| |
Main
Date: 26 Aug 2006 20:44:12
From: Ted
Subject: I did my first century today.
|
Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
before.
Just thought I'd let you know.
Ted.
|
|
| |
Date: 07 Sep 2006 06:42:54
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Edward Dolan wrote:
>
>
> Thanks NYC for being honest about the hill climbing aspects of recumbents.
> So very many on these newsgroups will never admit that recumbents suck on
> hills.
I must say, however, that I do know of 'bent-riders who zip right up
hills, and who've beaten me on my upright assaulting a ~6% grade hill!
And I was charging up at 17mph, too, so these folks were extremely good
riders, potbellies notwithstanding! They had, of course, fully-faired
Easy Racers. Wow!
> [...]
>
> Regards,
>
> Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
> aka
> Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
|
| |
Date: 07 Sep 2006 06:36:24
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Jeanne wrote:
>
>
> What you may not know is that on several well known century rides, 12K
> feet of elevation climb is the norm (with some incredible descents).
> Are they extreme century rides? I don't know. Lots of people ride them
> and I would call them the general riding public. Sure you get the
> really serious guys who finish under 6 hours but I would say many more
> take 10-12 hours to complete the rides. Maybe for the challenge, you
> should sign up for one.
Yes, I think I will, then. Not sure if there's ~12K of elevation to be
gained around NYC and environs, so I'll probably have to make a few
days' vacation of it.
And no, I didn't realize that several well-known centuries have such
elevation gains, but then again, I did say that I wasn't talking about
mountainous or especially hilly rides.
> I've ridden parts of the Bridge to Bridge Century that finishes on top
> of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and the Assault on Mt.
> Mitchell Century. I never finished either one. At some point, I just
> couldn't put one pedal after another down but the rides were fun
> nonetheless.
Hmm, I wonder if you couldn't even have done it for a million bucks,
time constraints not being a factor.
> I think you're right about flat centuries to a certain extent. Some one
> told me when I was a novice rider that if I could ride 40 miles, I could
> do a century - it just took longer (much like your "Just pedal"
> philosophy). But I needed to be able to ride 40 miles first. The first
> day I went riding with a former roommate, we barely went 20 miles and we
> were just exhausted.
It'd be an interesting experiment to take someone who's honestly never
done even 10 miles on a bike attempt a relatively flat (rolling hills)
century for a million dollars, giving him the whole 15-hour day with as
many rest stops and so forth as he wants.
|
| | |
Date: 07 Sep 2006 17:26:17
From: Jeanne
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Jeanne wrote:
>
>>
>>What you may not know is that on several well known century rides, 12K
>>feet of elevation climb is the norm (with some incredible descents).
>>Are they extreme century rides? I don't know. Lots of people ride them
>>and I would call them the general riding public. Sure you get the
>>really serious guys who finish under 6 hours but I would say many more
>>take 10-12 hours to complete the rides. Maybe for the challenge, you
>>should sign up for one.
>
>
> Yes, I think I will, then. Not sure if there's ~12K of elevation to be
> gained around NYC and environs, so I'll probably have to make a few
> days' vacation of it.
>
> And no, I didn't realize that several well-known centuries have such
> elevation gains, but then again, I did say that I wasn't talking about
> mountainous or especially hilly rides.
>
>
>>I've ridden parts of the Bridge to Bridge Century that finishes on top
>>of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and the Assault on Mt.
>>Mitchell Century. I never finished either one. At some point, I just
>>couldn't put one pedal after another down but the rides were fun
>>nonetheless.
>
>
> Hmm, I wonder if you couldn't even have done it for a million bucks,
> time constraints not being a factor.
>
In the case of Bridge to Bridge, there is a time constraint. My husband
had the dubious distinction of being the last person to finish the
century. I was about 45 minutes behind him (I rested about 45 minutes
longer - I'm not into speed or time). The sponsors close off the
entrance to Grandfather Mountain Park at 11 hours (?) - maybe 12 hours
cutting off a lot of participants.
As for the million bucks - nah. Actually in the case of Bridge to
Bridge, I stopped after 74 miles and I wasn't particularly tired (yet).
I had a nice ride and decided it was time to stop. Could I have truly
finished (without a time constraint)? Hmmm....maybe but actually like
you - I'm not enamoured with the concept of 100 miles. 74 wonderful
miles will do for me instead of adding on 26 torturous (the last two
miles is at some incredible grade) miles.
In any case, money isn't everything.
> It'd be an interesting experiment to take someone who's honestly never
> done even 10 miles on a bike attempt a relatively flat (rolling hills)
> century for a million dollars, giving him the whole 15-hour day with as
> many rest stops and so forth as he wants.
>
It depends on the physical condition of the person. People who are
physically fit (they don't get out of breath after walking a mile - I'm
not talking Lance Armstrong condition here) would probably not have much
trouble. But if you're not in good shape (this seems to include a large
percentage of the US population), I would say no.
|
| |
Date: 04 Sep 2006 10:14:14
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Old Roadie wrote:
> A metric century is about the limits of most people.
>
> A somewhat sedentary person just taking up biking since, for example,
> the start of this season, will be able to ride for about three hours
> without going into an anaerobic state. Through training, you can easily
> get it to six hours and 100 miles. But that takes a lot of time. Usually
> measured in years.
I just doubt that. Again, all I can think of is motivating someone
with a million bucks, or true love, or world peace or whatever else is
at the end of the road that would motivate them. Assuming general
health and so forth, I don't think it's necessary for some kind of
special training to do a century.
> There are four of these "centuries." 100 Metric, 100 miles, double
> metric (200 = 130 miles), and a double miles century (200 miles).
>
> I have about a half dozen people I ride with that are all capable of
> completing what someone else named a Qickie-t century. Rest stops are
> 7-eleven's and gas stations.
Yes, those are the ones I do! Except I also stop to look around,
admire views and so forth.
> The doubles are absolutely brutal. There is no saddle comfortable enough
> to let you go from start to end on one of those rides without feeling
> absolutely miserable in the crotch area.
I don't doubt it! I'd love to do a double one day, just for the heck
of it. Hmm...I guess I can just spend the whole day on Central Park's
6-mile loop!
> The combination of the best shorts you can get (Pearl 3D micro sensor)
> and Assos chamois cream will let you get by with the least amount of
> discomfort.
I think it'd be more sensible to just get a recumbent bike. I do
centuries on both my recumbent and upright, but the recumbent is
preferred, even though it's far slower (by 5-8 mph), except on flats
where the difference may only be a mile or two.
> They will take at least 12 hours for most mortals. There are a few
> people who can do a 200 mile ride at race pace, 20+ mph.
>
> My fastest double was 15 hours, longest took 19.
Hmm. Of course, it all depends on the terrain, mainly...hmmm...still,
20+ mph even on flats is good.
> Read all about the madness at www.caltriplecrown.com
Nice site, very interesting!
> Bill
|
| |
Date: 04 Sep 2006 10:02:24
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
> Are you serious? All you do is pedal? Have you ever heard of muscle
> fatigue? Pacing on climbs, etc? If you're not a cyclist, you have not have
> trained the muscles for cycling. You're making assumptions. Not all
> centuries are flat, you know...the ones around here can have SERIOUS
> climbing.
Obviously I'm not talking about a jaunt through Stage Whatever of the
Tour de France over the Alps. But generally speaking, I just spin my
grannies. The most I've climbed seems to have been an 8% grade, which
doesn't sound like much but is supposed to be fairly steep --
especially on a recumbent! But in any case, I think my reks still
apply: it's just one "step" in front of another, is all (again,
assuming it isn't a race).
> Why do you assume this aloneness on a ride?
I conclude it because there can be no other explanation. It's not
physical -- "hard" isn't "impossible" (and there is a difference
between "hard" and "somewhat hard" and "very hard," etc.) -- so it must
be psychological. Well, if they had company, particularly good company
even, it wouldn't be so bad. So it must be the fact of being alone in
their "misery" which accounts for the sense of major accomplishment.
> Have you ever attempted a ride with some serious climbing? At 230, you're
> going to have some serious pain making it up 9 to 12,000 ft of elevation
> gain. Your legs will start showing signs of fatigue if you haven't trained
> them properly. It's not simply a matter of pedalling.
Not sure what you have against the phrase "it's simply a matter of
pedalling" -- a bicycle involves pedalling, after all. Insofar as it's
to be powered, it's going to be powered by pedalling. As for what
powers the engine -- the rider -- well, that's various other things.
Other than food and water, it's psychological.
And no, I haven't climbed 12K feet of elevation, I'm sure. But that's
neither here nor there. You can always take an extreme situation and
skew things that way. For the typical century, especially the ones
organized for the general riding public, it's just a matter of
pedalling.
> Well, if you give them a reasonable time limit, I'd bet there'd be lots of
> people who wouldn't finish no matter what motivation you give them. Ever
> watch a reality show on TV?
Don't believe everything you see on TV, man.
Sure you'll always have people who can't do something or other for
whatever reason (mainly because they tell themselves they can't).
That's not to say the majority of folks who try won't finish -- and
they'll finish because now they really want to.
> No, it's both. I can't believe you're saying this. Both factor in heavily.
> Training adapts both the body and the mind. Also, training allows one to
> learn how one's body will feel once you get up in miles, because after a
> certain point your shoes start making your feet feel funny, your hands,
> arms, shoulders and wrists start acting up, not to mention your butt.
> Adjustments need to be made in ensure adequate comfort. That's another
> reason why people train up for it, to get past all of those issues. Saying
> it's all in the mind is just ignorant. For those who have well adapted to
> it, again, it's no problem.
Good God, I think you just want to be contrarian, that's all.
Fine, you go "train" and whatever the hell else you need to do to ride
a century: shave your legs, take your salt tablets, et cetera et cetera
et cetera. I'm just going to pedal. Have a nice day!
|
| | |
Date: 04 Sep 2006 13:28:32
From: Jeanne
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>>
>>Are you serious? All you do is pedal? Have you ever heard of muscle
>>fatigue? Pacing on climbs, etc? If you're not a cyclist, you have not have
>>trained the muscles for cycling. You're making assumptions. Not all
>>centuries are flat, you know...the ones around here can have SERIOUS
>>climbing.
>
>
> Obviously I'm not talking about a jaunt through Stage Whatever of the
> Tour de France over the Alps. But generally speaking, I just spin my
> grannies. The most I've climbed seems to have been an 8% grade, which
> doesn't sound like much but is supposed to be fairly steep --
> especially on a recumbent! But in any case, I think my reks still
> apply: it's just one "step" in front of another, is all (again,
> assuming it isn't a race).
>
>
>>Why do you assume this aloneness on a ride?
>
>
> I conclude it because there can be no other explanation. It's not
> physical -- "hard" isn't "impossible" (and there is a difference
> between "hard" and "somewhat hard" and "very hard," etc.) -- so it must
> be psychological. Well, if they had company, particularly good company
> even, it wouldn't be so bad. So it must be the fact of being alone in
> their "misery" which accounts for the sense of major accomplishment.
>
>
>>Have you ever attempted a ride with some serious climbing? At 230, you're
>>going to have some serious pain making it up 9 to 12,000 ft of elevation
>>gain. Your legs will start showing signs of fatigue if you haven't trained
>>them properly. It's not simply a matter of pedalling.
>
>
> Not sure what you have against the phrase "it's simply a matter of
> pedalling" -- a bicycle involves pedalling, after all. Insofar as it's
> to be powered, it's going to be powered by pedalling. As for what
> powers the engine -- the rider -- well, that's various other things.
> Other than food and water, it's psychological.
>
> And no, I haven't climbed 12K feet of elevation, I'm sure. But that's
> neither here nor there. You can always take an extreme situation and
> skew things that way. For the typical century, especially the ones
> organized for the general riding public, it's just a matter of
> pedalling.
>
What you may not know is that on several well known century rides, 12K
feet of elevation climb is the norm (with some incredible descents).
Are they extreme century rides? I don't know. Lots of people ride them
and I would call them the general riding public. Sure you get the
really serious guys who finish under 6 hours but I would say many more
take 10-12 hours to complete the rides. Maybe for the challenge, you
should sign up for one.
I've ridden parts of the Bridge to Bridge Century that finishes on top
of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and the Assault on Mt.
Mitchell Century. I never finished either one. At some point, I just
couldn't put one pedal after another down but the rides were fun
nonetheless.
I think you're right about flat centuries to a certain extent. Some one
told me when I was a novice rider that if I could ride 40 miles, I could
do a century - it just took longer (much like your "Just pedal"
philosophy). But I needed to be able to ride 40 miles first. The first
day I went riding with a former roommate, we barely went 20 miles and we
were just exhausted.
|
| | | |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 23:15:36
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
"Jeanne" <bridgemanyang@aol.com > wrote in message
news:A6KdndZEz6Km_2HZnZ2dnUVZ_o6dnZ2d@comcast.com...
> NYC XYZ wrote:
>> Roger Zoul wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>Are you serious? All you do is pedal? Have you ever heard of muscle
>>>fatigue? Pacing on climbs, etc? If you're not a cyclist, you have not
>>>have
>>>trained the muscles for cycling. You're making assumptions. Not all
>>>centuries are flat, you know...the ones around here can have SERIOUS
>>>climbing.
>>
>>
>> Obviously I'm not talking about a jaunt through Stage Whatever of the
>> Tour de France over the Alps. But generally speaking, I just spin my
>> grannies. The most I've climbed seems to have been an 8% grade, which
>> doesn't sound like much but is supposed to be fairly steep --
>> especially on a recumbent! But in any case, I think my reks still
>> apply: it's just one "step" in front of another, is all (again,
>> assuming it isn't a race).
>>
>>
>>>Why do you assume this aloneness on a ride?
>>
>>
>> I conclude it because there can be no other explanation. It's not
>> physical -- "hard" isn't "impossible" (and there is a difference
>> between "hard" and "somewhat hard" and "very hard," etc.) -- so it must
>> be psychological. Well, if they had company, particularly good company
>> even, it wouldn't be so bad. So it must be the fact of being alone in
>> their "misery" which accounts for the sense of major accomplishment.
>>
>>
>>>Have you ever attempted a ride with some serious climbing? At 230,
>>>you're
>>>going to have some serious pain making it up 9 to 12,000 ft of elevation
>>>gain. Your legs will start showing signs of fatigue if you haven't
>>>trained
>>>them properly. It's not simply a matter of pedalling.
>>
>>
>> Not sure what you have against the phrase "it's simply a matter of
>> pedalling" -- a bicycle involves pedalling, after all. Insofar as it's
>> to be powered, it's going to be powered by pedalling. As for what
>> powers the engine -- the rider -- well, that's various other things.
>> Other than food and water, it's psychological.
>>
>> And no, I haven't climbed 12K feet of elevation, I'm sure. But that's
>> neither here nor there. You can always take an extreme situation and
>> skew things that way. For the typical century, especially the ones
>> organized for the general riding public, it's just a matter of
>> pedalling.
>>
>
> What you may not know is that on several well known century rides, 12K
> feet of elevation climb is the norm (with some incredible descents). Are
> they extreme century rides? I don't know. Lots of people ride them and I
> would call them the general riding public. Sure you get the really
> serious guys who finish under 6 hours but I would say many more take 10-12
> hours to complete the rides. Maybe for the challenge, you should sign up
> for one.
>
> I've ridden parts of the Bridge to Bridge Century that finishes on top of
> Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina and the Assault on Mt. Mitchell
> Century. I never finished either one. At some point, I just couldn't put
> one pedal after another down but the rides were fun nonetheless.
>
> I think you're right about flat centuries to a certain extent. Some one
> told me when I was a novice rider that if I could ride 40 miles, I could
> do a century - it just took longer (much like your "Just pedal"
> philosophy). But I needed to be able to ride 40 miles first. The first
> day I went riding with a former roommate, we barely went 20 miles and we
> were just exhausted.
Recumbent style of bikes are not happy doing a lot of climbing. However,
recumbents really shine on the flats. Hells Bells, if you fully fair a
recumbent, there is nothing any faster. But those damn hills will defeat us
every time.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
|
| |
Date: 04 Sep 2006 09:43:07
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
bdbafh@gmail.com wrote:
>
>
> That Montauk century ride had up to a 20 mph tailwind.
