A long ride! (for me...)

[rij73]

Just reporting that I went on a ride today that I wouldn't have thought possible a couple of weeks ago! My DH and I rode from our apartment to the George Washington Bridge and back, which is 34 miles. I just can't believe it! The bike path up the west side of Manhattan is awesome... The only tricky part was navigating our way between the Brooklyn Bridge and the west side bikeway. It's a few blocks of hair-raising traffic. Otherwise, it was all pretty much a breeze! Very flat (except for going up and over the bridge which actually wasn't too bad in my granny gear).

Anyway... I'm just so THRILLED! It was so fun... I'm so happy I finally got a bike. :)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That's just wonderful! 34 miles is nothing to sniff at.
Here's to many many more happy biking miles for you! :)

[Trekhawk]

Congratulations on your longest ride.:)
Its a great feeling to know you can travel that far under your own steam.

[LBTC]

Yahoo! RJ, that is awesome!! You just opened a new door and you're going to love what's on the other side! :D

Hugs & butterflies,
~T~

[SouthernBelle]

Congrats. How do the legs feel?

[rij73]

Thanks for the replies!

The legs don't feel so hot... My knees started really bothering me towards the end of the ride too, so I definitely need some kind of fitting. I bet the saddle position is a bit off...

But, anyway, pains aside, I'm stunned that I did as well as I did. Average speed was around 10mph cause you can't go much faster than that with all the other bikes and pedestrians on the path anyway. Turned out to be the perfect speed for me to manage that distance!

[teigyr]

That's fantastic! You just got your bike, right? Isn't the feeling when you finish incredible?!

You are off to a perfect start and congrats!!!

[Mr. Bloom]

I would say that 34 NYC miles is quite an accomplishment!

[F8th637]

34 miles is definitely nothing to sneeze at! I puff out my chest at doing half of that. :p

My husband drove through Manhattan on 95 and on that very bridge last weekend and was AMAZED at the number of cyclists on there. I was enthralled watching them ride and then carry their bikes up the step. I wished I had been out there right along with them.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thanks for the replies!

The legs don't feel so hot... My knees started really bothering me towards the end of the ride too, so I definitely need some kind of fitting. I bet the saddle position is a bit off...

Your leg should be "almost" straight when your foot is at it's lowest point on the downstroke. If your leg stays too bent while riding you will have knee pain.
Yes, you SHOULD get a good bike fitting. But in the meantime- try raising your saddle 1/2" at a time and see if that helps. Most new riders have their saddles too low. You should not be able to put the balls of your feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle.

[Jo-n-NY]

Congratulations RIJ73....it turned out to be a wonderful day.

The bike path along the WSH is wonderful. As I have mentioned I walk along it, well the walking/jogging side everyday during my lunch hour. I am near pier 40. Do you know how many miles the whole path is? I have no idea where it begins and where it ends.

~JoAnn

[rij73]

Thanks everyone... I'm actually not in pain today! I will raise my saddle and also move it forward so my knee is over the middle of the pedal. I've been reading about fit...

I don't know exactly how long the whole path is. They've done an amazing job with it, and I believe it is now continuous from 34th street on the EAST SIDE, down around the southern tip and all the way up the West Side to 125th street. Then there is a small bit (about 10 blocks) of low-traffic street riding before you get back on and have pathway again until up past the Cloisters museum which is almost the northern tip. It's great. The east side isn't as complete. There is a bike path from 120th down to 63rd and then it picks up at 34th street like I mentioned...