July 2019 Biking Cycling Bicycling Bike/ Bicycle/Unicycle/Tricycle Challenge!

Machka9
Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
If you are new to posting on this thread, or if you are new to cycling, We welcome you! If you are returning from a previous thread, We welcome you, too.

This thread is for anyone who rides a bicycle ... or unicycle, tricycle, tandem, etc.

Do you bike to work? Do you pull your children to the park? So you ride weekends? Do you spin at home or in the gym? Is Zwift your thing? Do you race crits, ironman, or centuries? Or, are you just starting out and remembering how much fun you had biking when you were a kid? However you choose to push your pedal, you are welcome on this thread.

There's no set challenge across participants - this is a mixed-ability / mixed-experience / everyone welcome group. Just pick your own target that you want to achieve this month, post that when you join the thread, and post updates throughout the month as you're working towards your target.

Jet into July!


(BTW - Thanks to @CricketKate for starting all this back in 2012)
«13

Replies

  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes
    Apr-19 ... 160.3 km (99.6 miles) = 25 hours 4 minutes
    May-19 ... 164.0 km (101.9 miles) = 29 hours 10 minutes
    Jun-19 ... 246.2 km (153 miles) = 25 hours 40 minutes

    Goal: More than June!!

    Monday, 1 July 2019 … 2.2 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 16 flights of stairs


    2019 Monthly July
    Walking Distance (km): 2.2
    Walking Time (min): 27.5
    Cycling Distance (km): 0.0
    Cycling Time (min): 0.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 16.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 12.8
    Rowing Distance (km): 0.0
    Rowing Time (min): 0.0
    Other Distance: 0.0
    Other Time: 0.0

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 2.2
    Total Distance (miles): 1.4
    Total Time (min): 40.3
    Total Time (hr): 0:40:18
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    Thanks for keeping the thread going @Machka9

    July for me is going to be all about preparing for a charity Century first weekend in August but it's going to be very unstructured. If my back feels good I'll ride long or head for the hills, if it feels OK I'll do a moderate ride, if it's awful then it's a rest day....

    Just completed 100 miles in two days as a stepping stone towards my goal.
    Hope to do some serious hill work end of this week or beginning of next. Fingers crossed!!
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    Thanks for keeping the thread going @Machka9

    July for me is going to be all about preparing for a charity Century first weekend in August but it's going to be very unstructured. If my back feels good I'll ride long or head for the hills, if it feels OK I'll do a moderate ride, if it's awful then it's a rest day....

    Just completed 100 miles in two days as a stepping stone towards my goal.
    Hope to do some serious hill work end of this week or beginning of next. Fingers crossed!!

    Well done!
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes
    Apr-19 ... 160.3 km (99.6 miles) = 25 hours 4 minutes
    May-19 ... 164.0 km (101.9 miles) = 29 hours 10 minutes
    Jun-19 ... 246.2 km (153 miles) = 25 hours 40 minutes

    Goal: More than June!!

    Monday, 1 July 2019 … 2.2 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 16 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 2 July 2019 … 4.3 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 8 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 3 July 2019 … 6.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs


    2019 Monthly July
    Walking Distance (km): 13.3
    Walking Time (min): 166.3
    Cycling Distance (km): 0.0
    Cycling Time (min): 0.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 30.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 24.0
    Rowing Distance (km): 0.0
    Rowing Time (min): 0.0
    Other Distance: 0.0
    Other Time: 0.0

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 13.3
    Total Distance (miles): 8.3
    Total Time (min): 190.3
    Total Time (hr): 3:10:15


    Still waiting to get some cycling in ... but it is the middle of winter here.
  • AgileK9
    AgileK9 Posts: 257 Member
    Doing more road rides because it.will.not.stop.raining! It’s supposed to be semi arid here.

    July 4 - 27.7 Road miles
    July 6 - 42.3 Road miles (longest ride ever for me)
  • swonn
    swonn Posts: 323 Member
    I used to post here a lot. My goals are to get more efficient on the bike while adding strength exercises on my non-biking days.

    7/01–16.1 miles
    7/03–20 miles
    7/05–61.48 miles (most ever in one day for me)
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    Managed to get total mileage up to 151 miles for the week and got in plenty of hill climbing including hill repeats on a 500' hill...…

    o840bm4jm7d9.png


    And a reconnoitre of 60 miles of the 100 mile course I'm doing in August trying to work out where I can make up time and/or save energy. Not happy with my speed or endurance but curiously my hill times were good (for me, not for a good rider!) without pushing hard.

