July Cycling Challenge

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  • twoboysnmygirl
    twoboysnmygirl Posts: 161 Member
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    So excited to find this thread, even if July is almost over! I have been cycling for a few months, I'll admit, I turned to it only b/c I developed plantar fasciitis running and cannot do what I really love...run. BUT, I'm learning to love cycling! I live in a really hilly area (and a small town) so I have found I enjoy cycling more on the stationary at the gym. I can go faster and push myself a bit more and I'm enjoying it! Right now I'm just cycling time, 30 minutes, but I hope to add on as I get stronger!
  • lottabottle
    lottabottle Posts: 36 Member
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    well I braved it and managed a measly 3 miles, the pint the end of it really helped though:)
  • steph_smiles
    steph_smiles Posts: 7 Member
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    lottabottle, I am fairly new to cycling. It seems to take 3 weeks before my seat area is OK. (I don't know if it's ever good!) A few things might help. Padded shorts (FOR SURE!) I actually use skirts. They have padded shorts under and then the skirt over. To me it is better than those hug everywhere shorts. Make sure you are using correct seating posture. I feel like I have soft tissue bruising for the first few weeks. But try to sit on your sit bones and pull in your core (it pulls up a little in your lower area as well). The other thing is to ride every other or every 2 days. Then walk or do something else the other days. The first 10 - 15 minutes will hurt the worst. Then you settle in a little more and I guess get used to the pain. After 2 weeks you will notice a HUGE difference. After 3, you won't notice as much. Good luck! I know how painful that can be. Tylenol helps, advil helps, and time. But I won't lie, there is suffering in there too.
    ~Steph
  • steph_smiles
    steph_smiles Posts: 7 Member
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    I am so glad to find this post! I am training for a 45 mile ride in September. So far the longest I have gone is 31 miles. I live in the mountains at about 7000 - 8000 feet elevation. That means all of my rides have a lot of hills and elevation.

    7/21 - 31 miles - over 1000 feet of elevation
    7/24 - 11 miles - 560 feet elevation

    July total - 113 miles.

    I recently got clipless pedals. That has slowed me down a bit due to a few falls. I hope I am over the learning curve and able to keep riding.
  • ladyphoto
    ladyphoto Posts: 192 Member
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    Hi all - I'm brand new here- I just bought my road bike 10 days ago. My entire family road bikes but they live in CO- I never got why they all love it so much until I bought my own. I am totally hooked and refuse to go to the gym now because it is so boring compared to getting outside and feeling that air against your skin....amazing!

    Anyway, today is day 4- I rode 23 miles today, yesterday 20 miles, Sun 27 miles Sat 24 miles. total so far: 94

    My goal is to work up to being able to ride to work starting August 1st for the entire month of August. It is a 40 mile ride roundtrip. I have another 9 days to work on it.

    No riding tomorrow- a day of rest. My bum needs a break. lol.
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,682 Member
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    I feel like I have soft tissue bruising for the first few weeks. But try to sit on your sit bones and pull in your core (it pulls up a little in your lower area as well). The other thing is to ride every other or every 2 days. Then walk or do something else the other days. The first 10 - 15 minutes will hurt the worst. Then you settle in a little more and I guess get used to the pain. After 2 weeks you will notice a HUGE difference. After 3, you won't notice as much.

    What actually happens, isn't so much that your backside "toughens up" as such - it's more that the muscles underlying the skin, between the skin and the sit-bones, get stronger, more firm and kind of lift the bits that rub (this counts for men and women - different bits - but same effect) "up and away" from the saddle - so, you not only stop complaining and/or walking like John Wayne, but you end up with a much better toned rear into the bargain - just think of the average racing cyclist - their backside most closely resembles "2 hard boiled eggs in a tight hankie" (that was my ex'es description of this phenomenon :wink:)
  • DryHeet
    DryHeet Posts: 61 Member
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    Spin class this morning. So here's my totals for the month:

    Spin miles: 252
    Road bike miles: 188.75

    Glad to see more joining the challenge! Really helps with the motivation to ride!
  • DryHeet
    DryHeet Posts: 61 Member
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    you end up with a much better toned rear into the bargain - just think of the average racing cyclist - their backside most closely resembles "2 hard boiled eggs in a tight hankie" (that was my ex'es description of this phenomenon :wink:)

    LOL ... I hadn't thought of it that way, but its a good description!
  • DryHeet
    DryHeet Posts: 61 Member
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    I am so glad to find this post! I am training for a 45 mile ride in September. So far the longest I have gone is 31 miles. I live in the mountains at about 7000 - 8000 feet elevation. That means all of my rides have a lot of hills and elevation.

