OT: Cyclist Completes 310 Mile Gravel Ride in 20 Hours

[Hungry Jack]

This is unreal.

It would take Glades 2 weeks to ride that route, as he would stop to pick up beer cans every 100 ft.

The 243 watt figure is amazing for 20 hours. 34,000 ft of climbing is substantial.

Lately, a bunch of pro riders have been going out and “Everesting”, riding 29,000 vertical ft by riding repeated loops on a selected stretch of mountain pass. But all have been done on pavement, which enables them to complete the feat in 7 hours or so.

 

[stpaulcat]

Are cyclists inherently masochists? I cannot think of much that would be more unpleasant than riding for 20 hours on gravel.

 

[GOUNUII]

This is unreal.

It would take Glades 2 weeks to ride that route, as he would stop to pick up beer cans every 100 ft.

The 243 watt figure is amazing for 20 hours. 34,000 ft of climbing is substantial.

Lately, a bunch of pro riders have been going out and “Everesting”, riding 29,000 vertical ft by riding repeated loops on a selected stretch of mountain pass. But all have been done on pavement, which enables them to complete the feat in 7 hours or so.

In 1976 me, my custom made French LaPierre and 3 of my road racing buddies did the TOSRV from Columbus to Portsmouth (Ohio) and back in less than 8 hours. It was an all out assault on the 8 hour mark. We thought we were pretty special at the time. Pales in comparison to what these guys are doing.

GOUNUII

 

[Gladeskat]

This is unreal.

It would take Glades 2 weeks to ride that route, as he would stop to pick up beer cans every 100 ft.

The 243 watt figure is amazing for 20 hours. 34,000 ft of climbing is substantial.

Lately, a bunch of pro riders have been going out and “Everesting”, riding 29,000 vertical ft by riding repeated loops on a selected stretch of mountain pass. But all have been done on pavement, which enables them to complete the feat in 7 hours or so.

Nah, not every hundred feet. Vermont has deposit bottle/can recycling.

I get the sense that he didn't ride on gravel the entire way. While he didn't say he took VT-100 on his ride, I should mention that "The 200 on 100" is on a paved road. VT-100 doesn't extend all the way to Canada or Massachusetts, it curves away from each border at its termini. One may choose to start and finish on gravel to ride from Canada to Mass. VT-100 is a beautiful, well-maintained highway right down the center of the state, one of those roads marked as scenic on maps. It's the best of "Senior citizen bus-tour Vermont". Stay at the Trapp Family Lodge!

I once rode 145 miles in one day across the UP (Marquette to Ironwood, MI) with a 10-15 mph tailwind, and a 2-hour break and quart of Stroh's for lunch when I was 22. Therefore, 310 miles with 34K of climbing should be a piece of cake now that I'm older and wiser...I'd stick the bike in a van and drive down to Wilmington.

One thing I'd love to do is to ride all day with a huge (>25mph) tailwind, with no planned destination, and see how many miles I can cover. Pedaling in top gear and coasting, watching the world go by. Better yet, do that for a week. I'd be like Lance, except with performance-enhancing tailwind.

 

[Hungry Jack]

In 1976 me, my custom made French LaPierre and 3 of my road racing buddies did the TOSRV from Columbus to Portsmouth (Ohio) and back in less than 8 hours. It was an all out assault on the 8 hour mark. We thought we were pretty special at the time. Pales in comparison to what these guys are doing.

GOUNUII

180 miles in 8 hours? That’s flying!

In cleaning out my dads house, I found a circa 1990 steel road frame made by Ben Serotta. It’s beautiful. It’s too small for me but close enough for my BFF, who plans to restore it.

I got one of the last steel frames made by Serotta Cycling in 2010. Love it.

 

[GOUNUII]

180 miles in 8 hours? That’s flying!

In cleaning out my dads house, I found a circa 1990 steel road frame made by Ben Serotta. It’s beautiful. It’s too small for me but close enough for my BFF, who plans to restore it.

I got one of the last steel frames made by Serotta Cycling in 2010. Love it.

I loved cycling. Gave up the competition after a bad fall. Really enjoy Glades’ travel stories. I use to train in the rolling hills of Southern Ohio.

I vaguely recall Trek coming onto the scene when I was exiting the sport. Does that sound about right.

