rochrunner
09-10-2006, 03:10 PM
My longest ride before today was 40 miles, but that was a liesurely ride on a comfort bike with a lot of breaks. Today's was an annual event in Michigan's "Thumb" area, which means mostly flat and open farmland, small towns, basic rural-America sights.
The two choices for longer rides were 50 and 65 miles, and I had half an idea to go for 65. But one thing about "flat and open" is no hiding from the wind, and there was an increasing wind that I seemed to always be riding into (the kind that gets the flags standing straight out from the poles). When I got to the decision point, I could see that the 65-mile route meant several more miles right into it, so I took the turnoff for 50.
I was riding strictly solo and did the route in about 3:20 riding time for an average speed of 14.5. It was a good experience, but my legs were sore enough after 50 to make me glad that I didn't go for the longer mileage this time! I think I also made the mistake that I used to do in running events of going out too fast -- now I have a better idea of just how far 50 miles and 3+ hours pedalling really is and will pace it better next time.
Another surprise was the difference in road surfaces and the effect on riding effort. It was all basic two-lane country roads, but only a few were really nice and smooth and fast. Others were in poor shape with a lot of bumps and cracks that made me glad for the suspension seatpost on my Sequoia. The worst was a long section of fresh chip-seal that was OK for general smoothness, but it really seemed to have a lot more rolling resistance as I noticed my speed dropped a bit on it.
My legs feel more tired than I expected -- a lot more tired than after a 10-mile (running) race that I did a couple weeks ago. I'm signed up for another of these events in three weeks, but I assume that I'll recover by then. I'm hoping to "ride my age" by doing 60 miles in that one just a few days after I turn 60 years old. :D
The two choices for longer rides were 50 and 65 miles, and I had half an idea to go for 65. But one thing about "flat and open" is no hiding from the wind, and there was an increasing wind that I seemed to always be riding into (the kind that gets the flags standing straight out from the poles). When I got to the decision point, I could see that the 65-mile route meant several more miles right into it, so I took the turnoff for 50.
I was riding strictly solo and did the route in about 3:20 riding time for an average speed of 14.5. It was a good experience, but my legs were sore enough after 50 to make me glad that I didn't go for the longer mileage this time! I think I also made the mistake that I used to do in running events of going out too fast -- now I have a better idea of just how far 50 miles and 3+ hours pedalling really is and will pace it better next time.
Another surprise was the difference in road surfaces and the effect on riding effort. It was all basic two-lane country roads, but only a few were really nice and smooth and fast. Others were in poor shape with a lot of bumps and cracks that made me glad for the suspension seatpost on my Sequoia. The worst was a long section of fresh chip-seal that was OK for general smoothness, but it really seemed to have a lot more rolling resistance as I noticed my speed dropped a bit on it.
My legs feel more tired than I expected -- a lot more tired than after a 10-mile (running) race that I did a couple weeks ago. I'm signed up for another of these events in three weeks, but I assume that I'll recover by then. I'm hoping to "ride my age" by doing 60 miles in that one just a few days after I turn 60 years old. :D