Your LAST half century ?

JimmyK

Because of my Relapse and Remitting MS, I usually restrict myself on the bike to a maximum of 40 miles distance , my average over that distance would be 18.5 mph and my personal best is 19.2 mph , its a coastal run and is far from flat and often can be windy.

On Saturday , I went a different route that includes 3 hillclimbs from hell , the toughest of which required me to use the inner front cog on my trek 1000 racer ( which has a double ring at front ) and select my lowest cog on 12 -28 rear cog. Even on the 28 cog, speedwise I am talking about 7-8mph climbing speed , it was like riding up the side of a wall. The entire journey was completed at an 18.1 mph average and totalled 50 miles , it was my first half century on the bike.

As I type on this Sunday night, my thigh muscles are still stiff. The 40 mile journey doesnt leave any such effect on my legs, I suppose that extra 10 miles takes its toll. When you first knocked out a half century, did you have any leg tiredness afterwards ? I tip my hat to the guys who are doing full century`s at respectable average speed, they must have leg muscles like granite. To those who would partake in half century`s, what kind of averages are you getting and do you choose flatter routes, or are there knee trembling hills included also ?

James

markos1963

Went out this morning on a 50 along the North Norfolk coast. Much more clmbing than expected and like you ended up on 34/25 bottom gear looking at the computer speed coming down to 6mph! However recovered nicely and finished in 2hrs 50mins. Best thing though was the weather and the scenery, what a ride, loved every minute of it . Feel ok now but not looking forward to work tonight(on nights this week )

JimmyK

do you not find a lowest rear cog of 25 teeth to be a bit hard on the leg muscles when it comes to those leg breaker hills ?

the rear cog that came as standard on my trek 1000 was 12-23 , it was supreme on the flats , I mean you could really motor on ..........but take a gable wall hill climb and it got tough . I chose 12-28 to replace it with because good speeds on the flats can be achieved, but the 28 cog is like a get out of jail free card for me , and on the saturday 50 miler, i was glad to have it. Guy in LBS told me, its better to have it rather than wishing you had it.

James

markos1963

I was just about on my limit for around 100yards but in general I was ok, I think that if I was going to do an alpine climb I would go to a 27. I feel that the biggest help to my hillclimbing would be to lose another 10kg in weight(presently 85kg) On the longer shallower climbs I found that I was using the 21 cog anyway.