Square Wheels Posted July 14, 2015 Share #1 Posted July 14, 2015 I am going to NH this weekend for the Mt. Washington century ride. I've accepted that I am not ready for it and am currently thinking of doing the 40 mile ride instead. It just feels like I am whimping out. Last night my wife and I toyed with the idea of riding the 108 instead. The 40 has 1 hill, the 100+ has 5. A little under 7,000 total feet for the full century. She can definitely do it, she's been riding a lot this year. I have less than 1500 miles so far.I've done it twice before and it's a terrific ride. I really want to do the full thing. I can't decide that morning. I'm more than OK with bailing out and doing a shorter ride, but if I am going to do the full ride, I need to have my mind in it ahead of time.What should I do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #2 Posted July 14, 2015 Buy a tandem. Put the wife up front and then let her carry you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted July 14, 2015 Buy a tandem. Put the wife up front and then let her carry you.I wasn't expecting any real advice, I think I was more talking out loud. Your advice is actually pretty good. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #4 Posted July 14, 2015 I wasn't expecting any real advice, I think I was more talking out loud. Your advice is actually pretty good.Enjoy the view.... http://road.cc/content/forum/124393-moral-dilemma-see-through-bottoms I wasn't expecting any real advice, I think I was more talking out loud. Your advice is actually pretty good.I would have given more advice but I am helping some asshat who can't work a three hole punch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #5 Posted July 14, 2015 I am going to NH this weekend for the Mt. Washington century ride. I've accepted that I am not ready for it and am currently thinking of doing the 40 mile ride instead. It just feels like I am whimping out. Last night my wife and I toyed with the idea of riding the 108 instead. The 40 has 1 hill, the 100+ has 5. A little under 7,000 total feet for the full century. She can definitely do it, she's been riding a lot this year. I have less than 1500 miles so far.I've done it twice before and it's a terrific ride. I really want to do the full thing. I can't decide that morning. I'm more than OK with bailing out and doing a shorter ride, but if I am going to do the full ride, I need to have my mind in it ahead of time.What should I do?If you're not ready, 100 sounds great until you start riding it. Do the 40 and let the wife finish the 100. That way you can treat her afterwards. Let her be raised up for a day. It'll do wonders for your sex life. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted July 14, 2015 Share #6 Posted July 14, 2015 What is your longest ride in the last month? If it is 70 or longer, just do the century. Or not, you know how I feel about organized rides (well, really big, well-attended organized rides, anyway). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted July 14, 2015 Share #7 Posted July 14, 2015 I agree with RG. If you have ridden 70, do the centruy, just make sure to watch your effort until the climbs are done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petitepedal ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #8 Posted July 14, 2015 (edited) I have only done 3 centuries...all on the same route...and all of them Memorial Day Weekend...and on Memorial Day weekend...I am lucky if I have 300 or 400 miles on me... Then again...my centuries take 8 hours Edited July 14, 2015 by petitepedal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted July 14, 2015 just make sure to watch your effort until the climbs are doneThe last couple of miles has several shortish 20+% climbs. So it's not over until it's over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #10 Posted July 14, 2015 I say do it! Think of it as four 25-mile rides. You can do 25, just four times. Easy peasy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reverend_Maynard Posted July 14, 2015 Share #11 Posted July 14, 2015 If you have close to 1500 miles this year, I'd say do the century. What's 6 or 7 hours of torture, anyway? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted July 14, 2015 Share #12 Posted July 14, 2015 The last couple of miles has several shortish 20+% climbs. So it's not over until it's over.20% climbs are attention getters ,no matter the length of them. at the end of the ride you could walk them. Again, how far have you ridden recently? and what is your longest ride this year? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share #13 Posted July 14, 2015 My longest ride so far this year was a week ago, 40. I can do this! It's 90% mental, I should be able to ride forever. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parsnip Totin Jack ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #14 Posted July 14, 2015 My longest ride so far this year was a week ago, 40. I can do this! It's 90% mental, I should be able to ride forever. Ride report first thing Monday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #15 Posted July 14, 2015 Don't forget to hydrate. Probably about time to start tapering too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 14, 2015 Author Share #16 Posted July 14, 2015 Don't forget to hydrate.I will never again forget that. I did last year. It was a cool morning to start, I probably went 40 - 50 miles on 2 bottles. I brought my own mix to make 8 bottles. I was convinced I used them all. It ended up I only had 4 or maybe 5 total bottles for 115 miles (got lost). I spent a couple of hours in the medical tent getting pumped up with gatorade (yuck) because my heart rate would not come down and the tingling in my arms would not stop. I felt awful for a long time. I'll never not hydrate properly on a long ride again.The exact details above are a little fuzzy, but the general feeling of yuck is accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #17 Posted July 14, 2015 I will