Guest guest Posted August 7, 2004 Report Share Posted August 7, 2004 Congrats Mitch! That is great! And you're right...bicyclists are some of the most awesome people! in CO 1/2 Century Last year about this time, I posted about my ride at " The Princeton Event " - a bike ride in Princeton, NJ which is a fund raiser for the Princeton Freewheelers Bike Club. At that time, I had, at the last minute, decided to do a 35-mile route (vs. the 25-miler that I knew would be no problem). I finished, but I struggled big-time the last 5-8 miles and was hurting afterwards. Today, the ride rolled around again. This time I decided on the 50 miler (thats a 1/2 century in cycling lingo). I had riden a 35 miler with no problem at another ride earlier this summer and I've been doing lots of training rides this season (I was up to 620 miles total riding going into this ride today), so I thought I could handle the 50 miles. I almost backed out and took the 35 mile route sheet, but then said " no, I think I can do this " and took the 50. The first 28 miles to the rest stop were " cake " . There were some not-so-friendly hills, but I've riden this distance on hilly terrain several times this summer - so all was good. I refilled water bottles, got some snacks, and was on my way. I divided the ride into 2.5 mile segments - making sure I drank every 2.5 mile mark (I think last year this was my problem - I didn't hydrate enough). Also, tried to snack every 7-9 miles. It was almost surreal to see the miles click off on the odometer - past 35, past 40, past 45, .... The hardest part was this one 6.8 mile stretch on a road called Old York Road - the road wasn't bad, but it was the longest stretch without a turn on the whole ride, and I kept thinking " when do we hit that turn? " . The ride actually turned out to be 52.7 miles. When I hit the 50 mile mark, I was at the stop light waiting to make a turn for the last 2 mile stretch to the entrace of the community college parking lot where the ride started (and then another .7 miles back to my car). I won't say I was all fresh and happy on this last leg, but I was in pretty good shape and even kept up with a group of cyclists that forced me to pick up my pace. After the ride, I was surprisingly OK. I was tired, some aches - but no burning sensation in my legs - no undue stiffness - I guess all the training miles paid off. Cyclists are such friendly people. I'm not exceptionally fast and I ride a hybrid which is, by its' nature, slower then a road bike. Other riders who pass me always say " Good morning " and some ride with me for a while. Of course, I do the same when I pass others. Its' a big party - Tandems, Recumbants, peopld of all shapes & sizes - such a good time. ... and such a feeling of accoumplishment. My first official 1/2 century!!! I'm so proud of myself!!! Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 Congrats Mitch. Sounds like you had a great time... I cant believe a year has rolled around already.. =================================================================== > Last year about this time, I posted about my ride at " The Princeton > Event " - a > bike ride in Princeton, NJ which is a fund raiser for the Princeton > Freewheelers > Bike Club. At that time, I had, at the last minute, decided to do a > 35-mile route (vs. > the 25-miler that I knew would be no problem). I finished, but I > struggled big-time > the last 5-8 miles and was hurting afterwards. > > Today, the ride rolled around again. > > Mitch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 9, 2004 Report Share Posted August 9, 2004 That's awesome, Mitch! Big congrats!!! April Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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