RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite rides etc
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 4/19/2007 4:58:39 PM
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42servehymn
Posts: 424
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Littleton, Colorado
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Ok all of you who have done centuries please give details! Where was it? What kind of conditions were there? Hills or flatlands? What type of weather did you experience? How long did you train and how did you train?
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Patience is a bitter tree with sweet fruit.
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 4/23/2007 10:24:02 AM
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joy2give2u
Posts: 3742
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Hey everyone I had a few really good rides this weekend. The biggest one was on sat. I decided on thursday that I was going to ride to my mother's house, spend a couple hours there, and ride back home. I figured this was a good way to double up on my distance for the day, give me a reason to ride that far, and force me to push myself.
The ride to her house went well.......I even made some stops. I visited one of my sisters, who has a little 6 week old baby, for a half hour. I stopped at the city park about five miles from mom's because another sister and her children were there. While there my neice asked me if my bike had brakes(I don't know why she asked) so I rode down a small hill and squeezed my brakes hard to show her had quickly I could stop.....(stupid thing to do which would come back to haunt me later)
I continued to my mom's house where the sister from the part and another sister met me. We all piled into cars and drove up to the local icecream place where yet another sister with her children met us for icecream. We hung out, talked while the children played, until finally I reminded everyone we needed to get going if I was going to have time to ride all the way home........they all offered to drive me back home.....thinking I was crazy for riding that far....... 
As I started home I began to wish I had accepted their offers. The ride there had seemed easy compare to the ride home........when I first decided to ride to mom's I knew I could do the ride because I was already riding close to the one way distance on my daily rides........I knew it would be tiring to come back but didn't realize how hard.......the major thing I had not counted on was on daily rides I go south of my house which is soft rolling hills.........though the climbs are hard the downhills you fly.........to my mom's house was flat except for one hill near my home........which meant I had to crank the entire time.........no coasting or flying down a hill LOL.............I had thought this would be a good things because there was no uphill.....not sure now LOL
The ride home was really hard, harder then it should have been, but I chalked it up to being out of shape and stupidly riding further then my body was ready to ride........I was less then two miles from home when I got to the only hill I had to climb on the way to mom's. I was so happy, because I knew I could fly down the hill with enough speed to take me the rest of the way home.
As I started going down something was wrong........the bike would not coast and was stopping itself. I heard a sound and check the front wheels. The brakes were pressing on the tire. The brakes had not released completely when I had been showing off earlier and the whole time I had ridden home the breaks were fighting against me..........I was just too caught up in how tired I was and how I wish I had taken the offered rides to even notice the sound or that my bike was riding differently.....
As I rode the rest of the way home I was thinking about the brakes when it accured to me how many times I have done the same thing in my life with the Lord. I am doing it now. God told me I need to lose weight and get in shape. I started strong, really focused on what I was eating and exercising, only to slam on my breaks. Now it seems so hard and such a struggle.
When I got home I checked my bike and adjusted the brakes. Today I am checking my heart and adjusting my attitude. I need to fix the breaks so I can move forward in losing weight and getting in shape.......
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 4/23/2007 6:53:26 PM
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42servehymn
Posts: 424
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Littleton, Colorado
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I'll bet you will check your brakes every time you ride now! Hubby and I just did a little 5 mile ride on Saturday. Sunday was devoted to fixing a plumbing issue we are having so there was no time to ride. I went for a nice 10 mile ride today though. It was raining lightly but I pressed on and now I am glad I did it. Anyone else?
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Patience is a bitter tree with sweet fruit.
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 4/24/2007 10:19:01 AM
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lisapenguin
Posts: 169
Joined: 1/1/2007
From: South Texas
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quote:
ORIGINAL: joy2give2u
The brakes were pressing on the tire.
I have had this same thing happen. I, too, rode quite awhile before realizing why it was so much harder to pedal! 
quote:
As I rode the rest of the way home I was thinking about the brakes when it accured to me how many times I have done the same thing in my life with the Lord. I am doing it now. God told me I need to lose weight and get in shape. I started strong, really focused on what I was eating and exercising, only to slam on my breaks. Now it seems so hard and such a struggle.
It's true! We can so easily hinder what God is trying to do in our lives. It's kind of like how I do when I'm riding downhill. Sometimes, I get scared I'm going too fast and I ride the brakes. I guess it makes me feel more in control or something.
Don't give up on getting in shape and eating better! Isn't it so great that you have a bicycle and enjoy that form of exercise? I think that's the key to being in shape... having at least one way to exercise that you truly enjoy. If it's fun, it goes by quickly and does not seem like work... unless your brakes are working against you! 
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Loads of blessings!
