I've been riding clip less all last season and until last week I decided to switch to flats. Last week I decided to switch to flats to see if I can improve ride comfort. I was surprised during my first ride. It felt weird and I maintain the same technique as if I was in clip less minus the pulling up the pedal. I noticed that...
I'm a ball of nerves because I've never actually gone 120km before, and I'm worried about my bike, and I'm worried about not being able to maintain the 20km minimum speed. I'm going to bed now to get a good nights rest but here's to grinding it out on the bike! See y'all on the other side!
Good luck on your ride. I think its mostly mental game. If you rode 120km before during the week (combined rides) you should be able to complete it physically. Not sure what's your average ride length during the week but for me its around 40-45km. What I do when I start long ride I mentally say to myself this 40km is a warmup. I can visualize that distance, effort and time because I do it often. After a warmup I actually start my ride. This takes me to first half of a ride with little effort. The only difference is to pace yourself. Prioritize comfort over speed. If you can seat in the saddle for 5 hours you will make it. In the beginning of the ride go slower than normal (during your short rides), because you will likely run out of gas. Fuel yourself, eat something at least once an hour. Alternate food types if you can. For instance I would it a bar after first 1h then 30 minutes later gel pack then some figs and then go back to another bar. If you have sugar mix in bottle alternate that with normal water between solid foods. I'm usually keeping most of the sugar mix for last hours of ride because its harder to eat solids. If you fell like you have in you to finish strong later during the ride, go for it. The longest ride I made using this strategy was 260km. The biggest problem for me during long rides is to stay comfortable.
I think a lot would depend on what's your style, where are you going to be cycling? There are some general categories like commuter, mountain, road, recently more popular gravel which now days are more like mountain bikes from 90's. Most important is to start riding wherever you are, whenever you have time. Pick something you can afford and won't break your heart if you drop it (like 10K super bike).
Most of the time if I ride it's in the morning. For me its the easiest and most reliable way to plan and execute before day starts. There is also this feeling of accomplishment after the ride and it feels great the rest of the day.
Recommend link bookmarking service
What are you using for bookmarking links?...
Flats vs Clip less for long distance.
I've been riding clip less all last season and until last week I decided to switch to flats. Last week I decided to switch to flats to see if I can improve ride comfort. I was surprised during my first ride. It felt weird and I maintain the same technique as if I was in clip less minus the pulling up the pedal. I noticed that...
Riding my first gran fondo tomorrow morning
I'm a ball of nerves because I've never actually gone 120km before, and I'm worried about my bike, and I'm worried about not being able to maintain the 20km minimum speed. I'm going to bed now to get a good nights rest but here's to grinding it out on the bike! See y'all on the other side!
OC So where is everyone riding this weekend?
I made the most of the cool weather here in the Bay Area to grab a gentle coffee ride. Just over 6 miles of pleasant riding to keep me sane.
What bike do you suggest that I get?
I'd like to get more into biking since the area that I live in is semi walkable. Where should I start and what should I look out for?
When do you find time to cycle?
Mornings? Evenings? Weekends?...