Comments on: Milestone Ride http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/2009/09/milestone-ride/ The cycling blog of Andy Rutledge Thu, 02 Sep 2010 05:42:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Andy http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/2009/09/milestone-ride/comment-page-1/#comment-208 Andy Fri, 23 Oct 2009 22:51:47 +0000 http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/?p=201#comment-208 Hi John, I appreciate your desire to ramp up to longer miles quickly, but it's likely not a good idea. I've been riding for about 1.5 years and am just now getting comfortable including rides of 3+ hours each week. It can surely be done in less than a couple years and I bet I could have gotten there sooner, but I likely avoided some problems taking my time. For one, your butt has to become conditioned to take the punishment of the small, hard saddle. If you overdo things, you risk hemorrhoid inflammation, which can set you back days or weeks. Also, your cardiovascular system needs time to develop; not just your "fitness," but also the development of new capillaries to feed your growing muscles. So increase your weekly mileage gradually, and vary your rides to include hard workouts and crazy-easy recovery rides. Hope this helps. Take care and keep the rubber side down. andy Hi John,
I appreciate your desire to ramp up to longer miles quickly, but it’s likely not a good idea. I’ve been riding for about 1.5 years and am just now getting comfortable including rides of 3+ hours each week. It can surely be done in less than a couple years and I bet I could have gotten there sooner, but I likely avoided some problems taking my time.

For one, your butt has to become conditioned to take the punishment of the small, hard saddle. If you overdo things, you risk hemorrhoid inflammation, which can set you back days or weeks. Also, your cardiovascular system needs time to develop; not just your “fitness,” but also the development of new capillaries to feed your growing muscles.

So increase your weekly mileage gradually, and vary your rides to include hard workouts and crazy-easy recovery rides. Hope this helps. Take care and keep the rubber side down.

andy

]]> By: John Elliott http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/2009/09/milestone-ride/comment-page-1/#comment-207 John Elliott Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:10:11 +0000 http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/?p=201#comment-207 Andy, I am curious I have been on a road bike now for just over 2 months. I have put about 250 miles on my bike. Just happens to be the same one you have great ride. I just recently got the pedals and the shoes also. I have noticed a bit of a pick up in distance and speeds over all from the pedals. How long has it taken you to build up to this mile stone right? I have gone 30 miles once. Took me like 3 days to even be able to sit on the seat again for a small 6 miles. Thanks John Andy,

I am curious I have been on a road bike now for just over 2 months. I have put about 250 miles on my bike. Just happens to be the same one you have great ride. I just recently got the pedals and the shoes also. I have noticed a bit of a pick up in distance and speeds over all from the pedals.

How long has it taken you to build up to this mile stone right? I have gone 30 miles once. Took me like 3 days to even be able to sit on the seat again for a small 6 miles.

Thanks

John

]]> By: Andy http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/2009/09/milestone-ride/comment-page-1/#comment-197 Andy Sat, 26 Sep 2009 12:03:29 +0000 http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/?p=201#comment-197 @ETL: I've just started using the gel packs. Like you, I'm doing the Cliff shots. I think they're pretty good (tasting, etc...), but have learned that you've gotta get it right sucking them down or things can get messy in a hurry. Nice not to have to eat solid food the whole time, though. As to stopping on a ride, is it customary to have a short break on a long ride (4+ hrs)? I've never read/heard commentary on that and just figured that one rides straight through. You have any insights? @ETL:
I’ve just started using the gel packs. Like you, I’m doing the Cliff shots. I think they’re pretty good (tasting, etc…), but have learned that you’ve gotta get it right sucking them down or things can get messy in a hurry. Nice not to have to eat solid food the whole time, though.

As to stopping on a ride, is it customary to have a short break on a long ride (4+ hrs)? I’ve never read/heard commentary on that and just figured that one rides straight through. You have any insights?

]]> By: E. Tage Larsen http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/2009/09/milestone-ride/comment-page-1/#comment-196 E. Tage Larsen Sat, 26 Sep 2009 01:17:39 +0000 http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/?p=201#comment-196 missed the "consumption" part the first time 'round. all that sounds great. glad to hear that you stopped for a quick breather. fwiw, i'm a fairly new convert to Cliff Bar's Shot Blocks this year. keep the wheels under you. ;) missed the “consumption” part the first time ’round. all that sounds great. glad to hear that you stopped for a quick breather. fwiw, i’m a fairly new convert to Cliff Bar’s Shot Blocks this year.

keep the wheels under you. ;)

]]> By: Andy http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/2009/09/milestone-ride/comment-page-1/#comment-195 Andy Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:41:27 +0000 http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/?p=201#comment-195 Hey Eric, Yes, eating plenty ("consumed 700 calories" notation above), including 2 half-sandwiches and 4 gel pacs, and I had nearly 4 bottles of water/sportsdrink. The ride was basically 4 hrs straight, but I did stop to refil my bottles about 2.5hrs into the ride. Stop was about 2 mins. Hey Eric,
Yes, eating plenty (“consumed 700 calories” notation above), including 2 half-sandwiches and 4 gel pacs, and I had nearly 4 bottles of water/sportsdrink. The ride was basically 4 hrs straight, but I did stop to refil my bottles about 2.5hrs into the ride. Stop was about 2 mins.

]]> By: E. Tage Larsen http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/2009/09/milestone-ride/comment-page-1/#comment-194 E. Tage Larsen Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:05:16 +0000 http://roadwarrior.andyrutledge.com/?p=201#comment-194 q. are you eating? anything over about 1.5 hours and you should be eating on the bike. Also, are you resting or is that four hours straight? And the meds suggest about 1 bottle an hour at minimum for your liquids. q. are you eating? anything over about 1.5 hours and you should be eating on the bike. Also, are you resting or is that four hours straight? And the meds suggest about 1 bottle an hour at minimum for your liquids.

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