Lisa
www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 4/25/2007 10:49:17 AM
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joy2give2u
Posts: 3742
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quote:
It's kind of like how I do when I'm riding downhill. Sometimes, I get scared I'm going too fast and I ride the brakes. I guess it makes me feel more in control or something. I know what you mean..........part of you really wants to just fly and enjoy the ride but that cautious, what if I hit a lose stone, mentality makes you use the brakes.
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Don't give up on getting in shape and eating better! Isn't it so great that you have a bicycle and enjoy that form of exercise? I think that's the key to being in shape... having at least one way to exercise that you truly enjoy. If it's fun, it goes by quickly and does not seem like work... unless your brakes are working against you Thank you Lisa. You are right I am so blessed God gave me a love for riding because then it doesn't seem like I am "working out"
I had a really good ride last night. I think it is the first time I have ridden in a long time without strong winds........I felt so light and powerful on the bike.........I also noticed the flowers.........not only their colorful beauty but the smell........Everywhere I rode I could smell the the flowers, both planted and wild, along the road.
Oh and the birds were everywhere. I saw bluejays, robins, flinches, a hummingbird,cardinals, hawks, a raven I think, wild turkeys, ducks, candian geese, swans, and even an owl.............Everywhere I looked the birds were playing, soaring or eating road kill LOL..
Yeap it was a very good ride
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 4/26/2007 5:44:36 AM
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42servehymn
Posts: 424
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Littleton, Colorado
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Everyday when I ride to work I check my speedometer to see how long the ride took and also my average speed for that ride. The trip is 6.5 miles and I have been trying to do it in under 33 minutes. My top average speed was 11.9 so I was trying to get that up over 12. Yesterday when I checked my speedometer at work my time was 30.36 and my average speed was 13 mph!!!! I was floating all day from that victory. Now it will probably be a while before I top that one but it was awesome to finally beat my best time.
_____________________________
Patience is a bitter tree with sweet fruit.
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 4/29/2007 5:40:45 PM
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42servehymn
Posts: 424
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Littleton, Colorado
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I figured since no one has posted here this weekend you are all out riding. We have had wonderful weather this weekend! Yesterday we had lots of running to do that couldn't be done on the bike. Today we decided to go to McDonalds for breakfast so we rode hard to get there. That was a 6.5 mile ride. After we ate we just took a leisurely ride through some neighborhoods and around a park and then headed home. All together it was a 15 mile ride though so that was fun. We live about 20 miles from the Denver zoo and we are considering biking there but we both aren't sure that we are ready for a 40 mile ride round trip plus miles of walking. So we are thinking we might drive part way, bike the rest and over time increase our ride until we are up for the whole ride.
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Patience is a bitter tree with sweet fruit.
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 4/30/2007 9:29:31 AM
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joy2give2u
Posts: 3742
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quote:
Today we decided to go to McDonalds for breakfast so we rode hard to get there. This just cracked me up for some reason...........all the calories burnt biking only to eat mcdonals LOL.........so cute
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We live about 20 miles from the Denver zoo and we are considering biking there but we both aren't sure that we are ready for a 40 mile ride round trip plus miles of walking What a great idea.........and starting by doing half is very wise........you don't want to be so tired you don't enjoy the zoo.
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I figured since no one has posted here this weekend you are all out riding My plan was to ride to the little league games on sat. but since I stayed out till 3am with my girlfriend on friday night I did not get up early enough to ride to the first game at 9 so rode with my father instead.
Sat was a busy day and by the time I got home it was too late to ride.........I went to three little league games, my sisters graduation and then a celebration dinner.............
Sunday after church I rode.........it was a great ride, beautiful weather, non busy roads and enjoyable conversation with God...........Though sometimes I wish I had someone to ride with I am so thankful that God goes with me each time........ the cool thing about him is I can still carry on a conversation with him even on hills were I am too out of breath to talk out loud.........he has this ability of reading my mind
At one point I passed some real bikers........you know the kind who have all the right gear and look like they are ready to do the tour de france.. I was giving myself a pity party, wishing I had their bodies, looked that good on a bike, and could race up the hills as well when God reminded me of something I have been thinking a lot about this week...........though I currently do not look like an athelete on the outside I still have the heart of one of the inside........and someday the outside and the inside will match up.......
Another thing he reminded me of was how very blessed I am to be able to ride as long and far as I do being in the shape I am in. Even though for many years I did not treat His temple, my body, with the respect and care I should....allowing myself to gain so much weight........even though I did this to myself God has blessed me by keeping my body strong and capable of doing the things it was designed to do.........and because of this blessing I am able to ride and lose the weight I need to lose.........there are so many people who are in my same position weight wise who can not do the physical activites I can still do........I am so thankful to the Lord that he has enabled me to still do them..........thank you Lord.
Next time you are all out riding notice the people you see going about everyday life and thank God for the strenght and fitness he has given you which allows you to ride........it is indeed a blessing. 