> (I know how strong it was, as I had to double back into the headwind
> for a couple of miles to meet a group at Cecils for a BBC - frozen
> baileys, banana and coconut).
Yeah, people kept saying stuff like that, but honestly, being on my
~38-lb. recumbent, I didn't notice! I remember feeling every damned
half-angle of every little incline from Manhattan to Montauk, even
though the route was billed as generally flat.
> Max elevation for that ride was 130 feet above sea level.
> Did you have to get off of your bike and walk across the part that was
> flooded out?
> (at times the GPS was reading negative elevations)
No, actually, I don't remember ever getting off my bike (except for the
rest stops). How flooded was it? Having mud-guards, I probably
wouldn't have dismounted in any case.
> I'd bet that after a ride of 8,000 feet of climb (say in the Poconos)
> that you would not be up for a repeat the following day.
Not likely -- unless there was a million bucks at the end! But I
suppose having done 70 miles the day previous to Montauk, and then the
145 of Montauk from Manhattan, all with two hours' sleep in-between and
only "rest stop food" (bananas, so-called power bars), is somewhere
within the same league as what you propose...?
> -bdbafh
|
| | |
Date: 06 Sep 2006 23:22:10
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1157388187.477789.244310@74g2000cwt.googlegroups.com...
>
> bdbafh@gmail.com wrote:
>>
>>
>> That Montauk century ride had up to a 20 mph tailwind.
>> (I know how strong it was, as I had to double back into the headwind
>> for a couple of miles to meet a group at Cecils for a BBC - frozen
>> baileys, banana and coconut).
>
> Yeah, people kept saying stuff like that, but honestly, being on my
> ~38-lb. recumbent, I didn't notice! I remember feeling every damned
> half-angle of every little incline from Manhattan to Montauk, even
> though the route was billed as generally flat.
Thanks NYC for being honest about the hill climbing aspects of recumbents.
So very many on these newsgroups will never admit that recumbents suck on
hills.
[...]
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
|
| |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 20:29:29
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
You're the mental midget who thinks a simple disagreement is "starting
World War III!"
Thing is, I you probably misread my post, just like your pal here. You
people argue over nothing at all. That's the hallk of stupidity.
You sure you're not "George in TX" instead??
Pat in TX wrote:
> Roger, it's not nice to argue with someone who is not up to par, mentally.
> Tsk.
|
| |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 14:13:42
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
> And who said it was, 'cept for a newbie. Hence, your question is stupid.
> People who ride centuries dont' consider them a big deal.
My question may have been stupid, but it was the question, and you
missed that, until I had to reiterate it, until which point you've been
arguing with me over...nothing!
As for the question not applying to non-newbie riders, well, that's not
been true in my experience, obviously, which is why I'd asked. Many
riders respect a century as some kind of milestone, and it was that
feeling I'd asked about.
> Very few won't.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmum's the word!
> Again, you're not giving anyone any info in your posts so you're obviously
> just trying to make conversation with yourself?
What more specific info do you need to parse that general statement??
> Again, if your question wasn't directed at the newbie century rider, then
> what made you think others consider it a big deal?
My experience, obviously. A century can only be considered the
milestone that it is if the regularly cycling community of riders
continue to use it as a reference point. Obviously, no one uses
reference points which are frivolous. Thus the non-newbie
establishment also seems to think it's quite an achievement. And
that's what I'd been asking about.
> And for those who don't
> regularly ride centuries, there is a psychologial factor in making that many
> miles. If you think head issues don't make something a big deal, then you
> ain't thinkin. (perhaps that's why you have no credibility).
Instead of focusing on my "credibility" -- did you realize this is
usenet, man? -- I'd suggest you read English with a bit more care.
I've been talking about psychology all along, whereas it's only now
that you've brought the matter up, finally demonstrating yet again how
you have no argument because we're not in disagreement!
> Not quite, by a long shot. You see, wearing a helmet or not would make
> little difference in a collision with an 18-wheeler and you're acting as if
> you're braindead. Clearly, there's no reason for you to worry about a
> helmet.
I don't wear helmets, it's true. It's psychological, like I keep
saying. It's funny that all those articles on killed cyclists only
note when someone didn't wear their helmet.
As for your put-down, man, it's a copy-cat all right. So I had a tiger
of a put-down while yours was a pussycat, so they're quite different in
that respect, sure, but you should have came out with an atomic bomb of
a rebuttal.
Not to worry: I'm sure you'll be a regular hit with them truck
drivers....
> You're not doing such a good job....
If I say it's Sunday, must you reply that it's Saturday?
|
| |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 14:13:34
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
> It happened to me on my first century attempted after climbing hills too
> aggressively. At that time, I simply didn't know how to deal with it and I
> opted for the sag wagon. It happened another time, but I took salt tablets
> and waited, and was able to complete.
Hmm, interesting. Well, all I can say is that I've been in many
situations where quitting simply wasn't an option (e.g., being alone
for hours in total darkness on Route 9W in October forty miles from
home in sweaty shorts and a tee shirt) so I guess that's my
"psychological reference point."
> :)
>
> It must be flat where you ride. Where I ride, you'll need both legs.
I just like hills. Like I keep saying, you'd be surprised how much
you're capable of if you just do it. The trick is to not get hurt!
But that's the thing: to recognize real barriers and "merely" mental
ones.
> I guarantee you the typical newbie rider will think twice, no 5 times,
> before attempted 100 miles.
Sure, given their ignorance of the situation. But, like I keep saying,
a million bucks will help them reinvestigate the matter without the
hindrance of fear of the unknown (which will be replaced by a desire
for what they do know: a million bucks!).
Honestly, it's both that simple and that hard: it's about the
motivation.
> You must be from another planet. Okay, 10 mph is slow, but that doesn't
> mean that riding 10 mph for 10 hours is easy. And I've been on long hills
> where I was forced to do about 5 mph. At that drives up heart rate and
> drains glycogen stores, too. One can start to feel flat.
Well, I did say that as long as it wasn't a race and one is well-fed
and hydrated, etc. I did note this. I'm not talking Tour de Anything
here. But again, with a million bucks at the end of the road, they'll
probably even get there faster than 10mph in 10 hrs.!
> You're just well adapted to that situation and have forgotten what it took
> to get there.
No, not true. Nothing would stoke my ego more than to think I'm "well
adapted to that situation," etc., but it's simply the case that anyone
can do this. When I did my first century, I didn't even realize it
until I looked at the odometer; I'd been too busy enjoying the sights
and sounds to have noticed until I returned home! So it's about
psychology. I know it sounds so simple as to be impossible, but that's
all there is to it. Again, assuming you're not paraplegic or an
octagenarian with heart problems, the "typical" newbie can do this.
That's not to detract from their achievement -- just as Johnny do short
division for the first time is cause enough for celebration -- but it
is to say that normal human beings can do what's really a normal thing.
> Waking up is easy.
I did say "waking up to a job you didn't particularly care for" -- not
simply waking up irregardless of context (which is, if you think about
it, impossible, except in the abstract).
> I agree with this.
Ayup -- let's remember to encourage newbies not with well-meaning
cautionary tales but a positively proactive spirit of discovering for
themselves.
|
| | |
Date: 04 Sep 2006 04:53:12
From: Old Roadie
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
A metric century is about the limits of most people.
A somewhat sedentary person just taking up biking since, for example,
the start of this season, will be able to ride for about three hours
without going into an anaerobic state. Through training, you can easily
get it to six hours and 100 miles. But that takes a lot of time. Usually
measured in years.
There are four of these "centuries." 100 Metric, 100 miles, double
metric (200 = 130 miles), and a double miles century (200 miles).
I have about a half dozen people I ride with that are all capable of
completing what someone else named a Qickie-t century. Rest stops are
7-eleven's and gas stations.
The doubles are absolutely brutal. There is no saddle comfortable enough
to let you go from start to end on one of those rides without feeling
absolutely miserable in the crotch area.
The combination of the best shorts you can get (Pearl 3D micro sensor)
and Assos chamois cream will let you get by with the least amount of
discomfort.
They will take at least 12 hours for most mortals. There are a few
people who can do a 200 mile ride at race pace, 20+ mph.
My fastest double was 15 hours, longest took 19.
Read all about the madness at www.caltriplecrown.com
Bill
|
| |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 14:13:30
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
> I went out on a 35-miler once and met this lady who had ridden her husband's
> bike once at home. The next day she bought a bike. The next day was this
> ride. The poor lady didn't even know how to shift. It was so funny watching
> her. On a hill she'd slow way, way down because he was in a really hard
> gear...then on the way down she fly by. I tried to help her with shifting,
> but she couldn't get it. I rode with her because she was nice and because
> otherwise she would have been on very isolated roads alone. I was still a
> newbie myself, but not so "first-day-ish" as she.
Ah, well, maybe she's not "mechanically inclined." There are some
sports I just pick up, and others where no matter how much I play I
don't seem to get very far.
> Some very fit folks would. I'd bet money I can find 10 people right here in
> my neighborhood who are "healthy" would would never finish even a flat
> century.
I wish we could bet on that. I really do. Because I'm 100% convinced
that all "healthy" people will definitely "finish" a "flat" century
with a million dollars at the end of it.
> There is a psychological aspect. There is a physical aspect as well. Both
> have to be dealt with. Regular century riders have beat those both down.
> Non-regular century riders haven't. Those who do enough miles with enough
> frequency can make the leap. Only a few newbies could, likely those who are
> very fit in another sport and who happen to get good bike and gear fit
> issues addressed before attempting the ride.
Well, I guess I just come from the "attitude determines altitude"
school of thought on this.
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 23:10:01
From:
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Pat in TX wrote:
> >
> >
> > How about 6? You get six hours, no more. And, you have to do it when the
> > temperature is at least 100 degree F and the wind is blowing around 20-30
> > mph.
> >
> > Pat in TX
>
>
> No problem -- if those winds are tailwinds!
That Montauk century ride had up to a 20 mph tailwind.
(I know how strong it was, as I had to double back into the headwind
for a couple of miles to meet a group at Cecils for a BBC - frozen
baileys, banana and coconut).
Max elevation for that ride was 130 feet above sea level.
Did you have to get off of your bike and walk across the part that was
flooded out?
(at times the GPS was reading negative elevations)
I'd bet that after a ride of 8,000 feet of climb (say in the Poconos)
that you would not be up for a repeat the following day.
-bdbafh
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 19:50:07
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Um, okay. If all else fails, consider me an Al Queda terrorist. Say
"salam" to Bush for me, baby!
Pat in TX wrote:
> This is why you have no credibility. Let someone disagree with you and you
> try to start World War III. You're all hat and no cattle. It's that simple.
>
> Pat
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 19:27:13
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
> Nonsense. He said that in response to the totality of your posts in this
> newsgroup and likely due to the fact that you seem to be trouble understand
> why people consider working up to a century an accomplishment.
What are you, his lawyer?
If he's got a chip on his shoulder over the "totality" of my posts in
this here newsgroup, he can go shoot himself. Assuming that he's still
alive, the proper way to parse his comment ("spoken like someone who
never did a century") on my comment ("what's the big deal with a
century?") is that he didn't believe I did centuries.
Oh, and really, a usenet pissing contest ("credibility") is ridiculous.
As a matter of fact, most of us learned about the futility of pissing
contests back in middle school, if not earlier.
> I know Pat. He has credibility where I'm concerned. He helped me a lot
> when I was just starting out cycling.
Well, I hate to break it to you, son, but human beings are fallible,
even in their areas of expertise, not to mention all the gaps in
knowledge all of us have from one subject matter to another.
> Then, what is your point?
My point is that a century is no big deal. A newbie may need to work
up to it. At the same time, he may not. In any case, a century is no
big deal if it's not a race up the Rockies.
> It's not an achievement if you've done it before? Goodness, man, it is
> considered an achievement for a newbie. People who do them frequently don't
> consider them an achievement of any particular merit. You don't see
> frequent century riders coming on here talking about "Oh, I did a century
> today." It's mainly newbies and first-timers who have that response. So,
> your question is, well, silly.
I know it's Saturday night, but if you must pick a fight over something
it should still be over something that you're actually in disagreement
over.
We're not in disagreement that a century is an achievement for a
newbie. Or do you think I should have congratulated him with flowers?
My question was directed at everyone else -- i.e., non-newbies. Sorry
you have difficulty reading.
> My question for you is were you in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler
> while on your bike?
Hey, that's pretty lame, considering it's basically what I'd already
said of you, only I said it with more wit.
So English isn't your native language and you didn't wear your helmet
today. I think we should keep you away from the computer before you
get hurt even more.
> :)
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 23:12:16
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::
:::
::: Nonsense. He said that in response to the totality of your posts
::: in this newsgroup and likely due to the fact that you seem to be
::: trouble understand why people consider working up to a century an
::: accomplishment.
::
:: What are you, his lawyer?
::
:: If he's got a chip on his shoulder over the "totality" of my posts in
:: this here newsgroup, he can go shoot himself. Assuming that he's
:: still alive, the proper way to parse his comment ("spoken like
:: someone who never did a century") on my comment ("what's the big
:: deal with a century?") is that he didn't believe I did centuries.
::
:: Oh, and really, a usenet pissing contest ("credibility") is
:: ridiculous. As a matter of fact, most of us learned about the
:: futility of pissing contests back in middle school, if not earlier.
::
::: I know Pat. He has credibility where I'm concerned. He helped me
::: a lot when I was just starting out cycling.
::
:: Well, I hate to break it to you, son, but human beings are fallible,
:: even in their areas of expertise, not to mention all the gaps in
:: knowledge all of us have from one subject matter to another.
::
::: Then, what is your point?
::
:: My point is that a century is no big deal.
And who said it was, 'cept for a newbie. Hence, your question is stupid.
People who ride centuries dont' consider them a big deal.
A newbie may need to work
:: up to it. At the same time, he may not.
Very few won't.
:: In any case, a century is
:: no big deal if it's not a race up the Rockies.
::
Again, you're not giving anyone any info in your posts so you're obviously
just trying to make conversation with yourself?
::: It's not an achievement if you've done it before? Goodness, man,
::: it is considered an achievement for a newbie. People who do them
::: frequently don't consider them an achievement of any particular
::: merit. You don't see frequent century riders coming on here
::: talking about "Oh, I did a century today." It's mainly newbies and
::: first-timers who have that response. So, your question is, well,
::: silly.
::
:: I know it's Saturday night, but if you must pick a fight over
:: something it should still be over something that you're actually in
:: disagreement over.
::
:: We're not in disagreement that a century is an achievement for a
:: newbie. Or do you think I should have congratulated him with
:: flowers?
::
:: My question was directed at everyone else -- i.e., non-newbies.
:: Sorry you have difficulty reading.
Again, if your question wasn't directed at the newbie century rider, then
what made you think others consider it a big deal? And for those who don't
regularly ride centuries, there is a psychologial factor in making that many
miles. If you think head issues don't make something a big deal, then you
ain't thinkin. (perhaps that's why you have no credibility).
::
::: My question for you is were you in a head-on collision with an
::: 18-wheeler while on your bike?
::
:: Hey, that's pretty lame, considering it's basically what I'd already
:: said of you, only I said it with more wit.
Not quite, by a long shot. You see, wearing a helmet or not would make
little difference in a collision with an 18-wheeler and you're acting as if
you're braindead. Clearly, there's no reason for you to worry about a
helmet.
::
:: So English isn't your native language and you didn't wear your helmet
:: today. I think we should keep you away from the computer before you
:: get hurt even more.
You're not doing such a good job....
|
| | | |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 22:19:21
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger, it's not nice to argue with someone who is not up to par, mentally.
Tsk.
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 21:45:56
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
This is why you have no credibility. Let someone disagree with you and you
try to start World War III. You're all hat and no cattle. It's that simple.
Pat
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 19:18:47
From: Brian Huntley
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> If you're out of shape, well, even four flights of stairs will give you
> pause. But for a generally healthy guy or gal -- and not even a
> particularly "strong" one -- long-distance riding is a piece of cake!
But I'm in both catagories.
> Honestly, I don't see what's so controversial here. It's about
> motivation, is all. And that's psychology. Not physiology.
Agreed.
