May Cycling Challenge 2014

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Replies

  • Cherylllyn
    Cherylllyn Posts: 114 Member
    Bump
  • faugsu
    faugsu Posts: 330 Member
    Well, I've spent my vacation visiting 5 bike shops in 2 states - success!! I got my bike back today, repaired, and rode it without any problems.

    5-1-14 19 miles
    5-2 21
    5-3 40
    5-4 32
    5-6 25
    5-8 24
    5-12 10 MTD 171
  • gpwalling
    gpwalling Posts: 22 Member
    There is some sage advice in this thread. If all you do is ride around the neighborhood, then an inexpensive bike is all that is necessary. On the other hand, if you enjoy cycling and ride regularly in a semi-serious manner then by all means visit a good bike shop, have them fit you and purchase a bike which fits you. It will make a world of difference. Cycling is a bit like any other sport--the more serious you become the better equipment you will need and therefore demand. It is like golf however; a really fine set of clubs in the hands of a novice is an expensive waste and can be counter productive. The people best suited to advise you are the people who operate a good local bike shop (LBS). I would avoid buying a bike at a warehouse store or general sporting goods outlet. I am at the other end of the spectrum--I have done a great deal of cycling over the years and ride a bicycle that was custom fabricated for me. I visited a professional bike fitter, submitted the fit specs to the manufacturer, chose the actual frame maker and selected the parts that suited my needs. I will not disclose how much all of this cost me but suffice it to say, for me (because of the level of my involvement in cycling over the years) it is well worth it. My bike fits me like a glove and is a dream to ride.
  • cowbellsandcoffee
    cowbellsandcoffee Posts: 2,975 Member
    5/4 - 20.1 miles @ 16.6 mph
    5/5 - 15.6 @ 16 mph
    5/6 - 26.1 @ 15.3 mph
    5/7 - 17.6 @ 16.4 mph
    5/8 - 36.3 @ 14.7 mph (WINDY lol)
    5/10 - 25 @ 16.1 mph
    5/11 - 19.3 @ 17.4 mph
    5/12 - 30.2 @ 17.5

    May total - 190.2
  • Bocch
    Bocch Posts: 191 Member
    May 1: 12.70mi spinning
    May 4: 25.00 mi road
    May 7: 12.50mi spinning
    May 9: 12.70mi spinning
    May 11:41.50mi road (corrected)
    May 13:31.60mi road
  • cowbellsandcoffee
    cowbellsandcoffee Posts: 2,975 Member
    5/4 - 20.1 miles @ 16.6 mph
    5/5 - 15.6 @ 16 mph
    5/6 - 26.1 @ 15.3 mph
    5/7 - 17.6 @ 16.4 mph
    5/8 - 36.3 @ 14.7 mph (WINDY lol)
    5/10 - 25 @ 16.1 mph
    5/11 - 19.3 @ 17.4 mph
    5/12 - 30.2 @ 17.5
    5/13 - 31.5 @ 15.4 (WINDY...)

    May total - 221.7
  • hopper602
    hopper602 Posts: 204 Member
    5.2.14 - 11.3 @ 14.6
    5.4.14 - 15.9 @ 13.8 (stupid traffic lights)
    5.9.14 - 4.73 @ 16.8

    I ride a hybrid style bike (Giant Escape 3) that I got as a gift. Its been a great starter bike as I get more into road cycling but has wider 700x32 tires on it. I now ride with two friends with full road bikes and I can still hang but that wont last as they get better. Love my bike though and love riding.
  • faugsu
    faugsu Posts: 330 Member
    5-1-14 19 miles
    5-2 21
    5-3 40
    5-4 32
    5-6 25
    5-8 24
    5-12 10
    5-13 22 MTD 193
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    May 1 - rode 26.9 miles for a duration of 1:29:58
    May 2 - rode 21.58 miles for a duration of 1:46:48
    May 3 - rode 6.41 miles for a duration of 52:55
    May 4 - rode 16.4 miles for a duration of 1:47:03 (MTB race)
    May 6 - rode 20.1 miles for a duration of 1:17:05
    May 7 - rode 25.4 miles for a duration of 1:51:38
    May 8 - rode 28.8 miles for a duration of 1:48:56
    May 10 - rdoe 14.55 miles for a duration of 1:38:38 (MTB race)
    May 11 - rode 34.5 miles for a duration of 2:00:58
    May 13 - rode 17.3 miles for a duration of 1:27:15

