rbent Forum - Print Page

rbent Forum
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Upcoming Rides >> RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Spring?
https://rbentonline.org/YaBB.pl?num=1229813534

Message started by FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 20^th, 2008, 4:52pm

Title: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Spring?
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 20^th, 2008, 4:52pm

Lynn Morrow and I were talking this morning about the Rando ride concept, and that she's interested in trying longer rides, but is intimidated by our typical postings of 17+ pace. Now considering that she did RAGBRAI this year, putting in over 600 miles in a week, I don't really think she's got much to worry about, but it's a valid point, nonetheless, because you don't want to be left for solo on something like that if you can avoid it.

SO.... that got me to thinking we could arrange an RBENT "Newbie Century" ride sometime in the spring, aimed at those riders who have perhaps thought about doing a 100-miler but either have never done it or have only done it once or twice and though "never again"... This would be a relatively flat course, with various rest stops scheduled, and at a CONTROLLED, no-drop pace averaging maybe 14-15 mph overall. We might even approach it with one of the LSR Populaire route events, I dunno -- but it seems like a fun idea to me for some weekend day. Heck, we might even get Sadowski out for it... ;)

Thoughts???

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century ride concept for Sprin
Post by freakflyer9999 on Dec 20^th, 2008, 7:50pm

I will by no means be ready for a full century this spring, but would definitely be interested for the following spring.

How about a series of gradually longer training rides to help build up to a full century.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century ride concept for Sprin
Post by Tim C. on Dec 20^th, 2008, 8:41pm

I would like to build up to some centurys during 2009. I don't know if I can average 15 mph right now. What is a good pace for a Stratus? I know you can go faster on the SWB. I probably will never be a Rando but I would be interested in 60 to 100 under the right circumstances. I enjoy reading the Rando rides but probably don't want to devote the whole day to something like that. I pay on hitting a lot of the pay rides during 2009 so maybe that will be enough to satisfy my riding desires.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century ride concept for Sprin
Post by evblazer on Dec 20^th, 2008, 9:27pm

The controlled pace is a good idea. But I have to say the only reason I did my first local group ride was because it was listed as 10-12 no drop social and even then it was a worry. 14-15 would be a really really good day for me on a century. Even though I have ridden over 100 miles and would want to go I don't know if I could keep up with the pace realiably.
:'(

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century ride concept for Sprin
Post by freakflyer9999 on Dec 21^st, 2008, 9:52am

I just had a thought. Though it would be nice to have some planning assistance, encouragement and company from the guys that ride centuries for breakfast, we could get a few of us together to train for it ourselves.

How about starting with a no-drop ride of 30-40 miles. See what our avg speed is and then as a group set goals to improve.

I know that I can easily do 20-25 miles on the Trinity Trails. They are relatively flat and my avg speed the first time was 11.7 MPH on a 22 mile ride. I feel really comfortable that I could extend that to 30-40 miles and pick up the pace to 12-14 MPH over a couple of rides.

Anyone interested in a no drop 30-40 mile ride on the Trinity Trails in Jan. (weather permitting of course)? Or any other relatively flat route suggestions? I've never ridden the Airport loop that is talked about here, but I understand that it is relatively flat as well.

The goal of the first ride would be to establish a benchmark for the group in terms of avg speed and then to determine appropriate goals that lead towards riding centuries with the big boys and girls.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century ride concept for Sprin
Post by Bud_Bent on Dec 21^st, 2008, 1:47pm

One of the LSR populaires might be a good route for a first century. As I recall, the Covington Coaster Populaire (http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/tx/-duncanville/311069989) route was my first century.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century ride concept for Sprin
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 22^nd, 2008, 10:02am

Obviously, any particular "challenge distance" can be organized... I was proposing a century, but the "100K" 62-mile concept is another good target, especially for spring... My first-ever century (on the EZ-1!) was actually a January ride that the GDB organized by taking their normal "Airport Ride" and extending it to three loops around the airport, with rest stops at the Shell... Up to that point, I had never done a ride longer than 50 miles, but was doing 40-milers fairly consistently on the GDB Distance Builder rides every weekend.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 22^nd, 2008, 10:06am

Tim C. wrote:

I would like to build up to some centurys during 2009. I don't know if I can average 15 mph right now. What is a good pace for a Stratus? I know you can go faster on the SWB.

