM
  #2  
shelbyfv
Expired Member
 
shelbyfv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: TN
Posts: 11,455
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3637 Post(s)
Liked 5,314 Times in 2,700 Posts
Congrats! Fine work and nice pics, that's a classy looking Salsa.
shelbyfv is online now  
Old 08-03-21, 05:39 PM
  #3  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,099
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8185 Post(s)
Liked 8,843 Times in 4,391 Posts
Is the whole route on dirt? Gotta be tougher than riding 60 on pavement. And I agree, nice looking Warbird!
big john is offline  
Likes For big john:
Old 08-03-21, 05:45 PM
  #4  
fishboat
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,888

Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 750 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 799 Times in 467 Posts
That's a pretty healthy pace on dirt/gravel for that many miles.

You dun good.

Happy B-day.
fishboat is offline  
Old 08-03-21, 06:55 PM
  #5  
Warbird21
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Warbird21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Maryland (Western)
Posts: 245

Bikes: Salsa Warbird

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 163 Times in 85 Posts
Originally Posted by big john
Is the whole route on dirt? Gotta be tougher than riding 60 on pavement. And I agree, nice looking Warbird!
Well, no hills, but kind of rough. Most of the route had a fair amount of gravel, but you have to watch out for tree roots and rocks jutting out, you can't take your eyes off the road for a second. The carbon-fiber CRG Specialized seat post helps a lot and the rear stays of the Warbird are pretty forgiving as well. But, no traffic!
The Warbird is covered in a thick layer of dust and a little mud, it will get cleaned up tomorrow, no energy tonight.
Warbird21 is offline  
Old 08-03-21, 07:49 PM
  #6  
Random11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: North Florida
Posts: 510

Bikes: 2019 Specialized Diverge, 2021 Cervelo Caledonia

Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 257 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 378 Times in 197 Posts
Sounds like a nice ride. Thanks for sharing the photos.
Random11 is offline  
Old 08-03-21, 08:33 PM
  #7  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,099
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8185 Post(s)
Liked 8,843 Times in 4,391 Posts
Originally Posted by Warbird21
Well, no hills, but kind of rough. Most of the route had a fair amount of gravel, but you have to watch out for tree roots and rocks jutting out, you can't take your eyes off the road for a second. The carbon-fiber CRG Specialized seat post helps a lot and the rear stays of the Warbird are pretty forgiving as well. But, no traffic!
The Warbird is covered in a thick layer of dust and a little mud, it will get cleaned up tomorrow, no energy tonight.
I keep thinking about a gravel bike and that looks like a nice route. A friend has a Salsa but his has 650 wheels.
big john is offline  
Old 08-04-21, 10:54 AM
  #8  
jppe
Let's do a Century
 
jppe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,316

Bikes: Cervelo R3 Disc, Pinarello Prince/Campy SR; Cervelo R3/Sram Red; Trek 5900/Duraace, Lynskey GR260 Ultegra

Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 651 Post(s)
Liked 879 Times in 408 Posts
Originally Posted by big john
I keep thinking about a gravel bike and that looks like a nice route. A friend has a Salsa but his has 650 wheels.
650 wheels might be perfect. Allows a little wider tire, lower air pressure and a more comfortable ride. While I added a gravel bike I’m still mainly a road rider. I’m not a good descender on gravel….
__________________
Ride your Ride!!
jppe is offline  
Old 08-04-21, 01:50 PM
  #9  
big john
Senior Member
 
big john's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,099
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8185 Post(s)
Liked 8,843 Times in 4,391 Posts
Originally Posted by jppe
650 wheels might be perfect. Allows a little wider tire, lower air pressure and a more comfortable ride.
That's what I thought, too. He invited me on a group ride mostly on fire roads and I took my mountain bike. The guys on lightweight gravel bikes could out climb me, for sure. If I knew there would be lots of these rides I would get a gravel bike but I mostly ride road like you. There's always someone to ride the road with.
big john is offline  
Likes For big john:
Old 08-04-21, 07:26 PM
  #10  
huffman 
Senior Member
 
huffman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: NC
Posts: 152

Bikes: Niner Jet 9 • Santa Cruz 5010 • Litespeed Watia

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 37 Post(s)
Liked 14 Times in 9 Posts
I have ridden the C&O twice, the last time in 2001. Great ride, I hope to do it again next year, was set to ride it last year (2020) but we know why that didn't go down. Must be nice to live so close to the trail. Enjoy!
__________________
Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do! Unknown
huffman is offline  
Old 08-04-21, 07:28 PM
  #11  
Warbird21
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Warbird21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Maryland (Western)
Posts: 245

Bikes: Salsa Warbird

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 163 Times in 85 Posts
Originally Posted by huffman
I have ridden the C&O twice, the last time in 2001. Great ride, I hope to do it again next year, was set to ride it last year (2020) but we know why that didn't go down. Must be nice to live so close to the trail. Enjoy!
Yes,we take it for granted here. I can ride several different routes from 10 to 30 miles or more and jump on/off the canal where I choose, with all rural roads.
Warbird21 is offline  
Old 08-05-21, 12:47 PM
  #12  
travbikeman
Senior Member
 
travbikeman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Martinsburg WV Area
Posts: 1,696

Bikes: State 4130 Custom, Giant Trance 29

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 416 Post(s)
Liked 172 Times in 117 Posts
I try to ride at least once a week on the C&O and then try to walk on it as often as I can. Great job at 60 miles!

