AT Cycling Log - 100,000 miles done! Next stop ???

[sygyzy]

6/12: 15.97
6/19: 10.62
6/24: 28.47
6/30 19.86
7/7: 20.33
7/14: 24.00
7/17: 24.18
7/21: 19.81
7/24: 24.44

Subtotal: 187.68 mles

Total:10570

 

[Ns1]

How many hours a week do you guys ride?

 

[sygyzy]

Garmin doesn't lie but it says I did 1.75 hours on average. That seems pretty low because I know some of my rides are 1.5 hours alone and I'll do two a week.

For example, this month (July 2012)

Count:
5 Activities
Distance:
112.76 mi
Time:
7:08:57 h:m:s

I will probably ride Saturday so that'll go up a bit.

 

[Ns1]

jesus christ I get over it after 45 minutes.

need to train.

 

[sygyzy]

You get over it like you are bored or you are tired?

You asked how people have "so much time to ride." I think it's about setting priorities. I wouldn't ask a gardener how they find so much time to tend to plants. I have some herbs but I don't really spend much time taking care of them. I can understand that they want to spend their time that way though. Two things: 1. People are truly not as busy as they claim they are 2. If you cared more about cycling, you'd do that instead of _____

 

[Ns1]

You get over it like you are bored or you are tired?

You asked how people have "so much time to ride." I think it's about setting priorities. I wouldn't ask a gardener how they find so much time to tend to plants. I have some herbs but I don't really spend much time taking care of them. I can understand that they want to spend their time that way though. Two things: 1. People are truly not as busy as they claim they are 2. If you cared more about cycling, you'd do that instead of _____

both really. i have a nasty habit of wanting to get from point a to point b as fast as possible, so i run out of gas a lot.

on a daily basis I commute to/from work. So that's +5miles/day

That takes up 800am - 630pm of my day.

Assuming I sleep at 12 and wake up at 8, that only leaves me 5.5 hours of free time per day. You are absolutely right though that I prioritize other things in that remaining 5.5 hour block. I figure 90 minutes to make dinner/catch up with gf/eat, 30 minutes to get ready for tomorrow, leaving me with 3.5 hours to live per day.

I want to add another hour of working out, leaving me with 2.5 hours to do stuff, but I have a hard time leaving me with only 2.5 hours a day to do stuff.

 

[sygyzy]

That's a totally normal schedule so I understand what you mean. How about riding Saturday morning, starting at 830 or 9 AM. That's not too early to wake up. You can do about 20 miles (1.5 hours). Get home and shower then go to brunch with your gf, all before noon.

 

[Ns1]

That's a totally normal schedule so I understand what you mean. How about riding Saturday morning, starting at 830 or 9 AM. That's not too early to wake up. You can do about 20 miles (1.5 hours). Get home and shower then go to brunch with your gf, all before noon.

Yeah I'm still working on my weekend schedule. A bike path loop is ~7 miles (40 minutes), LA River Ride is 20 something miles I just don't have the legs for that yet LOL.

My goal right now is 12 miles/day and 1 20+ mile ride on weekends. Need to handle other shit in my life to free up some time heh

I'm only 10-12mph right now =X

 

[sygyzy]

It's great that you are trying. There's nothing wrong with 12 miles a day or your speed. Maybe your gf would be interested in riding with you?

 

[Ns1]

It's great that you are trying. There's nothing wrong with 12 miles a day or your speed. Maybe your gf would be interested in riding with you?

She's got a disability which prevents her from riding long distances.

I got her a folding bike - she can ride short flat distances, and I think the small wheels actually help. We might go for a short ride tonight

 

[sygyzy]

Make sure to update the thread. Good job man.

 

[Baked]

Did the long ride today, 22 for the day.
Total: 10, 592

How many hours a week do you guys ride?

I use the spin style when I cycle, maintaining a certain RPM using 1 set gear rather than changing all around. Commute total time is less than 25 minutes, but on long rides, I do about an hour. I average about 8 hours a week.

 

[sygyzy]

It's good that you are staying a consistent RPM but that's hard to do without changing gears. What do you do when you go uphill or downhill?

 

[Schmide]

Got sick. Better now.
7/22 14
7/24 14
7/26 24

Total: 10,644

 

[_Rick_]

What do you do when you go uphill or downhill?

Get out of the saddle / coast?

Also, did another fast, short (close to the 20mph avg) ride yesterday.

