My First 100 Mile Ride

[Aperitif]

Congratulations on your 100milestone Phil - in a lovely looking part of the country too.

 

[Auntie Helen]

Well done Phil, and also to Ben Lovejoy who did his first 100 mile ride yesterday.

 

[badkitty]

Well done Phil!

Especially as the last 40 miles hurt -makes it even more impressive!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement it is appreciated and makes all the pain worthwhile and well done to ben who I understand also did the 100 this weekend

Anyone who is thinking of going for the 100 should just go for it, but dont plan on doing too much the next day and take plenty of food/energy bars or gels and water with you.

Today my legs feel like they are about to drop off and my right hand tingles, I will have to look into getting some specialized gel mitts with decent padding.

So i think I may give it a day or so before I go out on the bike again, but then again

 

[Auntie Helen]

Thing is, Phil, 100 miles is a big deal... and then you'll find somehow it becomes something that you can think of doing again and again without problems.

It's a brilliant achievement and I remember feeling tired and achy after mine, although I was OK the next day (if a bit stiff).

Did another one yesterday and it was a different feeling altogether. I could have carried on for miles and miles more, felt normal when I walked into the house, and am about to set out on a twenty mile cycle ride to get some milk. No ill effects at all.

I think your body just gets used to it. And 100 miles feels like such a lot when you think about it - but once you've done it, you realise it is possible and even enjoyable. Good luck with your second century... and your third...

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Yes I see what you say Auntie Helen.

I remember when I was still smoking back in Jan 2008 I was on up to 40 a day and I could manage about 5 miles but it took me an hour and I had to walk up the hills.

Then when I stopped smoking within 4 months I could a circuit of Harrogate around 14-15miles in about 2.5 hours and I was well chuffed. I now do that circuit almost every night in around an hour so I had better start planning my 200 now then

 

[Auntie Helen]

Wow, that's a great achievement and improvement!

I don't think I'm planning longer rides particularly, it's just that I don't feel that large mileages in a day require A Lot Of Preparation. One can just do 'em. Keep at it!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I must admit I was quite suprised how fast I was going up to the 60 miles mark, if I had called it a day then I would have had an average of something like 14.9 which is way above anything I have ever done before.

Its just a shame the summer has been so wet, as when it is fine I have found myself doing 35 miles on an evening ride which used to be the distance I would do on a day ride.

 

[magnatom]

Well done!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Thank you Magnatom and well done on your 17mph average its amazing how it starts creeping up with regular riding isnt it.

I must admit I get the numb hand thing as well, still have a tingly finger this morning I will be investing in some new gloves this week.

 

[magnatom]

Yes the numb fingers are a pain (sort of a anti-pun there!). I haven't had the time to test it, but I am sure it is a reach problem for me. My arms are probably straighter than they should be. When I get a chance to pop to my LBS I'll see if I can borrow a shorter stem for a while. I think mine is either 13 or 14cm at the moment, so it might make a difference.

 

[phil_hg_uk]

Yes the short stem should help I tried 60mm stem and now I am down to a 50mm stem (which was the shortest I could find) on my Galaxy and it is much better not so much of a reach.

I am going to give the Specialized BG Gel mitts a go as a lot of people seem to recommend them, they are a but pricey but worth a try.

 

[Arch]

Well done on the hundred! When I did mine, I also suffered a bit after 60-70 miles, and it was sheer bloody mindedness kept me going, esp when I got back to within 2 miles of home but had only clocked up 88 miles, so had to go back out again.

And of course, my average speed was 2 or 3 mph less than yours.

Next time, I'd like to feel not quite so dead when I get home.

Anyway, well done!

 

[phil_hg_uk]

I had a similar experience Arch when I got back to harrogate I looked at the mileage and it said 85 and a bit and I thought well there is no way I am leaving it at that, so I did a lap and a bit of Harrogate which I usually do most evenings anyway and that go it over the hundred.