MFP Biking Gang 8/11/08

Thanks for starting the thread. I'm having problems with my bike. Apparently the crank/hub is messed up and needs to be "re-packed". I"m a bit angry since I just bought the bike and now I can't ride home, that and there are massive Miami thunderstorms as usual! Oh well, c'est la vie. Hope your riding is happier than mine currently is Yikes! Lightening and thunder!!

HI GANG!

Bamboo--thanks for starting the thread!

We're having a blast on the Creeper Trail! IT IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

Today, I rode the whole length from White Top to Abingdon and then back to our rental house--total of 50.5 miles!!

But, the first 17 or so was all down hill.

It was sooooooooo cool! For like the first 10 miles, we barely had to touch our pedals and were at times hitting 17mph! Old railroad trestles, and woods, and deer--just great!

When we get home, I'll post photos.

Going out riding again tomorrow on the Trail.

I did 35 Friday, 30 Saturday and 16 on Sunday. 81 Miles for me. I sent in a proposal today for Toyota to sponsor my little bike team in the MS 150 here in the Carolinas. I gained some weight but I guess it was muscle. I was not able to eat all of my calories for 3 days!

In preparation for the century next week I wanted to get in at least one big ride. Rode 90 miles today:happy: . It was a perfect day. Tem in the eighties and sunny. After my experience last week where I took a long break at about half of the ride and had a hard time to ride back to my car I figured I keep the breaks short and keep moving. That worked much better. I was sitting 7 1/2 hrs in the seat of my recumbent. Thank god it is so comfy! I'll never even look at a upwrong again
I may put in a few more miles this week. Just to do as much as I can before the century. Next week is off the bike. After this ride I am more confident that I can ride the entire 100 next week.

Glad you enjoy your nvacation shore!:happy:

I rode to the library today, and since that went after the long ride yesterday suprisingly well and easy I dropped the books of and went out for more miles. I had just made the decision to do the "big" 30 some mile loop when it started to rain.:mad: Not in the mood to get soaked and of course without rain gear, I turned around and cut the ride short.

Still: 23 miles. If I am not to tired Saturday after work I'll go for a 40 mile ride with the club which will then bring my week total to > 160. I think that's enough prep for the century.

Mon- 16
Tues - 20
tomorrow- 75 miles is the plan!

You guys are an insperstion!! Keep up the good work. I have a question though. I have not been able to do more than 20km at a time. I have been going every 2nd day, then had bike problems. I'm back at it now and am a little frustrated. There was a post a while baack about what one could expect when starting out. Any one know where it is?

It takes a long time to build up distances--I've been at it since April 1st and others have been doing it longer.

And, going long distances like that isn't necessary for weight loss. You can ride an hour a day--say 8-14 or so miles--and burn up a few hundred calories, which is great!

I ride long distances because 1) I love it and 2) I have specific goals in mind to ride in long distance tours.

But, if you want to build up distances, start slowly, add about 10% per week to the longest distance you ride each week.

For example--

Week 1) ride 30 miles longest distance
Week 2) ride 33 miles longest distance
Week 3) ride 36 miles longest distance

etc., etc., etc.

Also, ride shorter distances in between the long rides. I do 1 long ride a week with shorter rides in between of anywhere from 10 to 30 miles--with my longest ride distance currently being 52 miles.

AND, remember to take several days off every few weeks and do something other than riding. It gives your muscles time to rebuild and recover. VERY IMPORTANT!

Drinks lots of water and energy type drinks while riding, too. And, bring along snacks--eat about every hour you're out riding.

Thank-you for the info. I was doing it wrong I love to be the bike and to go and go and go. I am looking forward to being able to go for longer. I was doing long rides every other day. thanx again.

You can wear yourself out that way. The shorter rides are just as important.

Take the longer rides at a slower pace (something I HATE to do but have to force myself)--that way, you'll burn more fat for fuel and not wear yourself out. And then you can do the shorter distances at a faster pace to increase your stamina.

Oops: Forgot to post my miles. Last week: 82.5.

This week I was on vacation and then spent one day with my sick 5 year old and one day was sick myself.

17.35 miles Tuesday
49.9 miles today

Total: 67.25 miles.

Next week will be another low mileage week because I am tapering for my triathlon on Sunday.

Got in 35 miles today--did a completely new to me area up in the southern part of the Maryland Eastern Shore, so it was pretty cool. Not too hot either. I am REALLY hoping that that worst of the summer weather is over.