Hey...I HAD to go! At least I did it in the bushes. :D
Printable View
Hey...I HAD to go! At least I did it in the bushes. :D
well... when ya gotta go..... :p
I'm sure I could tell you quite a few interesting stories born out of desperation! ;)
You ladies did really well today! Congrats on a ride well done!
Trac'
http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/89.gifhttp://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/201.gifQuote:
Originally Posted by Brandy
Thanks Tracy!! I think that you would have LOVED this ride, I kept telling Tiff that we need to plan this one as a TE ride for the fall when it cools down and it won't be a big deal if we have a later start.Quote:
Originally Posted by tprevost
She didn't inform me of her camera on her person until I had a mouth full of food otherwise I would have! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by tprevost
Good Job on the ride Brandy and Tiffanie!!!
BTW Brandy you write really well, your blog is great! :)
Karen
"I think that you would have LOVED this ride, I kept telling Tiff that we need to plan this one as a TE ride for the fall when it cools down and it won't be a big deal if we have a later start."
Heck, as long as its under 95 when I'm done I'm good ;) Maybe Caligurl and I should do it! Its a LOT hotter where she lives but I seem to be okay in relatively warm weather.
I went on routeslips.com and checked all my routes for elevation gain... my 40 miler actually has 3300+, my 51 miler has about 3100, and my 34 miler has about 2200+. The wine country loop is 25 miles 1155 of gain but I can do it twice and it becomes respectable.... NOW, I guess the thing to do is to actually do more riding than 'routeslipping' huh???
Oh boy, I am in big trouble ;) (Pam, I am NOT stressing, more like whining because I've got a little work to do!)
Hope ya'll are bringing tow ropes!
Trac'
Hey Trac,Quote:
Originally Posted by tprevost
I have dibs on the tow ropes...teehehe ;)
I can't wait for THREE HARBORS!!!
"I have dibs on the tow ropes...teehehe "
I called it first... neener neener neener!!! :p Okay, I'm a goober, I'm sitting here laughing!
Karen, I've either forgotten or I just don't know, which route are you doing at Cool Breeze???
T~
Hi!Quote:
Originally Posted by tprevost
I signed up for the metric, BUT it seems all of you guys are doing the century!
I have Saturday's Metric, then the Windmill, then I was planning on the July 30th ride (that Brandy suggested) so I will see how i do on those rides.
Going from a metric to a full century seems like such a BIG jump to me!!
I am so nervous to do a century, BUT with all you girls doing it, I may just go for it! :) :)
Well, I think you may want to try it. The theory is that you can go 3x your 'regular' distance if you fuel and hydrate properly. I will probably only do more than 50 miles 2-3 times at most before the century; then I will pace myself slowly for the first half to make sure I don't burn out.
I'm leaving here at 12 today to head up to Ventura so I'll see ya in the morning! :p
T~
redhot... what's your riding been like up to now? how many miles... how long riding... etc?
Here's my take and Cali can add about doing a century...
There are many ways to train and be prepared. There are those who set themselves up on a regular training routine and each week increase the intensity and length of their training rides culminating in doing something short of or a full century just prior to a century ride.
I have done a ton of centuries but have never ever been on a century training schedule. I do try to get out and ride and build a good base each week. Right now I'm riding 5 - 6 days a week, both mountain and road bikes. Not really long distances but getting in seat time and building strength and endurance.
I do plan on making Sundays my long road bike day. My plan is to do 40 - 60 miles each Sunday through July but if something else comes up I'll do what I can. Personally I know not much else is needed but... and this is a big but, I've been riding a long time and know what I and my body can do. I know when I can push and I know when I have to pace. I think I've gotten tne nutrition thing down.
For new riders and especially first time century riders its the fear of the unknown that's at issue. Just one word of caution - don't overtrain. Make sure you are tapering off the last 2 weeks before the ride. Work on the nutrition thing. For every ride over 30 miles you should be fueling on a regular basis to prevent bonking later on. Water and food - needs to be done. Getting bonky 40 miles into 50 isn't so bad, getting bonky 40 miles into 100+ is bad!!!!
