rayw1604
Senior Member
- Location
- Cheltenham, Glos
In common with many others here, I want to share my unadulterated joy at achieving my first half century today 
(God, I love the smilies on this forum).
I have been training this summer for the 100k MacRide at Stratford in September on my new Ridgeback Horizon - it wasn't an auspicious start on the new bike back in April, my second ride on it ended abruptly when I came off at the bottom of a long, steep hill near Winchcombe and caused the biggest bruise I've ever seen on my thigh, plus some lovely road rash on my left elbow...
Anyway, I have been upping my distances quite seriously (by my standards) over the months. Sometimes, my motivation and enthusiasm deserts me, and I only manage a couple of rides some weeks, but I try to make one of them longer than my standard 15-20 mile routes around Cheltenham. I had done a few 30+ milers, and one 36 mile ride on a pretty flat route, and I had planned a route to take me over 40 miles today. But, as I passed through Winchcombe (after walking part way up Cleeve Hill - I don't know if or when I will ever manage serious hills like that, but my legs are a lot stronger and I can manage other hills I wouldn't have dreamed of attempting in the past), then on to Evesham and Pershore, I decided that I felt good enough to add the extra few miles and hit the 50 mark. In the end, I did 51.2 miles at an average speed of 14.4 mph, which I am please with, especially considering the walking bit on Cleeve Hill.
I was feeling good and ready today because of all sorts of factors, knowledge of which I have gathered from this very forum, like, for instance:
1) Using energy tablets in my drink and energy bars , plus dextrose tablets which I swear by - I can feel my endurance and stamina surging as a result
2) Virtually eliminating pins and needles in my hands by rotating the drop bars ever so slightly forward, so my wrists are straighter. This may have helped with my neck too, which didn't get so sore - I have almost been unable to continue on previous longer rides because of the nausea felt by such a painful neck. Careful stretches while riding on a quiet road have helped too.
3) technique up hills, that damn Cleeve Hill excepted
. I am almost powering (in my own small way) up ascents now, and they don't bother me any more - well, almost.
4) Not wearing underwear under my padded lycra shorts (yes, I am a MAMIL) has eliminated chafing, and the Brooks B17 saddle is fantastically comfortable.
I am very. very chuffed and elated, a feeling many if not most of you have experienced, probably disproportionately so in my case, as I have never rated my athleticism or power or stamina. I have knocked down another hurdle...
Bring it on!!
(Well, I may rest tomorrow
)
Ray
(God, I love the smilies on this forum). I have been training this summer for the 100k MacRide at Stratford in September on my new Ridgeback Horizon - it wasn't an auspicious start on the new bike back in April, my second ride on it ended abruptly when I came off at the bottom of a long, steep hill near Winchcombe and caused the biggest bruise I've ever seen on my thigh, plus some lovely road rash on my left elbow...
Anyway, I have been upping my distances quite seriously (by my standards) over the months. Sometimes, my motivation and enthusiasm deserts me, and I only manage a couple of rides some weeks, but I try to make one of them longer than my standard 15-20 mile routes around Cheltenham. I had done a few 30+ milers, and one 36 mile ride on a pretty flat route, and I had planned a route to take me over 40 miles today. But, as I passed through Winchcombe (after walking part way up Cleeve Hill - I don't know if or when I will ever manage serious hills like that, but my legs are a lot stronger and I can manage other hills I wouldn't have dreamed of attempting in the past), then on to Evesham and Pershore, I decided that I felt good enough to add the extra few miles and hit the 50 mark. In the end, I did 51.2 miles at an average speed of 14.4 mph, which I am please with, especially considering the walking bit on Cleeve Hill.
I was feeling good and ready today because of all sorts of factors, knowledge of which I have gathered from this very forum, like, for instance:
1) Using energy tablets in my drink and energy bars , plus dextrose tablets which I swear by - I can feel my endurance and stamina surging as a result
2) Virtually eliminating pins and needles in my hands by rotating the drop bars ever so slightly forward, so my wrists are straighter. This may have helped with my neck too, which didn't get so sore - I have almost been unable to continue on previous longer rides because of the nausea felt by such a painful neck. Careful stretches while riding on a quiet road have helped too.
3) technique up hills, that damn Cleeve Hill excepted
. I am almost powering (in my own small way) up ascents now, and they don't bother me any more - well, almost.4) Not wearing underwear under my padded lycra shorts (yes, I am a MAMIL) has eliminated chafing, and the Brooks B17 saddle is fantastically comfortable.
I am very. very chuffed and elated, a feeling many if not most of you have experienced, probably disproportionately so in my case, as I have never rated my athleticism or power or stamina. I have knocked down another hurdle...
Bring it on!!
(Well, I may rest tomorrow
)Ray
it does feel good, doesn't it? Well done 