A "good pace" is whatever you can hold consistently... that's the beauty of the recumbent, in that bodily soreness is not going to contribute toward cutting your ride short. I know a couple in California that do at least one 100K a week, but they go about 10 mph...

And why would someone be faster on a SWB? Other than a difference in bike weight, there's no reason, really...

Sounds like there's actually more potential interest in organizing a 100K in the short term - whatever works!!!

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Bud_Bent on Dec 22^nd, 2008, 11:51am

The other thing that should be pointed out is that while LSR is one of the biggest randonneuring groups around, and has a bunch of very strong riders, there are lots of randonneurs who aren't racers, and you don't have to be that fast to make the course time limits. Obviously, it is nice to have others your speed to ride with, both for safety and help in case of a mechanical (besides being more fun). There's no better place than the shorter populaires, and even a 100 mile one like we're discussing here, to get started and find other riders who are near your own speed. Once you have randonneuring friends near your speed, you can favor rides which those friends are doing. That's what most of us do.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by aikigreg on Dec 22^nd, 2008, 5:43pm

And let me piggyback off Bud by saying that NONE of us were century riders when we first started. Bud only did his first century last year. And when he, Paul, and I started riding together and "re-invigorated" rbent, I don't think I'd done more than 30 miles or so. The great thing was we all worked on it together. Bud and I rode together a couple times a week most every weeks, and started doing the club rides and then eventually the short LSR populaires, and worked our way up to long stuff. I can remember barely making it through many a ride before I built up to what I do now, so I know for a fact anyone can do it, because if I can, anyone can. All of it just takes time. He doesn't say a ton on here, but powerbent is a big inspiration. So is Mark Leuck if you know his back story.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Richard on Dec 24^th, 2008, 10:02am

John and I had talked about doing a Whiterock Hundred. Just start early and make laps for a hundred miles. Stop when you like. Something easy just working on distance.

RichardC

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by evblazer on Dec 24^th, 2008, 11:05am

Is whiterock clearish this time of year? I have only been once and I always wondered if that just happened to be the day everyone decided to head out and walk their dogs and kiddies.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by richardr on Dec 24^th, 2008, 8:04pm

I really like the idea of some longer, but not fast rides. I would prefer rides starting at 100k and working up to 100 miles at an average speed of under a 15mph . I normally ride about 55 miles with the Eastside ride on Saturdays (including the distance from home to the start and back) so feel very comfortable at that distance. I need the longer rides to work on my nutritional balance. It was a lack of sustained nutrition that almost did me in on my first and so far only century on Labor Day.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Mrs Strada on Dec 25^th, 2008, 10:21am

I love this idea. Steve and I are also century newbies , we did our first century at Hotter then Hell August 2007 ,then the next month at the Texas time trials(thanks to Bud & Paul).

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by artcat on Dec 26^th, 2008, 2:33pm

I am so glad Paul started this topic. I have been wanting to do longer rides for quite sometime but will not ride alone on public roads.
Safety in numbers and all that. I don't care if we start at 100k or 100m. Lets just do it. We will all get better and faster.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by mleuck on Dec 31^st, 2008, 1:03pm

evblazer wrote:

Is whiterock clearish this time of year? I have only been once and I always wondered if that just happened to be the day everyone decided to head out and walk their dogs and kiddies.

You can usually avoid the joggers/kiddies/dogs on the weekend If you wait until late morning/early afternoon

Unless of course they have some big event then all bets are off

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by mleuck on Dec 31^st, 2008, 1:04pm

Richard wrote:

John and I had talked about doing a Whiterock Hundred. Just start early and make laps for a hundred miles. Stop when you like. Something easy just working on distance.

RichardC

I've done that before, to break 100 you have to do 11 loops and it gets real boring around lap 8 :)

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Opus the Poet on Dec 31^st, 2008, 1:59pm

The good thing about a WRL100 is you quickly learn where all the best rest stops are, and it's easy to get to. I didn't start out riding to Sherman for lunch either, I had to build up to it, a little at a time.My first long ride with RBENT was riding to Farmersville from Garland back in '02. Some guy riding a RANS Tailwind did it with me, and riding back I had the worst case of recumbutt in the history of the sport... I did that ride every June for 5 years. I think I might do it again this summer. Anybody up for a metric June 20th?

