First solo 50m and obvervations for other newcomers..
porker33
Posts: 636
I hope it is ok to share a few observations, hopefully of benefit to other newcomers to road cycling.
I normally do a 25-30m loop through mixed countryside, I do however like to attack the hills, assuming I get chance to recover before the next one!
2 weeks ago I went out on a 50m ride with a friend who is a more experienced cyclist.
The route was not as hilly as my usual route and we stopped for tea at one point, in the end it was 60 miles at a 15.2 mph average, I felt better than i normally do attacking my 30 mile loop.
So today, i thought i would try my first solo 50m.....As I am approx 10 miles from Biggin Hill,
I incorporated the 33 mile loop of the smaller "Hell of Ashdown"
http://www.hell.gb.com/RightMenu/New50.aspx
This route with the 10 miles either side would take me over the 50 mile line in the sand.
Preparation; spare tube, pump, bottle of diluted squash..check!.......Left the mobile, money and flapjacks I intended to take behind....not clever.
To me there appeared to be a huge difference in a solo 50 on a route you don't know than riding with someone else.
At approx 20 miles in, the hills were starting to get to me and with no food and money at 27 miles, realising I was only half way round, I thought i may need to conserve some energy.
I manged to get round at an average of 14.9mph, without stopping, relishing the final ascent up star hill! only slowing down on occsion to read my route notes.
I enjoyed the route, but next time I will try to go with a couple of mates as it was a little solitary on occasions and have learnt a lesson not to forget food or money for the ride.
Apologies for rambling, but hopefully some value to other newcomers looking to increase their distance.
I normally do a 25-30m loop through mixed countryside, I do however like to attack the hills, assuming I get chance to recover before the next one!
2 weeks ago I went out on a 50m ride with a friend who is a more experienced cyclist.
The route was not as hilly as my usual route and we stopped for tea at one point, in the end it was 60 miles at a 15.2 mph average, I felt better than i normally do attacking my 30 mile loop.
So today, i thought i would try my first solo 50m.....As I am approx 10 miles from Biggin Hill,
I incorporated the 33 mile loop of the smaller "Hell of Ashdown"
http://www.hell.gb.com/RightMenu/New50.aspx
This route with the 10 miles either side would take me over the 50 mile line in the sand.
Preparation; spare tube, pump, bottle of diluted squash..check!.......Left the mobile, money and flapjacks I intended to take behind....not clever.
To me there appeared to be a huge difference in a solo 50 on a route you don't know than riding with someone else.
At approx 20 miles in, the hills were starting to get to me and with no food and money at 27 miles, realising I was only half way round, I thought i may need to conserve some energy.
I manged to get round at an average of 14.9mph, without stopping, relishing the final ascent up star hill! only slowing down on occsion to read my route notes.
I enjoyed the route, but next time I will try to go with a couple of mates as it was a little solitary on occasions and have learnt a lesson not to forget food or money for the ride.
Apologies for rambling, but hopefully some value to other newcomers looking to increase their distance.
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Comments
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Yes, 50 is further than 30, but it feels much further!
To be serious, I find that I can do up to 40 miles with no extra food or drink from normal (depending on the weather, of course) I think you get to running on empty after about two to and a half hours. Which is why 50 is so much further than 30 in energy terms.
Its a mental thing too, but I have found I want to go back after 25 miles, but what the hell, we're halfway! And I work through the mental block you get less of when cycling with others.
You need to take on fuel before you need it, which is probably most people fuel up at 25. I did an organised century at the weekend (My first) the food stops were at 25 and 75 with a water stiop at 50, I had some gels and cerial bars, but only used one or two of them at the end.
You should always take a mobile, you can get stuck pushing back a damaged bike otherwise and even a mile is a long push home!
We do this for enjoyment, but don't make it too hard! Richard
Giving it Large0 -
Rich, totally agree about the state of mind over a longer ride.
I tried to point out my foolishness about forgetting tuck and money.
Although I was tiring about half way, as I had no food with me, I was concerned that as I didn't know the route I may encounter a set of hills that could literally "empty my tank" leaving me miles from home with no energy.
Although I was fine and attacked hills closer to home, when I knew where I was, if I had been better prepared the ride would have been different down to frame of mind and caution.
As you say, I do wonder about this cycling lark myself at times!0 -
porker33 wrote:Rich, totally agree about the state of mind over a longer ride.
I tried to point out my foolishness about forgetting tuck and money.
As you say, I do wonder about this cycling lark myself at times!
I understood what you meant, I was trying (badly) to say that not having a m,obile or food (or means to buy any) affects your mental state, puts doubts in your mind.
All you need is a phone and a cerial bar and your average will improve! Richard
Giving it Large0