never again forget that. I did last year. It was a cool morning to start, I probably went 40 - 50 miles on 2 bottles. I brought my own mix to make 8 bottles. I was convinced I used them all. It ended up I only had 4 or maybe 5 total bottles for 115 miles (got lost). I spent a couple of hours in the medical tent getting pumped up with gatorade (yuck) because my heart rate would not come down and the tingling in my arms would not stop. I felt awful for a long time. I'll never not hydrate properly on a long ride again.The exact details above are a little fuzzy, but the general feeling of yuck is accurate.Maybe you should chug a few Gatorade's and go give that three hole punch another go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F_in Ray Of Sunshine Posted July 14, 2015 Share #18 Posted July 14, 2015 Hey, anyone know how to get ahold of you-know-who? He had ALL KINDS of info about Mt. Washington! He was an expert. Could climb it in under an hour. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrAzY Posted July 14, 2015 Share #19 Posted July 14, 2015 The best advice I can give you is to keep peddling... if you are not ready for the long ride... just do the short one. Why cause yourself more body ach and injury to prove a point. You do have to be in mindset to push through the pain then to fall into a head game trap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #20 Posted July 14, 2015 Hey, anyone know how to get ahold of you-know-who? He had ALL KINDS of info about Mt. Washington! He was an expert. Could climb it in under an hour.Martha? I hear she used to mount Washington all the dang time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrentonMakes Posted July 14, 2015 Share #21 Posted July 14, 2015 I'm all for optimism - and I have never ridden a century myself - but if you think/sense/know you're not in shape for a century I think you shouldn't. The experience of agony on a bike (with which I am familiar) maybe builds character but I don't think it's productive enough to be worth it. In this case, being able to cheer your wife on is a bonus.My max for one day remains 62 miles and even that I was woefully unprepared for at the time, on a bike that didn't fit right. I felt like I was pedaling through mud from maybe mile 45 onward - I was passed by a couple of rollerbladers at one point. And miles 59 and 60 were through one of the worst cities in the country, while I wouldn't have been able to outrun a kid with a squirt gun. After that ride my bike sat idle for at least two weeks - I wanted nothing to do with it. I don't recommend this feeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted July 14, 2015 Share #22 Posted July 14, 2015 Hey, anyone know how to get ahold of you-know-who? He had ALL KINDS of info about Mt. Washington! He was an expert. Could climb it in under an hour.He who shall remain unnamed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #23 Posted July 14, 2015 He who shall remain unnamed.We can't say Pcad in here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted July 14, 2015 Share #24 Posted July 14, 2015 We can't say Pcad in here?Crap.. I actually forgot his forum nickname. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #25 Posted July 14, 2015 Crap.. I actually forgot his forum nickname. PatentCad, PatentCad, PatentCa...... almost screwed up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted July 14, 2015 Share #26 Posted July 14, 2015 PatentCad, PatentCad, PatentCa...... almost screwed up.Acutally the one to remain unamed was from Iowa and rode a bent.the Mt Wash in an hour guy was EPG. Yeah, EPG can give SW all the good advise he has 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former member Posted July 14, 2015 Share #27 Posted July 14, 2015 My longest ride so far this year was a week ago, 40. I can do this! It's 90% mental, I should be able to ride forever. Man up and ride the century. Last July I did a 5:30ish solo century just a few months into my recovery. I'm sure you won't be the only one that's struggling to finish. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilbur ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #28 Posted July 14, 2015 Go for 100 and grab a sag wagon if you just cant do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former member Posted July 14, 2015 Share #29 Posted July 14, 2015 Man up and ride the century. Last July I did a 5:30ish solo century just a few months into my recovery. I'm sure you won't be the only one that's struggling to finish. Not trying to rip on you here, but I'm sure you aren't the most out of shape person thinking about riding the century. I think you'll be disappointed in yourself if you only do the 40 mile ride. Don't be afraid of finishing slower than in past years. Be proud of yourself for completing a tough century, in less than your best form. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former member Posted July 14, 2015 Share #30 Posted July 14, 2015 Go for 100 and grab a sag wagon if you just cant do it.Don't even think about using the sag-wagon unless it's a safety/health issue. Gut it out, and you'll thank yourself later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airehead Posted July 14, 2015 Share #31 Posted July 14, 2015 Hey, anyone know how to get ahold of you-know-who? He had ALL KINDS of info about Mt. Washington! He was an expert. Could climb it in under an hour.but I believe that you have to do all of the training inside in the dark. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted July 14, 2015 Share #32 Posted July 14, 2015 but I believe that you have to do all of the training inside in the dark.Yup! My understanding was you train on the flats and extrapolate the time to the mountain. