Bicycles

[cydisc]

I'm going on a friend's birthday century ride Saturday.

He's not 100 years old. He's riding 100 miles.

[FastDoc]

Have fun and good luck, Cydisc!

My Century is in 2 weeks. I'm fairly well prepared but still nervous ;-)

We look forward to hearing the report of your successful ride.

[FastDoc]

Originally Posted by cheesy

Kato-Just a heads up. Costco has some decent looking hybrids for under $200. If I wasn't trying to quit n+1*, one would have come home with me.


*I think it was easier to quit smoking.

I'm not a Costco guy, but that sounds like something worth looking at.

Is there a weblink to the bike?

[FastDoc]

Cool bike, Bill. Clean on the outside, complex on the inside. Cool arrangement.

[cheesy]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

I'm not a Costco guy, but that sounds like something worth looking at.

Is there a weblink to the bike?

Couldn't find it on their website so it may have been a local 'in store' clearance on some left over 2015 models. Here is the link to the 2016, though. Still not a bad price for what it is.
http://www.costco.com/Diamondback-Ed...100242696.html

[FastDoc]

Thanks for the link. That looks like a pretty decent bike for 250, and at 200 I would consider it very good. When it comes to low and mid end bikes though, I tend to shy away from suspension forks and seat posts. The reason is that at the low-end I think it adds a lot more weight that and complexity then comfort. Also, even though I ride the mountain bike a lot, it's surprisingly how little The suspension really helps me riding the type that I do. If a person is mostly on gravel roads, smooth trails etc., I think it is not worth the weight of the suspension

[cydisc]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Have fun and good luck, Cydisc!

My Century is in 2 weeks. I'm fairly well prepared but still nervous ;-)

We look forward to hearing the report of your successful ride.

Century in the books. Started at 8:30am with 4 riders at Woodward, IA at the western terminus of the High Trestle Trail, a converted railroad bed. The trail from Woodward to Ankeny is exactly 25 miles with two towns, Madrid and Slater, along the route. So, the plan was to ride the trail out and back twice.

The first 50 miles was all business, averaging 20 mph with only a quick stop in Slater for water bottle replenishment and stopping at 50 miles for lunch. Then, as more riders joined in the fun, the speed remained more or less the same, but the stops became more frequent and longer lasting, as Ankeny conveniently has a brewery a block from the trailhead and Madrid and Slater have bike-friendly bars right on the trail. It took over 12 hours to complete, but three of the four initial riders made it to the end. I'm spent. Going to bed now.

[FastDoc]

Great job! Hopefully, two weeks from today, after mowing, I will be also giving a good report. That sounds like a very high average speed. Good for you! Were you drafting? How was the weather? The wind? Was it flat or hilly?

[cydisc]

Originally Posted by FastDoc

Great job! Hopefully, two weeks from today, after mowing, I will be also giving a good report. That sounds like a very high average speed. Good for you! Were you drafting? How was the weather? The wind? Was it flat or hilly?

Starting temp was in the high 50's and topped out at 74. Sunny and clear with a significant wind out of the SE, which is unfortunate for the Slater-Ankeny leg, which runs SE.


Being a former rail route, the trail is pretty much flat except for a modest descent to the High Trestle Bridge that spans the Des Moines River.


Out 4th rider at the start had places to be later, so was only with us for 50 miles. We pushed it a bit to keep him on schedule and he likes to ride fast, so we tucked in behind him where the wind was particularly brutal. Of course, the return was easy-peasy. We stopped more often during the 2nd 50 (it was a birthday party, after all), so we were able to cut it into manageable chunks of no more than 8 miles at a time.

We finished up around 10:30, so had this kind of view on the bridge with 2.5 miles remaining:


It's an awesome trail that anyone who enjoys riding should experience if they're in the area.

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting the great photos of the bridge.

[cheesy]

Good on ya, cydisc. That was the way to do it. Personal records are over rated, IMHO. (Says the guy with a scrapbook)

[Louis Angel]

LOVE that bridge @ night pic!

[FastDoc]

That bridge belongs in an art museum.

[wheelbender6]

My final bike build that I have photos on.
-Bought this 1976 Western Flyer frame. The seller was storing the frame in the back of a 1966 Ford Galaxy wagon that didn't run.
-After a quick paint job, I hung enough parts on it to do some riding.
-The ride was very smooth and comfortable, so I transplanted my engine kit from my mountain bike to the Western Flyer. I had fun making brackets and tinkering with it. I also commuted to the bus park and ride lot on it.

[FastDoc]

Saturday is my big day. My first Century of the century. Last time I rode 100 miles in a day I must have been in college.

Plenty of rides in the 60 mile bracket, but 100 is a big deal for me still.

I am well prepared. I've always been in very good condition but I really stepped it up 5 months ago. Went from vegetarian to near vegan and increased my calories to 3,500/day. Doubled my exercise including up to 120 miles a week on the bikes. Vitamins, vegan protein supplements and increased rest. This is the best I'll ever be for a 100 miler.

My arse is the wildcard. My arse hate me. I get hate mail from it daily. I expect my arse will try to kick my arse as it were but it works for me in the 'end'.

Wish me luck/say a prayer for me guys.

I hope to report a completed Century in a few days, but if I don't make it I'll still consider the fitness a success.