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/1/2007 11:31:16 AM
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joy2give2u
Posts: 3742
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I had a really great ride yesterday. For me I ride better if I have some place I am riding too.......I have decided I will ride to all the little league games which are in a town about 25 miles from where I live.
Yesterday I left later then I would have liked so had the push hard to get to the game on time. It was great because focusing on getting there by a certain time really motivated me and took my focus off how tired I was getting........By the time I saw the water tower I had riden hard, was tired, but felt sooooo wonderful.
It was funny also as I rode into the small town. There were many others out riding bike, who I smiled and said hi to as I road past...........did you get that.......I rode pass them........Here I had riden 22 miles before hitting town and I was passing them.........I was gloating in my mind LOL.......
I do have a question for all the other riders out there..........at one point about 20 miles out I had to stop, put my bike down and walk a few minutes because the arch in my left foot was cramping up. Have you ever had that happen? Often my feet will tingle and I have to move them in circles while I ride but I have never had them cramp so badly I needed to get off..........any suggestions why it happened and how I can prevent it from happening again?
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/1/2007 6:35:34 PM
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42servehymn
Posts: 424
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Littleton, Colorado
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Yay for Joy! It is fun to pass people isn't it? I have also had issues with the arches of my feet cramping. I know for me staying hydrated helps prevent cramping. I also have heard that a lack of potassium can cause muscle cramps so maybe eating a banana before a big ride will help. I find that for me having someplace specific to bike to helps keep me motivated. That is why I like biking to work. I have to get there and I have to be on time. Chickening out is not an option. I had a great day biking yesterday! I set a new personal best on my ride to work. 6.5 miles in 29 minutes and 19 seconds. My average speed was 13.6 mph. Then after work hubby and I decided to bike to downtown Denver. One of the employees at the Starbucks we visit has transferred to a location down there. He is a cyclist and has been an inspiration to me. When I first met him and learned that he biked to work most days (16 miles each way) I was pretty new to biking and was struggling with my little 2.5 mile ride. So when he told us he would be transferring downtown we promised to bike there and visit him. My husband and I both had time off yesterday afternoon so we decided to go for it. The ride there was tough as we had planned to take the bike path all the way downtown and at many spots along the path which runs along the river were flooded out and we had to detour. We also were battling some pretty gusty winds but we pressed on mostly because it is rare for us to get a weekday afternoon off together so we knew rescheduling probably wouldn't happen. We made it and our Starbucks friend was surprised to see us on his first day. We had talked about taking the lightrail back home but once we got downtown our friend told us a better route home and the ride back was delightful. All combined I biked 37.5 miles yesterday. That is another personal best for me.
_____________________________
Patience is a bitter tree with sweet fruit.
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/1/2007 8:09:58 PM
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lisapenguin
Posts: 169
Joined: 1/1/2007
From: South Texas
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quote:
ORIGINAL: joy2give2u
I do have a question for all the other riders out there..........at one point about 20 miles out I had to stop, put my bike down and walk a few minutes because the arch in my left foot was cramping up. Have you ever had that happen? Often my feet will tingle and I have to move them in circles while I ride but I have never had them cramp so badly I needed to get off..........any suggestions why it happened and how I can prevent it from happening again?
Were you drinking enough water? I think I've heard that being low on fluid intake can cause muscle cramps.
But the tingling of the feet... that makes me think of your bicycle seat. The pressure on your behind can cause your legs and/or feet to tingle. Try playing with the tilt of your seat so the pressure hits a different part of your behind. Sometimes a gel seat (or seat cover) can help. They also have split-saddles, with an open space down the middle so your tailbone doesn't get any pressure.
_____________________________
Loads of blessings!
Lisa
www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/2/2007 1:19:52 PM
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John_O
Posts: 6843
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quote:
ORIGINAL: joy2give2u
42servehymn and lisapenguin thank you for the advice. I have heard eating banana's will help with cramps.......plus I probably do need to drink more water through out the day not just when I ride....I think I heard once if you are thirsty then you are already dehydrated..........
If you are thirsty you are already dehydrated. true.
You are supposed to drink 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. Besides keeping you properly lubricated inside it will help you to lose weight (all those trips to the bathroom I guess), eat less, and feel better all around.
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Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/2/2007 10:32:48 PM
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42servehymn
Posts: 424
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Littleton, Colorado
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I cheated today and took the short route to and from work so I only biked 5 miles total. It was very windy and I just didn't have the energy. Hubby just sent me a text and he is battling the wind on his way home right now. Poor guy! Joy2give2u how is the water drinking going?
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Patience is a bitter tree with sweet fruit.
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/3/2007 6:07:12 PM
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42servehymn
Posts: 424
Joined: 4/16/2005
From: Littleton, Colorado
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I don't think I would want to make a beaver angry. Hubby and I have both run over garter snakes but I think both snakes survived. Today I almost collided with a bird under a bridge. I beat my best time again today. My new best time for my ride to work is 28 minutes and 53 seconds with an average speed of 13.8 mph. When I first started riding I couldn't even go 13.8 mph unless I was going downhill!