There is this thought of taking it slow in the beginning in order to pace oneself. I do believe in a good warmup - at least 15 - 20 miles at a good, but easy pace. But if one feels good - then ride and ride hard if you feel like it. There will be plenty of chances to stop and rest, refuel and refurbish along the way. Just trust me on this... it's so much easier on the butt, feet, hands, body and psyche if you ride for 7 - 8 hours and not for 9 - 10 even if that means you have to push it at times. That's the real key for uber cyclists like Cali - she can ride past that 9 hour mark but it takes true grit and spirit ( and short term memory loss) to stay in the saddle so long.
RedHot - here's my suggestion. Ride with us all (or whoever depending when everyone statrts) until the second sag stop. At this point the metric riders turn back and the century riders continue on to the lunch stop. Make your choice then. The second half of the ride is so beautiful and keeps you going even if you get tired and... there is always the sag wagon. No shame in sagging, at least you tried.
My first century... started out as a 50 miler. It was the Tour de Tucson. My plan was to start with my friends who were doing the century but cut the ride short. Problem was I enjoyed myself too much, kept going and at the 80 mile mark realized I had only another 28 miles to the finish. Now had I known how difficult those 28 miles would be on my body (especially my feet), I may have packed it in but I kept pushing. Most riders will tell you this, after 80 miles your body will break down no matter how much you train or are prepared. Your feet will hurt. They just will. So stop and massage them. Your back, booty, neck everything will hurt. That's the whole thing about a century its a long ride like doing a running marathon - there is a wall. Prepare yourself to break through the wall. Just know you can do the ride and you will do the ride. Any self doubt, then I would stick to the metric.
PS - I did the Tour de Tucson in total time 8 hours, 15 minutes. I never felt like I was riding hard. I kept riding steady and pushed the downhills and pacelined when I could to save energy. I was really good about fueling at the sag stops and keeping hydrated. My only problem - my feet were killing me!!!! I just had to deal with them.
Karen,
Pam is right on. I did Cruisin' the Conejo with very little base and a lot of 'pacing' myself, along with making sure I ate and drank. I did just fine and I was not sore nor did I have any major issues after the ride (I did the 68). In fact, had I conserved a tad more energy I really think I could've done another 32 if I'd had to (it wouldn't have been pretty). Of course, I could NOT have done the 'actual' century route as the hills would have been too much. Once you have tomorrow's ride and Windmill under your belt, you'll probably feel more comfortable committing!
T~
ditto.... i never had a tru century training for my first... or any subsequent centuries! hubby did build me up when first started riding.... i had my first 20 mile ride... my first 25 miles ride... first 40.... first metric... etc!Quote:
Originally Posted by bcipam
on thing that works for me... i NEVER ride the day before a big ride (ok... i think i had one or two exceptions to that, at most! but you get my gist!) it works FOR ME!
the taper thing is good advice... i've read it before... i've never been able to live by that (especially when having centuries or other long rides each weekend! UGH! plus i have the added "stess" of figuring out morning workouts so as to not have sore legs on saturday... but we won't go there!
oh pam... you are too kind... i don't consider myself an uber cyclists! but i do agree it takes grit to remain in the saddle so many hours (and if i were faster... i could get off the saddle sooner!!!!!!!!!!)
soooooooo that said.... i just want to say EAT at the rest stops... don't worry about calories (if that's your thing... to count and not eat too many!)... just EAT! and DRINK! even if it's just water (my first was done on just water.....) i didn't start drinking gatorade til i started doing more hill climbs! and even then.... i, personally only drink it in the beginning of the ride... and continue the rest of the day/ride with just water! but again.. that is ME! do what works for you!
ok... i'm rambling! lol!