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 19:14:02
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
> I remember once I went out and had a leg cramp so bad I could not pedal. My
> leg got stuck straight. I probably could have sat there for an hour waiting
> for recovery (I learned later that if I wait long enough I can recover from
> a leg cramp during a ride).
Hmm, it hasn't happened to me yet, and I hope it never does. I've
gotten very sore muscles and all, but I just shift positions, etc. For
example, if my left leg is "tingling" I will only pedal with the right
leg for a while, with the left practically dead weight that doesn't
push at all.
> Why did you wait until you were 23? Why do you think they have "centuries?"
No, I bike around exploring the City and its outlying environs. I
didn't do that for the whole day, such that I traveled a hundred miles
or more, until like 23. It wasn't until then that I covered so much of
this City such that to see anything new increased my mileage to a
hundred or so miles. In other words, the circle of my range expanded
as I became increasingly familiar with territory already covered.
> Surely the typical newbie rider disagrees with you.
I rather doubt it. Ten miles an hour is slow! I think you have to
almost try not pedalling more. Unless we have different definitions of
"typical newbie" -- and I ain't using the Golden Jubilee Riders of
Swanee County as a reference -- ten miles an hour is no sweat at all.
I often commute by bicycle (both recumbent and upright, in NYV rush
hour traffic), and people think it's "good exercise." I tell them it
ain't no "exercise" -- it's too much stop-and-go (not to mention all
the smog!)...I think part of bike advocacy should be not "scaring"
people, however unintentionally, about how "tough" it can be.
It ain't "tough." "Tough" is having to wake up to a job you don't
particularly care for. (Or doing the year-long Army Special Forces Q
Course -- after the months-long pre-qualification course -- ouch!)
Bicycling is 95% fun by comparison.
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 23:36:34
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::
:::
::: I remember once I went out and had a leg cramp so bad I could not
::: pedal. My leg got stuck straight. I probably could have sat there
::: for an hour waiting for recovery (I learned later that if I wait
::: long enough I can recover from a leg cramp during a ride).
::
:: Hmm, it hasn't happened to me yet, and I hope it never does.
It happened to me on my first century attempted after climbing hills too
aggressively. At that time, I simply didn't know how to deal with it and I
opted for the sag wagon. It happened another time, but I took salt tablets
and waited, and was able to complete.
I've
:: gotten very sore muscles and all, but I just shift positions, etc.
:: For example, if my left leg is "tingling" I will only pedal with the
:: right leg for a while, with the left practically dead weight that
:: doesn't push at all.
:)
It must be flat where you ride. Where I ride, you'll need both legs.
::
::: Why did you wait until you were 23? Why do you think they have
::: "centuries?"
::
:: No, I bike around exploring the City and its outlying environs. I
:: didn't do that for the whole day, such that I traveled a hundred
:: miles or more, until like 23. It wasn't until then that I covered
:: so much of this City such that to see anything new increased my
:: mileage to a hundred or so miles. In other words, the circle of my
:: range expanded as I became increasingly familiar with territory
:: already covered.
::
::: Surely the typical newbie rider disagrees with you.
::
:: I rather doubt it.
I guarantee you the typical newbie rider will think twice, no 5 times,
before attempted 100 miles.
:: Ten miles an hour is slow! I think you have to
:: almost try not pedalling more. Unless we have different definitions
:: of "typical newbie" -- and I ain't using the Golden Jubilee Riders of
:: Swanee County as a reference -- ten miles an hour is no sweat at all.
You must be from another planet. Okay, 10 mph is slow, but that doesn't
mean that riding 10 mph for 10 hours is easy. And I've been on long hills
where I was forced to do about 5 mph. At that drives up heart rate and
drains glycogen stores, too. One can start to feel flat.
::
:: I often commute by bicycle (both recumbent and upright, in NYV rush
:: hour traffic), and people think it's "good exercise." I tell them it
:: ain't no "exercise" -- it's too much stop-and-go (not to mention all
:: the smog!)...I think part of bike advocacy should be not "scaring"
:: people, however unintentionally, about how "tough" it can be.
You're just well adapted to that situation and have forgotten what it took
to get there.
::
:: It ain't "tough." "Tough" is having to wake up to a job you don't
:: particularly care for.
Waking up is easy.
(Or doing the year-long Army Special Forces Q
:: Course -- after the months-long pre-qualification course -- ouch!)
:: dd
:: Bicycling is 95% fun by comparison.
I agree with this.
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 18:57:59
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
> Of course there is a psychological aspect to it. That why you don't see
> first-day cyclists doing centuries.
I'm not sure what you mean by "first-day" cyclists -- you mean they
just learned how to ride a bike that day?
Even so, I bet that if you motivated them with a million bucks at the
end, they'll do a century all right, bloody elbows and all.
Of course it's psychological. That's all I've been saying!
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 23:46:08
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::
:::
::: Of course there is a psychological aspect to it. That why you
::: don't see first-day cyclists doing centuries.
::
::
:: I'm not sure what you mean by "first-day" cyclists -- you mean they
:: just learned how to ride a bike that day?
I went out on a 35-miler once and met this lady who had ridden her husband's
bike once at home. The next day she bought a bike. The next day was this
ride. The poor lady didn't even know how to shift. It was so funny watching
her. On a hill she'd slow way, way down because he was in a really hard
gear...then on the way down she fly by. I tried to help her with shifting,
but she couldn't get it. I rode with her because she was nice and because
otherwise she would have been on very isolated roads alone. I was still a
newbie myself, but not so "first-day-ish" as she.
::
:: Even so, I bet that if you motivated them with a million bucks at the
:: end, they'll do a century all right, bloody elbows and all.
Some very fit folks would. I'd bet money I can find 10 people right here in
my neighborhood who are "healthy" would would never finish even a flat
century.
::
:: Of course it's psychological. That's all I've been saying!
There is a psychological aspect. There is a physical aspect as well. Both
have to be dealt with. Regular century riders have beat those both down.
Non-regular century riders haven't. Those who do enough miles with enough
frequency can make the leap. Only a few newbies could, likely those who are
very fit in another sport and who happen to get good bike and gear fit
issues addressed before attempting the ride.
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 18:55:41
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Brian Huntley wrote:
>
>
> <SNIP>
>
> So NYC is partially correct - a stubborn person can do back to back
> centuries without a lot of preperation.
Excuse me, but why do people keep saying this??
If you're out of shape, well, even four flights of stairs will give you
pause. But for a generally healthy guy or gal -- and not even a
particularly "strong" one -- long-distance riding is a piece of cake!
All you do it pedal! It's a *machine* after all -- machines make our
lives *easier.*
Since it's not a race, you can take as long as you care to. Who can't
do this?
That's why I suspect the overwhelming factor is psychological. People
just aren't used to "being by themselves" or, more to the point, being
*with* themselves. This is to say that when discomfort strikes, they
are "called to" themselves in a very "existential" way and basically
wonder why they bother (biking so far, etc.).
I'm 34, 230-lbs. and have a herniated vertebra. Honestly, people can
do more than they think they can.
Give 'em a million bucks at the end of the century. I guarantee they
will finish it, prepared or not.
Honestly, I don't see what's so controversial here. It's about
motivation, is all. And that's psychology. Not physiology.
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 23:26:52
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Brian Huntley wrote:
:::
:::
::: <SNIP >
:::
::: So NYC is partially correct - a stubborn person can do back to back
::: centuries without a lot of preperation.
::
::
:: Excuse me, but why do people keep saying this??
::
:: If you're out of shape, well, even four flights of stairs will give
:: you pause. But for a generally healthy guy or gal -- and not even a
:: particularly "strong" one -- long-distance riding is a piece of cake!
::
:: All you do it pedal! It's a *machine* after all -- machines make our
:: lives *easier.*
Are you serious? All you do is pedal? Have you ever heard of muscle
fatigue? Pacing on climbs, etc? If you're not a cyclist, you have not have
trained the muscles for cycling. You're making assumptions. Not all
centuries are flat, you know...the ones around here can have SERIOUS
climbing.
::
:: Since it's not a race, you can take as long as you care to. Who
:: can't do this?
::
:: That's why I suspect the overwhelming factor is psychological.
:: People just aren't used to "being by themselves" or, more to the
:: point, being *with* themselves. This is to say that when discomfort
:: strikes, they are "called to" themselves in a very "existential" way
:: and basically wonder why they bother (biking so far, etc.).
Why do you assume this aloneness on a ride?
::
:: I'm 34, 230-lbs. and have a herniated vertebra. Honestly, people can
:: do more than they think they can.
Have you ever attempted a ride with some serious climbing? At 230, you're
going to have some serious pain making it up 9 to 12,000 ft of elevation
gain. Your legs will start showing signs of fatigue if you haven't trained
them properly. It's not simply a matter of pedalling.
::
:: Give 'em a million bucks at the end of the century. I guarantee they
:: will finish it, prepared or not.
Well, if you give them a reasonable time limit, I'd bet there'd be lots of
people who wouldn't finish no matter what motivation you give them. Ever
watch a reality show on TV?
::
:: Honestly, I don't see what's so controversial here. It's about
:: motivation, is all. And that's psychology. Not physiology.
No, it's both. I can't believe you're saying this. Both factor in heavily.
Training adapts both the body and the mind. Also, training allows one to
learn how one's body will feel once you get up in miles, because after a
certain point your shoes start making your feet feel funny, your hands,
arms, shoulders and wrists start acting up, not to mention your butt.
Adjustments need to be made in ensure adequate comfort. That's another
reason why people train up for it, to get past all of those issues. Saying
it's all in the mind is just ignorant. For those who have well adapted to
it, again, it's no problem.
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 18:48:11
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
> No, he doesn't think doing a couple of centuries on the weekends is
> incredible, he's saying that you, as a poster, have no credibility. That
> means that people don't give much weight to what you say.
He said that in response to my post about doing a couple of centuries,
so logically he's saying that he doesn't believe I've done them since I
thought them so easy.
As for credibility, well, I think a person who calls into question
someone's credibility on *usenet* (of all places!) isn't very credible
himself. Think about it.
> Wow....are you kidding or what? No one things what you're doing is
> incredible, but I happen to think that it's incredible that you can't
> understand why a newbie cyclist would have to work up to doing 100 miles on
> a bike. If you can't get it, than you really are playing with a few cards
> missing.
What makes you think I don't understand why a newbie needs to work up
to doing a century?
All I did was congratulate him, then went on to wonder why, even among
seasoned cyclists, a century is considered an achievement.
Is English really your native language, or did you not wear your helmet
today?
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 22:03:21
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::
:::
::: No, he doesn't think doing a couple of centuries on the weekends is
::: incredible, he's saying that you, as a poster, have no credibility.
::: That means that people don't give much weight to what you say.
::
:: He said that in response to my post about doing a couple of
:: centuries, so logically he's saying that he doesn't believe I've
:: done them since I thought them so easy.
Nonsense. He said that in response to the totality of your posts in this
newsgroup and likely due to the fact that you seem to be trouble understand
why people consider working up to a century an accomplishment.
::
:: As for credibility, well, I think a person who calls into question
:: someone's credibility on *usenet* (of all places!) isn't very
:: credible himself. Think about it.
I know Pat. He has credibility where I'm concerned. He helped me a lot
when I was just starting out cycling.
::
::: Wow....are you kidding or what? No one things what you're doing is
::: incredible, but I happen to think that it's incredible that you
::: can't understand why a newbie cyclist would have to work up to
::: doing 100 miles on a bike. If you can't get it, than you really
::: are playing with a few cards missing.
::
:: What makes you think I don't understand why a newbie needs to work up
:: to doing a century?
Then, what is your point?
::
:: All I did was congratulate him, then went on to wonder why, even
:: among seasoned cyclists, a century is considered an achievement.
::
It's not an achievement if you've done it before? Goodness, man, it is
considered an achievement for a newbie. People who do them frequently don't
consider them an achievement of any particular merit. You don't see
frequent century riders coming on here talking about "Oh, I did a century
today." It's mainly newbies and first-timers who have that response. So,
your question is, well, silly.
::
:: Is English really your native language, or did you not wear your
:: helmet today?
My question for you is were you in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler
while on your bike?
:)
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 16:33:02
From: Brian Huntley
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Bill Baka wrote:
> I have to agree with that work up to it thing. Even if you did it at 10
> MPH and stopped at all the drinking fountains in the park and took
> breaks for lunch at a deli, there would still be saddle sore issues and
> the like. It might not be a big workout but you might have blisters in
> some rather touchy places. 100 miles of riding on flat ground where
> there are plenty of places to stop and water up or eat is not a big feat
> in itself. You need to build up some, ah, callouses in those tender areas.
I did my first extended bike tour 5 years ago (around Lake Ontario) and
planned on 75 miles a day (120 km). I'd not ridden much past 50 miles
in a day for decades, and then only once or twice.
On that trip, I averaged about 85 miles/140 km, and on the 4th and 5th
days, I did 104 and 98 miles, stopping where I could spend the night,
not because I absolutely had to (though that second day was a long one,
with headwinds, the border, and a temporary water and willpower
shortage.)
Last month, I did 101 and 108 miles (161 and 174 km) on consecutive
days in Pennsylvania/New York/Ontario, in the middle of another week's
tour. The second day included a diner breakfast, three fast food stops,
two flat tires, and a border crossing again. I didn't have a single
80km ride this year before the tour - probably not anything longer than
a 50km day around the city.
Oh, and these were all on fully loaded bikes (panniers, tent, etc.)
So NYC is partially correct - a stubborn person can do back to back
centuries without a lot of preperation.
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 11:09:36
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
>
>
> How about 6? You get six hours, no more. And, you have to do it when the
> temperature is at least 100 degree F and the wind is blowing around 20-30
> mph.
>
> Pat in TX
No problem -- if those winds are tailwinds!
|
| |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 11:07:51
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
> > I've done centuries back-to-back.
> <snip bragging>
>
> So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you have ANY
> credibility on anything?
Wow, you think doing a couple of centuries on the weekends is
incredible???
Good God, when was the last time you people rode your bikes past the
grocery store??
In Central Park, there are people every weekend who routinely do ten to
twenty laps on the six-mile loop.
Me, I prefer to tour the Tri-State area instead of cycling around a
circuit.
It's no big deal. Going cross-country is a big deal. Or like the
volunteer at last Sunday's century-in-the-rain who biked from Philly to
NYC, then volunteered all day with SAG service, then biked back to
Philly from NYC, all in one day -- he's a legend in NYC bike events.
Me, I'm just horsing around by comparison. And if you think what I do
is incredible, then you yourself are just going around your block, in
which case you should get out more and try crossing the street -- it's
a big world out there.
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 16:04:34
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Pat in TX wrote:
:::: I've done centuries back-to-back.
::: <snip bragging >
:::
::: So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you
::: have ANY credibility on anything?
::
::
:: Wow, you think doing a couple of centuries on the weekends is
:: incredible???
No, he doesn't think doing a couple of centuries on the weekends is
incredible, he's saying that you, as a poster, have no credibility. That
means that people don't give much weight to what you say.
::
:: Good God, when was the last time you people rode your bikes past the
:: grocery store??
::
:: In Central Park, there are people every weekend who routinely do ten
:: to twenty laps on the six-mile loop.
::
:: Me, I prefer to tour the Tri-State area instead of cycling around a
:: circuit.
::
:: It's no big deal. Going cross-country is a big deal. Or like the
:: volunteer at last Sunday's century-in-the-rain who biked from Philly
:: to NYC, then volunteered all day with SAG service, then biked back to
:: Philly from NYC, all in one day -- he's a legend in NYC bike events.
::
:: Me, I'm just horsing around by comparison. And if you think what I
:: do is incredible, then you yourself are just going around your
:: block, in which case you should get out more and try crossing the
:: street -- it's a big world out there.
Wow....are you kidding or what? No one things what you're doing is
incredible, but I happen to think that it's incredible that you can't
understand why a newbie cyclist would have to work up to doing 100 miles on
a bike. If you can't get it, than you really are playing with a few cards
missing.
|
| | | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 20:11:22
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
> Wow....are you kidding or what? No one things what you're doing is
> incredible, but I happen to think that it's incredible that you can't
> understand why a newbie cyclist would have to work up to doing 100 miles on
> a bike. If you can't get it, than you really are playing with a few cards
> missing.
