How Often Do You Stop?

stevenmh

I had a good ride today, 100kms in 3 hours. Nearly had a big accident when I had to break suddenly while I was doing around 40kmh and my back end skidded out but thankfully managed to correct the problem, just. Quite a scare.

In fact, I thought I was in for, as a bit later a dog jumped out of nowhere at me and then towards the end of the ride I had to swerve to avoid a lizard that had decided to cross the road at an inopportune time. Lol, just an average ride in Bangkok!

But while I was out I was wondering how often you guys stop?

Today I was on a 25km loop that I did 4 times. I know it is very hot here - probably 32 or more today - so I must drink plenty, but I tend to stop at the end of each loop (so once every 25kms) to drink water, maybe have an expresso and / or have a small bite to eat.

How often do you stop?

willbevan

Glad to hear you didn't come off!

hmm depends on the weather, if its bad I won't stop as i won't want to get going again.

If its a nice day, i won't stop unless the ride is over 4 hours, then typically would stop about half way through the ride or somewhere nice to have a bite to eat, for example tomorrow doing about 80-85 miles, will stop about 25 miles away from home, so after the first 60, just becuase there is somewhere nice near a canal to stop (and usually get stoped there by the swing bridge anyway)

stevenmh

Just to note. There was supposed to be another option in the poll, namely 76kms and over

Must have done something wrong when I submitted it and I can't see where to edit the poll to add that final option.

willbevan - wow that is pretty impressive stopping just the once in 80/85 miles or 136/145kms. I take it you take water with you rather than buy on route?

derekwatts

On a century ride, if it's fairly flat I would plan to stop only once and break it into two chunks of 60 miles and 40 miles. And don't stop for too long either...

On a mountainous century I did last week (9000ft of total climbing) I stopped 4 times. Once to top up water bottles at the summit, another for a good lunch, then twice again on severe gradients when I just had to get my HR back under control. Oh and once again to reward myself with a coffee and a cake! So that's 5.

BigDarbs

willbevan wrote:

i won't stop unless the ride is over 4 hours, then typically would stop about half way through the ride or somewhere nice to have a bite to eat, for example tomorrow doing about 80-85 miles, will stop about 25 miles away from home, so after the first 60, just becuase there is somewhere nice near a canal to stop (and usually get stoped there by the swing bridge anyway)

Very similar to me really. On my evening rides of 50km I won't stop at all, as they are generlaly fast (ish), hilly training rides.

The longer rides at a weekend of 100km plus, I will stop once but that is generally to re-fill bottles and grab a quick chocolate bar or 2. I very rarely stop for longer than about 10 minutes as it takes ages for me to get revved up again!!

smithy1.0

I don't really stop at all, unless forced to for fuel/water - no matter what the distance.

Chrissz

If I'm out on my own then I never stop. If I'm out with one of the clubs I ride with, we stop after around 25 - 30 miles (half way), if I'm out with the other club I ride with we don't stop at all.

Of the three options I prefer riding with the club that don't stop - I still get the social side of cycling with a club run + the benefits I'd get doing the ride on my own (no rest period).

I haven't actually done a century (miles) ride yet but when I do it would be my intention to stop for no more than absolutely neccessary.

freehub

I dont like to stop, I find stopping slows me down rather than speeds me up as I've got to warm up again, I think if my club did not have cafe stops and just garage stops I'd also cope better, I'm alsways allot slower after a cafe stop yet some people are loads faster, dont understand why exactly.

stevenmh

I was beginning to feel I was copping out a bit stopping every 25kms so decided to do the 100kms today without stopping. But alas, I stopped anyway! I quite enjoy it. I stop at the same brand new service station as I am riding on a major 3 lane highway. It is quite impressive and has loads of outlets, but I just seem to enjoy the expresso at Cafe Amazon.

Considering that in Thailand some traffic lights can stay the same colour for 5 minutes my coffee/water/chinese bun stops are not much longer than that, if at all.

Maybe I just need to increase the circle around the service station so the stops are not quite as regular.

dave milne

I stop to pee or if I'm completely cooked. that's it

stevewj

I don't as I train for TTs and stopping is counter - productive. Also I ride on my own so don't have to stop for others at cafes or for punctures etc - also means I get home in time for dinner and still have a reasonable portion of Sunday left.

nolf

On anything shorter than 100km no stop.

On a summer 100km I take roughly 3.5 hours and try not to stop. I find continuous riding is a lot better training than a sligtly longer route but with a stop.

For a 100 miler then I'll stop around 60 miles in for a nice long cafe stop- some lunch fill bottles etc. Always try and make sure that you stop more than halfway in, otherwise I find that motivationally it's really difficult.

DomPro

I never stop.

Bhima

Does trackstanding at traffic lights count as stopping?

DoubleTop

Why do you need to stop? Piss break?

I only stop if I need to get more water or pee break, otherwise you gone out for a ride. If you want to stop every 16.09km / 10 miles then take up touring cycling. Otherwise keep pedalling like the rest of us.