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by urbinrider on Jan 8^th, 2009, 3:31pm

I like the idea I have this new to me Zenetik Tour and I think it is ready to take on a longer ride. I just started to get the feel for it. Joe and I just came back from river Legacy Park and I got up to 22mi hr out on Green oaks I might have had the wind to my back but I really like it and would like to see how far my butt can take it and I do need to get into better shape. I have only done 2 century rides and that was at HHH and was also on a upright. So if we start to train I will try to keep a watch for days we will ride. look forward to the ride to come
Urb

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Bud_Bent on Jan 8^th, 2009, 6:47pm

I notice LSR has populaires scheduled on January 31st and February 14th. The schedule doesn't say where the rides are or how long they are yet, but if the weather turns out nice on either of those days, one of those might be a good place for a first long ride. Their populaires range from 60 to 100 miles. If I know we have some new riders planning on joining on of these rides, I wouldn't mind bringing my Stratus XP, and keeping a pretty easy pace, myself.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by urbinrider on Jan 9^th, 2009, 8:40pm

Bud_Bent wrote:

I am not familiar with LSR and populaires can you tell me who and what this is

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by aikigreg on Jan 9^th, 2009, 9:45pm

Lone Star Randonneurs. LSR is a long diatance biking oragnization, The local club/chapter if you will of RUSA:

http://www.rusa.org/

populaires are their "introductory" rides, distances of less than 200k that are designed to get you familiar with the sport of raqndonneuring without having to join the club.

the address for LSR is lonestarrandon.tripod.org.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Opus the Poet on Jan 10^th, 2009, 1:48am

Here's that metric route, courtesy of Bike Route Toaster:

Leg (km) Total (km) Name Directions
0.0 0.0 Start at Paintbrush and Crist headed south on Crist
0.9 0.9 Turn Left Turn left at Naaman School Rd
1.4 2.3 Turn Left Turn left at Pleasant Valley Rd
2.2 4.5 Straight Continue on Miles Rd
0.3 4.8 Turn Right Turn right at Pleasant Valley Rd Destination will be on the left
4.7 9.5 Turn Left Turn left at Elm Grove Rd
0.9 10.5 Turn Left Slight left at Whitley Rd
1.7 12.2 Turn Left Turn left at Keely Rd/Vinson Rd Continue to follow Vinson Rd
0.9 13.0 Turn Left Turn left at FM-544
2.3 15.4 Turn Right Slight right at S W A Allen Blvd
1.5 16.9 Straight Continue on Eubanks Ln
0.7 17.5 Turn Right Turn right at TX-78
10.2 27.7 Turn Right Turn right at FM-6
11.4 39.2 Turn Right Turn left at Farm-To-Market Rd 547/Lottie St/S Main St Destination will be on the right
0.2 39.4 Turn Left Turn left at E Swanson Dr
0.0 39.5 Turn Right Turn right at S Farm-To-Market Rd 547/S Main St/S Moore St Continue to follow S Main St
1.7 41.2 Straight Continue on FM-547
10.7 51.9 Turn Right Turn right at US-380
0.2 52.2 Turn Left Turn left at Highway 653
1.1 53.3 Turn Right Turn right at Murchison St
0.5 53.7 Turn Right Turn right
0.2 53.9 Turn Left Turn left
0.1 54.0 Turn Right Turn right toward Murchison St
0.2 54.2 Turn Left Turn left at Murchison St
0.5 54.6 Turn Left Turn left at Highway 653
1.1 55.8 Turn Right Turn right at US-380
4.6 60.4 Turn Left Take the exit on the left toward TX-78
0.1 60.5 Turn Right Turn right at TX-78 Destination will be on the right
24.4 84.9 Turn Left Turn left at Eubanks Ln
0.7 85.6 Turn Right Continue on N W A Allen Blvd Destination will be on the right
1.5 87.1 Turn Left Slight left at FM-544
2.3 89.4 Turn Right Turn right Destination will be on the right
0.1 89.5 Turn Right Turn right at Vinson Rd
0.9 90.3 Turn Right Turn right at Whitley Rd
2.6 92.9 Turn Left Turn left at Pleasant Valley Rd
4.7 97.6 Turn Left Turn left on Miles
0.3 97.9 Straight Continue on Pleasant Valley Rd
2.2 100.3 Turn Right Turn right on Naaman School Rd
1.4 101.7 Turn Right Turn right on Crist Rd.
0.9 102.6 Arrive at destination

All distances in km because I wanted to make sure we had an accurate metric century

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Bud_Bent on Jan 10^th, 2009, 8:57am

LSR has other routes that are that distance, as well. Their website is here (http://www.lonestarrandon.org/).

