Petrified

[notsportygirl]

So, I'm dating a guy who wants to do the Century with some of his friends. I'd ride the 35 with another woman, which sounds reasonable...but I've never done anything remotely like this in my life, and never thought I could. I'm excited by the thought of expanding my ideas of what I'm capable of, but at the same time I don't want to attempt something way out of my league that's going to make me miserable. I have just less than a month to "train", if you can call it that. Am I insane to do anything over the 15?

I ride periodically, on my one-speed, vintage Schwinn...usually a 5-8 mile ride with one long, gradual, killer hill (I couldn't get up it for awhile with my one-speed, but now I can do it...though extremely slowly) and some smaller ones. I'm borrowing a friend's racing bike to train and do the ride with (so I have to learn about gears, too!).

My biggest concern (other than my basic out of shape-ness) is that I'm pretty sensitive to heat/sun...My head will sometimes feel all clogged when I have to exert myself, with pressure in my ears, and I'll get a headache. I'm hoping that's just a sign that I'm not hydrating enough, and not that I'm hopelessly out of shape. A good sign is that the last time I rode (8 miles), I brought water and a snackbar with me, and I felt like I could keep on going a lot longer. I didn't feel any muscle soreness when I got home or the day after. I have mild asthma, so sometimes my throat constricts a little on really hard hills, but then it let's up when I relax.

I just have no idea how 35 miles feels, and if your average, non-athletic, pasty white, mildly asthmatic girl can do it without training for months ahead of time. Is it possible? Any advice or encouragement would be great!

[Melodylynn]

Hi there Notsportygirl,
You can do it! Just take your time and work up to the 35 miles. Riding a road bike will be much different then the one-speed vintage that you currently ride! I have major allergies and out here in California I am always in need of an inhaler! I just take my time and stop when I need to, to catch my breath. 35 miles is not that bad! If you average 10 miles an hour it should only take you about 3.5 hours.

Melody

[notsportygirl]

Thanks so much for the support. I guess that having always had asthma, and being really petite, I have always assumed I just couldn't do certain things...but maybe that's just not the case. Must go ride now...

[drplasma64]

I think Melody is right that you'll feel REALLY different on the road bike vs. a 1 speed. If you can do hills on a 1 speed, I bet you're in better shape than you think.

In addition to proper training and adequate food and water during the ride, I'd highly recommend having bike shorts for the 35 miler if you don't have them already. That's a long time in the saddle!

Go for it!

[bikerHen]

Hey there Notsportygirl,
I felt the same way about my first 50 mile ride. It was way more miles than I had ever attempted. Despite rain for half of the ride, my daughter and I completed the whole 50 (hilly) miles. We stoped a lot, were close to the last ones back but we did the entire ride and had a great time. We just kept repeating it's not a race! :D I have asthma, and take my inhaler with me if my lung are feeling at all tight. So far so good!

I'm with drplasma64. If you can do a nasty hill with one speed you should have no problem with a road bike and shifting gears is easy to learn. Road bikes just rock! I don't know who made the suggestion to me to just go and "try" a road bike. One trip around the parking lot was all it took to hook me. And padded shorts are a must!

And talk about being non-sporting!? My daughter has always been challenged when it comes to sports and exercise. Her goal, which she met, was to make it through high school without having to take a PE class. As a former high school jock, I cringed at her attitude! :eek: She does b*tch and whine alot on longer rides but she does them. So I would say pack along the ol' inhaler, ride as many miles as you can between now and the "ride" and GO FOR IT! :D BikerHen

[KSH]

Your physical description does not worry me... what worries me is that you aren't thinking that you can do it.

Look, half of our physical abilities comes from what goes on between our ears. The other half is what kind of shape we are in, and the training we put into our goals.

You have a month. That is plenty of time to get ready for 35 miles. Ride 3-4 days a week. Start small, maybe 10 miles a day... go from there.

Remember, you can stop and rest... during your training month and when you go to ride your 35 miles.

Once you get a "training schedule" mapped out... sit down and tell yourself that you are strong and that you can do it. When you are riding and you feel tired... set a goal (I will ride for 5 more minutes) and reach it. Also tell yourself, "I have strong thighs, I can do this!".

Have a positive attitude about your physical abilities... and train for your goal. With proper planning and mind set, you can achieve your goal!

[MomOnBike]

Never come to this forum to get talked out of Anything bike-related.

Corollary: If you wonder aloud here if you can do something you WILL be told that you can, should, and that we want a full report when you are done. (I know...)

Back to the problem at hand. If you are really worried about your sun/heat tolerance, talk to your physician. More than likely you'll be told to use sunscreen, drink lots and have fun. But it's nice to have a doc's input sometimes.