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share #33 Posted July 15, 2015 Hey, anyone know how to get ahold of you-know-who? He had ALL KINDS of info about Mt. Washington! He was an expert. Could climb it in under an hour.If I do it, I go around the mountain, not up it. I might try going up next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share #34 Posted July 15, 2015 Not trying to rip on you here, but I'm sure you aren't the most out of shape person thinking about riding the century. I think you'll be disappointed in yourself if you only do the 40 mile ride. Don't be afraid of finishing slower than in past years. Be proud of yourself for completing a tough century, in less than your best form. I agree with this. thanks for the positive words and inspiration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted July 15, 2015 Share #35 Posted July 15, 2015 If you have 1500 miles in you this year, you'll be fine. It's not a race, right? Do the century; the 40 will be lame, and you'll be disappointed. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted July 15, 2015 Share #36 Posted July 15, 2015 Since you've done it before, you know what to expect. Go for it and pace yourself. It is totally beautiful there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted July 15, 2015 Share #37 Posted July 15, 2015 It's fun to look back on something we gutted through because we shouldn't have done it, but did it anyway. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted July 15, 2015 Share #38 Posted July 15, 2015 It's fun to look back on something we gutted through because we shouldn't have done it, but did it anyway. Very well put! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted July 15, 2015 Share #39 Posted July 15, 2015 (edited) I am surprised few people are not taking your wife's point of view in all this. Nothing sucks more than trying to ride 100 miles while having to 'pull up' and wait for gimp to get his act together. If you're really out of biking shape and you still wanna ride it -- then start 2-3 hours earlier than her. Don't be the anchor dragging on the bottom. Edited July 15, 2015 by dotman17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share #40 Posted July 15, 2015 I am surprised few people are not taking your wife's point of view in all this. Nothing sucks more than trying to ride 100 miles while having to 'pull up' and wait for gimp to get his act together. If you're really out of biking shape and you still wanna ride it -- then start 2-3 hours earlier than her. Don't be the anchor dragging on the bottom.Wow, I suck, but not that bad. I'm not in horrible shape, but not as good as last year. There are 5 climbs, I know I can do them all. Some are harder than others. There is one bonus climb at the end, maybe a mile or three. That one I haven't been able to do yet. Maybe Saturday, we'll see.Overall I'm still a lot stronger and faster than my wife. We agreed to ride the 100 together. I will not drag her down.Here is 2 years agoHere is last year, a little longer because I missed a turnI suspect this year will be slow, but I'm OK with that. Maybe next year I'll be in shape to try and set a personal record. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottleshead ★ Posted July 15, 2015 Share #41 Posted July 15, 2015 Muhahahaaha! Good for you SW. I'm reading your spirit. Go ride that century with your woman!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted July 15, 2015 Share #42 Posted July 15, 2015 look at it this way, SW. First, you are going to finish, even if slower than you want. 2nd, if you dont finish, learn from it; you will be a better cyclist 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted July 15, 2015 Share #43 Posted July 15, 2015 Wait a minute….. you rode the same course a second time and missed a turn??? You don't see a problem with that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share #44 Posted July 15, 2015 Wait a minute….. you rode the same course a second time and missed a turn??? You don't see a problem with that?Actually I did. Since I rode it once I got a feeling this was some new landscape. I'm old so I hadn't memorized the entire 108 miles of roads I'd never been on before. About 4 miles off-course someone who had passed through one of our stops noticed I had a number on and suggested I may have missed a turn. I went back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted July 15, 2015 Share #45 Posted July 15, 2015 Just do the damned 100 miles. Let your wife be the girl in the relationship! sheesh. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted July 15, 2015 Share #46 Posted July 15, 2015 Not trying to rip on you here, but I'm sure you aren't the most out of shape person thinking about riding the century. I think you'll be disappointed in yourself if you only do the 40 mile ride. Don't be afraid of finishing slower than in past years. Be proud of yourself for completing a tough century, in less than your best form. Well that is just stupid, you are going to get him sore, injured, and a longer than 4 hour erection that will require medical care.You are right, but so am I, I am sticking with the over/under 70 rule. If you die, can I have your slow Boyd wheels, SW? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 15, 2015 Author Share #47 Posted July 15, 2015 If you die, can I have your slow Boyd wheels, SW?Yes, as long as I die this coming Saturday while descending one of the climbs. It has to be in a accident with an undocumented worker hauling wild goji berries on his three legged spotted alpaca. Then, they are all yours. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted July 16, 2015 Share #48 Posted July 16, 2015 No. Don't die under any circumstances. Finish the century. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted July 16, 2015 Share #49 Posted July 16, 2015 Ypu'll do the century. Might just suffer a bit, but what the heck. Enjoy the ride. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted July 16, 2015 Author Share #50 Posted July 16, 2015 No. Don't die under any circumstances. Finish the century.I never make promises. There are ample opportunities to die in life. Dead or not, I will finish this century. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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