Went on the longest bike ride I have done in approx 27 years. My intention was to ride the Flint Hills rail trail from Ottawa KS to Lake Pomona about 20-22 miles away, rest, turn around. I told myself I would just go and see what happens and not be too committed to the mileage. I made it half way (well, 1/4 of the way) and turned around and it was 10000% the right decision! I did 21 miles.
Bike is a Surly Ogre I just bought second hand and wildly, this was my first ride on it. Obviously not smart. I’m 50, overweight, and my bike fitness this year consists of having ridden on my single speed to the farmer’s market a
Couple miles away from home 3 times over three weeks. So obviously totally unprepared and even in my prime I was never an endurance athlete.
I took two 1-L Nalgenes and three tall bike bottles that are about 0.75L each. I went through 3.5L with Skratch additive in them.
Things I learned… I was totally unprepared for how much rolling resistance there is on gravel compared to pavement. I would say this added 30% more effort at least. In a few places there are concrete bridges and hitting these sections was like night and day. As such, 29×2.25 or 2.4 tires was crazy. Definitely need much skinnier tires.
My right hand started going numb within a couple miles. I was hoping this had changed but my hands have been sensitive to compression my whole life. I fit these bar ends inside my bars to mimic hoods on a drop bar and they didn’t help at all. Neck and even low back started bugging me pretty quick, too. I def need a more upright riding position these days.
What I enjoy most about bikes is weaving in the streets, jumping curbs and just cruising and having fun, rather than clocking miles.
I kept the previous owners saddle on the bike and it was crazy uncomfortable. A wide gel thing and I felt like I was sliding forward the whole time and my nethers are unhappy. My elbows, hands, shoulders, were all PO’d. Probably a good amount was riding position but I’ve also worked with my upper body my whole life and I may just be tired lol.
All said, I’m glad I tried and I’m greatly looking forward to more weekend cruises around town, but I’m not sure distances are my thing. Huge props to people who do things like RAGBRAI and real training and real bikepacking and touring. I can’t even imagine! If I can get to a point where my fitness is better I would like to ride more gravel.
by KCcoffeegeek
2 Comments
if you just started riding again i’d recommend keeping at it before changing anything, I bet you’ll notice a difference in your fitness and comfort quickly! No need to try a big trip again until you feel up for it, but i was surprised by how much fitter i felt after a couple weeks of riding around town when I started.
I started riding again after 12 years of no activity. I used to race road and MTB and I was so disappointed when I was less than 1/2 as fast as I was. But you get fitter, you don’t really notice but, suddenly it hits you that the hill you have struggled up for 6 weeks has magically disappeared. Keep at it, keep it comfortable and remember, no matter how slow or short a ride, you’re doing 100% better than those sat on the bums watching tv!