Mini test of my Outer Banks Goal

[Grasshopper]

I think I've mentioned that I have set a goal of riding the length of the outerbanks of NC. Well this weekend I get to test my progress. I'm from a little beach town and BF and I are going to go camp on the ocean and ride into the town to meet family for lunch or dinner - what ever goes...... I'm very excited because - aside from camping along the ocean I'll get to test my strength in the winds that we get along the sea!! (I'll let you know if I roll backwards - haha!!)

[emily_in_nc]

Good luck, Grasshopper!

Once nice thing about the outer banks is that it is FLAT! :-) Don't forget to clean your bike when you get home, though. Sand and salt air can really do a number on it. I am terrified to take my bike to the coast!

Emily

[williamtash]

Ha Here is an idea to protect your frame from the salt put some car wax on the frame just like you do you car and it will protect it from salt. Then you just have to give it a light wipe down when you get back. Mr. Nelson a friend of mine rides the coast because he has a place there and says it works great.

williamtash

[williamtash]

Emily

I see you are from north caolina elfland where is that at I am from Raleigh? What is your part of caolina like for riding?

williamtash

[hibiscus09]

Grasshopper that will be a beautiful ride when you do it!! Have fun on your mini test. My son goes to a sailing camp in Arapahoe, N.C. each year -- he loves it!

[Grasshopper]

I'm excited! I go camping there every year and I see a lot of cyclists - especially on the long stretch between Okracoke and Cape Hatteras - there's just nothing but wind, sea and sand (and one little highway) for over 30 miles. I can't wait!!!!

Williamtash - I'm going to try your wax tip - THANKS!! Still have to watch out for the moving parts though - I imagine they won't like salt air at all!

oh, and Elfland is about 1 1/2 hours from us - straight west on I40 (I think) - Is that right Emily?

[williamtash]

Grasshopper

Thank for the info about Emily. Let me know how your ride goes sounds great. You'll make it I know. I'm looking at whitehill to oak island in Oct. 63 miles, Anybody form NC know what the terrain is like down there? That will be my big ride for the year The most that I have done is 34 miles. any suggestions or tips for that distance.

[emily_in_nc]

williamtash,

Hello! I live near Efland NC, which is in Orange County. I am not actually in the town limits, though. I am about mid-way between Chapel Hill and Mebane in the country. Topography is similar to Raleigh but a bit hillier and more rural - much less traffic!

I am a member of the Tarwheels bicycle club (www.tarwheels.org). We have TONS of group rides, mostly on weekends, and are open to anyone (Raleigh, etc.) Check the website for ride dates, locations, lengths, paces, etc. It would be great if you would join us sometime!

Cheers,
Emily

[emily_in_nc]

Oops, missed Grasshopper's post above. Yep, you're exactly right about the Efland location - there's an exit right off I-40/I-85, about 1.5 hours west of Raleigh.

Nice to find some other North Carolinians on here! So, are y'all Clay Aiken fans too?! Sorry....that's another forum!

Emily

[williamtash]

Emily

Sorry couldn't write back last night had to work out on the trainer. I have been in your neck of the woods I injoyed my bikefest ride and everyone that I meet of the tarwheels was really nice I am thinking about joining In dec. I will be doing some of the rides after I do the Across NC ride my 63 miles on its last day whiteral or something like that to oak island. I even have the tarwheel site marked. I think that will be a good place to meet other riders and new people and maybe some other places to ride but in raleigh. You're right it is nice to have people in line from NC to talk to.

williamtash

[emily_in_nc]

williamtash ~ that is cool that you did Bikefest! I rode sweep for the last 38 miles of the century. Everyone who did it seemed to have a blast! There were over 1000 riders, which was a record. We live 6.5 miles from where the ride started in Hillsborough. I know because I rode my bike over and back!

Glad you're keeping the Tarwheels in mind! Good luck with your ride to Oak Island. It should be flat, but you may run into some pretty decent wind. Hopefully not right in your face!

Emily

[williamtash]

Emily

!000 riders really. I watched the 100 milers go off and I thought there was alot there. Did you see the ones that were doing the century in bare feet. Do you know what happened to the man that came in all cut up on the arm and shoulder was doing at the end? I also saw two on roller blades which was different. I was really interested and all they different makes of bikes that I saw.

[emily_in_nc]

williamtash~ The 1003 riders was total, not just for the 100. I think the 62 had the highest number of riders.

No, I didn't know about anyone getting cut up nor doing the century in bare feet!?! Crazy! A century is hard enough with proper gear!

I suspect the roller bladers were Mark and Kendra. They are Tarwheel members and are amazing. They just got back from Switzerland, where they participated in a roller blade race (I guess it is very big over there - and it's a real sport, not just a hobby). Kendra came in first in her age group, and Mark did well too. They lead Tarwheel rides from Greenwood Commons sometimes and average well over 16 mph on those things!

Emily

[williamtash]

Emily,

I would just like to see 14 as an average for most of one ride 16 I used my clipless on todays ride with the hybrid. It was different but it really changed my speed and how I use my legs. I called LBS to get a new fitting with the clipless. I want to make sure it is set up right for my legs.That is the bike I use to train with most of the time and then I use the road bike for the events that I do and sunday rides of 34 to 40 miles. It makes me feel like there is no weight under me. I think next year I will do the 62 instead for the 31 mile or the century.My daughter said she say a couple riders with bare feet or just socks. They must have steel for feet or muss for brains. : How long have you been riding? what kind of bike do you ride?

Oh ya how do you start off once you stop with your clipless? Loose pedal up or down?

[emily_in_nc]

williamtash~

I ride a Terry Isis, which is a road bike with the smaller front wheel for petite women. It is a steel bike so is a little bit on the heavy side compared to some bikes - my dream for someday is a carbon fiber bike, like my husband rides. I got the Terry last October but have been riding off and on, tandems and singles, for years. I've taken *years* off at a time, though, and have only started getting seriously back into cycling this year. Before the Terry I rode a recumbent for awhile, but it was way too heavy for me, and my husband and I are actually trading in both our recumbents on a light tandem! I can't wait - we hope to pick it up in Maryland later this week.

As for clipping in and out. I am right handed but always clip in with my left foot at the bottom of the stroke. Then I pull my left knee up for leverage - so the pedal is about at the 3 o'clock position. Then I push down with the left foot while lifting my body off the ground and onto the seat when starting. I was really uncomfortable with clipless at first but am now totally comfortable with them.

For clipping out, I always clip out on the right side at the bottom (or near it) of the stroke. I take that foot out anytime I am approaching a stop so I can be ready to put the foot down if needed. I make sure to lean the bike slightly the right so I never topple over to the left side! Then, once that foot is down, I clip the left out if it's going to be a longer stop. If not, I just move the left foot (still clipped in) around to the 3pm position and start again just like I originally started up. It works for me, but everyone is different.

When I started last fall I was riding around 14.5 mph but am now in the 16-17+ range on most rides unless it is REALLY hilly. I ride a lot, though - about 5 times a week, and have done three centuries and many metrics this year. The key is just to keep riding, and ride with people who challenge you a bit but are not so fast you are always left in the dust. That's what happened with me on the recumbent and was really discouraging. I was only averaging about 11.5-13mph on that bike. The weight of your bike really does make a difference. I went from a 38-lb recumbent to a 23-lb. upright and got about 2 mph faster overnight!

Good luck!
Emily