Several firsts for this 60 yr old newbie
11-01-15, 08:08 PM
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Several firsts for this 60 yr old newbie
Went to Cyclefest at Lakewood Ranch here in Sarasota today. Have never done a group ride so I'd planned on the 20 mile route. Got there early and watched the 62 mile group head out and then the 35 mile group started getting ready.
What the hell, why not? My longest to date since getting the bike in July was 32 miles so I figured I had it in me. Got near the back and headed out.
The first couple miles was a bit nervy as the group strung out. I'd never ridden that close to other bikes. Careful to not be "that guy" I left 2 feet between my wheel and the bike in front. After a while I found a group I was comfortable with and stayed with them a while.
Then we hit the wind leg. 8 miles into 11 mph wind. I was really thinking about the bail out road I'd found on the map but I soldiered on.
As we neared the mid way rest stop I was absolutely hitting a wall. I saw it a mile up the road but no matter how hard I pedaled I just didn't seem to get closer. I'd never done 17.5 miles at a 13 mph pace without stopping. But I got there and almost fell off the bike.
This was a well run deal and the mid way rest stop had Gatorade, water, bananas, PB&J's, candy bars and more. Drank a bottle of 1/2 Gatorade/1/2 water, grabbed a candy bar and drank most of my bottle of Intra Fuel mix. Intra Fuel is good stuff that was introduced to me by a gym buddy. Hung out for 20 mins or so and got back on.
The splits for the next 18 miles were a 1-2 mph slower but I made it without a stop. We rode some busy roads that had trucks whizzing by our shoulders at 60 mph. I guess you just get used to that.
Longest ride so far. Longest continuous ride without a stop. First group ride. It was a good day!
But I suspect I'll be a bit sore tomorrow.
What the hell, why not? My longest to date since getting the bike in July was 32 miles so I figured I had it in me. Got near the back and headed out.
The first couple miles was a bit nervy as the group strung out. I'd never ridden that close to other bikes. Careful to not be "that guy" I left 2 feet between my wheel and the bike in front. After a while I found a group I was comfortable with and stayed with them a while.
Then we hit the wind leg. 8 miles into 11 mph wind. I was really thinking about the bail out road I'd found on the map but I soldiered on.
As we neared the mid way rest stop I was absolutely hitting a wall. I saw it a mile up the road but no matter how hard I pedaled I just didn't seem to get closer. I'd never done 17.5 miles at a 13 mph pace without stopping. But I got there and almost fell off the bike.
This was a well run deal and the mid way rest stop had Gatorade, water, bananas, PB&J's, candy bars and more. Drank a bottle of 1/2 Gatorade/1/2 water, grabbed a candy bar and drank most of my bottle of Intra Fuel mix. Intra Fuel is good stuff that was introduced to me by a gym buddy. Hung out for 20 mins or so and got back on.
The splits for the next 18 miles were a 1-2 mph slower but I made it without a stop. We rode some busy roads that had trucks whizzing by our shoulders at 60 mph. I guess you just get used to that.
Longest ride so far. Longest continuous ride without a stop. First group ride. It was a good day!
But I suspect I'll be a bit sore tomorrow.
Last edited by Rubble; 11-01-15 at 08:09 PM. Reason: misspell
11-01-15, 09:29 PM
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Congrats!! Love to hear stories like this. Any personal victory is a chance to look yourself in the mirror and know you were better today than you were yesterday, in some respect. And that's always a reason to celebrate.
11-02-15, 05:59 AM
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...and the personal victories just get better! Well Done Rubble, Cheers.
11-02-15, 06:50 AM
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Good for you. Keep on pedalin!
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11-02-15, 08:30 AM
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EXCELLENT achievement!!! 
Today is yesterday's tomorrow.....so how's the body?
Today is yesterday's tomorrow.....so how's the body?
11-02-15, 09:34 AM
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Well done and congratulations. In no time at all 35 miles will be your regular ride. Don't forget to take time, however long is necessary, to recover.
11-02-15, 03:34 PM
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Congrats. I forgot about that ride. I was going to ask my 44 y/o daughter to ride but life crept up on me and I forgot about the ride. 
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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.
11-02-15, 04:22 PM
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Don't feel special about finding it hard to keep up with a group. It' happens to all of us sometimes. And some of us, (me), all the time.
Seakonk Southern Ride | A Midnight Rider
Seakonk Southern Ride | A Midnight Rider
Last edited by capejohn; 11-02-15 at 04:26 PM.
11-02-15, 07:28 PM
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Thanks all. I'm not nearly as sore as I thought I'd be today. Wouldn't want to ride it again today but I'm doing good. I've been doing regular 22-24 mile rides but on a protected and tree lined rails to trails path. This was roadside and open riding. The wind is brutal. Makes the ride feel uphill the whole way. Kinda looked forward to that 18 wheeler going by at 65 to give me a push. Kinda.
Progress is good in my new endeavor. I'm liking it!
Progress is good in my new endeavor. I'm liking it!
11-03-15, 08:30 AM
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Congratulations on the ride but based on your attitude you will go far in this sport of cycling! Always reaching for the little bit extra that you're not sure you can do leads to a good rate of progression (at least for me).
As noted above, recovery is very important too, but it sounds like you've got that covered too.
Welcome to the cycling addiction!
Rick / OCRR
As noted above, recovery is very important too, but it sounds like you've got that covered too.
Welcome to the cycling addiction!
Rick / OCRR
11-05-15, 12:08 PM
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Don't feel special about finding it hard to keep up with a group. It' happens to all of us sometimes. And some of us, (me), all the time.
Seakonk Southern Ride | A Midnight Rider
Seakonk Southern Ride | A Midnight Rider
11-05-15, 02:28 PM
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Two days ago I got on the East Bay path and rode the other way. To Providence, over the Washington Bridge. Through Providence, Pawtucket, Cenral Falls and into Cumberland to get to Blackstone River Bikeway. It was a great ride on a quiet warm Tuesday morning.
11-05-15, 02:39 PM
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11-05-15, 02:58 PM
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Welcome to the group and congratulations. What kind of bike are you looking at buying next?
11-05-15, 05:55 PM
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*singing* Hello headwind my old friend, I've come to ride in you again.
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Fixed Gear Randonneur
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11-06-15, 06:44 AM
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It would be hard for me to choose between an unrelenting 6% grade or an unrelenting 30 mph headwind. I'd probably go for the headwind. At least that would help me stay cooled off.
11-06-15, 07:09 AM
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......and I bet that goal might be in the near future. 
11-10-15, 05:43 PM
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+1 on the Congrats! When you turn into the wind you realize - oh yeah, there it is... Keep on keeping on, enjoy each victory... you are doing something that the vast majority of people in our age group are not doing Andy
12-02-15, 01:40 PM
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12-02-15, 03:34 PM
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..........so next year**********??
12-02-15, 05:01 PM
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Congrats on your milestones, and keep riding!
