Honestly, if you "dust off the bike and ride for 18 miles" you should be teaching us
As the others have said, you are really good to go for a 50 mile ride. you might suffer the next day, but you'll finish it.
I used to get pins and needles in my hands on a flat bar bike, typically when riding on paths rather than roads. I think it was caused by the vibrations coming up from the handlebar. If that's it, padded grips and gloves will help. You might also look at letting a bit of air out of the front tyre, to soften the ride.
Watch out as you build up distances for saddle sores. If you end up with an open wound in your "saddle area", that might need time off the bike. Watch out for any tenderness or skin abrasions, and make sure you change out of cycling kit and clean up after a longer ride. I think you are more at risk than most, because you are fit enough to go further than certain parts of your body are ready for.
Good advice thank you , yep after today's ride must admit that I feel confident for the 50 mile trip already & it's a long way off yet , just lovely to be out on the bike , surprising the things that you notice although it was roads that I drive on day in day out I noticed things today that I've not seen before , will watch out for the sores so far so good
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