Battling the wind......

[Eden]

My thinking was along the same lines as Indy - while the wind may have played a role, from your description, it is also likely that you bonked (didn't eat/drink enough).

[indysteel]

I'd add that even when I'm adapted to doing long rides, I do make sure to take an extra break or two (stretch during those breaks as your body will be taking a beating) and to eat and drink a bit more on windy rides. It easy to underestimate your energy output when you're riding at a snail's pace, but the reality is that you're using some extra energy not just to pedal but to brace your body against the wind, too.

[Owlie]

Conditioning as well as the wind--going from 24 to 50 miles is a huge jump, never mind the wind.

[Tri Girl]

The wind can zap you, that's for sure. I agree with everyone else, tho- could have been a combination of lots of factors (not eating/drinking enough/jumping to twice the distance/wind/duration in the saddle).

Try to think about what you ate before and during the ride. Was it enough? How much did you drink? What kind of nutrition were you taking in during the ride (most people can only tolerate 200-300 calories an hour with both liquid and solid foods).

The wind is terrible. Living in Oklahoma, the wind does NOTHING but blow. There are very few trees to block it. I have a love/hate (more of a hate/hate, but whatever ) relationship with the wind. I tolerate it. I will change routes depending on how the wind is blowing (going east/west if it's a strong north or south wind, or going north/south if it's a east/west wind).

[Catrin]

+100 on what the others said. Wind can certainly be not-fun, and we are getting on the verge of a winder season. That being said, congratulations on your longer ride this weekend! That is a big leap for your body to, basically, double your mileage in one ride - but you did it and that was pretty darn cool

Windy rides DO take more out of the body. What I do on windy days is to cut back my mileage a bit - it just takes more energy and effort. I am also more likely to keep track of my time in the saddle rather than the overall mileage - that helps as well.

[BreezieD]

We did our 1st road ride of 50 miles on Monday and it kicked my backside... We live in the south too and the wind yesterday was horrible. I was asking DH the same questions about the wind.. I have gotten use to the longer rides on a trail that is about a 2% grade with only one spot that has any major hills. We have been 65 miles on the trail and I have had no problems.. but yesterday on the road plus the wind about killed me. I didn't think I could make the last 10 miles.
I have a Lexa as well! congrats!

[CyclingRN]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! @ pre-ride meal... I started with a decent bowl of SC oatmeal with fruit and almonds, couple of scrambled eggs, piece of MG toast . Gel x1 15 minutes before ride, 2 water bottles on bike (Powerade in one and regular H2O with a couple of Hammer Endurolyte Fizz tabs in the other). Now, that breakfast alone was much for me. There were stocked stops every 12.5 miles but I wasn't hungry. And that's usually my problem, I have to make myself take a snack in every 30 minutes or so. Since we were riding in 95 degree heat with 80% humidity, the heat index put us at about 104 degrees! I didn't want to take in to much and then find myself throwing my toe nails up!!! It was intense!
I drank plenty of fluid, both on the bike and at the stops.

I am usually my toughest competition, so I elected those 50 miles as a way to push myself. It was a self inflicted wound!

I have another ride on the 22nd. Given my work schedule, I've got 8 days open to try and get extra miles in. I may not shoot for 50 this time. But my inner voice is gonna say " you can't do any less than 40"!! Looks like I've gotta put her on mute and listen to my body....

[indysteel]

Oh my lands. This was in high heat, too? That was a self-inflicted injury!

Here's my feeling about riding in hot and humid conditions. I realize some people can and do adapt to it, but unless and until you do, it's wise to err on the side of caution. If you're afraid to eat in the heat because it might/will make you throw up, your body is trying to tell you something IMO. Go short and take it easy.

[CyclingRN]

Oh my lands. This was in high heat, too? That was a self-inflicted injury!

Here's my feeling about riding in hot and humid conditions. I realize some people can and do adapt to it, but unless and until you do, it's wise to err on the side of caution. If you're afraid to eat in the heat because it might/will make you throw up, your body is trying to tell you something IMO. Go short and take it easy.

Indeed!! I threw myself under the bus on that one!! I am definitely going to ease into this next one. I will do what I can when I can, and accept what I can't do at that given time. There are many experienced cyclist in my area and it's a bit intimidating, I want to be that good. I guess you can't be good if you are belly up in a ditch!!

I really appreciate every response, this is why I joined the TE forum.

[Owlie]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! @ pre-ride meal... I started with a decent bowl of SC oatmeal with fruit and almonds, couple of scrambled eggs, piece of MG toast . Gel x1 15 minutes before ride, 2 water bottles on bike (Powerade in one and regular H2O with a couple of Hammer Endurolyte Fizz tabs in the other). Now, that breakfast alone was much for me. There were stocked stops every 12.5 miles but I wasn't hungry. And that's usually my problem, I have to make myself take a snack in every 30 minutes or so. Since we were riding in 95 degree heat with 80% humidity, the heat index put us at about 104 degrees! I didn't want to take in to much and then find myself throwing my toe nails up!!! It was intense!
I drank plenty of fluid, both on the bike and at the stops.

I am usually my toughest competition, so I elected those 50 miles as a way to push myself. It was a self inflicted wound!

I have another ride on the 22nd. Given my work schedule, I've got 8 days open to try and get extra miles in. I may not shoot for 50 this time. But my inner voice is gonna say " you can't do any less than 40"!! Looks like I've gotta put her on mute and listen to my body....

O_O In that weather? No wonder! I've got 3 years of riding under my belt, and I still have trouble in heat. (I did a 50-mile ride on July 4 in similar conditions, and I am truly surprised I made it back to the car.) Be careful, and listen to your body. I either don't ride or go for 20 miles or less in that kind of weather.

I'm impressed, though.

[CyclingRN]

O_O In that weather? No wonder! I've got 3 years of riding under my belt, and I still have trouble in heat. (I did a 50-mile ride on July 4 in similar conditions, and I am truly surprised I made it back to the car.) Be careful, and listen to your body. I either don't ride or go for 20 miles or less in that kind of weather.

I'm impressed, though.

Owlie, I left a slime trail.