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Patience is a bitter tree with sweet fruit.
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/3/2007 11:04:29 PM
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lisapenguin
Posts: 169
Joined: 1/1/2007
From: South Texas
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I don't know if this qualifies as "animal vs. bike", but once I was messing around racing on bikes with my sister and right when I got going really fast, I collided with a bee's back end. It stung me on the arm, but I don't know if it even meant to. I never saw it, but I felt it bounce off my arm. I had the stinger removed before I even stopped my bike.
_____________________________
Loads of blessings!
Lisa
www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/4/2007 10:07:59 AM
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joy2give2u
Posts: 3742
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quote:
My new best time for my ride to work is 28 minutes and 53 seconds with an average speed of 13.8 mph. When I first started riding I couldn't even go 13.8 mph unless I was going downhill! This is so great.......each time I read of you hitting a best time I am motivated to work harder.
As for the snake.........You guys must have lots of snakes in CO. I don't think I have ever seen one while riding but if I did it would freak me out.....I HATE SNAKES LOL
Do you ride mostly roads or bike paths?
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I collided with a bee's back end. It stung me on the arm, but I don't know if it even meant to. I never saw it, but I felt it bounce off my arm. I had the stinger removed before I even stopped my bike.
This is cracking me up as I think of that old movie, "Attack of the Killer Bees" I have never been stung but as mosquito weather approaches I have to make sure my speed and endurance is enough they can't keep up and I don't need to stop LOL I ride though lots of bogs, wetlands and woods.
Yesterday was a good ride but nothing really stands out to share........my niece's team didn't play as well as we would like........something about little girls and socializing LOL
The gas prices went up to over 3.00. I really need to start riding to work. 42servehymn is it dark when you ride to work?
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/4/2007 2:24:22 PM
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bcipam
Posts: 767
Joined: 11/9/2006
From: Orange County, CA
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Wow! It's fun to read your stories. I live in such an urban area, the worst I would most likely ever hit would either be another cyclist, a pedestrian or a car.
I started last week, a hill climbing class after work. Don't have all that much time before it gets dark so I struggle each week to complete the mileage. Unfortunately I am so slow doing hills. This past Tuesday I did just over 17 miles and 1800' of climbing. Yes there are some tough steep hills where I live!
I like to do both mountain biking and road riding doing more trail than road. Just don't like all the cars especially during the week after work. People drigin home from work just don't think about riders! I'm fortunate to have some nice trails nearby. And I am thinking about starting to ride my bike to work at least 2 days a week. Gas here is $3.50 for regular! Yow! Right now looking for a good used beater bike I can use for the compute. None of my other bikes will do.
I really need to get better about riding. I have a cycling trip planned in July - in Montana. Can't wait. Has anyone ever done a trip up there? Would like your input.
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...If we become extinct because of factors beyond our control, then we can at least die with pride... but to create a mess in which we perish by our own inaction makes nonsense of our claims to conciousness and morality - Bill Mollison
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/4/2007 2:28:22 PM
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bcipam
Posts: 767
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From: Orange County, CA
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42serve... as to centuries - done many (at least 50) even some doubles... no big deal. Just make sure you ahve a good training base (at least 100 miles a week including spin classes and trainers) and do a few long ride (up to 70 miles) before the century. Read up on nutrition, and hydration.
If you want some cycling advice try the teamestrogen.com website. Lots of good advice there about century training.
Most of all go out and have fun. Bring a camera. Don't spend all the much time in rest stops (I believe in getting inand getting out - 5 minutes tops!) but stop each stop and take in fuel.
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...If we become extinct because of factors beyond our control, then we can at least die with pride... but to create a mess in which we perish by our own inaction makes nonsense of our claims to conciousness and morality - Bill Mollison
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RE: Bicycling....adventures, experiences, favorite ride... - 5/4/2007 4:41:17 PM
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bcipam
Posts: 767
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From: Orange County, CA
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mmmmmmm even on the street your mountain bike gearing should give you enough tension that you are maintaining a cadence or spin at 80 - 90 RPMs. My road bike is actually equiped with XTR rear cassette which means I have really low gearing (30 - 34) but I did have to sacrifrice some top end so I coast more than pedal on downhills. That's OK I go too fast as it is.
If you goal really is weight loss, than you shouldn't be pushing that hard anyway. Ther are several levels to train at. I generally train in a "fitness"level which means my heart rate is running between 65 - 80% of max but I sometimes do fat burning rides and I allow my heart rate to run around 50 - 60% of max. Doesn't take much intensity to burn fat. Up the level to "fitness" and you go into glycogen stores instead. So nothing wrong with your bike as is.
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