[oph4887]

You need someone like me along, I bought a road bike this past March-someone came up and asked if I wanted to do RAGBRAI (485 miles over 7 days)-sure why not! What was I thinking anyways, long story short I made it-
did some training, not enough, main thing is just like the little engine going up the hill "I Think I Can-I Can"
Be Strong :)

[caligurl]

Never come to this forum to get talked out of Anything bike-related.

Corollary: If you wonder aloud here if you can do something you WILL be told that you can, should, and that we want a full report when you are done. (I know...)

ain't THAT the truth!!! :D :D

and i'm gonna go one further.. "I" think you could even do a longer ride than 35 if you put your mind to it! so 35? ya... no problem.. GO FOR IT!!!!

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks so much for the support. I guess that having always had asthma, and being really petite, I have always assumed I just couldn't do certain things...but maybe that's just not the case. Must go ride now...

NSG ~ You can do it.

I was a gym drop out. Hated it, hated all sports! I also have had asthma all my life and was always tiny, weak, and pasty as a little girl. I like dolls and books. I hated sports! Well, I kinda liked gymnastics but wasn't very good. I hated any sport that involved a ball, which is like, most of them, right? My parents were very unathletic brainiacs so never encouraged me to develop any athleticism at all, just to hit the books. Just as soon as I didn't have to take gym, I stopped taking it.

However, my darling husband was into road riding. He bought me my first bike, back in the late '80s. I didn't warm up to it very fast. I rode off and on for years, but never very seriously, and I never stuck with it for long enough to make it a life-long habit.

Fast forward to 2002. I was in my early 40s and wanted to get back into shape. I finally got a decent road bike and got back into riding again. Since then, I've done five centuries (100 mile rides), numerous metric centuries (62.5-mile rides), and a nine-day, 565-mile, self-supported loaded tour of upstate NY last fall. I know how to ride in a paceline. I am an active member of a bike club. I'm on the girlbike.com test team. I have FOUR bikes in my stable. But best of all, I am an ATHLETE, for the first time in my pasty, asthmatic, sports-hating life! :D

You can do it. You just have to believe in yourself. You can be whoever you want to be, I'm living proof. :)

Emily

[notsportygirl]

Emily,

That's hilarious. You do sound like you were a lot like me. How encouraging. Wow...and now you're an athlete and have a "stable" of bikes. So maybe my pale, soft and curvy, bookish, slightly asthmatic, 5' tall self can sneak up on a little athleticism, too...

Thanks,

Miranda

[MomOnBike]

RE: brainiacs and bicycling.

DH is a bicycle commuter and the computer dude at his place of employment. He comments that he just THINKS better on those days he rides (most). Or to put it another way, he feels the bike makes him smart and the car makes him dumb.

And wasn't it the ancient Greeks who believed that a person should have both a fit body and a fit mind? (You just can't go wrong quoting the ancient Greeks...)

[CorsairMac]

and we've hooked another one! :D actually Miranda not only do I think you can do - I'm betting you will and it won't be enough!! You'll also realize it isn't the miles anymore it's the time.....miles are just numbers! I did my first 35 miles on a "comfort" bike with big tires and heavy as an ox so I KNOW you can do it. It sounds like quite a few of us are asthmatic - including me. I just make sure I take my meds and if my asthma starts to bother me I just slow my pace down until I can get my breathing back in control!!

Good luck and we want to hear a full report!!


PS: welcome to the board!! if you get a chance there's a thread under the open titled "getting to know you"! Gives you a chance to meet us and tell us something more about you!

[greenchick]

So, Miranda, what'll it take to get you to change your login name? Or at least add a big winking smilie to it? Because I really think that once you get out there and start logging the miles, you're going to find that you're a lot sportier than you ever suspected you were!

I'm another one who managed to think of myself as a total spaz for a lot of my life -- not only did I get picked last for every team; not only did I duck and cover every time a ball came at me in gym class; I thought for years that I was so physically messed up that I couldn't even ride a bike, thanks to having given up my faithful high school vintage roadie for a very cheap and ill-fitting knee-bashing one-ton mountain bike at around the time they first got really popular.

When I hit my 30s (and an unrelated career crisis), I took up fencing and really found my inner jock for the first time ever; when I started to get serious about beating a bunch of fast, aggressive, 20-year-old guys, I realized that my aerobic fitness was crap. Since running made my knees scream, I took another look at bikes, and found that with a lighter and properly-fitted bike, I haven't had a single twinge that wasn't related to falling off. :rolleyes:

I promise you, you're going to be able to do your 35 miles and then some. If you can handle the big city on your old one-speed Schwinn, you're already a better athlete than you realize. You just need to believe it.

[notsportygirl]

Thanks so much for the support. It's made a huge difference. I've found that I actually am getting pissed off when something comes up in the evening to keep me from riding...that's new for me. I'm determined to get in a longer ride this week-end, even if it is "Hot as Hades".

Yes, I think I'll change my login name if I do the 35 miles and I'm not completely hating life while I'm doing it. That would mean I've transformed into "Newlysporty".

(And btw, this forum is keeping me sane during a mind-numbingly boring week of temping, where I have absolutely nothing to do but obsessively learn about cycling and read the news.)

So...I picked up my friend's bike yesterday (my loaner replacement for the vintage Schwinn). She can't tell me much about it, because she never rode it much. I haven't had a chance to ride it yet, because I still have to adjust the seat for me. This is what it is: Dolce Sport, Specialized A1 Max...I think that's what it said on it. It seems blissfully light and bouncy, and the handlebars are really padded. My friend complained that it mushed her girl parts painfully, though, because you have to lean forward so much with a racing bike. That's one of the reasons she never got into riding. I'm hoping I can adjust the seat to avoid too much painful "mushing" up front...right? It does have that ergonomic cut-out seat, but she was talking more about, well, the clitoris area.

What's really intimidating about this bike is that there are no numbers on the gears. There are just tiny little levers that barely come out of the handlebars. Now, I know it's been a long time since I've been on a 10 speed, but didn't they used to have numbers to mark what gear you were shifting to? And why would you get rid of those numbers, making it more mysterious? How am I ever going to learn how to shift this thing? How can you see what gear you're shifting to?

Also, these pedals don't have clips, but they do have the little straps that go around your shoe. Are there any little tricks to managing these?

Obviously, I just need to take this bike out to a safe place and get to know it, but any tips you guys can give me ahead of time would be great. Besides, I won't have anything else to do all day...

Thanks!

[caligurl]

this may be your friend's bike:

http://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?arc=2004&spid=5935&JServSessionIdroot=lhev18orij.j27007

as they didn't do a sport for 2005.. i'm assuming it's a 2004...

i ride a 2004 dolce elite... i enjoy it... unfortunately i bought it at supergo :mad: so they didn't exactly get me on the right size (i'm pretty sure i needed the next size smaller... in hindsight)

i've ridden a TON of miles on that bike! and i've done a ton of centuries and metric centuries and a lot of climbing! i'm sure, as long as it fits you fairly well.. that you will love it!

you'll learn to shift.. and quite quickly, i'm sure! the only thing i had ridden prior to getting my dolce was a kmart bike :rolleyes: that didn't shift for sh.... well.. you know! you'll figure out after a few tries which side does the front rings and which side does the back... and before you know it.. you'll be shifting like a pro!

you don't really need to see which gear you are in... you'll be able to see which on in the front just by looking down.. the rear one.. you can tell when you shift if it got easier or harder.... that's all you really need!

have fun!

[bouncybouncy]

A thread on clipless pedals i thought was very good...

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=3005&highlight=clips

as corsair said...another one hooked!!! we will be looking for your report!

[notsportygirl]

Well, I think I'm riding to Coney Island and back this week-end (which is about 12 miles each way, I think), assuming there aren't too many thunderstorms. I'll let you guys know how I fare...

[notsportygirl]

Thanks so much for recommending that thread. So, the consensus seems to be that those straps are pretty awful (which is what they seemed like to me). Can I possibly just take them off the bike and use the regular pedals without them? Can I do this without hurting the bike? I know that then I'm not using all my muscles to spin, but I'm more concerned with not crashing in traffic right now. And this may seem stupid, but I'm not sure what the whole "clip/clipless" thing is. I'm assuming that the "clip" ones have spikes that clip into special shoes. Are clipless just regular petals, or is there something else? Sorry if that's already on here somewhere...

[Blueberry]

And this may seem stupid, but I'm not sure what the whole "clip/clipless" thing is. I'm assuming that the "clip" ones have spikes that clip into special shoes. Are clipless just regular petals, or is there something else? Sorry if that's already on here somewhere...

This is *not* a stupid question - as many people have told me both inside of my career and in my hobbies - the only stupid question is one you don't ask. I haven't seen anyone here biting yet:)

This is especially confusing since the pedals seem like they should be named the other way around to me. Clipless means you have a cleat on your shoe that attaches to the pedal (spd, look, speedplay, etc). Clip pedals are what it sounds like you have are the boxes on top of flat pedals. You can usually take those off by removing the straps and undoing a couple of screws. It won't hurt the bike. Do whatever you're comfortable with - I find that since I'm used to clipless pedals I have to have some way of attaching my shoe to the pedal, otherwise it's likely to slip off as I push (and I don't even ride a recumbent). However, I also remember a time when I wasn't comfortable with any foot restraint...

