M
Mike K Smith
Guest
Tony,
Tony Raven wrote On 11/07/05 13:41,:
> So why not just set out in the same mindset and see how far you get?
Thanks for the advice and kind thoughts.
It is good advice, but slightly too late. The ride was on Saturday, and
we mailed the organisers a few days before to say that we wouldn't be
starting. Instead we rode out from home on Saturday for a pleasant 55
miles, not all in the rain, and got home mid-afternoon.
> There is no shame in not finishing and you might surprise yourself on
> the day. Have your bale out plans sorted should you need them (friend
> with car, train station etc) but otherwise just do the Zen "living in
> the present moment" thing until you don't want to go any further or have
> finished.
We studied the route sheet before making the decision, but several
things stacked against us riding it. Our lack of recent mileage,
awkwardness of getting back to the start if we did bail out, the
prospect of riding for several hours in the dark, and the likelihood of
being outside the time limit if we had any kind of problem. Sue also had
a better offer for the early part of Saturday evening, which finally
settled the matter.
> The middle section will be the toughest - come a long way but
> still a long way to go - so keep the targets frequent at every 2-5 miles
> in that section and DO NOT think about anything beyond the next target.
> You can do 10 or 20 mile targets at the beginning and end.
I have ridden 200km in the past (but not for almost 20 years) so I can
relate to the above. Twenty years ago I had enough fitness, and
bloody-mindedness, to ride the last 50km of a 200km Audax in the dark
and rain on pure willpower, but I'm not back to that level yet.
Although our longest ride of this year was "only" a 140km Grimpeur, I
have ridden more consistently this year than any year since 1985,
averaging 50 miles per week, and with just two weeks without any
cycling. I have lost 2 1/2 stone and have got back to a level of fitness
where 100km is just a day out. Sue has ridden more over this year, and
further in one day, than she ever did before, too.
Unlike recent years we fully intend to keep riding 50-60 mile days over
the winter, too. We're planning to ride the 100km "Mulled Wine and Mince
Pies" at Denmead next month. We will ride 200km next year, but probably
on a day when we have a chance of finishing before dark.
Mike
Tony Raven wrote On 11/07/05 13:41,:
> So why not just set out in the same mindset and see how far you get?
Thanks for the advice and kind thoughts.
It is good advice, but slightly too late. The ride was on Saturday, and
we mailed the organisers a few days before to say that we wouldn't be
starting. Instead we rode out from home on Saturday for a pleasant 55
miles, not all in the rain, and got home mid-afternoon.
> There is no shame in not finishing and you might surprise yourself on
> the day. Have your bale out plans sorted should you need them (friend
> with car, train station etc) but otherwise just do the Zen "living in
> the present moment" thing until you don't want to go any further or have
> finished.
We studied the route sheet before making the decision, but several
things stacked against us riding it. Our lack of recent mileage,
awkwardness of getting back to the start if we did bail out, the
prospect of riding for several hours in the dark, and the likelihood of
being outside the time limit if we had any kind of problem. Sue also had
a better offer for the early part of Saturday evening, which finally
settled the matter.
> The middle section will be the toughest - come a long way but
> still a long way to go - so keep the targets frequent at every 2-5 miles
> in that section and DO NOT think about anything beyond the next target.
> You can do 10 or 20 mile targets at the beginning and end.
I have ridden 200km in the past (but not for almost 20 years) so I can
relate to the above. Twenty years ago I had enough fitness, and
bloody-mindedness, to ride the last 50km of a 200km Audax in the dark
and rain on pure willpower, but I'm not back to that level yet.
Although our longest ride of this year was "only" a 140km Grimpeur, I
have ridden more consistently this year than any year since 1985,
averaging 50 miles per week, and with just two weeks without any
cycling. I have lost 2 1/2 stone and have got back to a level of fitness
where 100km is just a day out. Sue has ridden more over this year, and
further in one day, than she ever did before, too.
Unlike recent years we fully intend to keep riding 50-60 mile days over
the winter, too. We're planning to ride the 100km "Mulled Wine and Mince
Pies" at Denmead next month. We will ride 200km next year, but probably
on a day when we have a chance of finishing before dark.
Mike