This post is All About Me: I've got major bragging rights after doing this:

[Shine]

All season long I've been training for an endurance cycling event that just happened last weekend.
It was a double metric century (125 miles) with 8,000+ ft of climbing.

But, because of a stupid wrong turn (our mistake) which added an additional 1/2 hr of time and 9 miles to our total, we ended up doing an even longer ride! :D

We woke up at 4:30 am, left at 6:20 am and returned by 6:15pm. Damn, it was a loooong day, but worth it in the end.

Here are the stats:

Total mileage: 136 miles
Total elevation gain: 8,255 ft
Total saddle time: 9:45 minutes
Total time: 12 hrs
Average speed: 13.9 mph

:bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo: :bounce: :woohoo:

Yes, I feel TRIUMPHANT !!! It was definitely a Personal Best. I'm a bit sore in my thighs, from all the climbing, but overall, I'm doing pretty well. All the training and pre-ride hydration really paid off. I'm taking it easy for a couple days, though....:hi:

[AllegroRondo]

1. Awesome!

I love hearing about your rides.

:hi:

[Shine]

19. Thanks, AllegroRondo!

:pals: My training partner is trying to talk me into the Death Ride in mid-July: 129 miles, 5 mtn passes, 16,000 ft of climbing. :scared: I dunno about that one....hmmm...

:hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

2. Brag on, Sister!

Most awesome and inspiring! :applause: :applause: :toast: :applause: :applause:

[Shine]

20. Thanks,babe!

Hope we can see each other sometime this summer....:hug: :loveya: When are you comin' to Santa Cruz??

:hi:

[Whoa_Nelly]

42. Plans are

July 5-6

Will you be around?

[malta blue]

3. Wow Shine - you are an amazing woman!

You should feel triumphant after that!
:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

That is quite impressive.

I hope you can enjoy a long, hot soak after expending all that energy.
:hug:

[Shine]

21. LOL! Yes, we've been really grateful for our hot tub.

:hi: :pals: Thanks for your congrats!

[hfojvt]

4. that does seem pretty fast

My target was usually 10 MPH with rest breaks included and I never did that much climbing (thank God) and almost never went that far. The one time I did something like 120 miles I felt like I was 'limping' home the last 20 miles or so. It didn't help that I went some 60 miles the day before and did not get very much sleep.

edit: so yeah :applause: :toast:

[Shine]

22. For long rides, it's all about hydration

I was trying to drink at least 1 gallon of water per day for the few days leading up to the ride. It truly helps with performance.

:hi:

[nini]

5. excellent! congrats!

:toast:



My niece ran her 1st marathon yesterday and it was awesome to be there and see her finish.


What a great accomplishment you had too! :bounce:

[AllegroRondo]

14. Was that the San Diego marathon?

a friend of mine ran in it.

How did your niece do?

[nini]

15. Yes....

She was way back but she finished - 5 hours or so. She was part of the Team in Training group that raised money for Leukemia.

She ran in memory of my dad so I am VERY PROUD of her :D

[AllegroRondo]

17. Thats great

Team in Training does some great work, I've seen them at a lot of marathons. They also work with 100mile bike rides, in case the OP is interested....

And 5 hours is a respectable first time, especially considering the heat. Does she plan on doing another? It can be pretty addictive.

[Shine]

26. I did the CA AIDS Ride back in 2000

3,000 of us rode from SF to LA over the course of a week. 575 miles. We raised $11.25 million for AIDS services. :thumbsup:

It's great to combine cycling with good causes. Yes, I definitely know about the Team In Training stuff. They're great.

I'm considering doing the 3-day Breast Cancer walk in the fall. It's weird, I can crank out 136 miles on my bike, but the thought of walking 60 miles, 20 per day, is completely daunting to me.

I like the speed of cycling. :D

[nini]

33. my brother did that ride a while ago. I don't remember what year though

he was verryyyyy tired after that!



It's great to combine the training with a good cause - there's a double goal for you!

[Shine]

41. I ended up developing bursitis in my left hip from that ride.

I had to take about 9 mos off, which really bummed me out. :( I was in pain with every step.

But....I came back! I don't think I would ever do that ride again. It's a HUGE commitment of both time and energy. No regrets whatsoever, mind you, but it was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime deal.


Kudos to your bro! :thumbsup:

[nini]

32. She wants to do the Long Beach one in November

My dad was a runner and she got that gene from him - it skipped a generation that's for sure. ;-)

[Shine]

23. Thanks, nini!

:hug: and congrats to your niece, as well! I am definitely NOT a runner, but I totally get what a huge accomplishment that is. MrShine has done about 8 marathons. They're hard!!

I'm sorry about your dad...:hug: How sweet she ran in his memory...:hug:

:hi:

[nini]

34. I got emotional more than once yesterday thinking about my dad

He would be so proud of her - just like all of us were.

He ran his first and only marathon when he was 55 which was amazing since he was hit by a car when he was about 40. The human spirit is amazing.


Rest those legs shine - I am very impressed with your stamina! :hug:

[Shine]

40. "The human spirit is amazing"

true and wise words, nini. :hug:

Your father sounds like he was an inspiration to you. May his inspiration live on forever in your heart. :loveya:

[Nicole]

6. You've definitely earned bragging rights!

Congrats on an amazing accomplishment. :toast:

[Shine]

25. Thanks, Nicole!

:toast: Yeah, I'm pretty damn proud of myself. :D

[underpants]

7. That is fantastic

Well done.

I'll bet you are just beside yourself with satisfaction and you feel like you just conquered the world.