Most of all, get your position on the bike comfortable! You don't want squishing for 35 miles - Ouch!!

Carrrie Annne

[Blueberry]

Fast forward to 2002. I was in my early 40s and wanted to get back into shape. I finally got a decent road bike and got back into riding again. Since then, I've done five centuries (100 mile rides), numerous metric centuries (62.5-mile rides), and a nine-day, 565-mile, self-supported loaded tour of upstate NY last fall. I know how to ride in a paceline. I am an active member of a bike club. I'm on the girlbike.com test team. I have FOUR bikes in my stable. But best of all, I am an ATHLETE, for the first time in my pasty, asthmatic, sports-hating life! :D

You can do it. You just have to believe in yourself. You can be whoever you want to be, I'm living proof. :)

Emily

Emily-

You are SUCH an inspiration! :) I had no idea you'd only gotten into riding seriously that recently - and to have recovered from your dog mishap and gotten back on the saddle! WOW!

I don't think anyone would ever call you pasty or suspect that you were asthmatic or disliked sports having seen you ride;)

[bouncybouncy]

another suggestion i have not seen on this thread yet...is for you to get your bike...even the loaner...fitted to your body! hopefully your *guy that you are dating* GTYAD :confused: has a bike shop he frequents and you could take your bike in there to get it fitted....maybe? at least play around with the comfort BEFORE the big day!!! i had a hard time finding a bike my size and let me tell you it was worth every penny getting a pro fit! no problems...i have not experienced any of the *typical* pains that alot of poeple feel from improper fit! i think there is a thread about bike fit around here somewhere...i looked but couldn't seem to find it...can someone help me out here :confused: :confused: :confused:

good luck!!! and i bet we will be getting at least a 50 miler report... :D

[RoadRaven]

Bouncy, I have to ask... what does GTYAD mean please?

[notsportygirl]

"GTYAD" is "Guy That You Are Dating" referring to the non-commital term I used earlier. We've only been dating now for a month and a half, so "BF" seemed premature, and "SO" is WAY premature. There was something else someone used in her thread once...DH? I can't remember...but I couldn't figure out what it stood for. I'm new to all these online abbreviations. I would say he qualifies as my boyfriend now, but am afraid to say it outloud. He very sweetly offered to take my bike up to his apartment near Central Park, by the way, so that I can ride around the park a few times without worrying about traffic while I get used to the new bike.

[CorsairMac]

DH=Dear Husband

or

DH=Down Hill

depending on context

so...your DH could be heading DH really fast if he starts misbehaving!! :rolleyes:

or in my case since mine is now as ex:

DH=D*** Head (this is a family board but I'm sure you can fill in the blanks!)

[RoadRaven]

Thanks... somehow I missed that!
...the trouble with being away for a week and trying to "catch up"

[gretassister]

I Have To Say -- I Love My Clips !!!!!!

[notsportygirl]

So, I rode 25 miles yesterday! I never thought I could do anything remotely like that. It was also my first time on the loaner bike. I was really nervous, and my, well, BF, teased me about how I was acting like I was going on a huge adventure (which for me, I was). I was worried about shifting gears, and about getting my feet in and out of the pedals at streetlights. He was an excellent teacher, though, and kept telling me to get my butt out of the saddle at each light so I could start up again correctly. I had a couple of wobbly starts, but no major problems. I even got pretty good at getting my feet into the little straps quickly. The amazing thing is, I felt fine for almost the whole ride. There are no huge hills in Central Park, but there is a long, low one. You guys were right -- after having to do hills on a one-speed, it just felt moderately challenging, since I had the option of shifting gears now. I used the same techniques I used on the old bike...breathing and relaxing while I do the hill, and it wasn't ever really bad. Luckily it was overcast during most of the ride. I did wear out a lot faster once the sun came out (which I expected). I don't think I was any more tired than he was at the end, and I'm not sore at all today (he says I'll be cursing him tomorrow, though). I'm so excited!

My only problem is with the handlebars. I'm pretty petite (5') and have small hands. I have a really hard time reaching the brakes from the lower/racing position. I can only reach them by the tips of my fingers. I'm fine with that, because I don't really need to be that hard-core, lower position at this point. I just hold on and brake from the higher place. But even there, it still was causing a lot of pain in my lower thumb joint, because of how much I have to stretch my hand out. We lifted the bars up a little, and that helped a little bit, but I don't think we should really make the much higher. My hand doesn't hurt too much today, but I don't want to cause permanent strain. My mother has arthritis in those joints, and I don't want to ask for trouble. I'm going to take the bike to my bike shop and see what the guy there says. Has anyone on here had problems with that? Is it something that you just need to get used to?