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Tim C. on Jan 10^th, 2009, 8:06pm

I am a wimp and need to start riding at less than the 60 mile mark. I haven't bought cold weather attire yet and was planning on getting into the swing of things this Spring. I think there is a group of us who would like to build up to a century but not on some cold blustery weekend. You guys who post often are going to have to be patient with this group if you are going to effective helpers. We appreciate your input and support.

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jan 11^th, 2009, 8:22am

Tim C. wrote:

You might look into hooking into a local bike club that does rides in your area, like Greater Dallas Bicyclists, Plano, or Carrollton, or whatever . Even a ride from a local bike shop (NOT the RBM rides, IMHO) This gives you the advantage of typically having several group rides to choose from, so you can get out there more regularly. Inquire as to if there's a group that is doing ~20 miles at a pace you think you can handle, and go do it! Don't be put off by the "recumbent bias" some people will give you, just get out there and be friendly, and enjoy the rides. Riding regularly will do more than anything else to get you "into the swing of things" than solo riding, because it gives you extra impetus to get out there and ride with friends, and group riding will push you more than solo riding does.

When I first bought my EZ-1, I discovered the GDB group, and started out trying the 20-mile "casual pace group" Tuesday night ride at REI (that will re-start in the Spring). My first ride with them averaged 12 mph -- and I was tired, but elated at doing 20 miles! I kept participating with that group, and eventually joined a ~40 mile "distance builder" group, and by the end of the year, had put on over 3,000 miles without ever doing more than a 50-mile ride. But jumped from there to doing my first century the next month.

GDB has a lot of different rides during the week, in various locations, at various paces and distance. Check the activities calendar http://www.greaterdallasbicyclists.com/webcalendar/month.php , if you're so inclined, and if you have questions about a particular ride, feel free to ask me!

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by urbinrider on Jan 11^th, 2009, 9:05pm

urbinrider wrote:

[quote author=Bud_Bent link=1229813534/15#19 date=1231462079]I notice LSR has populaires scheduled on January 31st and February 14th. The schedule doesn't say where the rides are or how long they are yet, but if the weather turns out nice on either of those days, one of those might be a good place for a first long ride. Their populaires range from 60 to 100 miles. If I know we have some new riders planning on joining on of these rides,

I am not familiar with LSR and populaires can you tell me who and what this is [/quote]
Is anyone going to ride the populaires on the dates you posted I might good for a metric 100k I am going to start to get some riding in and to get adjusted to the bike I might need some more padding in my seat I am not sure how far my tushy is good for
URB

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by richardr on Jan 12^th, 2009, 7:51pm

I am considering riding the 100k's. According to the LSR website they are both on Sunday, Feb 1 and 15.

Last summer I rode my first 100k with LSR. It was a great ride, although I was much slower than most of the group, I was never left behind.

Richard

Title: Re: RBENT "starter" century/100K concept for Sprin
Post by Bud_Bent on Jan 12^th, 2009, 9:39pm

Most of the regular LSR folks ride the populaires at a moderate pace, especially when there are new people riding. Dan Driscoll even rode one on a mountain bike last year.

If you read rando reports from other parts of the country, there are plenty of riders who seem to ride an easy pace. LSR is one of the few rando clubs around that has mostly hammerheads. If several people here who like to ride a more moderate pace join and start riding this year, then they'll instantly have others to ride with on these rides. Then it becomes like any other ride: you check and see if the friends you like to ride with are planning to do an upcoming ride, and if they are, you join in. If they aren't, but you're in the mood for a long solo challenge, then you ride anyway.

More rando rides than not, I've ended up riding with friends. But, I can't say I didn't enjoy the solo riding efforts, too.