Do you stop on rides?

[magnatom]

I think my training for the Trossachs Ton is going quite well, after surviving a 50 miler at the weekend (average 16.5mph). However, when I quote the figure this is what my computer says i.e. my rolling speed average not taking into account any stops. Now some of my stops are for traffic, lights etc. However, I do stop occasionally to eat a biccy, have a swig of drink, get the feeling back in my fingers or after climbing a big hill to get my breath back.

Now obviously if I was training to race I'd not want to be stopping at all, but I just wanted to check, do all the mere mortals who train for tons etc stop a number of times during their rides? I think my ride time for 50 was something over 3 hours (computer is at home), but my total time out was about 3 hours 30. Should I be aiming to keep the difference to a minimum.

Just curious where I stand!:?:

 

[TVC]

I can manage to open and suck down a gel whilst riding but I can't manage to unwrap a nana or a M&S Choc Brownie whilst rolling so I do tend to stop for a quick munch. Hedge stops are also sometimes a necessity, but for what ever reason I stop I try to keep it to a minimum otherwise my legs decide that they've done their work for the day and start to snooze.

 

[HLaB]

It depends what mood I'm in/ how I feel/ what I'm doing/ how much time I've got, etc. I tend not to stop on rides below 50-60 miles but if I'm not constained by time I'll stop on longer rides and have a banana or something useully about half way. If I've done/planning a lot of mileage I'll force my self to eat more often sometimes I'll do it on the move if its convenient safe but other times I prefer to stop.

 

[Radius]

I think there's a difference between stopping for a drink / snack (if it's in your saddlebag / you've reached a landmark / good stopping point) and stopping because it's getting too much. If it is the latter, I don't think you should do it straight away, because half of cycling any great distance or at any great speed is mental, or so I've found. It was part of my initial understanding of cycling to teach myself to say "no" to my brain's desire to give up.

 

[magnatom]

TVC,

Yes it is harder to get going again if I stop! Unfortunately I'm still at the stage of having to stop on occasion just to stop breathing through my backside!

HLaB,

I think when I get fitter and sort the numb fingers problem out (I'm going to fiddle with my saddle position next. I think it is as far forward on the rails as it will go, so I'll try moving it back) I'll aim for no stops up to about 50 miles.

 

[magnatom]

I think there's a difference between stopping for a drink / snack (if it's in your saddlebag / you've reached a landmark / good stopping point) and stopping because it's getting too much. If it is the latter, I don't think you should do it straight away, because half of cycling any great distance or at any great speed is mental, or so I've found. It was part of my initial understanding of cycling to teach myself to say "no" to my brain's desire to give up.

If I can just find the will to keep going when I reach the top of a big hill I'll have cracked it. I will do, I'm a trier. My wifes always comments on how trying I am...! :?:

 

[dodgy]

You should be able to set your computer to pause when you stop at lights etc.

 

[Radius]

I will do, I'm a trier. My wifes always comments on how trying I am...! :?:

 

[magnatom]

You should be able to set your computer to pause when you stop at lights etc.

It does automatically. I just wondered what others do on 40, 50 ish mile rides. What should I be aiming for?

 

[MacB]

Mags, I find I don't like going much above 30 miles without a break. This may alter as I get fitter and better able to drink/eat on the go, this can still give me the wobbles. But I don't race and never will so don't see extending endurance as a goal, in that sense. I'm more interested in improving my rolling averages, and fitness, so that I'm better able to enjoy my social rides. 50 miles I'd probably plan for a half hour break in the middleish, would probably want to go a bit over half way, leaving the shorter bit for after the break.

 

[marinyork]

I used to have breaks on some of the 50+ milers but I've tended not to more recently unless I'm dying. The 60 miler more recently was done without stopping at all except to take a few photos, same with another 40 miler and the 100 miler I did only had one stop of any length and I'd happily have made that a bit shorter as the legs went funny. I'm not sure there's much benefit of breaks on a race bike.

 

[dodgy]

I like to take a break on 50+ mile rides, as much for the social aspect as anything else. I don't feel that having the break makes the whole ride any easier.

 

[stoatsngroats]

My best so far is only 60-odd miles, on 2 occasions. the first I had 3 3-minute stops, and felt a bit tired in the last 8 miles; the second was a ride to get a timetable for the ferry, and was 33 miles e/w, I didn't stop on the way out, had a stop for lunch (about 45 mins), and had a terrible return journey over 1/2hr longer than the outbound trip.

I think, for me, on the 100 mile ride, (based on an 'easy' pace), 4 sections of 25 miles would be okay to try, with short stops to refuel.

HTH

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Depends on the sort of ride I'm doing. I've been out for a 25 mile spin today with the other half, and the intention was always to stop for a beer or two and some lunch. Normally, if I'm on a "training" ride, I don't stop unless I have to. Since my Audax days my computer has always been set on manual start/stop mode, so any stops are incormporated into the average speed. Anything else feels like cheating.

 

[dellzeqq]

what is life....I'll stop for birdsong, or a wonderful view, or even (sad, this) a building that strikes me as interesting.