    4c6zs5ikl5ox.png
  • AgileK9
    AgileK9 Posts: 257 Member
    oing more road rides because it.will.not.stop.raining! It’s supposed to be semi arid here.

    July 4 - 27.7 Road miles
    July 6 - 42.3 Road miles (longest ride ever for me)
    July 7 - 4.5 mile trail ride

  • swonn
    swonn Posts: 323 Member
    7/01–16.1
    7/03–20
    7/05–61.48
    7/08–16.3
  • AgileK9
    AgileK9 Posts: 257 Member
    July 4 - 27.7 Road miles
    July 6 - 42.3 Road miles (longest ride ever for me)
    July 7 - 4.5 mile trail ride
    July 9 - 7.7 miles trail
  • swilmer01
    swilmer01 Posts: 11 Member
    WoW, you guys are true bikers.

    I just started. So, here's to going farther:

    7/1 - 2.54
    7/5 - 10.93

    Since I am just starting out any suggestions?
  • awinner_au
    awinner_au Posts: 249 Member
    swilmer01 wrote: »
    WoW, you guys are true bikers.

    I just started. So, here's to going farther:

    7/1 - 2.54
    7/5 - 10.93

    Since I am just starting out any suggestions?

    Just ride, any ride is better than none.
  • swilmer01
    swilmer01 Posts: 11 Member
    7/1 - 2.54
    7/5 - 10.93
    7/10 - 10.63

    Ok. Stupid question how do you ride for 30-40 miles after 10 my butt is numb? Is it just something you deal with?
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    swilmer01 wrote: »
    7/1 - 2.54
    7/5 - 10.93
    7/10 - 10.63

    Ok. Stupid question how do you ride for 30-40 miles after 10 my butt is numb? Is it just something you deal with?
    @swilmer01
    Not a stupid question at all.
    Initial discomfort is one of the barriers to cycling that discourages many people from continuing.

    It simply takes time to condition your butt to sitting in an odd position for extended periods of time, it's a good idea to space out your rides rather than ride day after day while this is happening. Don't try and increase your distance/duration too fast.

    Secondly some saddles are simply uncomfortable for some individuals and some budget ones are uncomfortable for everyone. I'm still searching for my perfect saddle after many thousands of miles.

    Bike fit also makes a really big difference, ensure you set your saddle height appropriately (most beginners have it too low). Fore/aft position primarily affects your knee comfort but the tilt of the saddle also make a difference to bum comfort.

    Also I would argue that rather than a dog being "a man's best friend" that title should be reserved for proper cycling shorts.

    As your distance increases start thinking about getting some saddle relief during your ride, standing cycling up hills or taking your weight through your feet while coasting down the other side.

    Keep going - it's worth it.





  • AgileK9
    AgileK9 Posts: 257 Member
    swilmer01 wrote: »
    7/1 - 2.54
    7/5 - 10.93
    7/10 - 10.63

    Ok. Stupid question how do you ride for 30-40 miles after 10 my butt is numb? Is it just something you deal with?

    My husband had the same issue with seats. You guys look to be built the same based on your profile picture. He switched to the Terry Liberator Y Elite saddle and can now bike 20 miles with no soreness. You might check it out.
  • swilmer01
    swilmer01 Posts: 11 Member
    edited July 2019
    sijomial wrote: »
    swilmer01 wrote: »
    7/1 - 2.54
    7/5 - 10.93
    7/10 - 10.63

    Ok. Stupid question how do you ride for 30-40 miles after 10 my butt is numb? Is it just something you deal with?
    @swilmer01
    Not a stupid question at all.
    Initial discomfort is one of the barriers to cycling that discourages many people from continuing.

    It simply takes time to condition your butt to sitting in an odd position for extended periods of time, it's a good idea to space out your rides rather than ride day after day while this is happening. Don't try and increase your distance/duration too fast.

    Secondly some saddles are simply uncomfortable for some individuals and some budget ones are uncomfortable for everyone. I'm still searching for my perfect saddle after many thousands of miles.

    Bike fit also makes a really big difference, ensure you set your saddle height appropriately (most beginners have it too low). Fore/aft position primarily affects your knee comfort but the tilt of the saddle also make a difference to bum comfort.

