Can I ride 20 miles when I've been only riding 10?

[Geonz]

What they said! Endurance wise it's not an issue. See what you can do about the potential pain

[HappyTexasMom]

Yeah I'm having 2nd thoughts. I really really really want to go, and I'm not sure I'm going to have another chance for a while (mornings are limited, early evening is too hot/out of the question, later evening I just don't feel safe alone, and I'll be going out of town soon). But I just went for a short 2 mile (albeit sloooooow) ride with my 8-year-old and my neck is really feeling it.

My saddle is level, I do have a visor on my helmet I could remove. I did talk to the bike shop once and now that I've learned a little more, I'm not entirely happy with the recommendations he gave me. Or rather, that he didn't give me more. He recommended adding a riser to the post, and possibly some handlebars similar to what's found on a hybrid bike. He didn't mention anything about moustache bars or butterfly bars (I'm thinking I *might* like butterfly bars for this bike). So I may try another place. I do know that any bars that give me significant changes are going to require new cables...which is more $$$ I'm dumping on what's essentially a crappy bike. I could almost just go buy a new (albeit also crappy) hybrid from Target (I know, I know, but this is a Sam's club bike) for not much more (considering I also need new tires...*badly*...and a full tuneup).

The problem is I really don't have money for a new *good* bike right now. And I certainly don't want to settle for something I won't ultimately be happy with, at least for a few years. So I'm trying to figure out how to tolerate this one until I do. I don't mind putting some money into it, but I hate to sink too much into it.

I have been watching craigslist, but don't feel that I know enough about bikes for that to be a good option for me. Plus I still have (want) to ride while I'm still in the shopping/looking process.

*sigh* why do I have to have such expensive interests? (the reason I don't have money for a bike is that I just bought a digital SLR camera...I got a great deal, but still, not a small chunk of change!)

[PamNY]

In some parks, I take my bike into the restroom. If it were crowded, I wouldn't, but so far I haven't had any problems.

When I was building up mileage, I felt more secure when I took plenty of snacks. I think this is more psychological than nutritional, but it works for me.

Good luck -- sounds to me like you can do this. I agree plenty of breaks will help. It really is thrilling to increase your mileage.

Pam

[canonsue]

I am in the same place in riding as you. So far, I have only squeezed in about 10-12 mile rides a couple times a week. So one day, I did a 22 mile ride (with hills). The only thing, is that I did not carry any food. That was my mistake. It took me several hours and I was very tired at the end, especially because there is a very steep, one mile hill to my house. So now I know what bonked feels like.

I learned several things from this experience:

1. Yes, it is best to build a base of miles if you are a new rider. (and if you are overweight as I am.) (But, I still plan to do rides beyond my level from time to time.
2. Carry snacks if the ride is over an hour.
3. There is no shame in walking up a hill if necessary.
4. There is no shame in riding slowly if that is what you have.

The best advise I have ever heard for new riders is to just ride and not worry too much about miles or hills. (within reason of course)

-Sue

[GLC1968]

If you aren't sure that your bike is set up optimally for doubling your current distance, is there any reason you can try a 15 mile ride first? Do you need to jump up to 20 right away?

I would think that if your bike is potentially an issue, then you may want to ramp up more slowly, just to be sure. If it's too painful at 15, then you know that you'll have to invest a little $ before you try 20. Anything that hurts at 10 miles is only going to hurt much worse at 20.

[HappyTexasMom]

Sue, I'm not terribly overweight (maybe 20-25 pounds), but I'm not yet in the greatest shape, either. Your comment about taking hours really made me take pause...it's supposed to get up to 111 on Saturday, so I really don't want to end up taking more than about 3 hours total (I currently do 10 miles in about an hour and I'm not working balls-out or anything, so I thought I was being reasonably conservative, but maybe not). If I start at 6 (which will be a miracle...probably closer to 6:30) that would put me finishing at 9-9:30. It will already be in the mid to upper 90s then, which is about my limit. When it gets to 100+, no matter how much water I drink or how much water I pour on myself, I tend to overheat and give out after not very much time (and then get a migraine later in the day...fun).

GLC the reason I wanted to do 20 was partly to see if I could do it, and partly because the route I want to take includes a beautiful section down a greenbelt...but it's in the latter (furthest away) portion of my loop. If I cut out my ride, I have to cut it all out of the pretty part. I don't find that much beautiful about the desert (I know some people do, I'm just not one of them), so I was really looking forward to that (and had already cut some out; it was originally closer to a 30 mile ride).

But I went 12 miles today (2 more than my usual) and while physically I felt good overall (not too tired, etc.), the neck pain got more persistent and burning. I can also feel it now after the fact, which hadn't happened in the past. So I'm calling off the 20 mile ride for now. I just posted to the bike maintenance thread about some modifications I want to try that I think (hope) will help. Unless/until I get that resolved, I won't try for the longer distance. *sniff*

[Mr. Bloom]

But I went 12 miles today (2 more than my usual) and while physically I felt good overall (not too tired, etc.), the neck pain got more persistent and burning.

While training for the 160mile Ride Across Indiana last July, Silver advised me to not increase my riding by more than 10%/week. So, one week, I'd do 100 miles, then next 110 to 120, and so on. It worked for me.

As for the neck, my chiropractors and I are on a first name basis...