Holy Moly, the missus and I are about to bicycle 150 miles!

masraum · 04-24-2019, 08:24 PM

Many/most of you have probably seen our other threads:

Please, donate to help fight Multiple Sclerosis! Riding the Houston MS150
Help Mrs Masraum raise money for Multiple Sclerosis, only 2 weeks left!
Mrs & I need bikes, Houston MS 150, complete beginners
Fun with cycling!
Cycling, thoughts, observations and the bonk

Tonight it really hit home since we had to pack our bags. The event begins Sat, but I have to take our luggage for the Sat night and Sun clothes/stuff to work tomorrow to give to the guy that's driving the van for our team.

I'm not worried about making it, but it is a lot more than I've previously ridden in a day. My max to date is 52 miles. And it's two days in a row. The first day we'll be riding 84miles. But, I'll be riding with the missus at her pace which means well below what my pace would be. Fortunately, I think the wind is forecast to be at our back the whole time (Hallelujah!!).

Last weekend we went on a group ride with one of Houston's bike clubs, and 3 of our team's other riders were there as well. We (myself and the other 3 guys) went out with the 14-16mph group. That's the group that my buddies been riding with, and since I'd never done a group ride or been in a paceline, I figured it would be safe. The first half was so boring with the pace strictly kept to the 14-16mph. After the break, the group had slowly been splitting up, and the 3 of us broke away and had a good time. One of the guys said "come on, lets see what you've got and build some momentum in this downhill to help with the uphill that's coming up." That was the beginning of a ton of fun. I told my buddy, that he could easily move up to the 16-18mph group and could probably manage the 18-20 or very nearly. We averaged 18mph for the second half when we broke off from the rest of the group, and we could have gone faster.

The missus is worried about making it, but has come to accept that if she has to take a SAG van, it's not the end of the world. Unfortunately, we haven't really trained as much as she would have liked and probably needed, but I think she'll be able to make it. She's more of a 12mph girl. Her max so far has been 39 miles (she's done that several times). I think she'll make this, it just won't be in record time, but that's fine, it's not a race. As my buddy said when the guy at the bike store showed him a $4k bike "I'm not planning to win, I just want to finish."

I have begun to think, "I wish I'd gotten something more lightweight" vs the Cro-moly bikes that we've got. I do like the wide (38c) tires though. We both changed out our saddles and handlebars (same bars, just different sizes). We've got 3x8 (50-39-30 and 11-32) drivetrains. So far, I haven't ever needed the 50t (or 30t for that matter) chainring. I'm kind of wondering about an upgrade in my future.

Thank you to everyone that's donated on our behalf to support Multiple Sclerosis.

The missus wanted to do a little something personal for the folks that donated, so she's started a blog chronicling her adventure in cycling. The posts are short and hopefully entertaining/funny (I think they are). I've posted the link in a couple of the other threads.

She's posted 3 more updates and wanted me to let you guys know.

https://thereluctantcyclistms150.blogspot.com/

We should have a grand adventure. I'll post back assuming we survive.

jhynesrockmtn · 04-25-2019, 05:21 AM

Good luck, you'll do great. This is more about how many miles you've accumulated training and less about how much you've done in a single ride.

I took a climbing school with Chris Carmichael many years ago. The focus there was on going at your pace and staying within a heart rate zone on long climbs that allowed you to sustain the climb. Don't try and keep up with anyone else. That paid dividends big time on rides like this as my buddies who were in better shape would take off and I resisted the urge to keep up with them.

You'll be sore at the start of the second day. That will be the hardest part. It will fade as you warm up but pushing through the start will mentally be the toughest to get through.

Pazuzu · 04-25-2019, 05:38 AM

Pro Tip:

Starting riding out there today, it makes getting there by Sunday MUCH easier!

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

Looks like it will be "Chamber of Commerce" weather. My first one had terrible headwinds.

cabmandone · cabmandone's Garage

I'm sorry to see your car broke down.

vash · vash's Garage

you've researched Chamois butter or some other brand of anti-chaffing cream..right?

BRPORSCHE · 04-25-2019, 01:50 PM

Why such wide tires? I run 40's on my gravel bike but when I am doing all road I switch to 28s. It's such a significant difference. I have an 11-32 as well but run with 42/36(?) And it's just about perfect for my mix of gravel/road but sometimes I do get gear limited on some of the faster weekend rides.

Jolly Amaranto · 04-25-2019, 01:53 PM

Have fun, ride well and say Hi to all my Society Bike Works Team buddies as you blow by them.

masraum · 04-25-2019, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

you've researched Chamois butter or some other brand of anti-chaffing cream..right?

Yep. We wear Pearl Izumi bibs, and haven't worn any yet. Pearl Izumi says not to with their stuff, but we are going to take some just in case.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum

The missus is worried about making it, but has come to accept that if she has to take a SAG van, it's not the end of the world. Unfortunately, we haven't really trained as much as she would have liked and probably needed, but I think she'll be able to make it. She's more of a 12mph girl.

She needs to stay in that range.

Rambling.....I have one adventure to talk about. The 1971 Tour of Sciota River Valley.

15 years old no training. 110 miles from Columbus, OH to Portsmouth KY. Return next day. Bike nut cousins invited me.

Like any clueless kid would do, I paced in the 16-18 MPH range with them for 10-15 miles about 1/3 into first leg. Bad idea. Took it's toll. 60 miles left and I was played. Made it by throttling back. I literally remember a lot of 10 MPH on the speedo.

I do remember the return trip was kind of enjoyable. As mentioned the first hour was rude but I did limber up and just cruised.

My bike was a Schwinn Collegiate with fenders and saddle seat. I do remember the hot bikes were Peugeots.

Never did it again.

masraum · 04-25-2019, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRPORSCHE

Why such wide tires? I run 40's on my gravel bike but when I am doing all road I switch to 28s. It's such a significant difference. I have an 11-32 as well but run with 42/36(?) And it's just about perfect for my mix of gravel/road but sometimes I do get gear limited on some of the faster weekend rides.

The bikes came with 38s. To upgrade to a better tire, I'd considered going to 35 or 32. Bigger is more comfy. I wanted the missus to be comfy. Bigger is also faster, especially the more bumpy the road gets. I still may eventually downsize a little. I did upgrade to a better tire in 38. It may not be the best tire, but it's a better tire.

I mostly run in the 39, I have bumped to the 50 a few times when sprinting downhill. I think I could go pretty fast at 39/11.

I'm wondering about upgrading to a cyclocross bike next, something lightweight and more aggressive with a SRAM 1x drivetrain, but who knows. I could change my mind 5 times by the time I'm ready and I could end up riding something that knocks my socks off that's completely different.

masraum · 04-25-2019, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

She needs to stay in that range.

Rambling.....I have one adventure to talk about. The 1971 Tour of Sciota River Valley.

15 years old no training. 110 miles from Columbus, OH to Portsmouth KY. Return next day. Bike nut cousins invited me.

Like any clueless kid would do, I paced in the 16-18 MPH range with them for 10-15 miles about 1/3 into first leg. Bad idea. Took it's toll. 60 miles left and I was played. Made it by throttling back. I literally remember a lot of 10 MPH on the speedo.

I do remember the return trip was kind of enjoyable. As mentioned the first hour was rude but I did limber up and just cruised.

My bike was a Schwinn Collegiate with fenders and saddle seat. I do remember the hot bikes were Peugeots.

Never did it again.

Great story, thanks for telling it.

KFC911 · 04-26-2019, 02:05 AM

Didn't read this thread....remember to have fun and enjoy the ride with missus Steve...never done anything like this myself...best to you both....

Be safe and ride on....

Baz · Baz's Garage

Sounds like a fun event, Steve.

You have trained well and will do fine.

The weather is a key factor, obviously and sounds like it will be about perfect.

Good luck, sir!

masraum · 04-26-2019, 04:58 AM

Yeah, I think the weather is going to be just about perfect. I suppose it might be even nicer if it was a little cooler, but it's forecast to be practically perfect.

herr_oberst · 04-26-2019, 06:28 AM

I'm looking forward to hearing about the big adventure!
Good luck to you and Mrs M!

David · David's Garage

A couple of points on safety:

1. rest stops are the most dangerous, enter and exit to the FAR right.

2. there's one really long and fast downhill, you'll know it when you're on it. Stay to the right since bikes may pass you on the left at over 40 mph.

3. if you do ride two abreast (which you shouldn't do but many do so they can talk), stay to your far right so pace lines can pass you safely.

masraum · 04-26-2019, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

A couple of points on safety:

1. rest stops are the most dangerous, enter and exit to the FAR right.

2. there's one really long and fast downhill, you'll know it when you're on it. Stay to the right since bikes may pass you on the left at over 40 mph.

3. if you do ride two abreast (which you shouldn't do but many do so they can talk), stay to your far right so pace lines can pass you safely.

I've heard that about rest stops. Go far right if you're stopping and stay to the left if you aren't, and watch for riders to suddenly slow or to try to merge when leaving.

When we get to that hill, I may leave the missus and enjoy the speed and then wait for her to catch up on the uphill.

We do occasionally ride two abreast, but I watch for folks from the rear and GTFO of the way before they get to us. If there's tons of traffic (which I expect) then we may never end up side by side. I try to never be a "left lane camper" whether I'm on a bike or driving a car.

Thanks for the heads up.

LEAKYSEALS951 · 04-26-2019, 02:40 PM

Well- If there's one thing I've learned in life-

Cyclist like to over analyze things (myself included).
You Steve- even if you didn't even pedal one stroke- are a true cyclist!

Have a great ride tomorrow!

masraum · 04-26-2019, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

Well- If there's one thing I've learned in life-

Cyclist like to over analyze things (myself included).
You Steve- even if you didn't even pedal one stroke- are a true cyclist!

Have a great ride tomorrow!

The Mrs and I are both major analyzers. I guess now the question is, were we drawn to cycling because we were analyzers or will the cycling compound our analyzing?