>
>
I have to agree with that work up to it thing. Even if you did it at 10
MPH and stopped at all the drinking fountains in the park and took
breaks for lunch at a deli, there would still be saddle sore issues and
the like. It might not be a big workout but you might have blisters in
some rather touchy places. 100 miles of riding on flat ground where
there are plenty of places to stop and water up or eat is not a big feat
in itself. You need to build up some, ah, callouses in those tender areas.
Bill Baka
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 20:56:11
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Edward Dolan wrote:
>
>
> I have done centuries too but I have never liked them. Why? Because it takes
> me all day to do them. I am talking about 12 hours or so. That makes for a
> very long day, especially if you have to do it all over again the next day.
Well, I've done two centuries on two consecutive days, but not more
than that, and I can understand the "physical boredom" after some time.
But basically, since my motivation is seeing what's around the corner
(exploration), I've really not lacked for energy. I also take my time
eating, and eat and drink whenever I want. I'm sure that helps a lot:
I'll probably do a century straight through next time, just to see how
it is riding without a break!
> I have done a lot of week long tours. I like to do about 60 to 65 miles a
> day. This gives me plenty of time for doing other things than just riding my
> bike all day long.
Indeed. I ride to sight-see, not post scores. I can't wait to do my
first multi-day tour! Then a multi-week one, then a multi-month one
across the States!
> Usually at the end of the day when I check my bike
> computer I find that I am only averaging about 10 mph. The speedsters
> average almost twice that but I do not like to go that fast (even if I
> could).
Well, averages get bogged down by a lot of things -- merely walking
your bike, for instance! And of course, if you forget to put the timer
on pause while you're drinking water or eating.
> There is nothing magical about the number 100. Frankly, it is a royal pain
> in the ass to have set a goal like that for yourself. Do it once so you can
> say you have done it, and then forget about it. There is more to life than
> doing centuries.
I'd agree that there's nothing magical about the number, but only
because I don't think it's as grueling as it sounds. Far from it! I
think it's a matter of psychological motivation. Any long-distance
event has to do with being by yourself for a while....
> Regards,
>
> Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
> aka
> Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 16:08:04
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: I'd agree that there's nothing magical about the number, but only
:: because I don't think it's as grueling as it sounds. Far from it! I
:: think it's a matter of psychological motivation. Any long-distance
:: event has to do with being by yourself for a while....
Of course there is a psychological aspect to it. That why you don't see
first-day cyclists doing centuries.
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 20:47:28
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
>
> Yes. If you've never done 5000 ft of climbing, then your legs can give out.
> And, as I said, your butt can get sore if you haven't ridden enough.
Yeah, but one rests a bit, then! I think it's really the psychological
aspects more than anything else...like, there isn't anything to take
their mind off the discomfort, basically. Me, I'd resigned myself to
pain until just this year, when I got myself my recumbent! Best $3K I
ever spent. The HP Velo SMGTe is the best!!!
> How long had you been riding before you did your first century?
Hell, I've been riding since I was 12 or something, but a century was
probably only when I was 23 or so. I didn't even realize this was a
big deal until I learned the word "century" in bike circles.
> People
> don't get to spend an unlimited amout of time riding an organized century.
> Why can't you get that?
Um, I don't mean three days, of course -- but within ten hours of
riding? Surely!
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 16:11:30
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::
:::
:::
::: Yes. If you've never done 5000 ft of climbing, then your legs can
::: give out. And, as I said, your butt can get sore if you haven't
::: ridden enough.
::
:: Yeah, but one rests a bit, then! I think it's really the
:: psychological aspects more than anything else...like, there isn't
:: anything to take their mind off the discomfort, basically. Me, I'd
:: resigned myself to pain until just this year, when I got myself my
:: recumbent! Best $3K I ever spent. The HP Velo SMGTe is the best!!!
I remember once I went out and had a leg cramp so bad I could not pedal. My
leg got stuck straight. I probably could have sat there for an hour waiting
for recovery (I learned later that if I wait long enough I can recover from
a leg cramp during a ride).
::
::: How long had you been riding before you did your first century?
::
:: Hell, I've been riding since I was 12 or something, but a century was
:: probably only when I was 23 or so. I didn't even realize this was a
:: big deal until I learned the word "century" in bike circles.
Why did you wait until you were 23? Why do you think they have "centuries?"
::
::: People
::: don't get to spend an unlimited amout of time riding an organized
::: century. Why can't you get that?
::
:: Um, I don't mean three days, of course -- but within ten hours of
:: riding? Surely!
Surely the typical newbie rider disagrees with you.
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 09:54:07
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
>
>> People
>> don't get to spend an unlimited amout of time riding an organized
>> century.
>> Why can't you get that?
>
> Um, I don't mean three days, of course -- but within ten hours of
> riding? Surely!
How about 6? You get six hours, no more. And, you have to do it when the
temperature is at least 100 degree F and the wind is blowing around 20-30
mph.
Pat in TX
>
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 20:40:01
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Bill Baka wrote:
>
>
> Only on the off road sections where I have to.
>
> I still do, even as an old timer. My grand kids won't even try some of
> the stuff I do on a bicycle.
>
> That is a distinct possibility for the exercise on the road. Impossible
> for some of the deer trails I ride way back in the boonies.
Clickez a <http://cybercondor.free.fr/ > pour voir quelques bents tout
terrains! (Et requez que les casques de bicyclettes ne sont pas
exig=E9s!)
> I had one but only the front suspension really worked. I had to hit a
> 3G+ bump for the rear to even move.
Well, I guess you need one which is adjustable! Get the best air
shocks you can afford...really makes a world of difference. I've got a
$400 DT Swiss rear shock -- and it's worth every penny! I've put it
and the front Meks Carbon fork through many a New York City pothole,
and they have never ever failed me.
> I will agree to that, for general road use.
Vive les bents extr=EAmes sur <http://cybercondor.free.fr/ >!!
> I have some metal, foldable racks on the rear and I can take an ice
> chest in one and a gallon jug of cold water in the other, plus 3
> standard water bottles. A plus is that I can take my 35mm camera and
> about 3 lenses too. One water holder is one the front fork, held on with
> auto heater hose clamps. It is a Fred job, but only takes about 5
> minutes to take off all the junk.
Goodness, no wonder you have a sore rear! How about a trailer, then?
> The only thing I have had happen to my feet is getting cooked from the
> heat coming off the asphalt.
Wow, are you biking in sandals through Death Valley?
> Tell me about it. 27 years of riage and she keeps telling me to act
> my age. Huh? I am acting how I feel, which is a lot closer to 30 than
> 60. I can't get her or my daughter on a bike to save my (their) life.
Hmm. In "Tandem and Recumbent Rider" I've even read of wives who gave
up cycling after riage and kids!
Then again, maybe when your wife said to act your age, she was
referring to you and younger girls! Seriously, I no longer wonder why
everyone wears sunglasses all the time. =3D)
> I wonder how fast you could go on a paved surface on the moon with zero
> point 0000 air resistance? 100 MPH, 200+, or faster until your Oxygen
> gives out? Great to dream about, but then reality hits.
I wonder about flying off a ramp, too! And landing!
> There was some crazy guy who tried to ski down Mt. Everest and even with
> a drag chute behind him he was hitting close to 100 MPH. I didn't see
> the whole story so I don't know if he made it or killed himself.
Um, which part of Mt. Everest? Sounds impressive, until you realize it
can't have been but very low near the base.
Surely you've seen this, right:
<http://www.jumpingpixels.com/bicyclespeed.html >?
> Bill Baka
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 18:35:50
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Bill Baka wrote:
>>
>> Only on the off road sections where I have to.
>>
>> I still do, even as an old timer. My grand kids won't even try some of
>> the stuff I do on a bicycle.
>>
>> That is a distinct possibility for the exercise on the road. Impossible
>> for some of the deer trails I ride way back in the boonies.
>
> Clickez a <http://cybercondor.free.fr/> pour voir quelques bents tout
> terrains! (Et requez que les casques de bicyclettes ne sont pas
> exigés!)
Interesting site. I wish my French was a little more up to par but I got
most of it. The first photo of a guy going dirt gonzo looked like it
would take me a lot of miles to get to that point on a bent. Still, it
wasn't as radical as the trails I take in the back woods in the mountains.
>
>> I had one but only the front suspension really worked. I had to hit a
>> 3G+ bump for the rear to even move.
>
> Well, I guess you need one which is adjustable! Get the best air
> shocks you can afford...really makes a world of difference. I've got a
> $400 DT Swiss rear shock -- and it's worth every penny! I've put it
> and the front Meks Carbon fork through many a New York City pothole,
> and they have never ever failed me.
A New York pothole? And you didn't just fall into the subway system?
Those holes are famous.
>
>> I will agree to that, for general road use.
>
> Vive les bents extrêmes sur <http://cybercondor.free.fr/>!!
>
>> I have some metal, foldable racks on the rear and I can take an ice
>> chest in one and a gallon jug of cold water in the other, plus 3
>> standard water bottles. A plus is that I can take my 35mm camera and
>> about 3 lenses too. One water holder is one the front fork, held on with
>> auto heater hose clamps. It is a Fred job, but only takes about 5
>> minutes to take off all the junk.
>
> Goodness, no wonder you have a sore rear! How about a trailer, then?
A trailer would do me no good since the dirt roads I take tend to be
wash boarded severely and going even 25 MPH on the downhills just about
rattles the fillings out of my teeth. A trailer would have to have it's
own suspension for that. I also take deer paths (literally) that are
only about 6 inches to maybe a foot wide and on the side of a 60 degree
slope. I would have to de-trailer before those. I have gotten so far
into those that I have had to leave the bike and just hike to see where
it went. You just can't ride when the uphill pedal is hitting the dirt
and a crash would mean a nasty fall bouncing down the hillside to the creek.
>
>> The only thing I have had happen to my feet is getting cooked from the
>> heat coming off the asphalt.
>
> Wow, are you biking in sandals through Death Valley?
Not exactly, but it did stay over 100 for a large part of June and July
this year and I am not a morning person. By mid afternoon the pavement
gets plenty hot. Even the TdF this year was reporting on pavement
temperature.
>
>> Tell me about it. 27 years of riage and she keeps telling me to act
>> my age. Huh? I am acting how I feel, which is a lot closer to 30 than
>> 60. I can't get her or my daughter on a bike to save my (their) life.
>
> Hmm. In "Tandem and Recumbent Rider" I've even read of wives who gave
> up cycling after riage and kids!
>
> Then again, maybe when your wife said to act your age, she was
> referring to you and younger girls! Seriously, I no longer wonder why
> everyone wears sunglasses all the time. =)
I wear polarized UV blockers with 20% pass window tint film on them and
it is still almost too bright. The UV will hurt you eyes after you turn
40 but most young people think they are invincible until they get older
and things start to catch up. My dad was an outdoor addict and never
wore sunglasses ("They are for sissies.") and he had to have cataract
surgery at 65.
Moral,
Do wear sunglasses.
>
>> I wonder how fast you could go on a paved surface on the moon with zero
>> point 0000 air resistance? 100 MPH, 200+, or faster until your Oxygen
>> gives out? Great to dream about, but then reality hits.
>
> I wonder about flying off a ramp, too! And landing!
Fast enough and you might hit escape velocity. Human powered launch vehicle.
>
>> There was some crazy guy who tried to ski down Mt. Everest and even with
>> a drag chute behind him he was hitting close to 100 MPH. I didn't see
>> the whole story so I don't know if he made it or killed himself.
>
> Um, which part of Mt. Everest? Sounds impressive, until you realize it
> can't have been but very low near the base.
I saw part of the video and he started from the top or very near. It
could probably be googled or maybe there could be a link on ask.com, the
new kid on the block.
>
> Surely you've seen this, right:
> <http://www.jumpingpixels.com/bicyclespeed.html>?
Yeah,
I just watched it again, including the wipe out. 163 KpH is what 110 MPH?
I saw that the bike broke in two on the front end but didn't see him hit
that big a bump. I am only trying for a computer measured 60 MPH, not
100. That exceeds my sanity limit, but I did notice they had him
standing after the wipe out and he looked like he didn't know where he was.
Ouch.
Bill Baka
>
>> Bill Baka
>
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 20:02:53
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
>
>
> 1) Butt issues,
> 2) legs
> 3) lungs,
> 4) sheer miles
>
> If it's that any easy, then why doesn't everyone do them.
That's exactly what I'm wondering! I mean, like I said, as long as
it's not a race, well, you can just take a rest if you need to! I
didn't mean to say that when I do my centuries I don't stop for water,
food, or whatever. Though I have no doubt I can do that, too --
especially on my recumbent bike! (I've also done centuries on my
upright.)
Honestly, I'm asking. Is there something about a "century" I'm not
getting here, like maybe it has to be done without stopping or within a
certain amount of time or something??? 'Cause I'm 34 and 230-lbs. with
a herniated disc and, as long as I'm not racing, I can definitely do a
century (east of the Appalachians, anyway!)
|
| | |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 22:24:01
From: Edward Dolan
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
"NYC XYZ" <jack_foreigner@yahoo.com > wrote in message
news:1157166173.705066.305370@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Roger Zoul wrote:
>>
>>
>> 1) Butt issues,
>> 2) legs
>> 3) lungs,
>> 4) sheer miles
>>
>> If it's that any easy, then why doesn't everyone do them.
>
>
> That's exactly what I'm wondering! I mean, like I said, as long as
> it's not a race, well, you can just take a rest if you need to! I
> didn't mean to say that when I do my centuries I don't stop for water,
> food, or whatever. Though I have no doubt I can do that, too --
> especially on my recumbent bike! (I've also done centuries on my
> upright.)
>
> Honestly, I'm asking. Is there something about a "century" I'm not
> getting here, like maybe it has to be done without stopping or within a
> certain amount of time or something??? 'Cause I'm 34 and 230-lbs. with
> a herniated disc and, as long as I'm not racing, I can definitely do a
> century (east of the Appalachians, anyway!)
I have done centuries too but I have never liked them. Why? Because it takes
me all day to do them. I am talking about 12 hours or so. That makes for a
very long day, especially if you have to do it all over again the next day.
I have done a lot of week long tours. I like to do about 60 to 65 miles a
day. This gives me plenty of time for doing other things than just riding my
bike all day long. Usually at the end of the day when I check my bike
computer I find that I am only averaging about 10 mph. The speedsters
average almost twice that but I do not like to go that fast (even if I
could).
There is nothing magical about the number 100. Frankly, it is a royal pain
in the ass to have set a goal like that for yourself. Do it once so you can
say you have done it, and then forget about it. There is more to life than
doing centuries.
Regards,
Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota
|
| | |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 23:18:14
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::
:::
::: 1) Butt issues,
::: 2) legs
::: 3) lungs,
::: 4) sheer miles
:::
::: If it's that any easy, then why doesn't everyone do them.
::
::
:: That's exactly what I'm wondering! I mean, like I said, as long as
:: it's not a race, well, you can just take a rest if you need to! I
:: didn't mean to say that when I do my centuries I don't stop for
:: water, food, or whatever. Though I have no doubt I can do that, too
:: -- especially on my recumbent bike! (I've also done centuries on my
:: upright.)
::
:: Honestly, I'm asking. Is there something about a "century" I'm not
:: getting here, like maybe it has to be done without stopping or
:: within a certain amount of time or something??? 'Cause I'm 34 and
:: 230-lbs. with a herniated disc and, as long as I'm not racing, I can
:: definitely do a century (east of the Appalachians, anyway!)
Yes. If you've never done 5000 ft of climbing, then your legs can give out.
And, as I said, your butt can get sore if you haven't ridden enough.
How long had you been riding before you did your first century? People
don't get to spend an unlimited amout of time riding an organized century.
Why can't you get that?
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 19:58:42
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
> Pat in TX wrote:
> ::: That reminds me: why is a century considered such a big deal?
> ::: Unless we're talking about scaling the Rockies, I don't know how
> ::: hard it really is to just keep pedalling along, provided that
> ::: you're well-fed and hydrated, etc. I mean, as long as you're not
> ::: racing, it's like taking a prolonged stroll. Maybe people just
> ::: aren't used to being by themselves for so long? Really, I wonder
> ::: what the big deal is. I think it's probably more (much more)
> ::: psychological than anything else.