    7/21 - 31 miles - over 1000 feet of elevation
    7/24 - 11 miles - 560 feet elevation

    July total - 113 miles.

    I recently got clipless pedals. That has slowed me down a bit due to a few falls. I hope I am over the learning curve and able to keep riding.

    Steph_Smiles - I remember my first switch to clipless pedals. I practiced several times and I thought I would be able to handle the new pedals. But .... I had to ride up a hill to a traffic light (it was red) and ... I forgot about the pedals. I yanked and yanked at my right foot and the pedal wouldn't release! So ... over I went -- flat on the street! I was so embarrassed (but not hurt). :blushing:

    Oh yes, I sympathize with the learning curve.

    However, you said you are in an area with higher elevations, and I think you will find the clipless pedals are a HUGE benefit. Try to remember to _pull_ as well as push in your pedal strokes. When you are comfotable with the new pedals, practice standing up on the pedals and "sprinting" up a hill. I don't stand up on every hill - it depends on the length and the grade. With practice, you will find the best combination for you -- its a lot of fun!

    Good luck,
    Susan
  • luvsunshine1
    luvsunshine1 Posts: 878 Member
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    Sun Jul 1 - 75min bike (22 hrs 45min left)
    Tues Jul 3 - 45min bike (22 hours left)
    Thurs Jul 5 - Root canal definitely no workout
    Fri Jul 6 - 30min walk (21 hrs 30min left)
    Sat Jul 7 - 75min bike (20 hrs 15min left)
    Sun Jul 8- 30min bike (19 hrs 45min left)
    Food poisoning/ too sick to workout
    Sun Jul 15 - 60min bike (18 hrs 45min left)
    Mon Jul 16- 30min walk (18 hrs 15min left)
    Weds Jul 17 - 45min bike -speed w/o (17hrs 30min left)
    (Also doing the 24hr workout in July)
    Sun Jul 22 - 75min bike (16 hrs 15 min left)
    Mon Jul 23- 60min bike (15hrs 15 min left)
    Tues Jul 24 - 45 min bike/speed workout (14 hours 30min left)

    Lottabott - Oh my gosh, I would not be able to bike if it weren't for my gel bike seat AND my padded bike shorts - so much more comfortable. Absolutely invest in them - you will feel so much better.
  • steph_smiles
    steph_smiles Posts: 7 Member
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    THANKS Susan! My hubby is a cyclist but I have stopped asking for help. It's probably not what's best for our relationship. :) He is the one that put me in the pedals without ever practicing going up a hill. After that first ride, I said I was either done biking or he had to switch my pedals. Then the next day I thought, HOOK UP THE TRAINER!!! So he hooked it up and I literally practiced for 3 days - 10 minutes at a time... clip in, clip out, clip in, clip out. I still can't twist OUT. I can only twist in. It works OK but I hit the chain sometimes too. (The pedals are adjusted as loose as they will go too. The are LOOK, I think.) I got my bike adjusted a few weeks back and the chain came off going up a hill, then the next ride got stuck in-between. So I feel off both times. Luckily going uphill, I am not going fast. Last time I just laid on the ground with the bike on my pedals in the air and laughed. The bruises aren't pretty but I keep on trying!

    I will try your suggestion going up a little hill. I tried standing on a 7% grade but only got 4 pedals in before I had to sit again. I guess the one good thing about hubby being a cyclist is I get to take his toys (Garmin) when I head out. I love the information. Now I just need to keep going up those hills! Hopefully with a new technique. ;)
  • marcroz1
    marcroz1 Posts: 12 Member
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    THANKS Susan! My hubby is a cyclist but I have stopped asking for help. It's probably not what's best for our relationship. :) He is the one that put me in the pedals without ever practicing going up a hill. After that first ride, I said I was either done biking or he had to switch my pedals. Then the next day I thought, HOOK UP THE TRAINER!!! So he hooked it up and I literally practiced for 3 days - 10 minutes at a time... clip in, clip out, clip in, clip out. I still can't twist OUT. I can only twist in. It works OK but I hit the chain sometimes too. (The pedals are adjusted as loose as they will go too. The are LOOK, I think.) I got my bike adjusted a few weeks back and the chain came off going up a hill, then the next ride got stuck in-between. So I feel off both times. Luckily going uphill, I am not going fast. Last time I just laid on the ground with the bike on my pedals in the air and laughed. The bruises aren't pretty but I keep on trying!

