Metric or Full Century May 20th?

[Bklynmom]

Sunday I made it all the way up my big hill in Piermont, NY! I actually found it easer to go around 5.5 MPH up the Piermont hill than the 3 MPH I tried the first time. The chain did pop off twice because I was in too high a gear. All a good sign for the Montauk Century (well, not the chain popping off, but you get it )

The weather may be windy on Sunday, but I am still on for the full Century unless the winds are over 12-15 MPH.

Taking 2 days off, and then very light training 3 days. Also taking the bike to the mechanic this week.

When is your warm up ride?

[teigyr]

My bike went to the mechanic yesterday due to the front derailleur having some drama - chain was coming off on a semi-regular basis. I thought it was because of my rear derailleur/cassette change (that's when this all started) but it turns out the front one was loose. With any luck, it'll hold on saturday!

Aaargh, no ride on sunday. Well, 1.86 miles worth of ride. DH was not feeling well. I think a lot of it had to do with the stress of a "long" ride but he also has been working long hours then playing baseball (league play) with late night games. I did 44 miles on monday and 16 fast miles yesterday.

The 70 miles is slipping away, I'm afraid. We drove the 44 mile course and it is hilly and there is no shoulder on a lot of the route. I think I could do 70 but I know I'd feel it. He's only been riding a few months and I don't want this to be a bad experience for him....and I think I should ride the route he rides.

On the plus side, I'm climbing better The muscles are starting to kick in and I'm able to choose my gear instead of being in the extreme granny gear.

So, you nervous?!! It sounds like you have a good plan in place and there's really no reason to decide until you see the weather, etc., that day. It sounds like a great ride, if I was out there I'd do that one!!!

[Bklynmom]

My bike is at the mechanic too. He didn't like the way it felt when he pedaled it backwards. He'll take a closer look tonight. May need new parts and everything - uh oh. So hopefully it will be OK for Sunday. Did spinning class today since no bike.

Your route does sound tough, with few options for bailing out. You have a later ride that is your ultimate training goal right? You don't want to have a bad experience now that affects your mind set for the future event. On the other hand, I never advocate for doing less - it's a hard choice!

Sounds like your DH is a busy athlete -- but some really fit people seem to be able to pull themselves together and execute. My friend trained half heartedly for her 3 rd NY Marathon, decided to run at the last minute, and did fine.

Part of the bike does seem to getting the hang of when to gear the bike up and down - not just fitness, but strategy too.

[melissam]

OK ladies,

How did it go last weekend?

-- Melissa

[Bklynmom]

My ride was excellent - not that I didn't have a sore tush and other parts, but it went well. The flat Long Island topography became boring, and I did wish I had arranged to ride with a group. The rolling hills at mile 95 which I had been dreading were lots of fun and a welcome relief from Flat Flat Flat. I feel pretty good afterwards. My asthma bothered me a bit after the ride, not during, which I attribute to the spring plants blooming. Now that I am back in the plant free zone of NYC i feel much better.

Absolutely no serious muscle aches, knee pains etc! I did a five mile recovery ride the day after and I think it really helped. Chamois butter really works too.

I learned a lot and now know what I need to prepare for my 111 hilly miles in August. I need to find a riding partner or group (will be easier at PanMass).

I also need to figure out about eating and drinking. Drank way too much in the first 25 miles and could only think about the next rest stop, where of course there was a huge bathroom line. Also made the mistake of eating peanut butter at the 50 mile rest stop and proceeded to burp peanut butter for the next 25 miles. Ugh! Time to look into nutrition powders etc.

My training plan is to finish the 2 weeks of lactate threshold workouts I have left, and then concentrate on hills for about 4 weeks. I also want to be sure and do my long abs routine 3 times a week. This week I am taking it easy - today is day off, then a spin class Wednesday and another day off. Maybe a little weights one day.

All the advice and encouragement from you guys made all the difference. Thanks so much

[madscot13]

what is typography? Is it like topography? Or does it refer to some bike/ computer skill I should inately know? I am so lost.

[Bklynmom]

what is typography? Is it like topography? Or does it refer to some bike/ computer skill I should inately know? I am so lost.

It refers to my lack of spelling skills - of course I meant topography

L

[teigyr]

I am glad your ride went well!!!

We did the 44 mile option. DH had never ridden on the street, he hadn't been able to train, and I hadn't been training hills. It was hilly and windy (very windy, chairs were blowing away at the finish!) but also was a lot of fun.

I got up to 27.5 on a downhill! Not bad for a girl who's a wuss DH fell on an uphill, he had never really ridden hills on the street and didn't know it's difficult to clip back in.

The ride was very well supported too. I think we could have done 70 miles because the 70 mile route shared the 44 mile one with an additional loop north. I get the impression that most of the hills were on the 44 mile course. We finished strong and didn't feel tired at all. I WAS feeling leg fatigue though -- even a little sprint through a stop light made me think "ouch!".

Bklynmom, I am so glad you enjoyed it! You know...I always thought flat was more difficult than civilized hills. At least you get a break with rolling hills!

We're planning on a century some time this summer.

[Bklynmom]

Glad you had a good ride too - hope DH survived as well.

The hills really do make it interesting - now that they are becoming more manageable for me, and I have developed my momentum tricks, it is more fun. I think it's faster too.

I also think that flat riding in the same position for a long time is more stress-full on your knees than a variety.

I also discovered:
-Do not eat Peanut butter on a century
-Chamois butter works
-You can drink too much water
-I need to look into those energy drinks before I tackle 111 miles.

Sounds like you are more than ready to do amore demanding ride - hope your DH can find time to train too - you really do need company on the long ones! I wish my husband could find the time to train, it would be fun to do this together.