> ::
> :: spoken like a person who hasn't done a century on a bicycle.
>
> Yep.
What is this, a pissing contest??
I've done centuries back-to-back.
I did a century in the rain last Sunday.
I did a century the Sunday before that. And a century the previous
day, too.
Two weeks before that, my friend and I did a large loop from Queens to
Bear Mountain and back down to Queens.
I did the 2006 Montauk 145-miler from Manhattan to Montauk on two hours
sleep -- after a seventy-miler the previous day!
I do centuries all the time. Really, as long as it's not a race, I'm
just pedalling along. What's the big deal?
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 09:52:22
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
> I've done centuries back-to-back.
<snip bragging >
So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you have ANY
credibility on anything?
|
| | | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 15:41:38
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote (to whom???):
>> I've done centuries back-to-back.
> <snip bragging>
>
> So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you have
> ANY credibility on anything?
Who wrote the above? Your post appeared as a reply to Roger Zoul, but his
post didn't say that.
Bill "it sounds like Iron Bill, of course" S.
|
| | | | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 15:59:37
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Bill Sornson wrote:
:: Pat in TX wrote (to whom???):
::
:::: I've done centuries back-to-back.
::
::: <snip bragging >
:::
::: So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you have
::: ANY credibility on anything?
::
:: Who wrote the above? Your post appeared as a reply to Roger Zoul,
:: but his post didn't say that.
The NYCXYZ guy wrote:
:::: I've done centuries back-to-back.
and Pat wrote:
::: <snip bragging >
:::
::: So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you have
::: ANY credibility on anything?
Perhaps you have plonked NYCXYZ?
|
| | | | | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 19:13:36
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Maybe he did plonk NYCBRAG, because I sure didn't write that to you, Roger!
Pat in TX
|
| | | | | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 20:05:40
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Roger Zoul wrote:
> Bill Sornson wrote:
>>> Pat in TX wrote (to whom???):
>>>
>>>>> I've done centuries back-to-back.
>>>
>>>> <snip bragging>
>>>>
>>>> So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you
>>>> have ANY credibility on anything?
>>>
>>> Who wrote the above? Your post appeared as a reply to Roger Zoul,
>>> but his post didn't say that.
>
> The NYCXYZ guy wrote:
>
>>>>> I've done centuries back-to-back.
Ah.
> and Pat wrote:
>
>>>> <snip bragging>
>>>>
>>>> So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you
>>>> have ANY credibility on anything?
>
> Perhaps you have plonked NYCXYZ?
Yup.
Thanks.
Bill "my kingdom for proper attributution" S.
|
| | | | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 18:48:20
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Bill Sornson wrote:
> Pat in TX wrote (to whom???):
>
>>> I've done centuries back-to-back.
>
>> <snip bragging>
>>
>> So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you have
>> ANY credibility on anything?
>
> Who wrote the above? Your post appeared as a reply to Roger Zoul, but his
> post didn't say that.
>
> Bill "it sounds like Iron Bill, of course" S.
>
>
Bill Sornson?
Not me. The most I have ever done in one day was about 120 miles with a
total of 9,500 feet of climbing, and that was when I was 15. I started
at 6:00 A.M. and got back just at sunset, parked the bike, and hit the
bed, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
Being 15, I forgot to take food so the whole thing was done on internal
energy, and man was I fried.
What got my goat was that while I was sweating blood on a really steep
and long climb a hawk was riding a thermal with locked wings and just
sailed up past me. I cursed him and he probably laughed at the dumb human.
Since I am way past 15 I am never going to try something like that again.
Bill Baka
|
| | | | | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 19:18:40
From: R Brickston
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
On Sat, 02 Sep 2006 18:48:20 GMT, Bill Baka <bbaka@syix.com > wrote:
>Bill Sornson wrote:
>> Pat in TX wrote (to whom???):
>>
>>>> I've done centuries back-to-back.
>>
>>> <snip bragging>
>>>
>>> So, why doesn't anyone believe anything you post? Why don't you have
>>> ANY credibility on anything?
>>
>> Who wrote the above? Your post appeared as a reply to Roger Zoul, but his
>> post didn't say that.
>>
>> Bill "it sounds like Iron Bill, of course" S.
>>
>>
>Bill Sornson?
>Not me. The most I have ever done in one day was about 120 miles with a
>total of 9,500 feet of climbing,
Oh....puhleeeeze........
>and that was when I was 15. I started
>at 6:00 A.M. and got back just at sunset, parked the bike, and hit the
>bed, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
>Being 15, I forgot to take food so the whole thing was done on internal
>energy, and man was I fried.
And no water, no doubt. Iron Man Baka strikes again.
>What got my goat was that while I was sweating blood on a really steep
>and long climb
>a hawk was riding a thermal with locked wings and just
>sailed up past me. I cursed him and he probably laughed at the dumb human.
>Since I am way past 15 I am never going to try something like that again.
>Bill Baka
Waits the gravity on Planet Baka? 1/5 that of Earth's?
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 19:34:43
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
R Brickston wrote:
> On Sat, 02 Sep 2006 18:48:20 GMT, Bill Baka <bbaka@syix.com> wrote:
> <snip>
>> Not me. The most I have ever done in one day was about 120 miles with a
>> total of 9,500 feet of climbing,
>
> Oh....puhleeeeze........
Sorry,
It is a fact, and I was only 15 and in shape.
>
>> and that was when I was 15. I started
>> at 6:00 A.M. and got back just at sunset, parked the bike, and hit the
>> bed, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.
>> Being 15, I forgot to take food so the whole thing was done on internal
>> energy, and man was I fried.
>
> And no water, no doubt. Iron Man Baka strikes again.
Geesh,
For once you are right. I didn't take any water since there were stores
with drinking fountains and a ranger station in the mountains. The
hardest part of that ride was when I upset a big bee's nest and had to
outrun them uphill. Here comes another cut from Brick.
>
>> What got my goat was that while I was sweating blood on a really steep
>> and long climb
>> a hawk was riding a thermal with locked wings and just
>> sailed up past me. I cursed him and he probably laughed at the dumb human.
>> Since I am way past 15 I am never going to try something like that again.
>> Bill Baka
>
> Waits the gravity on Planet Baka? 1/5 that of Earth's?
About the same as New York, which is for some reason the world standard.
It's about .995 G at the equator, but that requires math and knowing
that the planet rotates to figure that out. Sorry to throw out something
beyond your mental capacity.
Bill Baka
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 17:13:00
From: Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Bill Baka wrote:
> ...One water holder is one the front fork, held on with
> auto heater hose clamps. It is a Fred job, but only takes about 5
> minutes to take off all the junk....
You can upgrade by referring to said attachment devices as "Jubilee
Clips" [1].
[1] <http://www.jubileeclips.co.uk/ >.
--
Tom Sherman - Behind the Cheddar Curtain
|
| | |
Date: 02 Sep 2006 00:38:58
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Johnny Sunset aka Tom Sherman wrote:
> Bill Baka wrote:
>> ...One water holder is one the front fork, held on with
>> auto heater hose clamps. It is a Fred job, but only takes about 5
>> minutes to take off all the junk....
>
> You can upgrade by referring to said attachment devices as "Jubilee
> Clips" [1].
>
> [1] <http://www.jubileeclips.co.uk/>.
>
Same exact thing but jubileeclips does kind of sound cooler.
Whatever works. I am famous for duct tape and RTV Silicone fixes.
Bill Baka
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 13:56:14
From: thehick
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
> That reminds me: why is a century considered such a big deal?
that's an important question. i just took up biking this
year and have a metric century as my first big goal.
probably next year. on my mountain bike.
a small point: does it need to be done with no stops?
i think so but i'm not sure where to find out how cycling
lore treats this.
...thehick
|
| | |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 18:08:40
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
>
> a small point: does it need to be done with no stops?
> i think so but i'm not sure where to find out how cycling
> lore treats this.
> ...thehick
No, it does not need to be done without stopping. It's just a number, after
all. If we didn't have the word "century" we'd have to think of something
to denote riding another number. And, who wants to say, "I rode a 71 miler
today!" or "I rode an 88er today!" what counts is how many miles or
kilometers you put on your legs.
>
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 11:38:56
From:
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Bill Baka wrote:
>
>
> Uh,
> I my case a sore rear, and kind of tingliness in my wrists that keeps me
> changing grip position.
Perhaps you're gripping too hard? I used to ride pretty intensely.
Also, you should just get a recumbent bicycle. It's
sooooooooooooooooooooo comfortable. Or at least get an upright with
full suspension. I find that, even on an upright, good suspension
really takes the edge off bumps and shocks! But recumbent's really the
only way to go, especially for a sore rear end.
> That and the fact that I do live far enough out
> in the country I have to carry a back pack or something for the extra
> food and water.
For all day riding, panniers are best. Load up on some MREs and water
and you're good to go!
> I have tried about 6 different saddles and none seems to
> fit the 100 mile criteria, and I have no clue why my hands get the
> tingles after about 20 miles straight riding. That is about the point
> where I get off and stand and shake my hands to get blood flow going again.
You should get a recumbent for sure. Yeah there's such a thing as
"recumbent butt" and "recumbent feet" but I've only had it ("recumbent
feet," or slightly numbing feet) a handful of times in about two
thousand miles so far.
> The only psychological factor that stops me is the nagging feeling that
> I have something important to do at home or something, which is usually
> not true.
That also reminds me: I'm probably going to be single my whole life!
Can't imagine being tied down to another's demands -- especially when
trying to enjoy a day of cycling and exploration!
Can't wait until people can bicycle on the moon or even s...I wonder
how that would be like!! Less gravity...less effort...more travel?
More speed?? Gotta watch that oxygen....
> Bill Baka
|
| | |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 20:30:10
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
latina_liebhaber@yahoo.com wrote:
> Bill Baka wrote:
>>
>> Uh,
>> I my case a sore rear, and kind of tingliness in my wrists that keeps me
>> changing grip position.
>
> Perhaps you're gripping too hard?
Only on the off road sections where I have to.
I used to ride pretty intensely.
I still do, even as an old timer. My grand kids won't even try some of
the stuff I do on a bicycle.
> Also, you should just get a recumbent bicycle. It's
> sooooooooooooooooooooo comfortable.
That is a distinct possibility for the exercise on the road. Impossible
for some of the deer trails I ride way back in the boonies.
Or at least get an upright with
> full suspension. I find that, even on an upright, good suspension
> really takes the edge off bumps and shocks!
I had one but only the front suspension really worked. I had to hit a
3G+ bump for the rear to even move.
But recumbent's really the
> only way to go, especially for a sore rear end.
I will agree to that, for general road use.
>
>> That and the fact that I do live far enough out
>> in the country I have to carry a back pack or something for the extra
>> food and water.
>
> For all day riding, panniers are best. Load up on some MREs and water
> and you're good to go!
I have some metal, foldable racks on the rear and I can take an ice
chest in one and a gallon jug of cold water in the other, plus 3
standard water bottles. A plus is that I can take my 35mm camera and
about 3 lenses too. One water holder is one the front fork, held on with
auto heater hose clamps. It is a Fred job, but only takes about 5
minutes to take off all the junk.
>
>> I have tried about 6 different saddles and none seems to
>> fit the 100 mile criteria, and I have no clue why my hands get the
>> tingles after about 20 miles straight riding. That is about the point
>> where I get off and stand and shake my hands to get blood flow going again.
>
> You should get a recumbent for sure. Yeah there's such a thing as
> "recumbent butt" and "recumbent feet" but I've only had it ("recumbent
> feet," or slightly numbing feet) a handful of times in about two
> thousand miles so far.
The only thing I have had happen to my feet is getting cooked from the
heat coming off the asphalt.
>
>> The only psychological factor that stops me is the nagging feeling that
>> I have something important to do at home or something, which is usually
>> not true.
>
> That also reminds me: I'm probably going to be single my whole life!
> Can't imagine being tied down to another's demands -- especially when
> trying to enjoy a day of cycling and exploration!
Tell me about it. 27 years of riage and she keeps telling me to act
my age. Huh? I am acting how I feel, which is a lot closer to 30 than
60. I can't get her or my daughter on a bike to save my (their) life.
>
> Can't wait until people can bicycle on the moon or even s...I wonder
> how that would be like!! Less gravity...less effort...more travel?
> More speed?? Gotta watch that oxygen....
I wonder how fast you could go on a paved surface on the moon with zero
point 0000 air resistance? 100 MPH, 200+, or faster until your Oxygen
gives out? Great to dream about, but then reality hits.
There was some crazy guy who tried to ski down Mt. Everest and even with
a drag chute behind him he was hitting close to 100 MPH. I didn't see
the whole story so I don't know if he made it or killed himself.
Bill Baka
>
>> Bill Baka
>
|
| |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 07:44:37
From: NYC XYZ
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Ted wrote:
> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
> before.
>
> Just thought I'd let you know.
>
> Ted.
Congrats. You'll likely find that it gets easier and easier.
That reminds me: why is a century considered such a big deal? Unless
we're talking about scaling the Rockies, I don't know how hard it
really is to just keep pedalling along, provided that you're well-fed
and hydrated, etc. I mean, as long as you're not racing, it's like
taking a prolonged stroll. Maybe people just aren't used to being by
themselves for so long? Really, I wonder what the big deal is. I
think it's probably more (much more) psychological than anything else.
|
| | |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 22:27:34
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
:: Ted wrote:
::: Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
::: still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
::: this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in
::: one day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you
::: do it every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I
::: haven't before.
:::
::: Just thought I'd let you know.
:::
::: Ted.
::
::
:: Congrats. You'll likely find that it gets easier and easier.
::
:: That reminds me: why is a century considered such a big deal? Unless
:: we're talking about scaling the Rockies, I don't know how hard it
:: really is to just keep pedalling along, provided that you're well-fed
:: and hydrated, etc. I mean, as long as you're not racing, it's like
:: taking a prolonged stroll. Maybe people just aren't used to being by
:: themselves for so long? Really, I wonder what the big deal is. I
:: think it's probably more (much more) psychological than anything
:: else.
1) Butt issues,
2) legs
3) lungs,
4) sheer miles
If it's that any easy, then why doesn't everyone do them.
|
| | |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 18:06:24
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
>
> That reminds me: why is a century considered such a big deal? Unless
> we're talking about scaling the Rockies, I don't know how hard it
> really is to just keep pedalling along, provided that you're well-fed
> and hydrated, etc. I mean, as long as you're not racing, it's like
> taking a prolonged stroll. Maybe people just aren't used to being by
> themselves for so long? Really, I wonder what the big deal is. I
> think it's probably more (much more) psychological than anything else.
spoken like a person who hasn't done a century on a bicycle.
>
|
| | | |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 22:36:45
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
::: That reminds me: why is a century considered such a big deal?
::: Unless we're talking about scaling the Rockies, I don't know how
::: hard it really is to just keep pedalling along, provided that
::: you're well-fed and hydrated, etc. I mean, as long as you're not
::: racing, it's like taking a prolonged stroll. Maybe people just
::: aren't used to being by themselves for so long? Really, I wonder
::: what the big deal is. I think it's probably more (much more)
::: psychological than anything else.
::
:: spoken like a person who hasn't done a century on a bicycle.
Yep.
|
| | |
Date: 01 Sep 2006 16:27:17
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
NYC XYZ wrote:
> Ted wrote:
>> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
>> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
>> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
>> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
>> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
>> before.
>>
>> Just thought I'd let you know.
>>
>> Ted.
>
>
> Congrats. You'll likely find that it gets easier and easier.
>
> That reminds me: why is a century considered such a big deal? Unless
> we're talking about scaling the Rockies, I don't know how hard it
> really is to just keep pedalling along, provided that you're well-fed
> and hydrated, etc. I mean, as long as you're not racing, it's like
> taking a prolonged stroll. Maybe people just aren't used to being by
> themselves for so long? Really, I wonder what the big deal is. I
> think it's probably more (much more) psychological than anything else.
>
Uh,
I my case a sore rear, and kind of tingliness in my wrists that keeps me
changing grip position. That and the fact that I do live far enough out
in the country I have to carry a back pack or something for the extra
food and water. I have tried about 6 different saddles and none seems to
fit the 100 mile criteria, and I have no clue why my hands get the
tingles after about 20 miles straight riding. That is about the point
where I get off and stand and shake my hands to get blood flow going again.
