A
Andy
Guest
Once a year I ride on a group ride with our local bicycling club. Today was the day. We went on a 40
mile ride and I was pleasantly surprised: Although I was getting a good workout, I had no trouble
keeping up with the group. In fact on flats and downhills, I was coasting or braking.
On the way back with 9 miles to go, my speed plummeted. There were a few hills, and then a mild
upward grade. My pulse went to 100 percent of my max (using that 220 less your age formula), and
stayed within 10 beats of it. When the grade flattened, I still could not go above 16 mph, so I
figured I either burned myself out or the grade was steeper than it looked. (Hey, that does happen,
ordinarily, I judge a grade by how fast I am able to go.) The leader had to come back to me and rode
with me so I would not get lost. How embarrassing! Not only that, I was so exhausted at the end of
the ride that my hands were trembling. I would not think of driving home until after I rested 15
minutes. When I got home I found that the rear brake had broken and was pressing pretty hard against
the rim. If only I had paid a little more attention to the dragging when I put the bike in the mini
van, I would have been a little less embarrassed. I was just too tired and I certainly did not
expect that.
Oh well, there is always next year.
Andy
mile ride and I was pleasantly surprised: Although I was getting a good workout, I had no trouble
keeping up with the group. In fact on flats and downhills, I was coasting or braking.
On the way back with 9 miles to go, my speed plummeted. There were a few hills, and then a mild
upward grade. My pulse went to 100 percent of my max (using that 220 less your age formula), and
stayed within 10 beats of it. When the grade flattened, I still could not go above 16 mph, so I
figured I either burned myself out or the grade was steeper than it looked. (Hey, that does happen,
ordinarily, I judge a grade by how fast I am able to go.) The leader had to come back to me and rode
with me so I would not get lost. How embarrassing! Not only that, I was so exhausted at the end of
the ride that my hands were trembling. I would not think of driving home until after I rested 15
minutes. When I got home I found that the rear brake had broken and was pressing pretty hard against
the rim. If only I had paid a little more attention to the dragging when I put the bike in the mini
van, I would have been a little less embarrassed. I was just too tired and I certainly did not
expect that.
Oh well, there is always next year.
Andy