6 miles in the morning on the commute to work, and 26 or so on the way home, in under 90 minutes. Was again close to 30 mph cruising for the last ~10 miles. And much faster on the (200m alt., 2%) climb again. Damn, I'm getting into shape.

10676 total

 

[highland145]

14

Total:10,690

 

[Ns1]

7/23 - 5
7/25 - 11

Total:10,706

I'm thinking about doing something stupid and want to train for a century. Next year's LA river bike ride.

I've never ridden more than 20 miles before. With a year of training this should be no problem right? I need a goal

 

[sygyzy]

Get out of the saddle / coast?

Also, did another fast, short (close to the 20mph avg) ride yesterday.

10676 total

He can ride however he wants to but the way he/you are describing makes no sense to me.

 

[Baked]

Daily 6.

Total: 10,712

 

[_Rick_]

He can ride however he wants to but the way he/you are describing makes no sense to me.

If you're in the same gear, and going uphill, you get out the saddle, so you can put down more power, maintaining RPM and speed, at the cost of exhaustion.
If you're going downhill in the same gear, at the same rpm - well you're coasting.

That's how you maintain rpm and gear, when going up- or downhill.

Did another twelve yesterday, been feeling the hard ride from Wednesday a bit too much, had some irritation in the knee.

10724.

 

[Baked]

Thanks for the explanation Rick. I do get up when going up hill, but I pedal even faster when going down hill!

I'm starting to think I need a real road bike with cycling shorts.

 

[_Rick_]

I'm starting to think I need a real road bike with cycling shorts.

Go for it. Especially a decent cycling shoe and cleats and pedals make a whole load of difference, the rigid frame is just a pleasure, and a modern group set allows shifts so smooth...

Plus, when you put on the spandex, you've got no excuse to go slow

There is a certain cost involved though, even for entry-level gear... A two-year used alu/composite road bike from ebay/some cycling forum is the big scary lump, but then the helmet, glasses, gloves, shoes, shorts, tops, socks, leggings, arm covers, wind breaker and other assorted accessories quickly add around 500 dollars/euros/pounds. On the other hand, some people benefit from some financial commitment, to actually get off their ass and ride for their monies worth
Maintenance is relatively bearable, new set of tires every 1-3 years, new tubes every year, new grip band every year, new cleats every year, and around a derailleur hanger every 1-2 years or so, depending on how often the bike falls. Rewire is probably best done after 2-4 years as well. Brake pads should be good for the same period. After 5-8 years you're looking at replacing the group and wheels, so at that point changing bikes usually is a better choice, while selling your old frame set to someone in need for some change.

On another note, I am quite surprised that there's no bike-tech thread in the "garage"

 

[mechBgon]

7/23 - 5
7/25 - 11

Total:10,706

I'm thinking about doing something stupid and want to train for a century. Next year's LA river bike ride.

I've never ridden more than 20 miles before. With a year of training this should be no problem right? I need a goal

Yeah, just gradually ramp up your time/distances and you'll be ready. Avoid burnout, it's OK to take a break if it starts becoming a chore.


I did my short 3-mile commute Wednesday (worked late), and yesterday I did about 52 miles, most of it in this pavement/gravel ride: http://app.strava.com/rides/14816557 Almost 18mph average, satisfactory considering it's a mountain bike and some of those roads are washboarded gravel.

That one took 1 gallon of Gatorade and I was still out with ~10 miles to go, but it was easy downhill/level miles from there back to the city. I ate a PowerBar about 1 1/2 hours before getting off work, I think it helps having a little fresh energy in the system before it's time to go.

So we got 3 + 52 for

Total: 10779

 

[Baked]

Yeah, I did some adding on Amazon last night for shoes, pedal, bibs, jacket, and it added up to $250!

I was eyeing the 2013 Trek Madone 2.1 last night, which is around $1.5K (it'll have to do until I have enough money for the Madone 7 series), but the 2013 model comes with complete set of Shimano 105. Damn, this new hobby of mine is bleeding my wallet, but I love it! I rather be out riding than sitting in front of the damn computer. I don't even watch that much TV anymore, I barely turn it on.

What's recommended for long rides? Triple or Compact crank? Or does it not really matter since I don't really change gear at all.

 

[Ns1]

Did 8 yesterday and had a personal best on this morning's commute (11mph avg lol).

@ Baked, I've decided my next bike is gonna be a single speed trainer. Gotta find a used single speed bianchi ~700 or so.