Great grandma beginner

Love hearing about your adventures. Keep the stories coming.

You could easily do a century. I'm 61 and the only thing keeping me from doing a century is that I don't want to put the time in to train for it (though I reserve the right to change my mind). I know several women in their 60s who have done it.

I don't use clips, but I'm nearly always in the city -- stopping as much as going. If I were training for long distances, I would probably want to be clipped in!

I'm glad you found this group. It's a great place for advice and inspiration.

You can do a century. I did my first one last year at 60. Have another one planned for later this month. I have a road bike, but still use platform pedals, so no recommendations, there. Keep riding.

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Originally Posted by BodhiTree

First: I wouldn't bother with cleats on your current bike. Honestly, I didn't find they made much of a difference on any of my bikes. Here's a fun article about cleated pedals and shoes: http://www.rivbike.com/kb_results.asp?ID=45

That was an interesting read! Thanks, and I guess I'll hold off on this gear.

Second: tight shoulders could be from bike fit or from locking your elbows or even from slouching. Try unlocking your elbows first, particularly as you get tired. If that doesn't help, ask someone for some assistance with fit.

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I think locking the elbows might be the problem because my intuition tells me to bend them when my shoulders feel tense.

Now I'm feeling very encouraged to give this a try. Do people ever ride that far on the flats and call it a century? Why can't I live in Kansas?

Does it have to be done in a group? I'm thinking if I just rode around until I hit 100 miles that would suit me. I don't know if we even have 100 miles of road around here, especially paved flat stretches but it would be possible to ride the same 5 mile piece 20 times :)

Is one "allowed" to rest, like take a break?

Right now I figure it would take me 15 hours! That's all the daylight we have, too.

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Originally Posted by sashadieken

Now I'm feeling very encouraged to give this a try. Do people ever ride that far on the flats and call it a century? Why can't I live in Kansas?

Does it have to be done in a group? I'm thinking if I just rode around until I hit 100 miles that would suit me. I don't know if we even have 100 miles of road around here, especially paved flat stretches but it would be possible to ride the same 5 mile piece 20 times :)

Is one "allowed" to rest, like take a break?

Right now I figure it would take me 15 hours! That's all the daylight we have, too.

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Your tag says central idaho, think about coming down to Boise next spring and riding one of the charity rides - http://www.bikingbis.com/idaho-bicycle-ride-calendar/ Cycle for Independence is a really nice one w/ a metric century.

If you are in Boise sometime, bring your bike and let me know and we can for for a fun "old lady" ride along the river or something.

Finally - consider some power grips, a great alternative to cleats.http://store.biketouringnews.com/pow...nce-pedal-kit/

How far are you from the "Trail of the Couer d Alenes"? It's 74 miles, mostly flat. There are small towns along the way where you can get food and water. You can ride 50 miles out then ride back.

Organized centuries have designated sag stops where food and water is available. There are other riders so you have companionship. There is sag service available in case you break down on the road or for some reason can't finish the ride.

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Originally Posted by sashadieken

Now I'm feeling very encouraged to give this a try. Do people ever ride that far on the flats and call it a century? Why can't I live in Kansas?

Does it have to be done in a group? I'm thinking if I just rode around until I hit 100 miles that would suit me. I don't know if we even have 100 miles of road around here, especially paved flat stretches but it would be possible to ride the same 5 mile piece 20 times :)

Is one "allowed" to rest, like take a break?

Right now I figure it would take me 15 hours! That's all the daylight we have, too.

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Flat riding can be very boring, and difficult if it's windy. Hills help to break up the wind and the boredom. On my tour in Neb. the flat 40 mile day was harder than the 70 mile hilly day because of the crosswinds and boring terrain.

We're in McCall, so much closer to Boise than Coeur d'Alene.

Sky, one of the sons is co-owner of George's. Joining you for a granny ride sounds like fun--but I don't have a rack to transport the bike. Yet.

I'll check out the links--they look interesting!

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Originally Posted by sashadieken

We're in McCall, so much closer to Boise than Coeur d'Alene.

Sky, one of the sons is co-owner of George's. Joining you for a granny ride sounds like fun--but I don't have a rack to transport the bike. Yet.

I'll check out the links--they look interesting!

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ohhh, we have good bike buddies in McCall - Chris and Christine Reno. We are coming up this weekend (I think) Chris has some routes he loves I will PM you.
I suppose you could ride around the lake until you hit 100.
check out our blog post about the trip to Burgdorf hot springs last October.

the DH knows most of the George's guys as he is a recovering racer :)

Sky,
Burgdorf was my first Idaho home, back in 1972! I haven't met the Renos yet. (edit to correct: I see on FB that it's Reino and another edit: she and I have 4 mutual friends!)

Will you be mountain biking up here? I'm teaching fiber arts classes this week, then have to get ready for Las Vegas on Sunday--it's my mom's 99th birthday :)
Our son is Tom Platt. Another son, John, writes the manuals for Trek.

I think going around the lake is 18 miles? I've walked it on occasion and I think I biked it once. We live just north of Lake Fork, so I could ride into town, go around the lake 4 times, then ride home! Ha ha, probably not this summer!

Since you mentioned the numb finger and looking at your bike's picture, I will recommend Ergon grips. In addition to offering more support for your hands, many models include bar ends, which give you alternative positions for your hands while riding. I've read in several places that their pedals are also very nice.

I had to google Ergon grips to see what they were, but that's pretty much what I have--and love! I wondered how I would do today because I chopped into my left index finger with a knife yesterday but I wore my husband's xl gloves and did fine. It was nice to have those grips to rest my palm on while holding the finger in the air!
I went 8.3 miles in an hour so that is slightly faster, but I don't know how I'll be able to get to 14-16 miles in an hour!

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Originally Posted by sashadieken

I went 8.3 miles in an hour so that is slightly faster, but I don't know how I'll be able to get to 14-16 miles in an hour!

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I don't wish to be an enabler, but.... my average was about the same as yours, than I bought my Specialized Vita, and I'm almost at 13mph average now without trying. Thinner tyres on my vita would push it up a bit more too.

Hebe,
You are indeed wicked! Yes, I'm thinking I will end up with another bike or two. I have an old Spec Hardrock that I have yet to see if I can swing my leg over. Yesterday I lowered it from the ceiling and just looked at it!

HardRocks are great! I have a Vita, a HardRock and a Marin Stinson. You'll be able to get a good speed with less nobbly tyres and with the front suspension fork locked out (if it does lock out). I'd always go for the Vita first for longer road rides though.