I just rode 100 miles on my bicycle!!! Ask me anything.

[prolesunited]

:-)

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Good for you!

How much do you hurt? How is your sunburn? where did you bike to?

[prolesunited]

5. Good questions

I don't hurt now. The pain comes tomorrow. Nothing some ibuprofen and a short ride tomorrow to loosen the muscles can't fix.

No sunburn. I have a lot of color already from riding outside the past couple months and I used sunscreen, re-applying twice.

I biked in the Indiana Dunes area. It was an organized ride and then I just threw in 30 more miles to make my 100.

The weather was gorgeous with little wind. The scenery was awesome. I feel very calm, or that just might be the exhaustion setting in.

[zbird]

2. Are you going to do the Apple Cider Century?

[prolesunited]

6. Yes, I probably will

I registered for it last year but then a work commitment (boss said I HAD to be somewhere) prevented me from going. As it turned out, the weather was awful that day IRRC.

Do you ride? Will you be doing that event?

[zbird]

26. Don't ride, I just live in Three Oaks.

I noticed you live nearby, and I figured if you take a leisurely 100 mile ride for no apparent reason, you probably would be riding in the ACC. :-)

[LynneSin]

3. If you took your car you would have gotten there faster!!

I'm just jealous!

[prolesunited]

10. I am *sure* I would have

But it wouldn't have been nearly as much fun. :D

I rode along the shores of Lake Michigan, through small towns and along rural roads dotted with old barns, horses and cows. It was quite beautiful and you don't enjoy it the same way in a car.

It took me about 7.5 hours riding time.

[shance]

4. You rock****thats some miles!

How are the quads feeling?

[prolesunited]

12. Actually, my legs feel fine

My shoulders are a little tight, though. I've been practicing riding in the drops for when I'm up against a headwind. It pulls a lot of your body weight forward.

[Doctor Smith]

16. My feet, shoulders, and wrists are what hurt when I ride that far.

My legs never hurt.

My little finger on my left hand usually turns numb for a while, too.

[prolesunited]

17. Feet and wrists are fine

No numbness, but I have had that happen, even on shorter rides. The shop did a really good fit for me initially and I've been tweaking the seat. I think a good setup is key.

[Doctor Smith]

18. What kind of pedals and shoes are you using?

I have Dura-Ace pedals and Shimano road shoes. They are very comfortable, but I hate trying to snap in at intersections. I concentrate so much on the pedals, that it distracts me from the traffic.

I have used SPD pedals, and the entry is much easier, but I get hot spots on my feet after about 40 miles.

[prolesunited]

28. I have SPDs

with Specialized shoes designed for women. I've felt some heat occasionally but nothing really painful. If I change my position or pedal stroke, it eases up.

A person I know was having the same issue. He got special inserts that altered his foot position and that resolved the issue.

I still have to think about clipping in and out. One day, not this season, I just got spacey and forgot. I looked like a complete idiot just falling over at a complete stop. :silly:

[BiggJawn]

20. "Bar Phat" might help that little finger

Viscoelastic pads (gel) that go under the tape. I haven't tried it but one reviewer I read said his pinkee didn't go numb after he installed it.

[Doctor Smith]

22. I'll have to try that.

Although, I've heard that too much cushioning can make your hands more tired, because it causes you to involuntarily grasp the bar more tightly.

[BiggJawn]

23. I'm not sure if it's the softness or the thickness...

When they came out with those "foamy" grips, I heard about people getting hand cramps beacuse the foam made the bars too thick and hard to grasp. Bar Phat comes in 2 thickneses, neither of which will make your bars that much bigger.

Specialized sells it.

I use Cinelli cork tape. Well, I did, anyay, until my LBS and favourite mailorder quit handling the tan coloured stuff.

And, why did SPD's give you hot-spots after 40 miles? Too much flex in the soles? I use SPD's and other than the "learning curve" that left a 3" scar on my right leg, i haven't had any problems with them...

[Doctor Smith]

24. I'm not really sure what the problem is with the SPDs.

I've tried several different shoes, and several different pedals, and my feet hurt with all of them.

I did notice that thicker socks helped some, and that I got less pain if I started with my shoes tight, and loosened them gradually during the ride.