Also, there was one really great hill with curves, and I just can't quite get up the nerve to go down it without breaking once. I can't get over the feeling that when I'm tilted so much to the side when turning, the bike will just slip out from underneath me.

Now, my BF is tantalizing me with images of biking through the poppy fields of Provence. I have to admit, I'm excited by the possibility of having other adventures.

I hope I can keep it up. It has been amazing having all your support. Thanks again.

[KSH]

See... you will make 35 miles!

Yea, I have to say that the straps on those pedals... are scary! I know I got my shoe caught in them when I tested my bike. So, I never rode with anything other than clipless pedals.

And you "BF" sounds very nice and supportive! Which is really cool!

Now, be positive that you too can be "athletic".

[Grog]

Now, my BF is tantalizing me with images of biking through the poppy fields of Provence. I have to admit, I'm excited by the possibility of having other adventures.


Riding in Provence, great motivator, isn't it?

Congrats, keep riding and have fun!!

[SimpleCycle]

notsportygirl (soon to be renamed nowsportygirl) -

for sun/heat sensitivity, you have a few options. i take a medication that makes me sun sensitive - bright light makes me feel like i'm on FIRE! i wear a long sleeve wicking undershirt purchased in the men's section of a bike shop under my jersey. that keeps my skin happy.

as for the heat, make sure you know how to get a water bottle out of and into a cage so you can drink while you ride. that will make all the difference in the world for how you feel in the heat. also, make sure you have some form of wicking clothing to pull the sweat away from your body. a regular bike jersey would be my choice but i also have a few t-shirts that were designed for running/hiking that just look like shirts. wicking shirts really help, especially when it is humid out.

do you take your inhaler preventatively before biking? that used to help me a lot. these days i'm taking advair twice a day (it's a long term preventative/treatment drug) and it's like i don't even have asthma anymore. i didn't want to take an all the time drug because my symptoms are mild, but my doctor talked me into it. i'm so glad!

and you will absolutely make it 35 if you can make it 25. i went from 10-15 miles on a mountain bike to 30 on a road bike without any troubles. it sounds like your'e on the right track!

you can get "short reach" brake levers that mount on the tops of the bars, and some brakes adjust to be easier to squeeze for smaller hands. i'd ask at the bike shop about adjusting the current brakes. you probably can't add the short reach levers to your friend's bike.

so, when are you getting your own bike? ;)

[DirtDiva]

Great going not(ha!)sportygirl. :D


for sun/heat sensitivity, you have a few options. i take a medication that makes me sun sensitive - bright light makes me feel like i'm on FIRE! i wear a long sleeve wicking undershirt purchased in the men's section of a bike shop under my jersey. that keeps my skin happy.Owie. I did four days snowboarding one time I was on doxycycline. I mean, in NZ your chances of getting a sunburn in the mountains is way high no matter how much sunscreen you use, but talk about a red face! :o

[wavedancer]

I'm sure you will do great on your ride. As others have said, if you've been riding a single speed around town, having those extra gears will make a big difference.

Regarding the reach to the brake levers: I had a similar problem and found that just adding a little shim in the brake lever made a big difference. Ask your LBS if they can put one in, or you or your GTYAD (?) could add a little wedge on some double-sided tape. See this previous thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=3346&highlight=shim

And have a ball! :D

[caligurl]

my hands killed me for the looooooooooongest time when i started riding.. and even now.... they will hurt on occasion (i.e. the ride i just did saturday)...

can you check with a bike store about getting the spacers inserted into the levers to make the reach shorter?

[CorsairMac]

notsosporty aka nowsosporty: you might have either your BF or your LBS look and see if there is a screw (or look yourself) on the back side of the brake that will allow you to adjust the brake levers in closer to your hands. Or the shims that they were talking about. All you need to do is bring the levers in closer and it should help the reach.

and Yipppeeee on your first long ride! goodonya hun!


muuuuahhhhhhaaahahaha...we've hooked another one ladies! :D

[Hammer]

Well I registered for our local Margarita Ride. It's on September 10. Here are the options:

15-mile route to the lookout point across the bridge over the Missouri River (a majority of which is flat)
35-mile loop through Meckling and around the bluff (relatively flat route)
45-mile loop through Meckling and climbing out of the bluff bottom (a few hills)

Now, my ride is a Trek 7200 hybrid with a big cushy seat, that I'm not certain I care for. I tend to scoot toward the back of the seat.