The only psychological factor that stops me is the nagging feeling that
I have something important to do at home or something, which is usually
not true.
Bill Baka
|
| |
Date: 30 Aug 2006 05:38:01
From:
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
The website confirms this. My condolences.
Curtis
Bruce Gilbert wrote:
> Just heard that the HnH organizer Roby Christie had members of his family
> killed in a small plane crash. I believe his son was the pilot. They were on
> the way from Wichita Falls after the event to a boarding school for their
> daughter. What a horrible tragedy.
>
> Bruce
>
>
>
> "Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com> wrote in message
> news:4lkcnjF2c22tU1@individual.net...
> >
> > >
> > > I don't know where you started but it was announced at the start by the
> > > radio DJ's that there was that possibility and would be assessed as the
> > > day and the heat progressed. I am all about suffering too but
> understand
> > > the reasoning of the ride director and medical expert[s].
> >
> > They announce that every year. I was back with the kids with their 20"
> > wheels and the roller skaters. Just surviving the start is a big
> > accomplishment. A friend of mine broke her pelvis 3 years ago when a kid
> > lost control of his bike (with training wheels) and ran into her.
> >
> >
> > >
> > > I remain impressed that 11802 of my closest friends went to a little
> hole
> > > in the desert town to share on a ride and continue same year after year.
> > > The finisher pin will also do dual duty on my wedding
> anniversary....when
> > > the time comes. Did you all notice the flight line on Sheppard a little
> > > more populated and active then years gone by??
> > >
> > > mrbubl [will be back next year for more abuse]
> >
> > "A little hole in the desert town"? Wichita Falls has a population of
> > 107,635 as of 2005.
> >
> > By the time I rode across the flight line, there were more people stopping
> > their bikes to take photos of the planes than there were Air Force
> > people....but, I was in a bad mood by then.
> >
> > What I would like to see happen is for the riders who get to Hell's Gate
> to
> > have the opportunity to sign another waiver, a stricter one, if they
> choose
> > to proceed. I am afraid that the premature closing of the course was due
> to
> > someone evaluating riders who had not trained/prepared for this event. I
> > think it isn't right to ruin the ride because some riders have more
> > enthusiasm than good sense. Let the ones of us who have trained long and
> > hard continue! And don't make the decision at 11 a.m....
> >
> > Pat in TX
> >
> >
|
| | |
Date: 30 Aug 2006 12:55:10
From: Bruce Gilbert
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
This year seemed to be hotter than usual. Of course last year was a freak
weather occurrence.
We did the 50 mile route because everyone needed to be back at the expo
booth as early as possible. I saw a good amount of flats, but nothing like
2000 when the goatheads were all over the place. I speculate that many
inner tubes exhausted in the heat. After 3 days in the heat of the parking
lot, we decided not to open the bike wash on Saturday. When I got on my bike
on Saturday, my legs felt like concrete.
Bruce
<curt9988@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1156941481.808416.205050@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> The website confirms this. My condolences.
>
> Curtis
>
>
>
> Bruce Gilbert wrote:
> > Just heard that the HnH organizer Roby Christie had members of his
family
> > killed in a small plane crash. I believe his son was the pilot. They
were on
> > the way from Wichita Falls after the event to a boarding school for
their
> > daughter. What a horrible tragedy.
> >
> > Bruce
> >
> >
> >
> > "Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com> wrote in message
> > news:4lkcnjF2c22tU1@individual.net...
> > >
> > > >
> > > > I don't know where you started but it was announced at the start by
the
> > > > radio DJ's that there was that possibility and would be assessed as
the
> > > > day and the heat progressed. I am all about suffering too but
> > understand
> > > > the reasoning of the ride director and medical expert[s].
> > >
> > > They announce that every year. I was back with the kids with their
20"
> > > wheels and the roller skaters. Just surviving the start is a big
> > > accomplishment. A friend of mine broke her pelvis 3 years ago when a
kid
> > > lost control of his bike (with training wheels) and ran into her.
> > >
> > >
> > > >
> > > > I remain impressed that 11802 of my closest friends went to a little
> > hole
> > > > in the desert town to share on a ride and continue same year after
year.
> > > > The finisher pin will also do dual duty on my wedding
> > anniversary....when
> > > > the time comes. Did you all notice the flight line on Sheppard a
little
> > > > more populated and active then years gone by??
> > > >
> > > > mrbubl [will be back next year for more abuse]
> > >
> > > "A little hole in the desert town"? Wichita Falls has a population of
> > > 107,635 as of 2005.
> > >
> > > By the time I rode across the flight line, there were more people
stopping
> > > their bikes to take photos of the planes than there were Air Force
> > > people....but, I was in a bad mood by then.
> > >
> > > What I would like to see happen is for the riders who get to Hell's
Gate
> > to
> > > have the opportunity to sign another waiver, a stricter one, if they
> > choose
> > > to proceed. I am afraid that the premature closing of the course was
due
> > to
> > > someone evaluating riders who had not trained/prepared for this event.
I
> > > think it isn't right to ruin the ride because some riders have more
> > > enthusiasm than good sense. Let the ones of us who have trained long
and
> > > hard continue! And don't make the decision at 11 a.m....
> > >
> > > Pat in TX
> > >
> > >
>
|
| |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 13:07:33
From: SlowRider
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Ted wrote:
> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
> before.
17.5 is darned good for your first metric, especially with the hills.
Time to set your sights on a full 100-miler. You won't regret it...
-JR
|
| |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 06:53:54
From: curt9988
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
I suppose we have a fundamental difference of opinion here. I don't
believe the race officials are 100% responsible for my safety. If they
were, they would never allow me to start riding 100 miles across Texas
in August in the first place. This is an inherently risky undertaking
in and of itself. The name implies it, and they advertise it as such.
|
| | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 10:06:12
From: M. Bakunin
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
In article <1156773234.458073.243110@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com >,
"curt9988" <cpscott@cox.net > wrote:
> I suppose we have a fundamental difference of opinion here. I don't
> believe the race officials are 100% responsible for my safety. If they
> were, they would never allow me to start riding 100 miles across Texas
> in August in the first place. This is an inherently risky undertaking
> in and of itself. The name implies it, and they advertise it as such.
the problem is not with the cyclists taking part in the ride. they
already signed a waiver of responsibility, agreed to wear a helmet, blah
blah blah. the problems is with lawyers and morons. you can be assured
that if an idiot overestimate his possibilities and hurts himself, or
worse, he or his relatives will sue the organization. why, because there
always will be a lawyer ready to tell them they can get some financial
benefits out of it. lawyers and lobbyists need to be eradicated. simple.
|
| | | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 17:26:34
From: C Wright
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
On 8/28/06 10:06 AM, in article
a-96882B.10061228082006@News-West.Usenet.com, "M. Bakunin"
<a@mortaucons.org > wrote:
> In article <1156773234.458073.243110@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>,
> "curt9988" <cpscott@cox.net> wrote:
>
>> I suppose we have a fundamental difference of opinion here. I don't
>> believe the race officials are 100% responsible for my safety. If they
>> were, they would never allow me to start riding 100 miles across Texas
>> in August in the first place. This is an inherently risky undertaking
>> in and of itself. The name implies it, and they advertise it as such.
>
> the problem is not with the cyclists taking part in the ride. they
> already signed a waiver of responsibility, agreed to wear a helmet, blah
> blah blah. the problems is with lawyers and morons. you can be assured
> that if an idiot overestimate his possibilities and hurts himself, or
> worse, he or his relatives will sue the organization. why, because there
> always will be a lawyer ready to tell them they can get some financial
> benefits out of it. lawyers and lobbyists need to be eradicated. simple.
Agreed that some lawyer will always try to find a way to sue. But, on the
other side of the issue, the Hotter 'N Hell has a fairly long history and
presumably their waiver of responsibility must hold up pretty well. If the
waiver did not hold up well the ride probably would have been shut down
years ago.
IMO, a doctor should not be given sole and total responsibility for shutting
down the ride. An MD is always going to error on the side of extreme
caution rather than being second guessed later. A committee of ride/race
officials, with an MD being one member of that committee, should have
responsibility for shutting down a ride. If a doctor continues to have sole
responsibility for short circuiting the ride I think that we can look
forward to many future years of Hotter 'N Hell 75's (or less)!
Chuck
|
| | | | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 18:21:03
From: mrbubl
Subject: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
C Wright wrote:
> On 8/28/06 10:06 AM, in article
> a-96882B.10061228082006@News-West.Usenet.com, "M. Bakunin"
> <a@mortaucons.org> wrote:
>
>> In article <1156773234.458073.243110@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com>,
>> "curt9988" <cpscott@cox.net> wrote:
>>
>>> I suppose we have a fundamental difference of opinion here. I don't
>>> believe the race officials are 100% responsible for my safety. If they
>>> were, they would never allow me to start riding 100 miles across Texas
>>> in August in the first place. This is an inherently risky undertaking
>>> in and of itself. The name implies it, and they advertise it as such.
>> the problem is not with the cyclists taking part in the ride. they
>> already signed a waiver of responsibility, agreed to wear a helmet, blah
>> blah blah. the problems is with lawyers and morons. you can be assured
>> that if an idiot overestimate his possibilities and hurts himself, or
>> worse, he or his relatives will sue the organization. why, because there
>> always will be a lawyer ready to tell them they can get some financial
>> benefits out of it. lawyers and lobbyists need to be eradicated. simple.
>
> Agreed that some lawyer will always try to find a way to sue. But, on the
> other side of the issue, the Hotter 'N Hell has a fairly long history and
> presumably their waiver of responsibility must hold up pretty well. If the
> waiver did not hold up well the ride probably would have been shut down
> years ago.
> IMO, a doctor should not be given sole and total responsibility for shutting
> down the ride. An MD is always going to error on the side of extreme
> caution rather than being second guessed later. A committee of ride/race
> officials, with an MD being one member of that committee, should have
> responsibility for shutting down a ride. If a doctor continues to have sole
> responsibility for short circuiting the ride I think that we can look
> forward to many future years of Hotter 'N Hell 75's (or less)!
> Chuck
>
In years gone by, this ride has been known as the death ride for the
people that had died on the ride for whatever reason. Celebrating the
25th year and back to good old days numbers of riders (11,800) keeps the
medical people conservative. The ride director and MD's explanation
made sense to me and there is always next year.
|
| | | | | |
Date: 29 Aug 2006 10:42:58
From: catzz66
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
mrbubl wrote:
>
>
> In years gone by, this ride has been known as the death ride for the
> people that had died on the ride for whatever reason. Celebrating the
> 25th year and back to good old days numbers of riders (11,800) keeps the
> medical people conservative. The ride director and MD's explanation
> made sense to me and there is always next year.
>
I was there in Wichita Falls and it really is a no win situation. If
you close Hell's Gate (it's roughly 2/3rds through the century) an hour
early, somebody's going to get upset about it. If you don't and someone
dies from the heat, you should have closed it. Everyone expected the
weather Saturday to be at least as hot as Friday (108) till late in the
day when a front was supposed to roll in.
This has not been reported, but one of my friends was one of the last
ones through Hell's Gate and said there was no ice at the last four rest
stops. He is probably in the best condition of our whole group and he
said he suffered through the last part of the ride.
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 29 Aug 2006 12:54:58
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
> I was there in Wichita Falls and it really is a no win situation. If
> you close Hell's Gate (it's roughly 2/3rds through the century) an hour
> early, somebody's going to get upset about it. If you don't and someone
> dies from the heat, you should have closed it. Everyone expected the
> weather Saturday to be at least as hot as Friday (108) till late in the
> day when a front was supposed to roll in.
>
> This has not been reported, but one of my friends was one of the last ones
> through Hell's Gate and said there was no ice at the last four rest stops.
> He is probably in the best condition of our whole group and he said he
> suffered through the last part of the ride.
Just a nit to pick..or two. Hell's Gate (60 miles in) was closed at 11:00
a.m., not "an hour early." It normally closes at 12:30 p.m. Had we even
been notified that it would close at 11, I, for one, would not have stopped
at rest stop 3 and 4. It is true that rest stop 4 ran out of ice , but how
would your friend know how many rest stops were without ice since he got
through Hell's Gate by 11? For what he said to have been true, that would
have included every rest stop but the first one!
I didn't even get past the start until 8 a.m., and I could have just stopped
at #2 ( or none at all) and maybe I would have gotten through Hell's Gate at
11. We'll never know, though, because nobody gave us a chance.
Finally, the decision was made when the temperature was only 95. It's
called the "Hotter 'n' Hell", not the "Warmer than Heck" ride. You're
supposed to suffer to complete this ride!
Pat in TX
>
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 29 Aug 2006 13:29:18
From: catzz66
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
>
>
> Just a nit to pick..or two. Hell's Gate (60 miles in) was closed at 11:00
> a.m., not "an hour early." It normally closes at 12:30 p.m. Had we even
> been notified that it would close at 11, I, for one, would not have stopped
> at rest stop 3 and 4. It is true that rest stop 4 ran out of ice , but how
> would your friend know how many rest stops were without ice since he got
> through Hell's Gate by 11? For what he said to have been true, that would
> have included every rest stop but the first one!
>
> I didn't even get past the start until 8 a.m., and I could have just stopped
> at #2 ( or none at all) and maybe I would have gotten through Hell's Gate at
> 11. We'll never know, though, because nobody gave us a chance.
>
> Finally, the decision was made when the temperature was only 95. It's
> called the "Hotter 'n' Hell", not the "Warmer than Heck" ride. You're
> supposed to suffer to complete this ride!
>
> Pat in TX
>
>
>
1) off the website... This was quoted already above, I think. The
website said 11:30. That's why I said an hour early.
" Hell's Gate Closed at 11:30
We have had to close Hell's Gate only a few times in 25 years.
..."
2) re: ice
I don't know what my friend's time was or when he got to HG, but he did
the full 100. I probably misheard him and he was just referring to rest
stop 4 as having no ice. I think he skipped some or all of the other
ones and relied on his own water a lot of the way.
3) Sorry you didn't get to finish. I would have been bummed too,
especially since the weather didn't peak out like they expected it to.
Question: Did you get a late start? The cannon/flyover was about 7:10
but people in our group were heading to the start much earlier than
that, like 6:30.
|
| | | | | | | | |
Date: 29 Aug 2006 21:55:48
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
> Question: Did you get a late start? The cannon/flyover was about 7:10
> but people in our group were heading to the start much earlier than that,
> like 6:30.
Well, I was at the car at 7 and got on the bike when most people started
moving towards the start, but once there, I was walking the bike most of the
way up the street. When I got to the base of the overpass, I thought I could
get on and start pedaling, but I was wrong. There were still a few children
in front of me and at least 2 roller skaters (and a couple of
unicycles)....I even saw a guy riding a bike pulling a burley trailer with a
small child in it. I left the house at 4:00 a.m. and got there at 6:44,
including one stop at Jolly. I guess if they are going to call the ride at
11, I need to start a lot earlier, too. Had I started at, say, 7:30, I
probably could have made it by 11 to Hell's Gate. Silly me--I trusted the
12:30 p.m. time posted on their newspaper!
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Date: 30 Aug 2006 09:49:14
From: catzz66
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
>... Had I started at, say, 7:30, I
> probably could have made it by 11 to Hell's Gate.
>
>
Probably right. There were just a lot of folks ahead of you. It is one
of those situations where if you are just on time, you are "late." =[
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 29 Aug 2006 18:29:12
From: mrbubl
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
>> I was there in Wichita Falls and it really is a no win situation. If
>> you close Hell's Gate (it's roughly 2/3rds through the century) an hour
>> early, somebody's going to get upset about it. If you don't and someone
>> dies from the heat, you should have closed it. Everyone expected the
>> weather Saturday to be at least as hot as Friday (108) till late in the
>> day when a front was supposed to roll in.
>>
>> This has not been reported, but one of my friends was one of the last ones
>> through Hell's Gate and said there was no ice at the last four rest stops.
>> He is probably in the best condition of our whole group and he said he
>> suffered through the last part of the ride.
