It's been a couple of weeks since my last update. This has not been due to lack of desire to do so, it has merely been due to the fact I would like to prevent redundancy in my reporting. With that being said, it is with pride and pleasure that I am sitting here after a long, very, very long 5o mile ride.
That's right, you read that right. I did say: "50 miles" - Now, if you're an experienced rider and your long rides are of the centennial type, I apologize for my excitement, but I hope you understand that this is something that I would have never imagined that I was capable of.
A week ago today, I set out to do a ride of the 25-30 mile variety. Before I knew it I had completed 40.2 in 2 hours and 50 minutes. I felt like I had some left in me. This is why I set out today with my mind set on a 50 mile trek.
When it was all said and done, it took me 3:29:39 to complete my goal. I did take two small brakes to fuel and hydrate, each one of about 5 minutes and change, making the actual ride time 3:18:19. Gu gel and half a pbj sandwich accompanied with plenty of water and Gatorade, was today's fuel source. I kept an average speed of 15.2 mph, that is an improvement of .5 mph over last week's 14.7 mph and a moving pace of 3:57 per mile, and improvement of .07 seconds per mile over last week's 4:04 per mile pace.
Biggest difference today is the fact that my climbs are improving... not just a bit, but a whole lot of bit. I have been watching Le Tour de France on the tele and I picked up a pointer or two on how the pros go about the climbs... mind you, I'm not comparing myself to these fine athletes, but what I observed, I put to practice and whaaala, it's working.
Three issues kept today's ride from being a perfect outing. One is the fact that I have not been able to find 100% comfort in the saddle. I do have an idea on how to fix this, but this is not something that I think you would want to know. Issue number two is that the shoe clip on the pedal is not releasing as smoothly as I would like it to, making today the day when I took the second spill! Yea, that's right! Knee scrapped, elbow bruised, pride - more than anything, a little hurt! And last but not least... would the bike rider that scared the biggibies out of me by sneaking up behind me and yelling: "morning", understand that that was not funny! Not funny at all. Next time make some noise or something, would you!
Next on the agenda: 100K ride! In English, that would be 62 miles... give or take a block!
