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Observation and Perspective
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| Ride Stats |
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Distance:
76.06 miles
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Time: 06:16:00
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Max Speed:
29.55 mph
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Avg Speed:
12.14 mph
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Temp:
Min: 55
Avg: 65
Max: 75
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Category: general: touring -
group
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Route:
variation of RBC#352 "Alabamy Bound"
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Weight:
237
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Altitude Gain:
2,356 ft
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Avg Power: 0 W
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Calories Burned: 5,037
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Avg HR: 0 bpm
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Terrain: Road: Flat
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Bike: Cruzbike Quest (32lb) FWD,MBB, SWB Bent
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Club: USA Towpath and Trail Riders association |
| Weather Conditions: Sunny cool, warming, -some light southerly breezes; |
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What is an epic bike ride? For me, an epic ride means long distances with great scenery -a memorable experience shared with friends. It’s best to plan out "epic" bike rides. Most rides are self supported, which means carrying what may need while miles from home. An epic ride is easier when you travel with a partner or in a group of friends. Riding with others is common sense. Self-sufficiency is essential, but a ride partner or group is more efficient for coping with the unexpected.
Before starting out making sure you’ve adequately rested beforehand. Have a route plan -maps help. A properly functioning cycle is an absolute. Preparations include anticipation of expected and unexpected needs during the ride. A properly functioning bike includes making sure brakes work, wheels have good rubber, chain lubed, bring along some tools and spare parts in case of a breakdown or flat. Other considerations include access to food and water, a cell phone, perhaps a few bucks in case…
For me planning an epic ride typically starts out with a conversation for setting up a route and time to ride.
The planning may start out with a message from a riding buddy.
Here is a typical pre-plan conversation with my friend Jerry:
"Would you like to do Alabamy Bound on Sat or some day next week? Or do you
have another idea?
I sent an email to all my 10-12mph friends, but no takers; so we can do
whatever we want. Weather is great right now; so it would be nice to do a
few mid length rides.
I need to get out and ride. Wed ride I led was a bummer. Older fellow
who rode with us somehow did an endo on the sidewalk on Lake Ave and got
seriously injured. He spent the rest of the day at Unity getting xrays and
CT scan. He had passed out after he sat up where he landed, and when he
came to, he couldn't stand up. Turns out, he fractured one of his hip
bones. He probably also had a concussion.
This biking stuff is serious 5h1t, as they say!"
my reply:
"Jerry,
Alabamy bound sounds doable. Originally Ginny requested I leave the date open, but I have been cleared to ride tomorrow so lets go for it. I will be starting from home. You are welcome to start from here also, else we can meet up at the Gazebo. What time you want to be at the Gazebo?"
Jerry writes back:
"54 mi is enough for me. Starting at your house makes it 74mi !!! In my
youth, I would have gone for it.
Can we meet at the Gazebo at 8:30?
Will you have any days next week to ride?"
So the ride is set. And the planning starts. I live about ten miles from the Gazebo near the Holly Falls Park along the Erie Canal, where we’ll meet. Starting out on bike from home, I should be able to cover the distance easily in 45-50 minutes. So leaving home at 7:30 should be plenty of time to get there. I wonder if I am up to doing the longest distance I have covered in a couple of years. A 75 miler? Got to try for it! After all, I've covered longer distances on hillier ground. This ride is essentially a "flat lander". Then again, any ride requiring this level of effort is good training.
In 2011, I did a version of this ride with Jerry:
www.bikejournal.com/blog.asp?rname=bikerjohn&cdate=8/17/2011
So we’ll do our "epic" ride again, this time on my Quest Cruzbike. Jerry will be on his Red Rans LWB recumbent. Having my GPS odometer makes keeping a record of the ride easy. I’m sort of a nut for logging and comparing statistics.
I packed a compact tool-kit, 2 spare tubes, a CO2 inflation kit, 48 ounces of water, two ears of corn, a cookie, a bag of dried fruit and nuts, a banana, a cell phone, a few dollars and some ID. I met Jerry before 8:30, he was there ready and warming up when I arrived. He suggested we do the route in reverse, o.k., so off we go.
Some highlights include stopping 29.5 miles into the ride to replace a tube in my rear tire which was losing air. The air leak was a tiny puncture caused by a sharp small flinty piece lodged in the tire. My second flat this week. Again, it is clear that the anti-leak compound "Stan's NoTubes Tire Sealant" was no longer being effective. I will be replacing the stuff with "Slime".
We also made a stop at a Federal Training Center, where we were met/stopped by "Jason" a camp counselor, security, and greeter for the camp. I pointed to my biceps, then to him asking what happened. "Bee stings", said Jason. This guy was very pumped up, huge! Jason refilled our water bottles -nice guy.
Garmon stats and a map of the route can be viewed here:
connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=15223076
Aspects of the ride were good training for the Highlander coming up in September.
Wondering now if my descriptions are ever entertaining or helpful to others... Your comments below are always welcome.
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