>
> Just a nit to pick..or two. Hell's Gate (60 miles in) was closed at 11:00
> a.m., not "an hour early." It normally closes at 12:30 p.m. Had we even
> been notified that it would close at 11, I, for one, would not have stopped
> at rest stop 3 and 4. It is true that rest stop 4 ran out of ice , but how
> would your friend know how many rest stops were without ice since he got
> through Hell's Gate by 11? For what he said to have been true, that would
> have included every rest stop but the first one!
>
> I didn't even get past the start until 8 a.m., and I could have just stopped
> at #2 ( or none at all) and maybe I would have gotten through Hell's Gate at
> 11. We'll never know, though, because nobody gave us a chance.
>
> Finally, the decision was made when the temperature was only 95. It's
> called the "Hotter 'n' Hell", not the "Warmer than Heck" ride. You're
> supposed to suffer to complete this ride!
>
> Pat in TX
>
>
I don't know where you started but it was announced at the start by the
radio DJ's that there was that possibility and would be assessed as the
day and the heat progressed. I am all about suffering too but
understand the reasoning of the ride director and medical expert[s].
I remain impressed that 11802 of my closest friends went to a little
hole in the desert town to share on a ride and continue same year after
year. The finisher pin will also do dual duty on my wedding
anniversary....when the time comes. Did you all notice the flight line
on Sheppard a little more populated and active then years gone by??
mrbubl [will be back next year for more abuse]
|
| | | | | | | | |
Date: 29 Aug 2006 21:50:03
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
>
> I don't know where you started but it was announced at the start by the
> radio DJ's that there was that possibility and would be assessed as the
> day and the heat progressed. I am all about suffering too but understand
> the reasoning of the ride director and medical expert[s].
They announce that every year. I was back with the kids with their 20"
wheels and the roller skaters. Just surviving the start is a big
accomplishment. A friend of mine broke her pelvis 3 years ago when a kid
lost control of his bike (with training wheels) and ran into her.
>
> I remain impressed that 11802 of my closest friends went to a little hole
> in the desert town to share on a ride and continue same year after year.
> The finisher pin will also do dual duty on my wedding anniversary....when
> the time comes. Did you all notice the flight line on Sheppard a little
> more populated and active then years gone by??
>
> mrbubl [will be back next year for more abuse]
"A little hole in the desert town"? Wichita Falls has a population of
107,635 as of 2005.
By the time I rode across the flight line, there were more people stopping
their bikes to take photos of the planes than there were Air Force
people....but, I was in a bad mood by then.
What I would like to see happen is for the riders who get to Hell's Gate to
have the opportunity to sign another waiver, a stricter one, if they choose
to proceed. I am afraid that the premature closing of the course was due to
someone evaluating riders who had not trained/prepared for this event. I
think it isn't right to ruin the ride because some riders have more
enthusiasm than good sense. Let the ones of us who have trained long and
hard continue! And don't make the decision at 11 a.m....
Pat in TX
|
| | | | | | | | | |
Date: 30 Aug 2006 03:35:09
From: Bruce Gilbert
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
Just heard that the HnH organizer Roby Christie had members of his family
killed in a small plane crash. I believe his son was the pilot. They were on
the way from Wichita Falls after the event to a boarding school for their
daughter. What a horrible tragedy.
Bruce
"Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com > wrote in message
news:4lkcnjF2c22tU1@individual.net...
>
> >
> > I don't know where you started but it was announced at the start by the
> > radio DJ's that there was that possibility and would be assessed as the
> > day and the heat progressed. I am all about suffering too but
understand
> > the reasoning of the ride director and medical expert[s].
>
> They announce that every year. I was back with the kids with their 20"
> wheels and the roller skaters. Just surviving the start is a big
> accomplishment. A friend of mine broke her pelvis 3 years ago when a kid
> lost control of his bike (with training wheels) and ran into her.
>
>
> >
> > I remain impressed that 11802 of my closest friends went to a little
hole
> > in the desert town to share on a ride and continue same year after year.
> > The finisher pin will also do dual duty on my wedding
anniversary....when
> > the time comes. Did you all notice the flight line on Sheppard a little
> > more populated and active then years gone by??
> >
> > mrbubl [will be back next year for more abuse]
>
> "A little hole in the desert town"? Wichita Falls has a population of
> 107,635 as of 2005.
>
> By the time I rode across the flight line, there were more people stopping
> their bikes to take photos of the planes than there were Air Force
> people....but, I was in a bad mood by then.
>
> What I would like to see happen is for the riders who get to Hell's Gate
to
> have the opportunity to sign another waiver, a stricter one, if they
choose
> to proceed. I am afraid that the premature closing of the course was due
to
> someone evaluating riders who had not trained/prepared for this event. I
> think it isn't right to ruin the ride because some riders have more
> enthusiasm than good sense. Let the ones of us who have trained long and
> hard continue! And don't make the decision at 11 a.m....
>
> Pat in TX
>
>
|
| | | | | | | | |
Date: 29 Aug 2006 13:35:20
From: catzz66
Subject: Re: HH100 discussion was Re: I did my first century today.
|
mrbubl wrote:
>
> mrbubl [will be back next year for more abuse]
Probably will, too. This is the only ride I do where there are that
many people. Took me till 7:41 to get to the official start. I was
sort of ticked about it, but the ride loosened up pretty quick after that.
|
| |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 21:20:35
From: Fred
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
"Ted" <plpfoot@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1156650252.106472.124510@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
> before.
>
> Just thought I'd let you know.
>
> Ted.
Well done Ted! I sometimes go touring and aim to average 100 kms per day.
Sometimes I hit 150 odd, and once I did just over 200 - but don't seem to be
able to repeat it. I don't find it to hard to exceed 100, but can't keep it
up day after day, so an average of 100 is my target; although my last trip
was 1350 kms and it took 11 days carrying full panniers front and rear.
But I can't hit your sort of speeds. Terrain around these parts is hilly,
and I usually average about 18 - 19 kms per hour, or about 11 mph. You are
doing brilliantly!
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 15:43:19
From:
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
> You do know how people like to sue these days, right? They did it to
> cover their own asses
Yes, I do and yes, they probably did. Don't make it right, though. I
mean, I'm pretty sure that in all the fine print of the ride
application there was some sort of waiver statement, and we all signed
it. And I still can't get over the irony of the Hotter N Hell Hundred
being cancelled because of heat. As mentioned above, that's almost as
funny as the Iditarod being cancelled because of snow.
Nothing is 100% safe.
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 15:19:39
From:
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
> I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred. Make that
> the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course because, "it is too
> hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about that. At the 60 mile point,
> "Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too hot to ride a bicycle." And then,
> they told us to ride a diverted route which turned out to be 15 miles back
> to the start. So, it's "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh, by the way, go
> ahead and ride one 15 more miles....
>
> Pat in TX
I'm glad I'm not the only one who was pi$$ed at this. I mean, it's
called "Hotter N Hell Hundred", for cripe's sake! They bill this ride
as being very, very challenging. Come ride one hundred miles across
Texas in the August heat! Then they quit early because someone decides
it's too hot. Thanks for deciding my limitations for me, guys. I'm too
stupid to know when to continue and when to quit.
I trained for months, took time off work, planned and paced my ride so
that I would pass the cut-off point with plenty of time to spare, and
some pointy-head closes early. And as mentioned above, if it was so
deadly hot, why make everyone ride another 15 miles to the finish. If
it was that hot, they should've had a fleet of buses there to shuttle
everyone back safely. The race organizers will surely say that the
decision was made to ensure rider safety, but that's bunk! If you
wanted to ensure rider safety, you'd never have the race in the first
place. I mean, is there a 100% safe way to ride a bike 100 miles across
Texas in August? No.
Ya know what's even better? When another cyclist and I asked the poor
volunteer at Hell's Gate what would happen if we chose to continue the
100 miles route on our own, a policeman (who bore a striking
resemblance to Oliver Hardy) walked over and rudely informed us that we
would be arrested for disorderly conduct. For riding a bike. Welcome to
Burkburnett, TX.
I thought this race was one of the last great examples of rugged
individualism. Not so. Maybe they need to change the from "Hotter N
Hell" to "Warmer N Tampa".
|
| | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 22:34:04
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
curt9988@gmail.com wrote:
>> I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred. Make that
>> the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course because, "it is too
>> hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about that. At the 60 mile point,
>> "Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too hot to ride a bicycle." And then,
>> they told us to ride a diverted route which turned out to be 15 miles back
>> to the start. So, it's "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh, by the way, go
>> ahead and ride one 15 more miles....
>>
>> Pat in TX
>
> I'm glad I'm not the only one who was pi$$ed at this. I mean, it's
> called "Hotter N Hell Hundred", for cripe's sake! They bill this ride
> as being very, very challenging. Come ride one hundred miles across
> Texas in the August heat! Then they quit early because someone decides
> it's too hot. Thanks for deciding my limitations for me, guys. I'm too
> stupid to know when to continue and when to quit.
>
> I trained for months, took time off work, planned and paced my ride so
> that I would pass the cut-off point with plenty of time to spare, and
> some pointy-head closes early. And as mentioned above, if it was so
> deadly hot, why make everyone ride another 15 miles to the finish. If
> it was that hot, they should've had a fleet of buses there to shuttle
> everyone back safely. The race organizers will surely say that the
> decision was made to ensure rider safety, but that's bunk! If you
> wanted to ensure rider safety, you'd never have the race in the first
> place. I mean, is there a 100% safe way to ride a bike 100 miles across
> Texas in August? No.
>
> Ya know what's even better? When another cyclist and I asked the poor
> volunteer at Hell's Gate what would happen if we chose to continue the
> 100 miles route on our own, a policeman (who bore a striking
> resemblance to Oliver Hardy) walked over and rudely informed us that we
> would be arrested for disorderly conduct. For riding a bike. Welcome to
> Burkburnett, TX.
Why I live in California. The only time I ever go to Texas is when I am
driving cross country and stop at the steak house in Aillo. Other
than that I know Texas is there but don't care. It gets well into the
hundreds where I live so during the summer I take shorter rides, like
under 50 miles in 95 degrees. I tried to ride in our record breaking
110+ heat wave in June but found that 30 miles in that much heat is more
than enough. 3 water bottles and I still drank about a half gallon of
green tea when I got home, then weighed myself and was still down a
pound. Some days really are not meant for riding unless you are a real
masochist.
Bill Baka
>
> I thought this race was one of the last great examples of rugged
> individualism. Not so. Maybe they need to change the from "Hotter N
> Hell" to "Warmer N Tampa".
>
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 21:02:42
From: Thomas Wentworth
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
I sat on my ass today because it was raining ...
Good for you guys ,, good job.
===========
"Ted" <plpfoot@gmail.com > wrote in message
news:1156650252.106472.124510@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
> before.
>
> Just thought I'd let you know.
>
> Ted.
>
|
| | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 18:22:12
From: M. Bakunin
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
> 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack)
so your time was around 3H30', right?
for 63 hilly miles you are certainly riding well...
Posted Via Usenet.com Premium Usenet Newsgroup Services
----------------------------------------------------------
** SPEED ** RETENTION ** COMPLETION ** ANONYMITY **
----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.usenet.com
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 12:39:28
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Good job. Sounds as if you'll be doing this every weekend in no time at
all. You should shoot for an english century this fall, depending on where
you live.
Ted wrote:
:: Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It
:: was still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills
:: in this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in
:: one day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you
:: do it every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I
:: haven't before.
::
:: Just thought I'd let you know.
::
:: Ted.
|
| | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 13:41:28
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
"Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:12f3im5pncgca87@news.supernews.com...
> Good job. Sounds as if you'll be doing this every weekend in no time at
> all. You should shoot for an english century this fall, depending on
> where you live.
I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred. Make that
the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course because, "it is too
hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about that. At the 60 mile point,
"Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too hot to ride a bicycle." And then,
they told us to ride a diverted route which turned out to be 15 miles back
to the start. So, it's "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh, by the way, go
ahead and ride one 15 more miles....
Pat in TX
|
| | | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 21:02:47
From: Mike Kruger
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
"Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com > wrote in message
news:4lef4mF1em4jU2@individual.net...
>
> "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:12f3im5pncgca87@news.supernews.com...
>> Good job. Sounds as if you'll be doing this every weekend in no time at
>> all. You should shoot for an english century this fall, depending on
>> where you live.
>
>
> I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred. Make
> that the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course because, "it is
> too hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about that. At the 60 mile
> point, "Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too hot to ride a bicycle."
> And then, they told us to ride a diverted route which turned out to be 15
> miles back to the start. So, it's "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh, by
> the way, go ahead and ride one 15 more miles....
>
Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
|
| | | | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 05:27:48
From: Earl Bollinger
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
"Mike Kruger" <MikeKr@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:XLnIg.12440$1f6.6008@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
> "Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com> wrote in message
> news:4lef4mF1em4jU2@individual.net...
>>
>> "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:12f3im5pncgca87@news.supernews.com...
>>> Good job. Sounds as if you'll be doing this every weekend in no time at
>>> all. You should shoot for an english century this fall, depending on
>>> where you live.
>>
>>
>> I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred. Make
>> that the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course because, "it is
>> too hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about that. At the 60 mile
>> point, "Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too hot to ride a bicycle."
>> And then, they told us to ride a diverted route which turned out to be 15
>> miles back to the start. So, it's "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh,
>> by the way, go ahead and ride one 15 more miles....
>>
> Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
>
The official temp was 92-93 F at around 11:00 am, but my bike computer said
it was 103 degrees F.
On the access road next to the highway after the detour due to closing
Hell's Gate, which had been freshly paved and still a nice dark black, I was
getting a 115 degree temp reading. I found that my chapstick had melted
before then and the bike computer quit working at the next rest stop too.
Being down close to the ground on a bike with the sun beating down on you
and the heat radiating up off the ground makes it a bit warmer.
The official thermometer is mounted way up high off the ground, with one end
in a cloth wick soaked in water, so it always reads less.
The goat heads were out in force as many many riders were getting flats.
|
| | | | | |
Date: 31 Aug 2006 17:58:04
From:
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Earl Bollinger <earlwbollinger@comcast.net > wrote:
> The official temp was 92-93 F at around 11:00 am, but my bike computer said
> it was 103 degrees F.
When I finished the 100 miles around 1:45, the temp was 106 on my car's
'puter (which is pretty accurate). There was definitely more sag-wagon
activity than usual and more people pulled off for a rest under the few
shade trees. By the time I got to the 70 mile rest stop (only stopped
at 40 and 70), they were almost out of water.
I had a better ride than usual, in spite of the heat. Started about 3
blocks back and cleat-walked the first 20 min. I estimate I got to Hell's
Gate around 11:15 (wasn't paying particular attention). The last 15 miles
into the blow-dryer headwind were a killer. The headwind is typical for
the HHH - except for the previous two years which had unusually good
weather.
Any one else get the little red stickers? I got 12 (one for each year
in the HHH).
BTW, do other rides like this have the "Rest Stop Sprinters"? You know,
those packs who sprint from one rest stop to another and end up passing
you a number of times? One of these was a group of 20 or so that went
down hard just in front of me around mile 50.
Mikey
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 31 Aug 2006 22:19:38
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
>
> BTW, do other rides like this have the "Rest Stop Sprinters"? You know,
> those packs who sprint from one rest stop to another and end up passing
> you a number of times? One of these was a group of 20 or so that went
> down hard just in front of me around mile 50.
>
>
> Mikey
I haven't seen the sprinters you describe, but last year I had a guy wheel
sucking on me from 80 to the 90 mile rest stop. Then, about 50 yards from
the rest stop, he suddenly started sprinting like crazy so he could pass me
and get there first as if he'd won some big race....
Pat in TX
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 03 Sep 2006 14:44:24
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
::: BTW, do other rides like this have the "Rest Stop Sprinters"? You
::: know, those packs who sprint from one rest stop to another and end
::: up passing you a number of times? One of these was a group of 20
::: or so that went down hard just in front of me around mile 50.
:::
:::
::: Mikey
::
:: I haven't seen the sprinters you describe, but last year I had a guy
:: wheel sucking on me from 80 to the 90 mile rest stop. Then, about
:: 50 yards from the rest stop, he suddenly started sprinting like
:: crazy so he could pass me and get there first as if he'd won some
:: big race....
