30 miles on my 30th birthday

[Fuji Girl]

Ok ladies, the big THREE ZERO is approaching in mid-April and I'd like to do 30 miles to commemorate the occasion (it's a Monday, day after Easter. I'd like to do it on Easter Sunday, or the next Sunday after that. Weather permiting, of course.). There was a time when I didn't even think that I'd make it this far - I thought for sure I'd lose my fight with cancer. But so far, I'm winning and I'd like to do something big.

My longest ride to date has been 20 miles, and I was really pooped after that. Does anyone have any suggestions about training, planning my route, anything at all? I've been trying to drag some of my friends into doing it with me, but so far there are no takers. So I might be doing this alone, which is fine. Anyone from Chicago have any suggestions for "must sees" on my route?

[Lise]

YAY FOR YOU!

I did 45 miles on my 45th birthday, but I broke it up throughout the day. So I picked favorite places to go, rode there, enjoyed, went to the next place. I'm lucky that my birthday is mid-July.

The lake front path has some hidden jewels. Ride down to the Adler Planetarium, and go around back. There's a beautiful view of the city, and some sort of meditative stone circle thing. Have you ridden south on the path? The pavement is in better shape, and it's quieter. I rode over to Pilsen, a favorite neighborhood of mine. I rode around and looked at the murals around Ashland and 19th St, and then over to the Mexican Fine Arts Museum (www.mfacmchicago.org) for a walk around. There's a fun little coffee shop called "Jumping Bean" on 18th St, near Ashland.

I would say plan lots of stops and hot chocolate or whatever your delight is. I even got in a movie. You could ride to the museum campus, and go into a museum for lunch. One of the nicest museum restaurants is at the Art Institute...not on the "museum campus", but not far away.

Have a great time, and I look forward to hearing about it! Lise

[betagirl]

Hey another person turning 30 I just hit that marker in Dec. Welcome to the club. Well, almost anyway.

As for the 30 miler, Lise gave a good recommendation on the path. A good ride actually since you're at NMH is to head over to the path, start by Navy Pier, and head south. I'd go down the the museum of science and industry, which is on 55th street. There's a nice beach over there with a cool old building. Then turn around and come back up to your start point, which should give you about 15 miles. If you then take the path up north to Hollywood and come back down to NMH that should give you 30 miles, easily. You might not have to go all the way up to Hollywood.

Another possible 30 mile route is to ride up to Evanston, and ride up to the botanic gardens. My friend does that route. There's a bike path once you get into Evanston, though I'd have to research it a bit to find out where it starts, that takes you there. That whole thing RT with the ride back to NMH might be more than 30 miles though.

I don't know your comfort level of riding on the streets in Chicago, but you could plot out a route on that way to pass some cool places. Or plot some bars and make a pub crawl out of it (J/K).

If you're looking for a riding buddy that day, let me know.

[Brandi]

Take it slow! And you should be good. If you try and do it all at once you will have a sore fanny! Break it up to an all day adventure! Bring snacks and plenty of water.
And by the way congrates on the the fight with your cancer! I will add you to my good thoughts page in my head. I lost my sister in law to breast cancer. She was 34. She didn't pay attention to her body and it got her. It sounds like you are a fighter and that's awsome. My next bike ride I dedicate to you lady!

[CorsairMac]

you say you were "pooped" after 20 miles? pooped due to lack of proper nutrition during the ride - or the cancer? If you can do 20 you should be able to do 30 but you do need to be sure to eat and drink during your ride.......drink about every 15 minutes, more often if it's hot and eat about every hour. Some people say to eat every so many miles but if you're riding say 10-12 mph, eating at 20 miles could be too long to go without. More than anything - it's Your day!! It's Your ride, enjoy it! Pick places you want to go, things you want to see and take all the time You want! and let us know how it goes!

[maillotpois]

Congrats on fighting the strong fight against cancer and on turning the big 3-0!! Be proud!!

Ditto what CorsairMac said - be sure you're eating and drinking enough. And if you can do 20, you can do 30. Just think of the extra mental motivation you will have that day!

[Geonz]

On the Grand Illinois Trails & Parks ride, we had a guy go 76 miles on his 76th birthday, so you're starting a great tradition!

Nutrition's a big part of it, and pacing yourself, and doing lots of little rides beforehand... and making sure all the equipment is well lubricated and well inflated (and grease your chain and pump up your tires, too ) - it seems whenever I'm out wondering "why is this so much work?" I realize I forgot to check those tubes.

You GO GIRL

SueJ, webmastress
http://www.resourceroom.net
Silly Bicycling Blog
http://bicyclecu.blogspot.com/

[Lise]

.......drink about every 15 minutes, more often if it's hot and eat about every hour.

I absolutely agree with what everybody's said, and I just had to smile at the thought of it being "hot" on Easter Sunday in Chicago! Hey! Maybe Corsair knows something we don't...where's that groundhog thread again...hope for warmth springs eternal! L.

[CorsairMac]

I absolutely agree with what everybody's said, and I just had to smile at the thought of it being "hot" on Easter Sunday in Chicago! Hey! Maybe Corsair knows something we don't...where's that groundhog thread again...hope for warmth springs eternal! L.

Wishful thinking??

[Fuji Girl]

Wishful thinking??

Definitely. I'll be lucky if it's not snowing or raining that day. I am excited to have a concrete "goal." It's easy to say "oh, I want to get in better shape, blah blah blah" but then I'll just wind up sitting on the couch eating chocolate chip cookies and watching TV (which is also fun, in case you haven't tried it). But if I have a "goal", even if it's a self-imposed one, I'm more likely to get off my bum and do it.

I definitely would LOVE to have some company on my ride. And I really appreciate all the advice. I was planning on stopping for food, drinks, perhaps even some shopping (hey, it IS my birthday, after all), and taking it really slow. I was even thinking of maybe making it into a "Chicago bike shop" tour, just going from bike shop to bike shop. But that might be a little excessive, I haven't thought too much about it.

I'm going to try my first spin class tomorrow, I'm really nervous! Definitely PLEASE let me know if you'd like to accompany me on my "30 on 30" tour! The more the merrier. Thanks!

[MomOnBike]

Well, I'm not very close to the Chicago area, I work every flippin' weekend, and I haven't seen 30 for quite some while - - - - but, can I go along in spirit? The ride sounds like a bunch of fun, especially since it sounds like you're going to play tourist in your own home town. I love that.

I'll be thinking about you on the big day.

[Ninabike]

Hi Fuji Girl,

If I lived in Chicago, I'd love to ride with you. My birthday is in April too. Unfortunately, Los Angeles is a little far. Hmm .... I could always visit my brother in Minnesota and take a slight detour to Chicago. Knowing my borther, he'll probably be in Florida or someplace. Anyway, have a great birthday ride!!!

Nina