    Also I would argue that rather than a dog being "a man's best friend" that title should be reserved for proper cycling shorts.

    As your distance increases start thinking about getting some saddle relief during your ride, standing cycling up hills or taking your weight through your feet while coasting down the other side.

    Keep going - it's worth it.





    Thanks for the info! No one I know rides (or exercises) much so sometimes it's hard to find good answers from people with experience. I really appreciate it.

    I think I'll take your suggestion about not increasing my distance because that was something I was considering, but on 10 miles at about mile 8/9 it starts to get uncomfortable. I think I'll wait until I can complete the full 10 without discomfort before pushing for more.

    I think I will start looking at different seats but another question is what type of bike does everyone use? I'm using a bike purchased years ago. Nothing fancy just a Walmart mountain bike it's a Hyper Havoc 26". I haven't done anything to it except add a front & rear marker light.

    Thanks again! I'm hoping to ride tonight. I wasn't able to yesterday :-1: rain :-(
  • swilmer01
    swilmer01 Posts: 11 Member
    edited July 2019
    AgileK9 wrote: »
    swilmer01 wrote: »
    7/1 - 2.54
    7/5 - 10.93
    7/10 - 10.63

    Ok. Stupid question how do you ride for 30-40 miles after 10 my butt is numb? Is it just something you deal with?

    My husband had the same issue with seats. You guys look to be built the same based on your profile picture. He switched to the Terry Liberator Y Elite saddle and can now bike 20 miles with no soreness. You might check it out.



    Thanks for the suggestion I'll look into a new seat. Just curious how long does it take you to ride 20 miles?
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,707 Member
    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking + a bit of rowing)
    Mar-15 … 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    Apr-15 … 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May-15 … 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    Jun-15 … 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-15 … 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug-15 … 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep-15 … 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct-15 … 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov-15 … 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec-15 … 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan-16 … 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb-16 … 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    Mar-16 … 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    Apr-16 … 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May-16 … 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    Jun-16 … 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    Jul-16 … 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug-16 … 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep-16 … 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct-16 … 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov-16 … 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec-16 … 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan-17 … 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb-17 … 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar-17 … 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr-17 … 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min
    May-17 … 426.6 km (265.1 miles) = 39 hours 21 min
    Jun-17 … 575.7 km (357.7 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    Jul-17 … 714 km (443.7 miles) = 52 hours 23 min
    Aug-17 … 475.8 km (295.6 miles) = 38 hours 41 min
    Sep-17 … 455.5 km (283 miles) = 41 hours 25 min
    Oct-17 … 647.1 km (402.1 miles) = 57 hours 19 min
    Nov-17 … 427.0 km (265.3 miles) = 50 hours 4 min
    Dec-17 … 553.5 km (343.9 miles) = 52 hours 12 min
    Jan-18 … 590.2 km (366.7 miles) = 57 hours 49 min
    Feb-18 … 826.9 km (513.8 miles) = 57 hours 35 min
    Mar-18 … 582.01 km (361.6 miles) = 50 hours 11 min
    Apr-18 … 176.23 km (109.5 miles) = 29 hours 47 min
    May -18 … 167.6 km (104.1 miles) = 29 hours 08 min
    June-18 … 349.9 km (217.4 miles) = 36 hours 58 minutes
    July-18 ... 324.2 km (201.5 miles) = 24 hours 26 minutes
    Aug-18 ... 210.1 km (130.6 miles) = 25 hours 59 minutes
    Sep-18 ... 261.7 km (162.6 miles) = 25 hours 11 minutes
    Oct-18 ... 230.8 km (143.4 miles) = 30 hours 15 minutes
    Nov-18 ... 216.8 km (134.7 miles) = 30 hours 3 minutes
    Dec-18 ... 285.2 km (177.2 miles) = 37 hours 49 minutes
    Jan-19 ... 241.6 km (150.1 miles) = 27 hours 2 minutes
    Feb-19 ... 175.5 km (109 miles) = 19 hours 8 minutes
    Mar-19 ... 170.3 km (105.8 miles) = 28 hours 21 minutes
    Apr-19 ... 160.3 km (99.6 miles) = 25 hours 4 minutes
    May-19 ... 164.0 km (101.9 miles) = 29 hours 10 minutes
    Jun-19 ... 246.2 km (153 miles) = 25 hours 40 minutes

    Goal: More than June!!