    May totals: 211.94 miles - 16:01:14 hours

    13935589928_4ba050b128.jpg
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    Not being consistent yet, need to get on my bike more often. With the weather improving and maybe not needing to work as late the next several days, I hope to make up some ground, ideally by adding in a bike commute.

    5/3: 21 miles (2 rides)
    5/13: 17.5 miles
    Total to date: 38.5
    Remaining to 150 goal: 111.5
  • e_smith06
    e_smith06 Posts: 65 Member
    May 1 - 22.00mi @10.74mph
    May 5 - 30.00mi @10.57mph
    May 6 - 20.04mi @13.57mph
    May 9 - 11.08mi @11.52mph
    May 10- 22.48mi @13.90mph
    May 11- 21.80mi @13.40mph
    May 13- 22.08mi @12.57mph

    149.48mi for the month so far
  • OPile
    OPile Posts: 104 Member
    May 2: 13.6 mi
    May 3: 7.59 mi
    May 4: 14.78 mi
    May 5: 4.05 mi
    May 6: 18.83 mi
    May 9: 10.95
    May 10: 13.74
    May 13: 29.37

    Total. 112.02

    Goal is a bit optimistic at 250 mi.
    137.98 to go.
  • OPile
    OPile Posts: 104 Member
    May 2: 13.6 mi
    May 3: 7.59 mi
    May 4: 14.78 mi
    May 5: 4.05 mi
    May 6: 18.83 mi
    May 9: 10.95
    May 10: 13.74
    May 13: 29.37
    May 14: 10.94

    Total. 122.96

    Goal is a bit optimistic at 250 mi.
    127.04 to go.
  • cowbellsandcoffee
    cowbellsandcoffee Posts: 2,975 Member
    5/4 - 20.1 miles @ 16.6 mph
    5/5 - 15.6 @ 16 mph
    5/6 - 26.1 @ 15.3 mph
    5/7 - 17.6 @ 16.4 mph
    5/8 - 36.3 @ 14.7 mph (WINDY lol)
    5/10 - 25 @ 16.1 mph
    5/11 - 19.3 @ 17.4 mph
    5/12 - 30.2 @ 17.5
    5/13 - 31.5 @ 15.4 (WINDY...)
    5/14 - 31.1 @ 15.4 (...again...windy)

    May total - 252.8
  • sajeffe
    sajeffe Posts: 850 Member
    5/1 - 0 miles.
    5/2 - 1.5 miles.
    5/3 - 2.4 miles at 9.5mph listening to Haim on the Walkman (totally safe cuz I don't use headphones/earbuds).
    5/3 - 2.5 additional miles at 9.5mph listening to a variety.
    5/4 - 3.6 miles at 9.9mph listening to B.B. King and Badfinger.
    5/5 - 1.1 miles at 8.4mph.
    5/6 - 1.7 miles at 8.5mph.
    5/7 - 3.5 miles at 10.6mph listening to The Black Keys.
    5/8 - 4.0 miles at 10.4mph listening to Trombone Shorty & others. Need more days like this to reach my goal.
    5/8 - 1.2 more miles at 9.1mph.
    5/9 - 1.7 miles at 10.5mph.
    5/10 - 4.0 miles at 9.7mph listening to MGMT and others.
    5/10 - another 1.4 miles.
    5/11 - 3.1 miles at 10.2mph listening to Fitz & the Tantrums and others.
    5/12 - 3.3 miles at 9.7mph listening to Grouplove.
    5/14 - 2.8 miles at a lazy pace. Puts me at halfway to month's goal. Woot.



