Did I do well...................?

[MadDad]

As middle age creeps up on me I decided to see if I could complete a bit of an endurance road ride on my Felt MTB. I usually enjoy 15 – 20 miles around Swinley Forest on a Sunday morning; so long distance road cycling is not something I am too familiar with.

I decided to cycle from my house in Binfield (Berks) to the in-law’s in Ferring (W Sussex) and meet the wife and kids there with the bike rack for the return trip.

In preparation for the ride I swapped my knobbly tyres for a set of Schwalbe City Jet semi slick tyres, topped my hydration pack up with some juice and packed a puncture kit.

I set off on Saturday afternoon in the driving rain and wind for what I had planned on being a 55 mile trip, however took a wrong turning mid-Sussex and put another 13.5 miles on my route. I am really pleased with myself for completing the ride, although from mile 48 to about 52 I was in more pain than I had ever experienced and rode about 5 miles sobbing until I found a service station and filled up on Mars bars and Lucazade!

In all I rode 68.5 miles in 5 hours 28 mins at an average of 12.8 mph on a Felt Q220 MTB with semi-slick tyres. Is this a reasonably decent time (bearing in mind the route included a good few miles of the South Downs)? What can I do (if anything), to avoid such horrific muscle burn in the future?

[Garlick]

Sounds good to me! Great effort and a nicely written account too

[louiebaby]

Good effort.

From everyone who has "hit the wall" in the past, we feel your pain.

If you don't know the correct way to your Mother In Law's house, you obviously don't go very often. You are my hero. I nominate you for "Man Of The Year."

[mk1fan]

You've done well.

What a great idea! The other half has to deal with the kids but you're getting the bonus points for visiting the In-Laws!!!!!!

Generally speaking riding 1-mile offroad is equal to riding 2-miles onroad so it's no shock that you had issues around the 48-mile mark.

[johnnyboy666]

I say well done! 68 odd miles on a mountain bike and averaging all but 13mph is pretty impressive in my book! Probably best to eat more during I would say rather than towards the end but also I would think getting yourself something a bit more road orientated would help greatly both through less effort neede and through a better position.

John

Edited by johnnyboy666 on Tuesday 1st June 11:55

[khushy]

you know what they say - NO PAIN - NO GAIN - you were in pain and therefore you gained - well done!

khushy

[dubbs]

mk1fan said:

You've done well.

What a great idea! The other half has to deal with the kids but you're getting the bonus points for visiting the In-Laws!!!!!!

Generally speaking riding 1-mile offroad is equal to riding 2-miles onroad so it's no shock that you had issues around the 48-mile mark.

He wasn't off-road unless I'm mis-reading...

Either way any effort that leaves you that knoackered and in pain generally proves your mettle so well done regardless of average speeds and the like

[MadDad]

Thanks for the encouragement; although I know many of you are probably used to long distance rides I still have a real sense of achievement from Saturday! I am definitely going to do this run again only next time will make sure I eat more during the ride and take more to drink (oh, and take a map). The odd thing is, that despite the excruciating muscle burn I experienced during the ride my legs have not hurt at all since!

After posting this morning my 11 y/o son asked if we could do a road ride together, so at lunchtime today we signed up for a 13 mile charity ride! I hope that I won’t live to regret this but we will be taking part in the 3 counties bike ride on Sunday – the distance should not be a problem but if the 11 year old starts to moan I may pray for muscle burn to take my mind off his protests!

If you have any loose change you need to get rid of I can help you here; www.justgiving.com/lee-and-josh

edited to allow for the begging line at the bottom of this post

Edited by MadDad on Tuesday 1st June 22:49

[AyBee]

Sounds good - but get yourself a road bike - it'll be soooooo much easier

That's if you actually want to get to the in-laws any sooner

[mk1fan]

dubbs said:

He wasn't off-road unless I'm mis-reading...

Yes you are, but not in the way you think.

The OP said they do 15-20-miles in Swinley each Sunday.

[louiebaby]

MadDad said:

I am definitely going to do this run again only next time will make sure I eat more during the ride and take more to drink.

I think the general rule is "If you're feeling hungry or thirsty, it's already too late."

Eat and drink little and often, and definitely get something to eat in the first 30 mins. Learn to peel a banana one handed as you go along.