    Monday, 1 July 2019 … 2.2 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 16 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 2 July 2019 … 4.3 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 8 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 3 July 2019 … 6.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 4 July 2019 … 6.2 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Friday, 5 July 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Saturday, 6 July 2019 … 0.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Sunday, 7 July 2019 … 0.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs

    Monday, 8 July 2019 … 3.1 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 0 flights of stairs
    Tuesday, 9 July 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 2.5 km rowing + 6 flights of stairs
    Wednesday, 10 July 2019 … 1.8 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 2.8 km rowing + 5 flights of stairs
    Thursday, 11 July 2019 … 3.0 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 3.2 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs
    Friday, 12 July 2019 … 2.5 km walking + 0.0 km cycling + 0.0 km rowing + 4 flights of stairs


    2019 Monthly July
    Walking Distance (km): 32.1
    Walking Time (min): 401.5
    Cycling Distance (km): 0.0
    Cycling Time (min): 0.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Number: 55.0
    Flights Stairs Climbed Time (min): 44.0
    Rowing Distance (km): 8.5
    Rowing Time (min): 55.0
    Other Distance: 0.0
    Other Time: 0.0

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 40.6
    Total Distance (miles): 25.2
    Total Time (min): 500.5
    Total Time (hr): 8:20:30

    It's winter here in Tasmania, AU so there hasn't been much cycling. But we're enjoying watching the Tour de France and hope to get our indoor trainers going soon. :)
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
    swilmer01 wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    swilmer01 wrote: »
    7/1 - 2.54
    7/5 - 10.93
    7/10 - 10.63

    Ok. Stupid question how do you ride for 30-40 miles after 10 my butt is numb? Is it just something you deal with?
    @swilmer01
    Not a stupid question at all.
    Initial discomfort is one of the barriers to cycling that discourages many people from continuing.

    It simply takes time to condition your butt to sitting in an odd position for extended periods of time, it's a good idea to space out your rides rather than ride day after day while this is happening. Don't try and increase your distance/duration too fast.

    Secondly some saddles are simply uncomfortable for some individuals and some budget ones are uncomfortable for everyone. I'm still searching for my perfect saddle after many thousands of miles.

    Bike fit also makes a really big difference, ensure you set your saddle height appropriately (most beginners have it too low). Fore/aft position primarily affects your knee comfort but the tilt of the saddle also make a difference to bum comfort.

    Also I would argue that rather than a dog being "a man's best friend" that title should be reserved for proper cycling shorts.

    As your distance increases start thinking about getting some saddle relief during your ride, standing cycling up hills or taking your weight through your feet while coasting down the other side.

    Keep going - it's worth it.





    Thanks for the info! No one I know rides (or exercises) much so sometimes it's hard to find good answers from people with experience. I really appreciate it.

    I think I'll take your suggestion about not increasing my distance because that was something I was considering, but on 10 miles at about mile 8/9 it starts to get uncomfortable. I think I'll wait until I can complete the full 10 without discomfort before pushing for more.

    I think I will start looking at different seats but another question is what type of bike does everyone use? I'm using a bike purchased years ago. Nothing fancy just a Walmart mountain bike it's a Hyper Havoc 26". I haven't done anything to it except add a front & rear marker light.

    Thanks again! I'm hoping to ride tonight. I wasn't able to yesterday :-1: rain :-(

    I use a Specialzed Roubaix (two of them actually - long story!) for longer rides, it has a bit more compliance and relaxed geometry compared to a very fast road bike. I mostly ride alone but do some long distance Audax events - longest so far 200km.

    For urban rides and just using a bike as transport I use a couple of road biased hybrids with narrow road only tyres. First one was very harsh (like riding a road drill...) but it got me to my first Century.

    Currently stalking adverts shopping for a used mountain bike as I fancy trying some off road riding too.
  • AgileK9
    AgileK9 Posts: 257 Member
    I'm a mountain biker who occasionally road/gravel rides if the trails are wet and I have no other choice...lol

    For my road riding, I bought the bottom of the line Specialized Diverge. It's what they call a "Gravel Grinder." It's more sturdy than a traditional road bike and meant more for gravel road riding. I wanted something I could take more places than just a road bike. It's heavy though and some of my friend have started road riding more so I may consider buying a true road bike.

    Like the say, you always need N+1 bikes! I've personally bought 4 bikes in the last 2 years. I have a problem ;-)