Phoenix Gold Phorum

Well, technically not a race, but it was def something I wanted to do to challenge myself. My work has a bike team that rides the MS race every year and I joined about 2 months ago. I had only gotten to ride about 350 miles thus far for training (mostly 16 miles a day, longest was 35 miles.)

Anyway, made it the entire 75 miles the first day at 19.5 mph avg. I was pulling the group (5 of us) pretty well on my shift. Today we planned on riding a little easier, but got behind a guy running 25 for a long time (40 miles or so). At about 55 miles, I thought I was gonna die today, but somehow managed to pull it off. Finished with an average of 20 mph.

I am just kind excited about the whole 150 mile thing. I was surprised I made it the whole way. My ass is killing me though, and I find that my toes go numb when I push too hard (I think im pushing off my toes too hard).

congrats mang! I can't stand playing in traffic and have never been able to get into the road thing but I love to take my mountain bike to a trail. Not a bad average for not training much. I did some cross country races and I know how it can feel like you are out of breath, your legs are dead and you can't go on but keep on peddling.....

Do you guys make alot of use of drafting? I only got to feel it at work one time on a short trip on a road back from a trail. I only wish we could use a draft on a cross-country race....

Yeah, drafting the whole way. I would say that it requires 60% effort when in the pack. It sucks when its your turn up front for a few miles though. We tried to keep a pack of 5 going the whole way. It is so much easier, and keeps you awake when you are 4" away from the guy in front of you.

75 miles a day huh? That's very impressive. I could probably handle a day of it, but my legs would be kaput on the next...

I just checked Google maps to put that in local terms... and it's pretty much equivalent to biking from Calgary to Banff, and then back the next day. There's always bikes on the highway doing that trip as well, but I'll bet most make several stops...

When I'm in Europe I regularly do 30 miles or so per day. That is much easier... plenty of time to relax and see the windmills as well.

So how long would you estimate you spent crouched down stairing at the guys spandex ass infront of you?

Another reason l like the trail over the road.