I have wide feet, and I'm sure that has something to do with it.

[jus_the_facts]

7. Biiiiicycle...Biiiiicycle.....

.....do ya like that song? Listened to Queen earlier and couldn't resist another referrence!! :D

[prolesunited]

11. No, not really

I like Queen but I kinda find that song annoying. What are your favorites?

[jus_the_facts]

15. I gotta agree....that's my least favorite...my favorites would be....

.....'Somebody To Love'...'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'...'Body Language'..'I Want To Break Free'...'Under Pressure'...damn..does that show my state o'mind or what!! :D

[lostnfound]

8. Congrats -- that's called 'a century', isn't it? nt

[prolesunited]

13. Yes, it is

Just didn't know if people were familiar with that term. It is my second one this season.

[harrison]

9. What kind of bike do you ride?

[prolesunited]

14. This is my bike

It's a Trek WSD 2300. I bought it at the end of December. Merry Christmas to me. :-)





I also have a Trek 7300 hybrid, which is nice for limestone paths and around town.

[bikebloke]

19. A veteran pedaller here

My problem with pulling long hauls isn't muscle stiffness. It's being knackered, then not being able to sleep. Too much adrenalin coursing through my veins. So on my long loaded tours, I'd ride a few days, then take a break day to catch up on sleep, before riding a few more days.

[prolesunited]

29. I have the same problem

I didn't sleep very well last night and not nearly enough hours. You would think it would be opposite, but it isn't. Hopefully, I'll get a good night's sleep tonight.

[BiggJawn]

21. That rocks! Wish I had the time for that...

I was going to block out 5 hours for riding today, but I got roped into a "Hunny-Do" and now I'm sitting here with arthritis ointment and elastic bandages on my left elbow and right ankle, eating Ibies like tic-tacs.....


I did do 24.1 miles in 1:59 Tuesday after work, though...

Wabash Valley Century is coming up in August. I'm riding it, ready or not, and I'll either do the century or get hit with the "broom wagon" trying...Provided i don't get roped into another fence project....:P

[prolesunited]

30. Well, since I have no one to answer to

who's going to complain if I ignore the housework or yardwork, which I often find myself doing. If it's not raining, you should be out riding — at least that's my philosophy. :-)

That's a good time and you're definitely improving. Not to brag, but I did 25 in 1:30 last week.

You should try it. It's a good training goal. What's the longest that you've done? You should do a 75-miler at least once before trying. Keep me posted. :hi:

[BiggJawn]

35. Ah, but you should see my apartment....

Don't forget, we live apart, so I ignore the housework here with great regularity..:-)

You're getting faster, too. I probably could have improved the 1:59 time, but I took a mile on gravel at 5 MPH, which cut into the average a bit. I hate gravel, esp. with 1-1/8" tyres! Don't know how I'd do it with these 700X23 tyres I have on the other bikes...

My Personal Best so far has been 31 miles in 2:34, just 3 minutes better than my Bike the Drive time.

I know I could ride longer than 24 miles, but by the time I get home from the Salt Mine and get back out the door, it's 7PM, so 2 hours later, it's dark, it's 9 O'Clock, and I'm getting pretty hungry...I hope to get a 60-75 miler in before the Century, if not, oh, well, I wasn't really trying for 50 Km the first time I rode that, either...:-)

[2cents]

25. Pedaling or riding on the handle bars?

[prolesunited]

31. Umm...

Pedaling. I would be afraid that the rider would hit a bump, send me flying head first into the ground and then run me over for good measure. Ooouch!

[Donkeyboy75]

27. Are your nether regions sore?

I can't ride bicycles for that reason...

But congrats anyhow.

[prolesunited]

32. Not really

A little chafing that and irritation that an ointment will help clear up.

If you have the right seat and have your bicycle properly proportioned and set up for your body, that shouldn't be an issue. There may be some discomfort at first, but you gradually build up to it. Nobody can just jump on a bike and do 100 miles.

[SoCalDem]

33. I hope your house was at the 50 mile mark

:)

[slackmaster]

34. Did you feel the earthquake?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x651285

[pmbryant]

36. Awesome!

But shouldn't you be aiming for 200 miles by now? ;-)

:hi:

Peter