    Goal for May is 75.0 miles.
    MTD = 37.8 miles.
    Yet to Ride = 37.2 miles.
  • faugsu
    faugsu Posts: 330 Member
    Hey sajeffe -- have you noticed the Black Keys give you your highest average speed? I've got old Black Keys playing in my car right now. Hope I don't get a speeding ticket.

    5-1-14 19 miles
    5-2 21
    5-3 40
    5-4 32
    5-6 25
    5-8 24
    5-12 10
    5-13 22
    5-14 24 MTD 217
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    May 3 - 68 miles - 3:42:31 - 18.3mph
    May 6 - 18.9 miles - 1:03:12 - 18mph
    May 7 - 19 miles - 1:02:18 - 18.3mph
    May 8 - 28.5 miles - 1:33:38 - 18.3mph
    May 9 - 37.2 miles - 2:16:21 - 16.4mph
    May 11 - 19.1 miles - 1:04:53 - 17.6mph
    May 13 - 19 miles - 59:26 - 19.2mph
    May 14 - 19 miles - 59:10 - 19.2mph

    228.7 miles total so far.
  • FunSizedK
    FunSizedK Posts: 144 Member
    So I just bought a bike and was wondering if I should buy a softer seat or if your butt gets use to the hard seats? It's not an expensive bike I just bought to ride it to work and back home I don't live far from my job and figured it is such a waste of gas to drive
  • vanzeem
    vanzeem Posts: 107
    Just got a bike for Mother's Day!

    5/11/2014 5.14 miles in 36 mins average 8.5mph
    5/13/2014 5.40 miles in 40 mins average 8.0mph
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Just got a bike for Mother's Day!

    5/11/2014 5.14 miles in 36 mins average 8.5mph
    5/13/2014 5.40 miles in 40 mins average 8.0mph

    Sounds like a great Mother's Day gift! :) Keep on pedalin'!
  • OPile
    OPile Posts: 104 Member
    May 2: 13.6 mi
    May 3: 7.59 mi
    May 4: 14.78 mi
    May 5: 4.05 mi
    May 6: 18.83 mi
    May 9: 10.95
    May 10: 13.74
    May 13: 29.37
    May 14: 10.94
    May 15: 25.17

    Total. 148.13

    Goal is a bit optimistic at 250 mi.
    101.37 to go.
  • vanzeem
    vanzeem Posts: 107
    5/11/2014 5.14 miles in 36 mins average 8.5mph
    5/13/2014 5.40 miles in 40 mins average 8.0mph
    5/15/2014 3 miles on stationary bike
  • Scott_2025
    Scott_2025 Posts: 201 Member
    My May total is 61 miles. 2014 total 268. I use an app on my phone called Runtastic road bike pro. Pro version just means I paid for it and I get no pop up advertising. I really like the app. It is a GPS app that tracks your ride, calories, climbs, average speed, max speed, etc. I know that are lots of apps out there. This was the first one I tried and I just stayed with it because it worked.

    I have a Felt Z85 bike (aluminum) and I am hoping to do a 50 miles ride soon. Longest ride has been 43 miles.
  • jsickman12
    jsickman12 Posts: 139 Member
    May 4, 2014 - 20 miles 1 hour 10 mins.
    May 10, 2014 - 68 miles 4 hours 9 mins.
    88 miles thus far
  • sajeffe
    sajeffe Posts: 850 Member
    5/1 - 0 miles.
    5/2 - 1.5 miles.
    5/3 - 2.4 miles at 9.5mph listening to Haim on the Walkman (totally safe cuz I don't use headphones/earbuds).
    5/3 - 2.5 additional miles at 9.5mph listening to a variety.
    5/4 - 3.6 miles at 9.9mph listening to B.B. King and Badfinger.
    5/5 - 1.1 miles at 8.4mph.
    5/6 - 1.7 miles at 8.5mph.
    5/7 - 3.5 miles at 10.6mph listening to The Black Keys.
    5/8 - 4.0 miles at 10.4mph listening to Trombone Shorty & others. Need more days like this to reach my goal.
    5/8 - 1.2 more miles at 9.1mph.
    5/9 - 1.7 miles at 10.5mph.
    5/10 - 4.0 miles at 9.7mph listening to MGMT and others.
    5/10 - another 1.4 miles.
    5/11 - 3.1 miles at 10.2mph listening to Fitz & the Tantrums and others.
    5/12 - 3.3 miles at 9.7mph listening to Grouplove.
    5/14 - 2.8 miles at a lazy pace. Puts me at halfway to month's goal. Woot.
    5/15 - 3.1 miles at 10.3mph listening to 30 Seconds to Mars.