Last year I celebrated my 50th on the C&O doing 50 miles, albeit, considerably slower than you. I'll blame the hybrid for my slowness! Yea, not the engine!
travbikeman is offline  
Old 08-05-21, 07:01 PM
  #13  
Warbird21
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Warbird21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Maryland (Western)
Posts: 245

Bikes: Salsa Warbird

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 163 Times in 85 Posts
Originally Posted by travbikeman
I try to ride at least once a week on the C&O and then try to walk on it as often as I can. Great job at 60 miles!

Last year I celebrated my 50th on the C&O doing 50 miles, albeit, considerably slower than you. I'll blame the hybrid for my slowness! Yea, not the engine!
Hey, you got it done! I'm easy to spot with a lime green helmet and orange shoes!
Warbird21 is offline  
Likes For Warbird21:
Old 08-05-21, 07:55 PM
  #14  
MinnMan
Senior Member
 
MinnMan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Minneapolis
Posts: 5,734

Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease Carbon Deore 11, 2020 Salsa Warbird GRX 600, 2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX disc 9.0 Di2, 2020 Catrike Eola, 2016 Masi cxgr, 2011, Felt F3 Ltd, 2010 Trek 2.1, 2009 KHS Flite 220

Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4265 Post(s)
Liked 2,937 Times in 1,811 Posts
Congrats.

Warbird is a fun bike. Love mine.
MinnMan is offline  
Old 08-05-21, 08:45 PM
  #15  
reverborama
Broom Wagon Fodder
 
reverborama's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,384

Bikes: Fuji Supreme; Kona Wo; Nashbar road frame custom build; Schwinn Varsity; Nishiki International; Schwinn Premis, Falcon Merckx, American Flyer muscle bike, Motobecane Mulekick

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 30 Posts
Congrats. I turned 63 earlier this week and will ride the 62 mile Tour de Tonka route Saturday and sneak in an extra mile after the finish line! Always fun to ride your age!
reverborama is offline  
Old 08-06-21, 11:42 AM
  #16  
Skullo 
Master of the Universe
 
Skullo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Utah
Posts: 198
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 66 Post(s)
Liked 103 Times in 52 Posts
Good on you. That ride is on my list.
__________________
Skullo is offline  
Old 08-07-21, 05:47 AM
  #17  
Warbird21
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Warbird21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Maryland (Western)
Posts: 245

Bikes: Salsa Warbird

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 163 Times in 85 Posts
Originally Posted by reverborama
Congrats. I turned 63 earlier this week and will ride the 62 mile Tour de Tonka route Saturday and sneak in an extra mile after the finish line! Always fun to ride your age!
Have a great ride!
Warbird21 is offline  
Old 08-09-21, 02:18 PM
  #18  
reverborama
Broom Wagon Fodder
 
reverborama's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 1,384

Bikes: Fuji Supreme; Kona Wo; Nashbar road frame custom build; Schwinn Varsity; Nishiki International; Schwinn Premis, Falcon Merckx, American Flyer muscle bike, Motobecane Mulekick

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 52 Post(s)
Liked 64 Times in 30 Posts
Originally Posted by Warbird21
Have a great ride!
Yeah, this turned out to be a tough one. The start was delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms, and even then it was raining when we rolled out. The first 20 miles were uneventful (if a little wet) then we had the first flat. Changing flats in the wet sucks. So much grit. Got it changed, made the next rest stop and all seemed well. Less than a mile out of there my wife got her second flat. She walked it back to the stop and called for the sag wagon but insisted I continue. I made the next rest stop then a little over a mile out of that one I flatted. I got the tire changed but was unable to get enough air in to seat the bead. Luckily there was a housing development within sight so I walked over and borrowed a pump. The rest of the ride was uneventful but I was pretty tired at the end of all that!
reverborama is offline  
Old 08-28-21, 09:03 AM
  #19  
Chucky827
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Posts: 5

Bikes: Trek Checkpoint SL 6

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times in 3 Posts
Birthday ride.

Decided 60 miles on my 60th was a good idea, my longest ride yet.

Chucky
Chucky827 is offline  
Likes For Chucky827:
Old 08-28-21, 09:39 AM
  #20  
IcySwan1 
Full Member
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Haines, Alaska
Posts: 308
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 94 Post(s)
Liked 104 Times in 73 Posts
Dang. If distance is tied into age then I am in trouble. I don’t think I can do 70 miles.

mike
IcySwan1 is offline  
Likes For IcySwan1:
Old 08-28-21, 09:49 AM
  #21  
Warbird21
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
Warbird21's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Maryland (Western)
Posts: 245

Bikes: Salsa Warbird

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 82 Post(s)
Liked 163 Times in 85 Posts
I hear you Mike! At the end, I was wishing that I was 50...

A group of senior riders stopped to chat with me when I finished (they were looking for a place to eat lunch). One guy, who looked older than I am, said at one point, he had to stop riding his age in miles and switched to kilometers!
Warbird21 is offline  
Likes For Warbird21:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.