CycleChat inspired, 1st time 40 miles !!!

[Jaco45er]

Hi all. Just joined yesterday, MTB for years but new to road bikes. Well after reading some of the distances you guys ( and gals) achieve,I decided to push on further this morning, but I must tell you,I was riding on empty for the last 10 miles.

Recorded on Walkmeter, Distance 40.10miles, ave speed 13.34 mph, ride time 3:00:23.

Prior to this my max distance was 30, with most distances since owning the road bike for 10 months averaging around 15 miles.

I was absolutely shattered when I got home, tops of legs aching like you wouldn't believe. Now bearing in mind I'm 46 yo and 15 stone, and not out to break any records, it's this a half decent time? I got a bit disheartened half way through the ride,when 6 young fellas from Rutland cycle club ( I think that was on their shirts) passed me like I was standing still, and try as I could, I could not get near them.

Tell me it gets easier? For cyclists that do 100 miles in a day, I have a new found respect !!!!!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

It never gets easier, you just get fitter and stronger.. your challenges increase in proportion.

A bad day for your ego is a great day for your soul.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Hi all. Just joined yesterday, MTB for years but new to road bikes. Well after reading some of the distances you guys ( and gals) achieve,I decided to push on further this morning, but I must tell you,I was riding on empty for the last 10 miles.

Recorded on Walkmeter, Distance 40.10miles, ave speed 13.34 mph, ride time 3:00:23.

Prior to this my max distance was 30, with most distances since owning the road bike for 10 months averaging around 15 miles.

I was absolutely shattered when I got home, tops of legs aching like you wouldn't believe. Now bearing in mind I'm 46 yo and 15 stone, and not out to break any records, it's this a half decent time? I got a bit disheartened half way through the ride,when 6 young fellas from Rutland cycle club ( I think that was on their shirts) passed me like I was standing still, and try as I could, I could not get near them.

Tell me it gets easier? For cyclists that do 100 miles in a day, I have a new found respect !!!!!

It gets easier, well done on your 40 mile ride, hydration and fuel for anything over 30 miles or so, or less for some.
After 8 months I started to get consistent avgs above 14mph with distance on avg at that time of 26 miles each day I went out (not all days were single rides) Today I avg 16.71mph over 34.3miles, but to me it was an easy ride.
Avg speeds will be affected by both wind and terrain, and rain but less so, just keep at it ride as often as possible, time in the saddle will improve things.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

It never gets easier, you just get fitter and stronger.. your challenges increase in proportion.

A bad day for your ego is a great day for your soul.
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Wrong, it does get easier, your right your challenges change, but you can do them easier.

 

[BSRU]

Well done, just keep putting the miles in.
I recently completed a 100 mile ride and I think the psychological part was the hardest to overcome.
I ensured I had plenty of fluid and food, my bike is set up correctly, even though my legs complained when going up steep hills they still managed it.

 

[Spinney]

Well done! It does get easier, but the main thing is to enjoy it!
The last 100 I did (I've only ever done 3!) took me nearly 11 hours, with two stops for sandwiches, one for tea and chips and one for tea and cakes. When I got home I had done 95 miles, so I had to ride up the road for 2.5 miles and then back to get my distance up! Once you've got to 95 miles you can't stop there!

You will find that once you have done a couple more 40s, doing 50 or 60 won't be too much of a push. And then on upwards!

Not sure if I'll ever crack 125 miles (about 200 km) though - the days might not be long enough!!

 

[Jaco45er]

Cheers fellas. I think I just underestimated that additional 10 miles. I did fuel up on 2 weetabix and 2 bananas before I started, took 2 x 750ml bottles with a Zero tab in each, and a Clif energy bar. I was ok for hydration (I think), but started getting so hungry, at 9 miles from home there was a dead pheasant on the side of the road. Now I ain't one for eating road kill, but if I'd had a knife and a portable cooker, I would have been bbqing like a redneck on the 4th of July, I kid you not, I was that hungry

 

[Hill Wimp]

Well done you did great and to a lot on this thread that is their everyday speed and there is nothing wrong with it either. It's all about enjoying the ride, not distance or speed.

Master the art of loving your riding and by the time you have done that you can increase your speed and distance and not feel like it's a chore or hard work ( head winds and hills permitting of course )

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@Jaco45er
Fig rolls, jelly babies ect all good when your out, eat before hungry though.
@Hill Wimp even winds become less of a problem

 

[BSRU]

Cheers fellas. I think I just underestimated that additional 10 miles. I did fuel up on 2 weetabix and 2 bananas before I started, took 2 x 750ml bottles with a Zero tab in each, and a Clif energy bar. I was ok for hydration (I think), but started getting so hungry, at 9 miles from home there was a dead pheasant on the side of the road. Now I ain't one for eating road kill, but if I'd had a knife and a portable cooker, I would have been bbqing like a redneck on the 4th of July, I kid you not, I was that hungry

You should feed up the night before.
I carried too much drink with me, I could have managed just two 750ml bottles, I took Jordans Absolutely Nuts bars(complex carbs), 260 calories each and some Jelly Tots(simple carbs) eating regularly before hunger struck.
Did not set out to break any world records , just rode along at a speed I could enjoy it, apart from the newly dressed road surfaces.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Well done!
Porridge before setting out will help next time, when you attempt the 50 miles

 

[Jaco45er]

As a fellow Scot Pat, I agree with the porridge . But before I attempt 50 miles, I need to attempt the stairs tonight before bed !!!

 

[ColinJ]

As a fellow Scot Pat, I agree with the porridge .

As a semi-Scot (Scottish mum/English dad), I agree too!

 

[Louch]

well done. dont worry too much re time and speed. these will come as you go. from a slightly younger fellow 15 stone guy who only started in January

 

[Gravity Aided]

You should also try some cycling related stretches for recovery. They help a great deal. I tell everybody this. Well done on your achievement. Keep the MTB going. After a distance on an MTB, a road bike feels like a feather and goes like a rocket. (Sorry, mostly Irish and Dutch on my Fathers side, and Anglo- German on my Mother's side, so cannot participate in Scottishness at this time.I am, however, a porridge participant, as with grits.)