    Goal for May is 75.0 miles.
    MTD = 40.9 miles.
    Yet to Ride = 34.1 miles.
  • cowbellsandcoffee
    cowbellsandcoffee Posts: 2,975 Member
    5/4 - 20.1 miles @ 16.6 mph
    5/5 - 15.6 @ 16 mph
    5/6 - 26.1 @ 15.3 mph
    5/7 - 17.6 @ 16.4 mph
    5/8 - 36.3 @ 14.7 mph (WINDY lol)
    5/10 - 25 @ 16.1 mph
    5/11 - 19.3 @ 17.4 mph
    5/12 - 30.2 @ 17.5
    5/13 - 31.5 @ 15.4 (WINDY...)
    5/14 - 31.1 @ 15.4 (...again...windy)
    5/15 - 32 @ 15.8

    May total - 284.8
  • SingingSingleTracker
    SingingSingleTracker Posts: 1,866 Member
    May 1 - rode 26.9 miles for a duration of 1:29:58
    May 2 - rode 21.58 miles for a duration of 1:46:48
    May 3 - rode 6.41 miles for a duration of 52:55
    May 4 - rode 16.4 miles for a duration of 1:47:03 (MTB race)
    May 6 - rode 20.1 miles for a duration of 1:17:05
    May 7 - rode 25.4 miles for a duration of 1:51:38
    May 8 - rode 28.8 miles for a duration of 1:48:56
    May 10 - rdoe 14.55 miles for a duration of 1:38:38 (MTB race)
    May 11 - rode 34.5 miles for a duration of 2:00:58
    May 13 - rode 17.3 miles for a duration of 1:27:15
    May 15 - rode 17.3 miles for a duration of 1:17:54

    May totals: 229.24 miles - 17:19:08 hours

    13935589928_4ba050b128.jpg
  • tefleon
    tefleon Posts: 32 Member
    So I just bought a bike and was wondering if I should buy a softer seat or if your butt gets use to the hard seats? It's not an expensive bike I just bought to ride it to work and back home I don't live far from my job and figured it is such a waste of gas to drive

    Don't change the seat to a softer one. Get a couple of pairs of padded lycra shorts - even if you wear them under regular shorts and don't make the mistake of wearing underwear.

    This link is an example of what I mean but have a look around your local shops for them: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ladies-Padded-Cycling-Shorts-Coolmax-Padded-S-M-L-XL-/291131402102

    If they rub, then grab a tube of Chamois Cream for your raw bits and apply it before you ride.

    Most padded seats end up becoming water logged and adversely affects how you pedal therefore reducing how much power you can get through the pedal. I know you're not using it to race but the key is pedalling efficiently where as much of the energy you are using it transferred to the wheels.
  • dancingj2
    dancingj2 Posts: 4,572 Member
    Monthly goal 100
    Total so far 30.0

    5/10 - 13.0
    5/11 - 6.4
    5/15 - 3.6
    5/16 - 7.0
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    May 3 - 68 miles - 3:42:31 - 18.3mph
    May 6 - 18.9 miles - 1:03:12 - 18mph
    May 7 - 19 miles - 1:02:18 - 18.3mph
    May 8 - 28.5 miles - 1:33:38 - 18.3mph
    May 9 - 37.2 miles - 2:16:21 - 16.4mph
    May 11 - 19.1 miles - 1:04:53 - 17.6mph
    May 13 - 19 miles - 59:26 - 19.2mph
    May 14 - 19 miles - 59:10 - 19.2mph
    May 15 - 28.4 miles - 1:29:44 - 19.0mph

    257.0 miles total so far.

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