Bad Ride - Opinions?

[bikerz]

I had a ride like that once, and I whined and complained to my riding buddy (and when she got tired of hearing about it, I whined to myself) the whole time about how sluggish I felt, and how little energy I had, blah, blah, and and it turned out I had accidentally let a huge amount of air out of my rear tire when I was using this new pump I had, which I didn't discover until mile 19 of a 25 mile ride Ahem. Now when I feel like I am really dragging, one of the things I do, in addition to considering the food/water intake, is to get off the bike and check tires pressure and brake (for rubbing).

Was it hot? That's the other thing that can pretty much do me in...

[I'm not suggesting this is what happened with you, but it was a lesson that I learned the hard way!]

[mimitabby]

Yah, BikerZ
underinflated tires can DEFINITELY make you feel like a wimp. Also brakes rubbing!

[F8th637]

I had a ride like that once, and I whined and complained to my riding buddy (and when she got tired of hearing about it, I whined to myself) the whole time about how sluggish I felt, and how little energy I had, blah, blah, and and it turned out I had accidentally let a huge amount of air out of my rear tire when I was using this new pump I had, which I didn't discover until mile 19 of a 25 mile ride Ahem. Now when I feel like I am really dragging, one of the things I do, in addition to considering the food/water intake, is to get off the bike and check tires pressure and brake (for rubbing).

Was it hot? That's the other thing that can pretty much do me in...

[I'm not suggesting this is what happened with you, but it was a lesson that I learned the hard way!]

Just checked the tires and they're a-ok.

It was quite warm and hotter than I've ridden but it could definitely have been a lot worse. Actually, the trail ended up having a big cloud over it which then proceeded to rain on just the trail on my way home, I swear.

[stacie13]

I don't like to eat too much before I ride, and I just CAN'T eat hardly anything on my early commutes in. It's enough to ask my body to leave by 6:30 for the 1.5hr ride, thinking about digesting food, coffee, whatever that early makes me almost want to hurl.

My ride home is a totally different beast. I get more energy as the day goes on and by 5:00, I'm ready more than ever to ride. I usually am able to eat a couple hours earlier and I always feel great riding home.

It could have been a combination of things for you, in addition to it being your longest ride. I suspect it'll all become easier as you keep it up. I'm hoping that one day I'll jump out of bed, totally awake and feeling alive! Ha!

[Geonz]

Just checked the tires and they're a-ok.

It was quite warm and hotter than I've ridden but it could definitely have been a lot worse. Actually, the trail ended up having a big cloud over it which then proceeded to rain on just the trail on my way home, I swear.

Heat (or tires) ar eoften the mystery factor for me. Monday I went out and couldn't hold in our group... I just couldn't get to my "steady state" and by halfway through the ride (I'd dropped off the back and rejoined at the halfway point) my muscles were suggesting cramping (though not locking up) and the next morning I was still kind of stiff and tired... but then TUesday night I swear I worked twice as hard for just as long and felt worked-out but strong this morning. I think the difference was the 5 degrees between 83 and 88. I wilt. It's possible that pop-tarts and pizza are that much better than chili and gatorade... but I don't think so

[F8th637]

Heat (or tires) ar eoften the mystery factor for me. Monday I went out and couldn't hold in our group... I just couldn't get to my "steady state" and by halfway through the ride (I'd dropped off the back and rejoined at the halfway point) my muscles were suggesting cramping (though not locking up) and the next morning I was still kind of stiff and tired... but then TUesday night I swear I worked twice as hard for just as long and felt worked-out but strong this morning. I think the difference was the 5 degrees between 83 and 88. I wilt. It's possible that pop-tarts and pizza are that much better than chili and gatorade... but I don't think so

It's weird how that works out. It's almost an art than a science.

My stomach just flipped at the idea of pop-tarts and pizza anywhere NEAR a challenging ride.

[DarcyInOregon]

I had a ride like that once, and I whined and complained to my riding buddy (and when she got tired of hearing about it, I whined to myself) the whole time about how sluggish I felt, and how little energy I had, blah, blah, and and it turned out I had accidentally let a huge amount of air out of my rear tire when I was using this new pump I had, which I didn't discover until mile 19 of a 25 mile ride Ahem. Now when I feel like I am really dragging, one of the things I do, in addition to considering the food/water intake, is to get off the bike and check tires pressure and brake (for rubbing).

Gosh, that is funny. Thanks for sharing.

However it made me think of something else that I can contribute to this thread.

Last month I went on a ride with Suzie and Ellen, who are two other TE members. Part way through the ride Ellen starts to drag and is really trying hard to maintain her pace, and not understanding why her speed is going down and it is getting difficult. If Ellen is reading this thread, I hope I am telling the story correctly. Well, I think what happened is that Ellen's saddle pack started rubbing on her wheel, and she stopped, and she realized her saddle had been dropping on the post. Remember, the saddle pack fits under the saddle above the rear wheel, so if the saddle is rubbing the wheel, then the saddle is too low. Ellen raised her saddle, got out one of her little gizmo bike tools from her saddle pack, and with all of her arm strength tightened the saddle clamp. For the rest of the ride Ellen didn't have a fatigue problem.

So be sure to check and make sure your saddle is still at the correct height.

Darcy

[singletrackmind]

Last weekend's experience on a 23 mile ride: Breakfast, whole wheat cinnamon raisin bagel and a banana. Hydration pre-ride, not much. During ride no food as is usual for me and a 70 oz camelback. Hottest day of the year so far caught me off guard.....I didn't drink enough and ended up paying for it with a headache.


I've always got food on hand and will eat a little here and there if I need it. For me hydration or lack of it is what really affects me most.

[dingster1]

For me, I tend to be hypoglycemic, so food/hydrate is a must. I eat something lite before I ride, scared of puking, cereal/oatmeal ususally. THen I keep something like fig newtons or fruit on the bike plus Gatorade. Haven't gotten into the gel things I see at the bike shop yet. If I start feeling a little loopy, I'll stop and eat.

[singletrackmind]

Those gel things make me feel dizzy, especially if I've been drinking gatorade.

[IFjane]

I HAVE to use gel (usually ClifShots) on long rides because if I need to eat while riding they are the only things I can use. I breathe so hard that if I try to actually bite and chew I will aspirate a crumb & be in real trouble. Fig Newtons & energy bars (love the Power Bars Nut Naturals) have to be saved for when I stop.