I tend to ride 10-15 miles a couple days during the week with a 20 mile ride on the weekend. Yesterday I did 25. I started getting tired toward the end, so I'm not sure about the 35 mile option. But, I'd like to try it since there will be other people around and it won't really just be me. Yesterday I wore a pair of jogging shorts with the liner sewn in... that pair works up to 15 miles or so, but otherwise the shorts ride and dig in a bit and are all around uncomfortable. I should've worn my bicycle shorts, though they're unpadded.

I did have a soy protein drink before my ride and a granola bar, that was my breakfast. I was starting to get a little hungry, perhaps I should've had something along to snack on. I had 2 water bottles along, which was fine for 25 miles, but probably wouldn't be for 35. I rode 10 miles in 45 minutes, 15 in 1:06, 20 in 1:28 and 25 in 1:45-1:50 ish. I slacked off the last few miles.

I guess that I should find out if they'll have a water stop. I don't have the cash to buy a hydration pack. :(

Any advice? I'm feeling encouraged by your words of wisdom in this thread.

[caligurl]

i think you needed more than a granola bar and protein drink for breakfast! at least.. if it were me... i know i would! i alway (ALWAYS) have oatmeal for breakfast cuz it "stays" with me longer! (made with choco soy milk and natural peanut butter).. it' my personal breakfast of champions! :)

[Hammer]

Oh, P.S.-

I added handle bar extenders to my bike so that I have more arm positions. But, I'm thinking that the additional 10 miles could be quite the challenge. I have gloves, but they're not top of the line. They work for lower stretches... perhaps I should splurge on a new pair.

Dude. This one ride is gonna cost me more than the $20 registration fee. :D

[notsportygirl]

Yeah, I've spent a lot of money lately just getting enough of the right clothes to be comfortable for longer rides...but I just don't know what I'd do without those little pockets in the back of my shirt. I like not having to wear a backpack.

This is really fun, so far. I feel very sleek and fierce on my borrowed super- fast bike...a little like Laura Croft Tomb Raider (I haven't seen the movie, but for some reason that's the image that comes to mind). I don't know that I'll feel quite so fierce after my first fall, though...

About the hand/thumb joint pain...I went by my bike shop and they took a look at me on my bike and said that the handlebars are really much too large for me, and too far away. They pushed my seat closer, and gave me a shorter shank(?) for the handlebars, so that I don't have to stretch out so far. (anyone who lives in Brooklyn should check out the Bicycle Station on Vanderbilt...a husband and wife own the shop, and she's really strong and really into biking, too...she adjusted my bike and watched me ride past her to check my form and everything, and only charged me for the new part. No charge for labor...I thought that was pretty cool).

I have been trying to get my pace up on my shorter rides...not letting myself coast at all...because I figure it'll maybe help get me in better shape for the long ride, when I don't have the time to do a long training ride. I can do 3 miles in 13 minutes now (much faster than on my old clunker, of course), and not being a patient person, wonder why I can't whittle it down to 10 right away.

I'm a little worried that I wasn't able to get a long ride in this weekend, but I'm planning on a long excursion next weekend...my last one before the real ride! Now my boyfriend is trying to convince me that I should do the 55 instead of the 35. Yeah right! I'm not that crazy...yet. I'd much rather be successful at the shorter ride, and encouraged to try longer ones later, than miserable because I pushed myself too far, too fast.

I am having problems with getting really lethargic after rides of only 14 miles, or so. My muscles never hurt afterwards, but I have no energy at all. I had problems with foot-cramping once, and after reading some threads on here, decided to bring vitamin water with me that had electrolytes in it. I also bring a food bar with me and eat it half way. I didn't have any more foot problems, but again...I felt so, so drained, and had to cancel my plans for the evening, because I only had enough energy to veg in front of the TV. I even ate a good breakfast before the last one: a bowl of cereal, a hard boiled egg, and a banana. I have a feeling that I'm not eating soon enough after riding, maybe. I don't feel hungry, and don't eat for a few hours, and then I think I crash. I'm not sure, though. I feel like I'm drinking water non-stop afterwards, too, but am insatiably thirsty the rest of the day. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do this athletic thing...It seems like you have to think about fueling yourself differently. This is especially challenging for me, since I've been eating relatively low-carb for a year now. Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong? What are the best kinds of foods to eat post-ride?

I've also realized that I have a frustrated racing instinct. I keep wanting to be able to pass people, to be really speedy, and am a little bummed, because I've read that you are at a big disadvantage when you're really small...and there are fewer who are smaller than me...Oh well. I am still pretty slow up hills, more because of my asthma than anything else...it's just a little distracting to feel your throat close up...I'm going to try to start taking my preventative asthma medicine to see if it can improve things for the "big ride". And maybe when I'm in better shape, that'll let up because it'll take more to make me exert myself.