    I will try your suggestion going up a little hill. I tried standing on a 7% grade but only got 4 pedals in before I had to sit again. I guess the one good thing about hubby being a cyclist is I get to take his toys (Garmin) when I head out. I love the information. Now I just need to keep going up those hills! Hopefully with a new technique. ;)

    If you can't get used to the Look pedals, consider some speedplays. They are very easy to get in and out of.

    Standing on hills is not easy. Something you will want to build up to. It does burn more calories, cause it requires a lot more energy than peddling while sitting down.
  • marcroz1
    marcroz1 Posts: 12 Member
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    What was going to be a short, easy spin ended up as a long, hard ride.

    45 miles at an average pace of 20+mph. Okay, easy one tomorrow, for sure.

    570 miles for the month.

    7/23 - 24 easy miles
    7/24 - 24 miles. HIIT (1/4 mile pulls at max effort). Ouch.

    618 miles and counting.
  • lottabottle
    lottabottle Posts: 36 Member
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    Love this forum thanks for the support, will try and correct my riding position, I am constantly re-shuffling my bottom on a ride. Going to have a day off today its more about the chafing than the muscle pain !!
  • Gapwedge01
    Gapwedge01 Posts: 494
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    As I am so sore in the bottom area would it be advisable to have a day or two off or just soldier through to try and harden myself?

    If you are chaffing yes. If just sore butt bones maybe. Riding in that much discomfort will shorten your ride. I would recommend Skin Sake Athletic Oinment. Google it. It does more than prevent chafing. Treats shin irratations, seals out wetness. Has aloe, vitamin A,D, and E.
  • lottabottle
    lottabottle Posts: 36 Member
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    As I am so sore in the bottom area would it be advisable to have a day or two off or just soldier through to try and harden myself?

    If you are chaffing yes. If just sore butt bones maybe. Riding in that much discomfort will shorten your ride. I would recommend Skin Sake Athletic Oinment. Google it. It does more than prevent chafing. Treats shin irratations, seals out wetness. Has aloe, vitamin A,D, and E.

    Thank you
  • Gapwedge01
    Gapwedge01 Posts: 494
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    Last night got in a quick 13 @ 15-16 mph avg.

    213 July miles. Was shooting for 250 , but may get beyond. Glad to see more joining here. The dog days of August should be fun!
  • TheBigYin
    TheBigYin Posts: 5,682 Member
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    01/07/2012 - 50.31km - 2h12m51s - 402m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/194498523
    02/07/2012 - no ride
    03/07/2012 - 50.32km - 2h03m08s - 411m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/195262089
    04/07/2012 - 61.88km - 2h45m37s - 713m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/195649640
    05/07/2012 - 50.73km - 2h10m57s - 414m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/195977766
    06/07/2012 - no ride
    07/07/2012 - 50.05km - 2h08m17s - 402m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/196580798
    08/07/2012 - 50.36km - 2h08m:29s - 431m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/196920786
    09/07/2012 - 51.69km - 2h21m:29s - 437m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/197553899
    10/07/2012 - rest day - no riding today - feet up eating cake and drinking coffee
    11/07/2012 - 50.35km - 2h13m50s - 405m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/198112120
    12/07/2012 - 50.15km - 2h07m05s - 409m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/198380428
    13/07/2012 - 50.47km - 2h05m35s - 422m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/198680061
    15/07/2012 - 103.58km - 4h18m34s - 427m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/199428000
    16/07/2012 - 34.38km - 2h03m45s- 282m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/199891213 (MTB)
    18/07/2012 - 50.09km - 2h11m33s - 417m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/200792409
    19/07/2012 - 50.50km - 2h11m38s - 415m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/200847886
    20/07/2012 - 50.26km - 2h09m21s - 406m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/201262596
    22/07/2012 - 104.69km - 4h17m28s - 456m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/201848298
    23/07/2012 - 49.62km - 2h17m45s - 419m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/202305189
    24/07/2012 - 47.58km - 2h06m51s - 404m - http://connect.garmin.com/activity/202638344

    1,007.01km's (or 625.70 miles for the "metrically challenged" :laugh:)
  • HockeyDadMN
    HockeyDadMN Posts: 8 Member
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    New to this thread, but rode 18 miles in last three days. Already looking forward to the August challenge! Bad arthritis in my knee so biking is my new thing.
  • lottabottle
    lottabottle Posts: 36 Member
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    well I am obviously hooked, Bought my padded cycling shorts, a big pot of sudocreme and thought I would just have a ten minute cycle to see how it felt with them. Anyhow 1hr 20 mins later I had done 11 miles with hardly any soreness and a great big grin :)

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