Rowan

One of my all-time favourite experiences was doing a twilight/evening ride from Red Deer in Alberta to Pine Lake. It wasn't a particularly long ride, but we were on touring bikes and camped at Pine Lake. As we rode along, we heard coyotes on a very nearby ridge. Then we got a show put on the aurora borealis. There was no wind, and virtually no traffic.

We don't have coyotes in Australia (or ursine bears, wolves or cougars), so the experience of hearing them the first time was wonderful.

On our most recent trip to Canada in the past month, I talked to an orchardist about how sections of poly irrigation pipe either get holes in them or disappear completely. He said coyotes were the culprits, and quite long sections of pipe just seem to disappear into thin air. Despite fencing right around the orchards, the coyotes do seem to find ways to penetrate them.

OldTryGuy

Today was my 67th birthday and had no plans of a ride since I did a 191 miler from Friday 6:07PM to Saturday 10:30AM. Had to stop a bit after 4AM due to lightning and didn't get back out until 7:45AM. So managed to get on the Paramount today to do some errands and got a 52 mile ride in. Planning on heading out in about 5 hours for 3:30AM start on a day past full moon ride. Maybe 100 or 125 or not or WHATEVER????

Rowan

You continue to amaze with how you overcome your physical issues with the distances you ride, as well the as the multi-events you participate in.

2manybikes

I'm not sure I understand. The coyotes were eating the pipe? Or chewing through it to get into the orchid? Or to get at the water in the pipes?

Rowan

The water and/or nutrient in the pipe. Why they were taking away lengths of it? Who knows?

Cherry orchard, by the way. Not orchid flowers.

OldTryGuy

Thank you,

I just got out of our pool and my new right shoulder is fantastic. I actually move forward when trying to swim. Going to hit the County Pool or Gulf of Mexico to see how longer distance swim goes and might register for a Sprint Triathlon in September. Just have to strap the knees real good or the buggers will collapse.

Met a riding buddy at 3:35AM today under a beautiful moonlit sky for a leisurely 35 miles then got back out after a bike change for another 66 miles. Had some good 53/12 into the wind while standing segments, one was almost 3 miles long of non stop pedaling.

gregLewis

At 68, did my second metric, but there was a "bonus" - an extra 10 km that was partially uphill! Very thoughtful of the organizers. Did the whole in 4:47.

Machka 

We've successfully completed a 200K three weeks ago:
https://www.bikeforums.net/long-dist...donnees-2.html

And then a 300K this weekend:
https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycl...0-11-12-a.html

dennis336

Never done a double century or greater. Still try to get in a couple centuries each each with several more in the 75 - 85 mile range, then a bunch in the 55 - 70 mile range.

OldTryGuy

101 miles yesterday feeling pretty sluggish, 101 miles last Tuesday feeling good, 151 miles last Saturday feeling FINE.

ChiefTJS

I did a century about three years ago. I was so not ready for it and it kicked my butt to the point that I took a break from riding. I'm excited to be back cycling and plan to do a century again this year but only if I know I'm ready.

gif4445

Nice!! I'm a little behind you. Did the first Brevet of the season in southern Missouri yesterday. 200k and finished a couple hours ahead of my first 200k last year. Sorry about the brag, although I had a fair amount of aches and pains finishing the last 20 miles. Thinking I will do at least one more 200 before I go on to the 300K.

bigsky109

I just signed up for a local 66 mile ride again. Seems like they have 2 of them 2 weeks apart. I plan on doing both since I ride about 25-50 per day indoors and out. My wife can't believe the amount I ride since I started about a year ago. To me it was addictive, hard for me to go a day without riding 20 or so miles. Keep it up......I started with only 6 miles per day and it went to what I do now.

beechnutC23

Metric+ centuries, several times per summer, imperial centuries, usually once per summer. Missed out last year due to various factors. With our short riding season (late-November to mid-March/early-April), a good year is 4500 km. Last year was a bad year due to weather and aching muscle issues. The latter was fixed with a medication change late in the season and I got a second wind in September.

bigsky109

I have been doing 21 miles rides everyday. Still cold up here. I did over 78 miles indoors today though, 3 hours!.....

OldTryGuy

In case some have not seen this ..... Posted by Machka 3/24 .....



Rowan and I will not be cycling this weekend.

I explain why here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/20242446-post11602.html

bruce19

Back in the day I did several centuries, rode from ME to CT (300 mi. in 3 days) and a few other longer rides. About once a year I'll do a metric century with my club. But, basically I'm not interested in longer rides anymore. My goals are more along the lines of 100 mi./wk, my 6.3 mi. TT at 19 mph (current best is 18.7) and riding with what the French call "supplesse."

Jim from Boston

Hi Machka,

I was dismayed to read your startling post about @Rowan, and thank you for your detailed report. Last week I had posted to a thread about the travails of a fellow subscriber on Fifty-Plus, “Life changes”:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim from Boston

...When I read the title of your thread, I was reminded of the frightening saying by Doris Lessing, “Life changes fast. I frequently post about my obstacles to cycling, not to complain, but to journal my progress.

I recall similar sorrow when I read of your DVT a few years ago.

It seems to me that he has suffered a subdural hematoma. I’m personally familiar with that condition because as a junior in high school I sustained one playing (American) football. Fortunately there was no severe damage, and FWIW I graduated as the valedictorian. Back then there was no induced coma, no pressure monitoring, nor CT scans. Mine was diagnosed by injecting radiographic contrast dye into my carotid artery to produce an arteriogram showing the clot.

I think doctors base their expectations on their experiences with the “average”patients, and Rowan must have the double-plus advantage of being hyper-fit.That status did me well after a serious cycling accident a few years ago.

Please know that my thoughts and prayers, as well as many other subscribers I'm sure will be with you in the coming weeks, particularly as we encounter your and Rowan’s numerous posts, which I always read.

Sincerely,

Jim

PS: Not to dwell, but I just recalled that in 1950, the hockey legend Gordie Howe suffered a subdural hematoma (or maybe it was a skull fracture according to Wikipedia), but went on to play professional hockey until the 1980’s, and some amateur hockey after that.

OldTryGuy

Highlighted makes me feel soooo oooold.....

https://www.google.com/search?q=engl...nt=firefox-b-1 .....today's wind conditions, click on wind, will pose a good challenge for a longer ride. Will be kitting up shortly, hopping on the Propel with a 20mm wheel on the front instead of the OE 50mm because of winds. 115 miles last Saturday so hoping for 100 miles today all in preparation for April 8th Cross Florida 168 miles.

Windy conditions, 15mph/20mph with 25mph/30mph gusts made for an interesting 102 miles today. Glad to have had some wheels to suck for 45 of those miles even if they were spinning fairly fast.

WNCGoater

I had not seen this. Thanks for posting. Will be lifting Rowan in prayer.

Machka 

Rowan update: Progress is slow ... he's not ready to wake yet.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. They are much appreciated!

OldTryGuy

Thank you for update.

Continued concern for both of you. Good luck.

Gerryattrick

I've sat with my wife for two weeks through an induced coma. It's a horrible thing to have to do but luckily everything worked out.

Good luck to you both, my thoughts are with you.

WNCGoater

Thank you for the update. Continuing prayers for full recovery and strength and peace for you.

qcpmsame 

Machka let me know Rowan is still in the induced coma, prayers for Rowan and Charlene both. Peace and strength for them is definitely needed now.

Bill