My First 50

[kfinlay]

Did my first 50 miler yesterday, it was lovely and sunny but the roads could have been better. My route and a few photos here.
Should maybe have chosen another route but wanted to challenge myself to the two 17% and one 19% climbs from Dunning back to Milnathort. It was treacherous in many places where the sun couldn't melt the snow. Most of the roads had some bare tarmac from car tracks but thick snow and ice in between. Also I couldn't get out the saddle for the climbs due to snow and ice but luckily I have a triple so made it up without stopping but did have to sit on the tip of the saddle with as much weight forward as possible as the front wheel kept lifting off the road with each peddle stroke (probably poor technique but I didn't want the hill to beat me). Plan on doing this run a couple of times a month and probably adding on Falkland hill later to take it to nearer 70 miles as I've got a few sportives planned that just get hillier as the year goes on.
Really quite chuffed with myself as I only got back on the bike in Sep 09 after 25 years away from cycling and prior to this had done 38 miles max.

Anyone else get caught in the snow as I saw quite a few other cyclists out?

 

[jeltz]

That's quite some hills you have there, well done its a great feeling when you crack the 50 mile for the 1st time.

I only started in May and have only done over 50 3 times I think. Next target is the Metric ton!

 

[postman]

Let me be the first to say well done .May you do many more .

 

[MadoneRider1991]

thats an amazing route and a monster of a hill in the middle!!

 

[HobbesChoice]

Well done. Thanks for posting the route too.

 

[mr Mag00]

nice one at this time of year too!

 

[HLaB]

Well done for a first 50. I've done that route a few times looping out of Dunfermline but never in the snow. The last time I did the Dunning loop a mini car rally was taking place and the Sirrus got stuck in the 38t ring up the hill from Dunning.

 

[kfinlay]

cheers guys, it was a bit of an epic given the conditions from Yetts O MuckHart thru Dunning then back to Milnathort so was very slow. I found the long hill from the 15 mile to 27 mile mark easy as it lots of short climbs with breaks as you can see from the gradients going up to 10% then back down again. The biggest shock was coming out of Dunning and going up a steady 5% then up to a stretch of 8-10% only to come around a corner and see a wall in front of me at 19%- oh gosh! I thought (only a bit more colourful than that!) but just dug in and tried my best. When in a challenging position like that I just try to focus and repeat to myself 'I win, I win I WIN'. I'm not great on hills but the more I do then the better I'll get (I hope).
My mate and I are going to cycle 65-70 miles from Inverkeithing to Pitlochry on 26 Mar and I've included part of the route just so I can do it again but hopefully in better weather. Enjoy your cycling guys n gals

 

[Banjo]

congratulations

You dont do things the easy way do you :-) First 50 ,an incredibly challenging route and snow and ice to contend with.....

I was proud of my first 50 on a sunny summers day on a gentle route that didnt need any granny ring use at all.

For your first century perhaps Switzerland would be good,in January of course. :-)

 

[Jerry Atrik]

I was chuffed to bits managing my first 30 miles today up on Dartmoor and all i had to contend with was the wind . Well done that man . Only been cycling for two weeks and looking at the conditions and route you've taken is of great encouragement .

 

[kfinlay]

You dont do things the easy way do you :-) First 50 ,an incredibly challenging route and snow and ice to contend with.....

I was proud of my first 50 on a sunny summers day on a gentle route that didnt need any granny ring use at all.

For your first century perhaps Switzerland would be good,in January of course. :-)

Cheers Banjo, I didn't think the roads would be quite that bad but as for the road well I had done a similar climb (max 15%) on my 35 mile loop so figured what the hell. It was only when I got around about 30-35 mile mark and the roads were awful that I realised I past the point of no return. No sore legs today just bum bones a bit tender. So off out tomorrow then, we'll see where Bike Hike sends me

 

[kfinlay]

I was chuffed to bits managing my first 30 miles today up on Dartmoor and all i had to contend with was the wind . Well done that man . Only been cycling for two weeks and looking at the conditions and route you've taken is of great encouragement .

Good on you Jerry, my first two weeks I couldn't do more that 10 miles. I took a fair bit time to sort out my bike fit and still have problems with a sore bum when going over 2 hours - latest trial saddle is a Prologo Nago Evo that my LBS lent me so we'll see how I get on with that tomorrow. Kinda hope it's no good though as it's £120

 

[Chrisc]

Well done, fine achievement, especially in the light of the gradients eh? I'm still working up to half that after busting a knee ligament on a hill trying too much too soon. Will do it eventually tho!

 

[kfinlay]

Ligament damage - sounds painfull Take it easy mate and hope you get the miles in although not too many big hills they'll come in time

 

[mossy]

Congratulations