Becoming Maybe-a-little-sporty...

[Pedal Wench]

I am having problems with getting really lethargic after rides of only 14 miles, or so. My muscles never hurt afterwards, but I have no energy at all. I had problems with foot-cramping once, and after reading some threads on here, decided to bring vitamin water with me that had electrolytes in it. I also bring a food bar with me and eat it half way. I didn't have any more foot problems, but again...I felt so, so drained, and had to cancel my plans for the evening, because I only had enough energy to veg in front of the TV. I even ate a good breakfast before the last one: a bowl of cereal, a hard boiled egg, and a banana. I have a feeling that I'm not eating soon enough after riding, maybe. I don't feel hungry, and don't eat for a few hours, and then I think I crash. I'm not sure, though. I feel like I'm drinking water non-stop afterwards, too, but am insatiably thirsty the rest of the day. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do this athletic thing...It seems like you have to think about fueling yourself differently. This is especially challenging for me, since I've been eating relatively low-carb for a year now. Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong? What are the best kinds of foods to eat post-ride?

I've also realized that I have a frustrated racing instinct. I keep wanting to be able to pass people, to be really speedy, and am a little bummed, because I've read that you are at a big disadvantage when you're really small...and there are fewer who are smaller than me...Oh well. I am still pretty slow up hills, more because of my asthma than anything else...it's just a little distracting to feel your throat close up...I'm going to try to start taking my preventative asthma medicine to see if it can improve things for the "big ride". And maybe when I'm in better shape, that'll let up because it'll take more to make me exert myself.

Becoming Maybe-a-little-sporty...
Hey Maybe!

Two things: I used to have asthma problems too, but now I just use the puffer before I ride, and I no longer have a problem. Check with your doc, but I think it's better to prevent an attack than to suppress one that's started.

Other topic- post-ride fuel. I've always heard that you need to get some carbs in your system in the first 30-45 minutes after you stop exercising. If I don't do this, I'm a lethargic couch potato the rest of the day. I also found that if I don't include some protein with those carbs that I'll be ravenously hungry all day too. So, right after you ride, get some carbs with a bit of protein in ya. Half a PBJ sandwhich works very well for me.

[KSH]

Now my boyfriend is trying to convince me that I should do the 55 instead of the 35. Yeah right! I'm not that crazy...yet. I'd much rather be successful at the shorter ride, and encouraged to try longer ones later, than miserable because I pushed myself too far, too fast.

Sounds like a good plan! Stick to the 35 and be happy at the end of it all!



I've also realized that I have a frustrated racing instinct. I keep wanting to be able to pass people, to be really speedy, and am a little bummed, because I've read that you are at a big disadvantage when you're really small...and there are fewer who are smaller than me...Oh well. I am still pretty slow up hills, more because of my asthma than anything else...it's just a little distracting to feel your throat close up...I'm going to try to start taking my preventative asthma medicine to see if it can improve things for the "big ride". And maybe when I'm in better shape, that'll let up because it'll take more to make me exert myself.

Now, I am not sure about the asthma... and I am sure that will always be a road block for you... but your size... it NOT against you!

There is this lady who rides on some of the group rides I go on.... and I know she is under 5 feet tall. I think she rides a kids sized bike. But she is as FAST as the men... and she races as well. So... "it's not the size of the dog... but the size of the fight in the dog"! Not to mention, you have less to carry up those hills!

[skibum]

I have a feeling that I'm not eating soon enough after riding, maybe. I don't feel hungry, and don't eat for a few hours, and then I think I crash. I'm not sure, though. I feel like I'm drinking water non-stop afterwards, too, but am insatiably thirsty the rest of the day. I'm having a hard time figuring out how to do this athletic thing...It seems like you have to think about fueling yourself differently. This is especially challenging for me, since I've been eating relatively low-carb for a year now. Any thoughts on what I might be doing wrong? What are the best kinds of foods to eat post-ride?
They say you should eat or drink something with both carbs & protein within 30 minutes after the end of your ride. There are a lot of specialty sports drinks designed to give you the right post-ride nutrition. But you don't really need those, a glass of chocolate milk, a peanut butter sandwich or a turkey sandwich all give you the right things.



I am still pretty slow up hills, more because of my asthma than anything else...it's just a little distracting to feel your throat close up...I'm going to try to start taking my preventative asthma medicine to see if it can improve things for the "big ride". And maybe when I'm in better shape, that'll let up because it'll take more to make me exert myself.

Becoming Maybe-a-little-sporty...

