First really long ride...

[FunSize]

I'm super nervous.
So, I'm going to be riding 74 miles tomorrow.

http://theassaults.com/marion

I've never even ridden a metric century before. So I'm a little nervous. I've ridden 50 miles on my own, in the wind, and at the end of it thought, "Huh, i could maybe suffer for another 24 miles at a godawfully slow pace."

This is also a really popular ride, so I'll be surrounded by lots of people. I'm tiny enough that I can draft off of anyone if they'll let me. I've been on 30 miles rides in groups where you can definitely notice the difference in recovery and endurance. So, if I can suffer for 50 miles on my own I should be able to push through 74 while in a sea of bodies and bikes, right?

I dunno. I'm terrified.

[skywalkerbeth]

Good luck!

I just started training... only doing 15 mile training rides, so far.

[azfiddle]

I think you can do it! I did a 72 mile ride in February, and I had been restricted by an injury from October -December, so I didn't ride more than about 25 miles during that period, and my longest ride in January was about 40 or 45. I didn't do any longer rides again until April I did an organized 74 mile ride in April. So yes, if you can do 50, you can do 74!

[FunSize]

I survived the 74 mile ride! It helped that every 20-25 miles there was a rest stop! I felt awesome by the end actually! No cramping, the hills were fine. I actually passed people on hills! One weird thing is that I was alone, no people around me for about 45 minutes? It was after a "big" climb around 47 miles. I grabed some solid food at the top and quickly got back on the bike. There were enough people there that I figured someone would either catch up to me or id catch up to someone. It wasn't until around 62 miles that I caught up with some middle aged guys who let me ride with them. They celebrated my metric century milestone with me. Ended up finishing the ride with those gentlemen.

I am so pround of myself and I feel so strong! Now, I don't think I could ride 74 miles straight, yet. But maybe someday!

My boyfriend did the whole mt. Mitchell ascent. He finish the 102 miles in the same amount of time I finished my 74. The group he was riding in was averaging 25 mph!!! Crazy!

[jlnc]

Congratulations! What an accomplishment!!

[sazza]

well done. sounds like you had a fab day.

[Biciclista]

fantastic! that training paid off, didn't it.

[emily_in_nc]

Congratulations! That is a super hard event, even just the part you did (not to mention the part your bf did!!) so you right to be very proud of yourself! What a great effort and accomplishment!

We really need a clapping smiley!

[azfiddle]

Way to go!! It's great to accomplish something like that!

[westtexas]

Congrats, that's truly an achievement!!

[Velocivixen]

Congratulations on a job well done! It sounds like you had a great time.

Will you do any more organized rides?

[callmej]

Awesome.....and you should be proud!

[Orange utopia]

That is super inspiring! Congratulations on a great ride

[FunSize]

Yay! I'm so glad you all are excited with me! I don't have many cycling friends so its nice to share here!

Velocivixen - I think I will probably do some more organized rides. They are definitely nice as a goal. Its also really nice to know that you can take a break when you're tired and have people pointing where to go at every turn.

AZfiddle - your assurance really helped me before the ride. Thank you.

P.S. Sorry to everyone for the typos. I fixed some of them. I posted on my phone before work and I didn't really proof read.

[sgtiger]

That is quite an accomplishment! Way to go, FunSize!:cool:

[marni]

Congratulations on your excellent ride and distance. Believe me, it is just the thin edge of the wedge. Supported rides rock, and are my primary source of clothing wear (t shirts). Have fun, enjoy the stops and chat with the people you ride with.

I love doing longer distances on supported rides, although I most often almost always end up riding alone for a majority of the time. Not that there aren't other riders that I pass and chat with while I pass them or they pass me , I just am very fussy about my pace. A couple of times I have had guys ride up, draft off me for a while and then pass me without so much as a hello. That I find incrdibly irritating. On the other hand, I have not problem with someone drafting off me if they will say hi or hellos and then let me draft off of them for a bit. Since I ride alone all of the time, this doesn't bother me.

[Grits]

Congratulations on your ride!

I never aspire to being able to do long rides without rest stops. Rest stops are my favorite part :D

[Geonz]

MOST people don't just do 74 miles "straight." :) Even if it's not supported, we get off and stretch and grab food & drink (even if we've been drinking along the way).

[MojoGrrl]

Congrats!!

[Owlie]

That's awesome! Congratulations!