Pain and satisfaction

[RhythMick]

Yesterday I did the Robin Hood sponsored ride for BHF. 36 miles which probably doesn't sound like a lot to most of you but was a Marathon for me.

Anyway I really enjoyed it. It's fairly flat and I'd been doing hills in my training. Mass start of something like 600 riders I think. I put myself at the back and spent the first 30 miles having a great time overtaking people. I was attacking the hills out of the saddle instead of changing down and was hitting 20mph on quite a lot of the route.

However. At 30 miles something went wrong. I looked down to see what the wheels had got caught in. OK the usual sand and gravel bits but nothing odd. Then I realised it was my legs, I'd flat run out of energy. Nothing left. I'd always thought "the wall" was a mental barrier but I'm guessing I'd just hit it. Crawled the last 6 miles and collapsed in a shivering, pathetic heap.

I hadn't carried anything to eat. Would that have helped? What to take?

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[Theseus]

Yes, as well as a bottle of water, I would take a banana & some jelly babies.

 

[Willo]

Some sweets and/or a banana in the pocket next time, but for now well done; the tiredness at the end giving you the self-satisfaction that you not only completed the ride but gave it your all

 

[Fran143]

Well done on your ride!!! My first one I hit the wall at 25miles.....only made it home after eating someone else mars bar and jelly babies. Make sure you eat plenty carbs the night before and I usually take either an elevenses bar/banana/tattie scones and jam if doing over 40ish.

 

[2pies]

I was kind of the opposite of this yesterday. I was doing a fast 3 laps of Richmond Park and was riding fine, but when I stopped I felt extremely dizzy, blurry vision and thought I'd faint. I collapsed in a heap and couldn't move for about 5 mins. I only dragged myself up because I realised my muscles would probably start cramping up if I didn't stretch them out.

I guess I gave it my all. Is there any way to know how exhausted you will feel when you stop riding?

 

[the snail]

You bonked!

I don't think so. If you haven't cycled that sort of distance before, it will tire you out and kill your legs, especially if you ride at 20mph and charge up hills! If the OP lets his legs recover and then goes out and does it again, it will be easier. It helps if you pace yourself too - start out gently and save some strength for the end of the ride. In January I was in similar state after 30 miles, now with more miles done I can happily do 60 miles without carrying food and just a bottle of water.

 

[superbadger]

Very well done.... Just sounds to me that you got 'wrapped up' in the moment! You felt so good at passing all the other riders that you forgot to take the odd drink of water!!! A mars bar/cereal bar or 'Cake' as mentioned is a must! Try and pace yourself next time and you will be suprised how much energy you have at the end! Once again a bloody good effort....

 

[totallyfixed]

Yes, well done, it will get better remarkably quickly so long as you keep it up, just keep those legs spinning and don't turn a too big gear, very important especially for beginners. Try a forum ride, see the other thread under General Cycling.

 

[screenman]

What a great day it was as well, we started slowly with some mates and we increased the speed a bit throughout the ride my son and I finished in around 2 hours 40 and 45, this after a detour where some muppet had changed the signs. Cannot wait for next year to get inside the 2 hours 30.

At 55 and having lost 4 stone last year and being in front of about 550 riders made me feel quite satisfied.

Great course with even greater organisation look out for other rides under the same banner.

 

[RhythMick]

What a great day it was as well, we started slowly with some mates and we increased the speed a bit throughout the ride my son and I finished in around 2 hours 40 and 45, this after a detour where some muppet had changed the signs. Cannot wait for next year to get inside the 2 hours 30.

At 55 and having lost 4 stone last year and being in front of about 550 riders made me feel quite satisfied.

Great course with even greater organisation look out for other rides under the same banner.

We'll done getting under 3 hours. I checked out my ride on Strava and realised there's 1600ft climb in there, more than I thought.

I carb'd up on pasta sat night but didn't eat anything in the hour before the race. We live and learn. Jelly Babies and cake... I love this forum.

A friend at work recommended energy gels but spending over a quid on each is crazy. Might try a home brew gel recipe I found based on honey..

Most of all THANKS everyone for the encouragement. Feel much better today though my stomach is DEMANDING food like never before. Intend to get at least a 10 miler in by Sat.

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