He was dreaming.....out loud.....on a bike, while drafting you. :)
|
| | | | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 22:13:17
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
> Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
At 11:00 a.m., when Hell's Gate was closed, the temperature was 95 degrees
F, the humidity was 40 %, the wind was from the south southwest at 11.5 mph.
http://tinyurl.com/r72ng
This is NOT extreme. I have trained this summer when the temp was 107 and
106. In fact, in 2001, the temp was around 104. Yes, the temperatures did
get to 102 later on in the afternoon (, but the decision was made at 11 a.m.
The rumor was "some people have fainted." Well, it was probably people who
didn't train for it. Why should their problem become everyone else's? Are we
going to have to quit when the kids on their 20" wheel bikes get tired,
next?
Pat in TX
>
>
|
| | | | | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 08:26:22
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
::: Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
::
:: At 11:00 a.m., when Hell's Gate was closed, the temperature was 95
:: degrees F, the humidity was 40 %, the wind was from the south
:: southwest at 11.5 mph. http://tinyurl.com/r72ng
::
:: This is NOT extreme. I have trained this summer when the temp was
:: 107 and 106. In fact, in 2001, the temp was around 104. Yes, the
:: temperatures did get to 102 later on in the afternoon (, but the
:: decision was made at 11 a.m. The rumor was "some people have
:: fainted." Well, it was probably people who didn't train for it. Why
:: should their problem become everyone else's? Are we going to have to
:: quit when the kids on their 20" wheel bikes get tired, next?
I think they probably did the right thing, Pat. Put yourself in the shoes
of those sponsoring the ride. They cannot be sure of what kind of training
the participants did. Having several people get into trouble could open up
a world of problems beyond just what is obvious.
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 29 Aug 2006 00:39:43
From: Chris BeHanna
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
On Mon, 28 Aug 2006 09:26:22 -0400, Roger Zoul wrote:
> Pat in TX wrote:
> ::: Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
> ::
> :: At 11:00 a.m., when Hell's Gate was closed, the temperature was 95
> :: degrees F, the humidity was 40 %, the wind was from the south
> :: southwest at 11.5 mph. http://tinyurl.com/r72ng
> ::
> :: This is NOT extreme. I have trained this summer when the temp was
> :: 107 and 106. In fact, in 2001, the temp was around 104. Yes, the
> :: temperatures did get to 102 later on in the afternoon (, but the
> :: decision was made at 11 a.m. The rumor was "some people have
> :: fainted." Well, it was probably people who didn't train for it. Why
> :: should their problem become everyone else's? Are we going to have to
> :: quit when the kids on their 20" wheel bikes get tired, next?
>
> I think they probably did the right thing, Pat. Put yourself in the shoes
> of those sponsoring the ride. They cannot be sure of what kind of training
> the participants did. Having several people get into trouble could open up
> a world of problems beyond just what is obvious.
I have to disagree. If x% of people are going to enter a century
without having properly trained for it, then all of the rest of the riders
get screwed? How is that fair?
95F and 40% humidity is *NOT* extreme. It's downright pleasant compared
to the typical late-summer day here in humider-than-hell Pittsburgh. I've
done 80+ mile training rides in similar heat with twice the humidity.
No ill effects. <twith, twitch, drool >
Getting serious again, I think it would make more sense for the
application for the event to include a power of attorney or a waiver that
delegates the go/no-go decision FOR INDIVIDUAL RIDERS to the event's
medical staff--if a particular rider is showing signs of heat sickness,
and that rider's core temperature is above a certain threshold, then that
rider gets to finish the day in the broom wagon, voluntarily or not.
--
Chris BeHanna
----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
|
| | | | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 19:18:57
From: Scott A Johnson
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Mike Kruger wrote:
> "Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com> wrote in message
> news:4lef4mF1em4jU2@individual.net...
>> "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:12f3im5pncgca87@news.supernews.com...
>>> Good job. Sounds as if you'll be doing this every weekend in no time at
>>> all. You should shoot for an english century this fall, depending on
>>> where you live.
>>
>> I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred. Make
>> that the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course because, "it is
>> too hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about that. At the 60 mile
>> point, "Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too hot to ride a bicycle."
>> And then, they told us to ride a diverted route which turned out to be 15
>> miles back to the start. So, it's "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh, by
>> the way, go ahead and ride one 15 more miles....
>>
> Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
Hot enough that the limiting factor stopped being fluid intake but
whether or not you were going to suffer from hyponatremia.
-Scott
|
| | | | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 18:38:16
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Mike Kruger wrote:
:: "Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com > wrote in message
:: news:4lef4mF1em4jU2@individual.net...
:::
::: "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com > wrote in message
::: news:12f3im5pncgca87@news.supernews.com...
:::: Good job. Sounds as if you'll be doing this every weekend in no
:::: time at all. You should shoot for an english century this fall,
:::: depending on where you live.
:::
:::
::: I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred.
::: Make that the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course
::: because, "it is too hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about
::: that. At the 60 mile point, "Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too
::: hot to ride a bicycle." And then, they told us to ride a diverted
::: route which turned out to be 15 miles back to the start. So, it's
::: "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh, by the way, go ahead and ride
::: one 15 more miles....
:::
:: Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
Hotter 'n' Hell.
|
| | | | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 21:23:06
From: Mike Kruger
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
"Mike Kruger" <MikeKr@mouse-potato.com > wrote in message
news:XLnIg.12440$1f6.6008@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
> "Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com> wrote in message
> news:4lef4mF1em4jU2@individual.net...
>>
>> "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:12f3im5pncgca87@news.supernews.com...
>>> Good job. Sounds as if you'll be doing this every weekend in no time at
>>> all. You should shoot for an english century this fall, depending on
>>> where you live.
>>
>>
>> I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred. Make
>> that the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course because, "it is
>> too hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about that. At the 60 mile
>> point, "Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too hot to ride a bicycle."
>> And then, they told us to ride a diverted route which turned out to be 15
>> miles back to the start. So, it's "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh,
>> by the way, go ahead and ride one 15 more miles....
>>
> Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
In search of my own answer, I checked the website. http://hh100.org/ This
gets more interesting. The Hotter 'n' Hell Hunded site has this to say:
"Hell's Gate Closed at 11:30
We have had to close Hell's Gate only a few times in 25 years.
During the late 80's we establish a hard and fast rule for closing the 100
mile route when heat stress could be fatal. The decision is made by the our
medical officer. The decision is not made before the ride but in response to
weather conditions as they occur. Dr. Keith makes his decision based on
heat, solar light, wet bulb thermometer, black bulb thermometer, wind, and
the speed at which the stress indicators are accelerating through the
morning. I am the chairman of the ride and might want to hold it open for
the sake of opinions. That is why Dr. Keith makes the decision. His process
is based on fact, not my emotional response to want to please everyone, and
is made to protect rider health. If you have ever been responsible for other
people; children, elderly parents, co workers, etc. you know the level of
commitment you must have. Your decision and that of Dr. Keith should be
based on what is best for the other person whether they think it is their
best interest or not. If there was a thunderstorm that was capable of
producing ground lightening our response would be the same. We would not
wait for the first person to be hit by lightening. No apologies, it was the
right thing to do and done for all the right reasons. "
I have no doubt that it was unpleasantly hot and likely
dangerously so. But it's interesting that in this web posting on the
official site there are no numbers provided. It's hard not to be curious
about the conditions under which they abort a ride in Texas. Today in
Wichita Falls the forecast is 88 for a high 73 for a low, which frankly
doesn't sound that extreme by Texas standards. So, what was yesterday like?
It's as if a brevet in Seattle was cancelled due to rain. You'd
want to know exactly how hard it has to rain to stop riders in Seattle. Or
it the Iditarod winter sled dog race was cancelled due to snow.
|
| | | | | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 06:15:54
From: catzz66
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Mike Kruger wrote:
>
> I have no doubt that it was unpleasantly hot and likely
> dangerously so. But it's interesting that in this web posting on the
> official site there are no numbers provided. It's hard not to be curious
> about the conditions under which they abort a ride in Texas. Today in
> Wichita Falls the forecast is 88 for a high 73 for a low, which frankly
> doesn't sound that extreme by Texas standards. So, what was yesterday like?
>
> It's as if a brevet in Seattle was cancelled due to rain. You'd
> want to know exactly how hard it has to rain to stop riders in Seattle. Or
> it the Iditarod winter sled dog race was cancelled due to snow.
>
>
The temp supposedly reached 110 after lunch on Saturday. The high on
Friday was 107.
|
| | | | | | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 07:30:14
From: Pat in TX
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
>
> The temp supposedly reached 110 after lunch on Saturday. The high on
> Friday was 107.
According to the weather underground, the high temp on Saturday in Wichita
Falls was 102.2 at 3:39 p.m.
>
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 11:50:37
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
::: The temp supposedly reached 110 after lunch on Saturday. The high
::: on Friday was 107.
::
:: According to the weather underground, the high temp on Saturday in
:: Wichita Falls was 102.2 at 3:39 p.m.
If the offical high temp was 102.2, the it very likely was MUCH hotter for
someone riding in the OPEN sun on a road. Very potentially dangerous for
anyone finishing up late in the day.
|
| | | | | | | |
Date: 28 Aug 2006 10:10:23
From: catzz66
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Pat in TX wrote:
>>The temp supposedly reached 110 after lunch on Saturday. The high on
>>Friday was 107.
>
>
> According to the weather underground, the high temp on Saturday in Wichita
> Falls was 102.2 at 3:39 p.m.
>
>
>
Thanks. I didn't see the official temp on Saturday, but this page says 104.
http://www.weatherunderground.com/history/airport/KSPS/2006/8/26/DailyHistory.html
Friday WU says it reached 108.
http://www.weatherunderground.com/history/airport/KSPS/2006/8/25/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
Still plenty darn hot.
|
| | | | | |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 22:25:50
From: Bill Baka
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Mike Kruger wrote:
> "Mike Kruger" <MikeKr@mouse-potato.com> wrote in message
> news:XLnIg.12440$1f6.6008@newssvr27.news.prodigy.net...
>> "Pat in TX" <Pat@nearnews.com> wrote in message
>> news:4lef4mF1em4jU2@individual.net...
>>> "Roger Zoul" <rogerzoul2@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:12f3im5pncgca87@news.supernews.com...
>>>> Good job. Sounds as if you'll be doing this every weekend in no time at
>>>> all. You should shoot for an english century this fall, depending on
>>>> where you live.
>>>
>>> I "shot" for a century yesterday at the Hotter 'n' Hell Hundred. Make
>>> that the Hotter 'n' Hell 75 miler! They closed the course because, "it is
>>> too hot." Imagine that! I am so p#$%^d off about that. At the 60 mile
>>> point, "Hell's Gate", they told us it was "too hot to ride a bicycle."
>>> And then, they told us to ride a diverted route which turned out to be 15
>>> miles back to the start. So, it's "too hot to ride a bicycle" but, oh,
>>> by the way, go ahead and ride one 15 more miles....
>>>
>> Somebody has to ask: "How hot was it?"
> In search of my own answer, I checked the website. http://hh100.org/ This
> gets more interesting. The Hotter 'n' Hell Hunded site has this to say:
>
> "Hell's Gate Closed at 11:30
> We have had to close Hell's Gate only a few times in 25 years.
> During the late 80's we establish a hard and fast rule for closing the 100
> mile route when heat stress could be fatal. The decision is made by the our
> medical officer. The decision is not made before the ride but in response to
> weather conditions as they occur. Dr. Keith makes his decision based on
> heat, solar light, wet bulb thermometer, black bulb thermometer, wind, and
> the speed at which the stress indicators are accelerating through the
> morning. I am the chairman of the ride and might want to hold it open for
> the sake of opinions. That is why Dr. Keith makes the decision. His process
> is based on fact, not my emotional response to want to please everyone, and
> is made to protect rider health. If you have ever been responsible for other
> people; children, elderly parents, co workers, etc. you know the level of
> commitment you must have. Your decision and that of Dr. Keith should be
> based on what is best for the other person whether they think it is their
> best interest or not. If there was a thunderstorm that was capable of
> producing ground lightening our response would be the same. We would not
> wait for the first person to be hit by lightening. No apologies, it was the
> right thing to do and done for all the right reasons. "
>
> I have no doubt that it was unpleasantly hot and likely
> dangerously so. But it's interesting that in this web posting on the
> official site there are no numbers provided. It's hard not to be curious
> about the conditions under which they abort a ride in Texas. Today in
> Wichita Falls the forecast is 88 for a high 73 for a low, which frankly
> doesn't sound that extreme by Texas standards. So, what was yesterday like?
>
> It's as if a brevet in Seattle was cancelled due to rain. You'd
> want to know exactly how hard it has to rain to stop riders in Seattle. Or
> it the Iditarod winter sled dog race was cancelled due to snow.
>
>
>
>
You do know how people like to sue these days, right? They did it to
cover their own asses so nobody got heat stroke from trying too hard to
emulate Lance, not Floyd. If somebody did kill themselves out there you
can be sure a spouse or relative would be signing up a lawyer the very
next day. Loss of a suit like that would kill the event forever, so it
is better to deal with your frustration. They could have had a waiver
for you to sign that said "Sure, I'm crazy enough to try it, and you
will not be held responsible for my stupid actions.".
I had a SAG wagon pick me up before the finish of a Century ride due to
rain about 10 years ago and I was somewhere past 80 miles. They got me
on the third pass as they were starting with the stragglers and working
their way up to my group. We were just pedaling and talking when the
wagon (big van) came up and said "It's canceled due to the rain.", and
this is in California. The problem is that we were close to the mini
mountain range that makes lightning out of an otherwise boring drizzle.
Bill Baka
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 05:32:44
From:
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Dear Ted:
Hi! How'd you feel when you were done? I've gone longer on a bike,
but my sustained distance speed on the level is about 13 mph (do
headwinds count?). For comparison purposes, the time limits for those
"Brevet" long distance rides (see www.rusa.org for details) comes to
about 9 mph. If you could take a Metric Century at that speed, over
hills, and feel fine after, you might want to contemplate an
Imperial/English/Miles however DO we designate it century (just add an
extra spare tube and some food bars, peanut butter sandwich, apples or
other nutrition of choice and a water bottle or two more to your setup,
or go on a route with many "services" present). Oh, and bring lights --
you just never know.....
17.5 mph -- OR was that Kilometers Per Hour? Even if it was KPH,
you're still booking to go that distance.
Robert Leone rleone@hotmail.com
Ted wrote:
> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
> before.
>
> Just thought I'd let you know.
>
> Ted.
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 05:30:07
From: Ted
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Chris BeHanna wrote:
I did 5410 feet of
> climbing, though. :-)
>Good job! Which state is "this state?"
Thanks for the encouragement.
According to Gmaps-pedometer 2870 feet of climbing.
The Great State of Maine.
Ted.
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 05:29:15
From: Colorado Bicycler
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Ted wrote:
> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
> before.
>
> Just thought I'd let you know.
>
> Ted.
Good stuff.
A century here and a century there, and soon the miles start adding up!
I didn't do a century today or yesterday either. But we do have some
snow in the Colorado mountains, and it is supposed to be sunny today.
Keep it up.
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 06:27:09
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
Ted wrote:
> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
> before.
>
> Just thought I'd let you know.
Dude, 17.5 ain't bad over FLAT terrain. Congrats on the MC.
|
| |
Date: 27 Aug 2006 00:28:56
From: Chris BeHanna
Subject: Re: I did my first century today.
|
On Sat, 26 Aug 2006 21:44:12 -0700, Ted wrote:
> Ok, it was a metric century (I am a very continental guy). It was
> still over 63 miles averaging 17.5 mph (there are a lot of hills in
> this state, give me some slack) and I have never gone that far in one
> day before on my bicycle. I know, a bunch of you will say you do it
> every day up hill through the snow under the hot sun, but I haven't
> before.
>
> Just thought I'd let you know.
Good job! Which state is "this state?"
17.5mph average in hilly terrain is very good.
I did a metric today and only averaged 15.5mph. I did 5410 feet of
climbing, though. :-)
--
Chris BeHanna
'03 Specialized Allez Elite 27
'04 Specialized Hardrock Pro Disc
----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+ Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =----
|
|