[Shine]

27. Thanks, underpants.

:toast: Yeah, I'm pretty damn proud. I'm bragging to everybody! Yes, I'm not shy. :D

:hi: You'll feel this way in November when you do YOUR marathon. :thumbsup:

How's your training going, btw?

[underpants]

43. +

Wow thanks for asking (gives me a great excuse to :kick: this thread)

Pretty well. I did 3 3.5 4 and 4.5 since thursday. I am taking the day off and doing 10 miles on the recomb bike in the gym at work. My actual training starts on July 9th (Hal Higdon novice schedule).


I think I need to go down yet another belt loop.

I feel great but I think I need to join a group run thingee I don't know some people say yes (must have a group support) but two people here at work went completely solo and did it.

Okay time for 3 more sets of 50 situps (Done 300 so far today)

[Shine]

44. Wow, you're doing awesome!!

I can't even begin to imagine running 5 miles, let alone 26.2 miles. Dang. :yourock:

Regarding training with others for support, it's fun b/c you've got something in common you're working towards, but going solo is fine, too. It depends on how social you are. I'm very social and yet can swing both ways.

(hmmm..that sounds weird)

Anyway, I've been doing most of my training rides with a girlfriend and we've gotten to be really good friends, which has been an added benefit. We've probably ridden over a 1,000 miles together so far. That's a lotta time in the saddle and a lot of fun adventures.

Good luck! :hi:

[tigereye]

8. way to go Shine!

:bounce:

:thumbsup:

:woohoo:

[Shine]

28. Thanks, tigereye!

:toast: :toast: I had two beers with pizza after the ride. When you cycle like that, you can eat with impunity....which is a nice plus. :D

:hi:

[taterguy]

9. You're an inspiration

You rock

I've been really slack about distance rides lately but do have a 70 miler penciled in for early August.

Happy trails

[Shine]

29. Thanks, taterguy! I'm thinking about doing THIS ride in early August:

http://www.santacruzcycling.org/scmc/2007/index.shtml

Yeah, baby! :bounce: :hi:

[DS1]

10. 10 minutes on the saddle for a 12 hour ride

whatcha do, drink beer for 11.8 hours then crank it out like Superman?

[Shine]

30. LOL! Ooops, my bad.

:rofl:

[Inchworm]

11. Amazing!

:yourock:

[Shine]

31. Thanks, inchworm!

:toast:

[Gormy Cuss]

12. Woo Hoo!

You are having a great cycling season. Just curious: how many breaks did you take? And what's next?

[Shine]

35. Thanks, babe!

:toast:
OMG, we had 6 official rest stops with food and water along the way and many, many unofficial pee stops, too...usually a bush, or behind a tree. :D Hey, ya do what ya gotta do! It was good we were peeing that much b/c it meant we were keeping well-hydrated, which is what it's all about on a long-ass ride like that.

My training partner is signed up for the Death Ride on July 14th and she's trying to convince me to join her. 129 miles, 5 mtn passes, 16,000 ft of climbing. :scared: It's sold out, so I'd have to go through the hoop of trying to find one on Craigslist, first. Plus, we're leaving on a 2 wk vacation on the 16th out of state, so it's a huge logistical feat to accomplish, but I'm compelled by her argument: I've trained so hard, it seems a shame to not try and go for it. Hmmmm...to be determined. Whenever I check Craigslist there's only listings for people looking, not ones selling yet. I imagine it's gonna come down to the last minute, if it happens at all. I haven't made the emotional commitment yet to post a listing myself, either. We'll see...

Anyway, this w/e we're planning a 100 mile training ride w/ 10,000 ft of climbing. Dang. :bounce:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

13. I must say, WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is amazing! Can you even walk?

[Shine]

36. Thanks!!

:toast: Yup, I'm walking fine, but a bit sore when I go up steps. :D

:hi:

[Haole Girl]

16. Wow!

You deserve bragging rights!!

:woohoo:

[Shine]

37. Thanks, KC2!

:toast: Yup, I rock. :D

[Guava Jelly]

18. WOW...

You should feel triumphant.
I sure as hell couldn't have pulled that off.
:toast:

[Shine]

38. ANYTHING is possible with the proper training. Seriously.

:toast: Thanks, GoPsUx!

[billyskank]

24. I am in awe

:o

[Shine]

39. Thanks, billy!!

:toast: :hug: I feel pretty awesome, actually. :hi:

[Shine]

45. Addendum: even more amazing info......

I forgot to mention that there were only 500 cyclists doing this ride and of those 500, only 40 were doing the full double metric century...and only 4 or 5 of us were women! :woohoo: We felt like we were in an elite group, definitely. Yes, we totally rock, but it would've been great to see more women cyclists out there.

There was also a metric century route (63 miles) and a full century route (100 miles).

:hi:

[applegrove]

46. You did great!

[Shine]

50. Thanks, applegrove!

:toast: Yup, I'm proud. :D

I love your username, btw. :hi:

[WindRavenX]

47. wow

I am in awe :wow:

[Shine]

51. Thanks, WindRavenX

:toast: I'm proud of myself, but what was truly amazing was the "elderly" couple I met who also did this event. Read more about it here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=6577571&mesg_id=6577571

:hi:

[BarenakedLady]

48. Wow that's awesome!

:yourock:

[Shine]

52. Thanks, BNL!

:toast:

[NMDemDist2]

49. DANG!!! that's something to brag about for sure!

Well Done! :applause:

[Shine]

53. LOL, I'm pretty much telling everybody about it today.

I even told the check out guy at Trader Joes. :D I'm not shy.

:hi: Thanks! :toast: