75 Miles on the Cannondale

widgeon13 · 08-17-2010, 10:15 AM

Well, I did my long bike ride in the southern Adirondacks in anticipation of a Fall trip to Bar Harbor and the Atlantic. It was an organized ride this past Sunday August 15. Started at North Creek NY and ended there as well, going through various small towns in the southern Adirondack mountains, Bakers Mills, Speculator, Indian Lake, North River and back to North Creek. 75 hilly miles! The bike performed well and my body didn't fail me. It wasn't a criterium but long enough for the type of terrain we were negotiating and for the kind of training rides I have been doing. Four planned stops along the way for food and liquid and ride was well supported by a SAG crew. Other than a few dodged potholes, there were no complaints.

The good news is that I have lost 20 lbs. since starting training in April, now riding with clip in cycling shoes (which make a big difference) and only had to flip the bird to a few autos and trucks along the four and a half months of training.

Back on the bike this morning to get ready for the September ride which will be approx 440 miles, 50 to 70 miles per day but certainly at a more relaxed pace.

I've enjoyed the training and solitude of the road bike. Some pretty nice areas to ride in the Adirondacks just don't have a major breakdown in the middle of nowhere. There's a lot of nowhere up here! Oh, and I think I can skip the stress test for another year.

Most people rode w/ friends, I rode alone. Guess I just don't play well w/others. I did meet some nice folks along the ride and one young lady from Australia that was visiting a friend in Albany. I'm looking forward to more long rides and perhaps a 100 miler is in the future.

Talewinds · Talewinds's Garage

Lookin' good. 75mi w/ 6,800ft. is a very healthy ride. Other much more serious bikers sometimes disagree, but I found there was a HUGE difference between 75mi and 100mi. Maybe it was just my training distances, totals, and thresholds at the time that made all the difference, but 75 was always a breeze, but that last 25mi kicked my butt.

I used to hang out over at bikeforums, but much prefer Pelican because the age group is older (although I'm 33, probably on the low end here), but I've recently gotten the bike bug again and just did my first competition in a few years as part of a team triathlon this past weekend. I got to do the bike leg and skip the parts I hate, like the swimming and running!
Last nigh I entered my first ever criterium mostly because it's a new local event that I want to support (I'd rather do road races, ITT's, or triathlons).

FWIW, I'm a solo biker as well.

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

Congrats, keep it up....

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Looks like a nice loop!

I was a Sony Walkman rider

by preference but there's something to be said with riding in a group of friends.

Would love to get back into road cycling. I have started riding my MTB more with a goal of rewarding myself with a mid-level used road bike if I keep the riding going for a straight 6 months. Only 5 months to go.

widgeon13 · 08-17-2010, 12:08 PM

I know what you mean about the last 25 miles, did a marathon a number of years ago and I'm sure it's like the last seven or eight after "hitting the wall". At age 63, 64 in September, just finishing is the goal. I've got many friends younger than me who couldn't ride 5 - 10 miles, so i'm pretty satisfied with the results.

I had done 50 miles of similar terrain a couple of weeks ago and knew that the last untested miles would be a challenge. The challenge is not only physical but mental and definitely requires more concentration.

slow&rusty · 08-17-2010, 03:01 PM

Congrats I did 80miles on my Cannondale on the weekend!!

herr_oberst · 08-17-2010, 03:10 PM

Good job. That looks like a nice loop, a big climb to start, with a nice easy descent to the KILLER CLIMB then a bunch of high altitude rollers and a SCARYFASTDESCENT!!!!!!!

widgeon13 · 08-17-2010, 06:10 PM

At the bottom of the SCARYFASTDESCENT are railroad tracks, just to make it a little more interesting. And of course you need to watch for Bambi all along the route. I was told someone hit 56 MPH on the last descent but that's only rumor at this point.

Walter_Middie · Walter_Middie's Garage

Quote:

I'm looking forward to more long rides and perhaps a 100 miler is in the future.

I found that anything over 60 miles was a long ride. I can't see ever looking forward to another 100 mile day on a bike - though I've done more than several. My best training was riding a hilly 50 mile loop and pushing through the entire ride. It was short enough not to waste the entire day, and long enough to be a really good workout. With this training, I could easily do a 100 or 200 mile day when I needed to.

I've done Seattle to Portland in one day twice (200 miles a day). Also did the Tour of Colorado which was 6 straight days with 100 miles per day and 5 passes over 10,000 ft. By the last day I was in killer shape, passing cars on the steep uphill section to Telluride. Didn't want to see another bike for a couple of months though.

widgeon13 · 08-17-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walter_Middie

I found that anything over 60 miles was a long ride. I can't see ever looking forward to another 100 mile day on a bike - though I've done more than several. My best training was riding a hilly 50 mile loop and pushing through the entire ride. It was short enough not to waste the entire day, and long enough to be a really good workout. With this training, I could easily do a 100 or 200 mile day when I needed to.

I've done Seattle to Portland in one day twice (200 miles a day). Also did the Tour of Colorado which was 6 straight days with 100 miles per day and 5 passes over 10,000 ft. By the last day I was in killer shape, passing cars on the steep uphill section to Telluride. Didn't want to see another bike for a couple of months though.

I don't see going to that extreme or I'll be in divorce court. I have too many other interests and commitments so can't dedicate that kind of time to cycling nor would I want that.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

My last 100 was in 100+ heat in Houston, heat index over 115. I'd love to ride that area. Last weekend we were in similar heat and we cut the ride short to 30 miles.

We camped as kids on Lewey Lake. I've canoed and hiked all through the Adirondaks. I love the whole area.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

My last 100 was in 100+ heat in Houston, heat index over 115. I'd love to ride that area. Last weekend we were in similar heat and we cut the ride short to 30 miles.

We camped as kids on Lewey Lake/Indian Lake. I've canoed and hiked all through the Adirondaks. I love the whole area. I'd love to still be close by.

VincentVega · 08-17-2010, 07:19 PM

Nice ride. Great part of the country too, not a bad view out there.

dd74 · 08-17-2010, 10:51 PM

For the last leg of a century, I find it's good to just keep refueling, keep refueling, keep refueling, because by then, cramps occur, dehydration sets in, as does hunger.

Keep two or three of the Hammer gels in your jersey pocket, and suck that down as soon as you feel you need a boost. My last ride was 125 miles, and one way I was able to stay with a 25 mph pace line along Pacific Coast Highway, was by sucking down a Hammer gel and alternating between water and Heed.

Good luck in September. Glad to see you doing it. Post photos!

widgeon13 · 08-18-2010, 02:39 AM

Thanks for the moral support.

The temps here last Sunday were in the high 60's and while we have had some hot weather up here, we never get 100's. I'd have to sit by the side of the lake if it got that hot. I don't perform well in heat and high humidity.

It is a nice place to ride and drive the pcar, ski, snowmobile, hike and veg out in the winter. We're just getting into my favorite time of the years, when all the tourist leave and before the hunters arrive. Actually spent Monday at the Saratoga track so we do get to civilization on occasion.

This is the south end of Indian Lake last Fall.

Snowy Mountain from the air, as it overlooks of Indian Lake, a miserably long hike.

I'll make sure to post an update and pics on the September trip.

widgeon13 · 08-18-2010, 02:46 AM

red-beard, Lewey Lake from the air.

red-beard · red-beard's Garage

I have over 20 of the 46, most of them the easier access. We used to canoe from Blue mountain Lake to Tupper Lake along the Raquette river. My favorite spot is on Long Pond, a camping spot where there was Ranger Station. You start at Hoel Pond and have 4 portages.

I used to love going there in late September/Early October, so we'd not have any bugs. August is great if you want to attempt to swim (that water is cold year round!!!)