50mile ride review

I've been looking forward to trying this again for a long time. With all the races I tried this summer, the time I've spent on my mountain bike, my travels, my job and call schedule; it has been difficult to find the right time. What better day than a year out from my first attempt? I watched the weather forecast all week hoping it wouldn't rain, that it wouldn't be windy and that it wouldn't been too cold. I got a pretty good day. It was beautiful out today! I left my house around 930 to meet Tim at 10. I thought I was going to be overdressed: undershirt, jersey, arm warmers, shorts, knee warmers, shoe covers and my yellow Gore windstopper jacket. I was rather colorful too, but at least I was warm. Seems like I chose my clothes wisely - I only removed the jacket during the ride. At times, I wish I had left it on. The shadey parts were cool as was the brief headwind.

Strange encounters weren't unusual on this ride either. About 1.5 miles from my house, a squirrel ran from the right side of the road, under my bike just behind my front wheel. Once I arrived at the statue at Hanging Rock, I enjoyed a nice conversation with a non-local about the Battlefield trail and encouraged him to go see it as he seemed interested in the historical signs around the statue. As Tim and I headed out Bradshaw, this kid on some sort of old mini-bike came zipping past us. Tim took off after him and ended up catching him. He would say later on that the kid freaked out and started to slow down when he realized Tim had caught him. It was funny to sit back and watch this. Later on on Bradshaw, I dropped my Hammer Gel and had to stop for it. Then I got distracted looking at something off to my right, rode right off the road into the grass. I managed to keep the bike under control and was quickly back onto the pavement. Tim laughed and reminded me that I wasn't mountain biking, but did credit my save to my mtb skills. We saw some pretty houses along Bradshaw - there are at least 3 or 4 log cabin like houses being built. They are pretty sweet looking! In the Glenvar area, there were some people who looked to be setting up to sell stuff out of their car. There was a kid, I hope, that was dressed up like a cow - udders and all. After arriving back in Salem, we decided to ride down Main Street. Around the area of Advance Auto there was a truck stopped in the road with it's axle broken. A few blocks up near Member One, there had been a wreck so there were police and fire vehicles. Since the "Punkin Festival," was planned for the Farmer's Market; we did get to see several tykes dressed up. I guess that was the end of the oddities.

Tim and I split up near Longwood Park since we live on opposite sides of town. I headed up Kessler Mill Road. I was getting tired and now riding alone was going to be more difficult. I did alright going up Kessler Mill though hunger had started to set it. I kept chugging along and had decided to forego Loch Haven Road as I wasn't sure I'd make it up the two climbs. I headed down Cove to Wood Haven to Valley Pointe. There is a gradual incline on Wood Haven that I sort of had forgotten about. This is where my back started to spasm (OW). I stood and stretched as I continued on. Arriving at Peters Creek Road, I had to stop for the light so I stretched while waiting for a break in traffic then headed across to Thirlane to make my "Airport Loop." They've paved most of this road now, so it's pretty good to ride on. My concrete laden quads were not happy with me, nor was I happy with them. I really had to cheer myself on to get around the road. I reached the 50 mile mark right before I got Valley View Blvd (3:20ish). At this point, I decided to ride the rest of the way home at a cool down pace. I was so excited to have accomplished this goal. I am glad that I got to achieve it with Tim. He's been an awesome friend for so many years. I hope to do another 50 mile ride - we'll see if I can do it in 2008.

New goal: Metric Century - 100km; 63 miles. The last 8 miles were torture yesterday with the back spasms and aching quads, so if I continue to work on strengthening and longer rides off and on road then I should be able to manage this goal. I know we kept the ride slow and mangeable yesterday, but I've decided that steady is the way to go for me. I'm not too good at this fast/slow, up tempo/low tempo stuff right now. I guess that means interval training over the winter months. Anyway, going to the gym Monday, taking Tuesday off this week, gym Wednesday then hopefully I can ride Thursday after work.

Meanwhile, HAPPY FALL YA'LL!

Pictures can be found here. The ride route here.

Distance 52.15 miles

Time 3:32:55

Avg Speed 14.7 mph (max 33.8 mph)

Avg HR 142 bpm (max 167 bpm)