I've got exercise induced asthma, too. About a year ago, my doctor put me on the preventative medication, Advair. I went to her when I started riding much more outside rather than doing spin classes or other indoor exercise. The pollutants/allergens in the outside air seemed to trigger attacks much more often. I've seen a big improvement. So, if you continue having problems with the asthma, talk to your doctor. Since you are making changes to your lifestyle, you may need to make changes in how you manage your asthma.

[CorsairMac]

Good Point Ski: I didn't even think to mention that since it's so much a part of my life - I'm in Singulair for asthma. It's a maintenance medication and boy when I let the script run out - I can tell it within about 48 hrs. On the bad days: winter, high pollen count, humidity - I also use Albuterol 5-10 mins before I exercise to keep the airways open. That combination has worked for me now for close to 5 yrs? 6 yrs? I tried Advair but the steriods caused me to lose my voice and as a singer, I can't have that side effect, so the Singulair was less invasive and it isn't a steriod.

You might go to your doctor and see what course they can put you on that will help your breathing. It isn't the perfect solution, but you'll have good days where you feel like you're flying and they'll overshadow the bad days where that hill looks like Mt Everest and climbing it takes everything you've got!

[Wendy]

Good luck this weekend, nowsportygirl!

[Technotart]

FUEL FUEL FUEL!!!!

If you are wiping out for the rest of the day after a ride, then you aren't fueling enough before and during. You need a 100 gram carb load for about every 15-20 miles or per hour - whichever you meet. Thats an AVERAGE - some people need more, some less.

I discovered when I fueled better, I could go for a MUCH longer ride, and I wasn't wiped out afterwards. I used to come home and go to bed after 12 miles, now I go 35 miles and come home and do the rest of what I intended to do!

I know Gu and gel shots and whatnot might seem like overkill to some folks but they really made the difference for me. The bars were not available fast enough for my body to use when I needed them - they had to be digested first which made me nauseus. Gu's work great because they are instantly available and also have some longer lasting stuff in them too. I found that the chocolate flavor is like licking brownie batter off the spoon - not so bad!

And I would definately second the advair or at least singulair! Albuterol before exercise is a must for some asthmatics. The goal is to prevent even the symptoms of attacks before they occur so that you don't get the little gradual changes in your airways that add up over time to cause big irreversible problems later.

[caligurl]

ya know.. i've gotta back up what technostart said... i've NEVER been wiped out after a ride.... i've been back out on the bike the next morning for my recovery ride... no problem (well.. .exept for my legs are a bit stiff) but i have plenty of ENERGY! and that no doubt comes from me eating... probably too much... on rides!

hubby's advice to me on my first century (cuz i was trying to anal about eating healthy)... was to EAT! don't worry about sugar... don't worry about calories.. EAT! so i do! i love the sag stops and i eat whatever i want at them (cookies... rice krispie treats.. all that "junk" that i wouldn't touch otherwise! lol!)

that first century... i felt like i coulda kept on going!

so yes... EAT EAT EAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[drplasma64]

FUEL FUEL FUEL!!!!

If you are wiping out for the rest of the day after a ride, then you aren't fueling enough before and during. You need a 100 gram carb load for about every 15-20 miles or per hour - whichever you meet. Thats an AVERAGE - some people need more, some less.



Hey that is great information about a specific amount of refueling per time or distance, but 100 grams seems like a lot...are you sure it isn't 100 calories? 100 carb grams would be 900 calories...and as someone who has always struggled with my weight, I don't think I could make myself eat that much (unless it was all chocolate of course!). But I could have a totally skewed mental attitude on this, so I really want to know!

Edit: umm...change that 900 to 400 cals. I got confused! So maybe 100 grams = 400 cals is right? I have no sense of perspective on this type of issue.

[notsportygirl]

To ride or not to ride?

Ok, so I've been writing about my neck injury last Sunday. I set a firm rule that if I couldn't turn my head by this Sunday I definitely couldn't do the century, because I couldn't check for traffic. My neck is much better today. It's a little achey, but I can turn my head. I was going to do a tiny ride to my LBS to get a spare tube, to see how it feels. Am I crazy to try to ride Sunday when yesterday I had to turn my whole torso to look to the left? As many of you know, being able to do this ride means a lot to me, but I don't want to be stupid about it. Could I do some serious damage? Have any of you ridden under similar circumstances? I could conceivably start with my BF and the others and drop out of I start to feel too sore...maybe even at the 15 mile turn-off...

[emily_in_nc]

Too bad you don't wear a rear view mirror - or have one on your handlebars - then you wouldn't have to turn your head to see traffic behind you!

Any chance you could pick one up before Sunday and give it a try? I can't live without my Take-a-Look (glasses-mounted mirror). I never have to turn to look behind me and risk losing my line, and I can always see everything coming up behind me. It's a godsend.

Good luck!
Emily