Shall we try 20 miles?

[Fab Foodie]

One other thing, looking up the Savage (I like the idea of calling it sausage though!), does it have knobbly tyres? Do you ride mainly on tarmac or hard packed surfaces? If so, swapping knobbly tyres for smoother ones will make the bike roll very much more easily - knobbles act like glue.

Well done Arch, my reasoning for asking. Setting the suspension at it's stiffest will also help and running the tyres at max pressure. But definately if you're planning to go further look to get smooth tyres.

 

[bauldbairn]

One other thing, looking up the Savage (I like the idea of calling it sausage though!), does it have knobbly tyres? Do you ride mainly on tarmac or hard packed surfaces? If so, swapping knobbly tyres for smoother ones will make the bike roll very much more easily - knobbles act like glue.

I agree regards the tyres, it'll make a huge difference if your covering most of the miles on hard surfaces.

Also "sausage" is a far better name for a bike than "savage".

 

[xpc316e]

Why not stop faffing about and go for fifty miles? I am supremely unfit and did a fifty mile route this year.

 

[jimboalee]

Ride to Kiddy, then Bewdley and then on to Bridgnorth.

It's called "Race the train".

 

[screenman]

Do what you are comfortable with, too much discomfort will put you off cycling. Most proffesional coaches would suggest adding no more than 10 percent to your mileage each week.

 

[Smudgley]

Thanks everyone. When we got the bike we put 2 new tyres on it and they aren't knobbly off roaders, but not really smooth ones either...kind of half & half. Not sure about the suspension though. Will check.

Quote - Why not stop faffing about and go for fifty miles? I am supremely unfit and did a fifty mile route this year.

And no I don't think we are ready for a 50 mile ride yet

 

[jimboalee]

Thanks everyone. When we got the bike we put 2 new tyres on it and they aren't knobbly off roaders, but not really smooth ones either...kind of half & half. Not sure about the suspension though. Will check.

Quote - Why not stop faffing about and go for fifty miles? I am supremely unfit and did a fifty mile route this year.

And no I don't think we are ready for a 50 mile ride yet

What kind of attitude is that?

 

[Arch]

What kind of attitude is that?

A sensible one.

Ok, you try for 50, having never done more than 10. You come back, assuming you manage it at all, hurting in every place. All the little set-up things you would iron out gradually over longer and longer rides have bitten you badly, so your bum hurts, your arms and shoulders ache, your knees are on fire, and your feet and hands are numb. You're going to be severely put off riding ever again, and the cumulative effect of all the pain means you won't be able to work out what needs tweaking and why.

I'd say, 10 to 20 is ok, maybe expect to feel it a bit the next day, but in a good way. From 20, 30 is a natural progression. From 30, then 50 is in sight, but an interim 40 will give you confidence. After 50, then you can push it further. 60 is easily within reach, and I went from 66 to 100 in one jump, although anything over 70 is still hard work.

Some people can launch themselves into a huge ride, esp if it's a group or charity thing, but if you're interested in doing this long term, as opposed to one grand effort, better to build up gently.

Keep it up Smudgely. Go at your pace, although pushing yourself a bit sometimes is no bad thing. Better to enjoy it and do it often, then go out rarely and hammer yourself.

 

[jimboalee]

Study your Emoticons. = Angry.

There should be no reason to get angry about the suggestion of trying for 50 miles, albeit in good humour ( which I read it as ). Thanks xpc316e.

A 'sensible' attitude is "maybe when were ready", not what the OP wrote with a blazing red face on the end if it.

 

[Coco]

Go for the 20, and the cake stop in the middle is the most important part, then come on here on Monday with a huge smug grin. Nothing ventured...

 

[Arch]

Study your Emoticons. = Angry.

There should be no reason to get angry about the suggestion of trying for 50 miles, albeit in good humour ( which I read it as ). Thanks xpc316e.

A 'sensible' attitude is "maybe when were ready", not what the OP wrote with a blazing red face on the end if it.

Personally, I thought xpc316e's post came across as patronising, which is perhaps what Smudgley thought. If it wasn't maybe xpc316e needs to think about their use of phrasing, or add a friendly

If someone is not sure of their capabilities, and someone else blusters along and says, in effect, "just get on with it", that is not all that friendly, or encouraging. A fact perhaps borne out by the way everyone else has been gently encouraging.

Ignore the spats, Smudgely, and do what feels good.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Personally, I thought xpc316e's post came across as patronising, which is perhaps what Smudgley thought. If it wasn't maybe xpc316e needs to think about their use of phrasing, or add a friendly

If someone is not sure of their capabilities, and someone else blusters along and says, in effect, "just get on with it", that is not all that friendly, or encouraging. A fact perhaps borne out by the way everyone else has been gently encouraging.

Ignore the spats, Smudgely, and do what feels good.

And always listen to Arch.

 

[NormanD]

You both will be fine doing the 20 miles ... just take your time and enjoy at your own pace ... good luck and have fun

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Can I just be the first to point out, Smudgely, that you're already covering the bike distance that you'll need to do in that challenge next year and that if you decide to go for the 20 miler you'll have doubled it?

How excellent is that?

 

[Smudgley]

Thanks everyone for your comments & helpful advice. As for the 50 mile post, yes I did put an angry emoticon there, that was intentional, I didn't know weather the " stop faffing about & do 50 miles" was a serious comment or not, but if it was then I was angry because that to me sounds like ridiculous advice to offer someone who up until 4 weeks ago hadn't sat on a bike for 20 years and is progressing at what they feel is a fantastic pace. Encouragment is what we need not stupid comments like that. We all got to start somewhere.

Lazy-Commuter, yes it's great isn't it, the problem is we can cover the distance, just not the same ground ie hills & mountains, but we'll get there.

We'll get some photos tomorrow & post.