GOUNUII

 

[Gladeskat]

I checked out Serottas when I went looking to purchase a new bike 18 years ago. My old 68-cc Panasonic DX-2000 had rusted out. The dealer poo-pooed steel-framed bikes and thought a titanium frame would be ideal for me. Then I asked about the price.

I wound up getting a used bike (a steel 12-speed Nashbar, made by Nishiki) off of eBay for $150. It had a nice, stiff, yet comfortable ride.

I rode it for a month until I spotted a custom-made red 14-speed bike built by Hans Mittendorf from Germany in 1983 with patented dropouts that eliminate the need to 'dish' the rear wheel. $750 off of eBay. I never had a broken spoke, which is a common problem for heavy riders. It didn't fit me well, though, and wasn't as quick as the Nashbar.

Picture this bike a little taller in red with chrome lugs (sooo hot!) and internal rear brake cables (cable goes into the top tube). Sizzling.

https://steel-vintage.com/mittendorf-custom-made-nos-classic-road-bike-1981-detail

I saw an example for sale on the internet for $2800. Each time I see one for sale the seller says it may be the last Mittendorf road bike in existence. I don't know whether to sell mine or hang it on the wall. 99% of the time, I ride my garbage scow, my favorite bike of all those I've ridden, the Tour Easy recumbent.

Trek started up in 1976, right around when you were entering college, GOUNUII. 180 miles in 8 hours is amazing! Way beyond what I could do when I was in good riding shape though I understand riding in a peloton greatly increases one's speed. I've never ridden in a real peloton.

 

[Hungry Jack]

I checked out Serottas when I went looking to purchase a new bike 18 years ago. My old 68-cc Panasonic DX-2000 had rusted out. The dealer poo-pooed steel-framed bikes and thought a titanium frame would be ideal for me. Then I asked about the price.

I wound up getting a used bike (a steel 12-speed Nashbar, made by Nishiki) off of eBay for $150. It had a nice, stiff, yet comfortable ride.

I rode it for a month until I spotted a custom-made red 14-speed bike built by Hans Mittendorf from Germany in 1983 with patented dropouts that eliminate the need to 'dish' the rear wheel. $750 off of eBay. I never had a broken spoke, which is a common problem for heavy riders. It didn't fit me well, though, and wasn't as quick as the Nashbar.

Picture this bike a little taller in red with chrome lugs (sooo hot!) and internal rear brake cables (cable goes into the top tube). Sizzling.

https://steel-vintage.com/mittendorf-custom-made-nos-classic-road-bike-1981-detail

I saw an example for sale on the internet for $2800. Each time I see one for sale the seller says it may be the last Mittendorf road bike in existence. I don't know whether to sell mine or hang it on the wall. 99% of the time, I ride my garbage scow, my favorite bike of all those I've ridden, the Tour Easy recumbent.

Trek started up in 1976, right around when you were entering college, GOUNUII. 180 miles in 8 hours is amazing! Way beyond what I could do when I was in good riding shape though I understand riding in a peloton greatly increases one's speed. I've never ridden in a real peloton.

I hear great things about those 1990s Nishiki frames made of Tange 1 or 2 steel. My BFF scored one from his father in law that had a three-tone paint job. Don't see those much anymore!

 

[Gladeskat]

I hear great things about those 1990s Nishiki frames made of Tange 1 or 2 steel. My BFF scored one from his father in law that had a three-tone paint job. Don't see those much anymore!

The local sporting goods shop where my folks lived in Vermont sold Nishiki bikes. They looked nice though I questioned their durability with a 300-lb load.
The bike made for Nashbar was a remarkably stiff, responsive bike for the price. I enjoyed riding it. I kept breaking spokes on it, though. That's why the Mittendorf, with its unique inward-bending dropouts allowing undished wheels, was attractive to me besides its hot appearance. It never fit me, though. The original rider had a long torso while I'm all legs.

My Panasonic DX-2000 was a nice bike. HUGE 28-inch frame. Some a-hole bent the frame trying to sit on it while in a bike rack.

Hitting a pothole in an LWB recumbent bike is brutal on wheels because one cannot use one's body as a shock absorber very easily. I got tired of replacing spokes and purchased an Aerospoke wheel for the rear. Expensive but worth it if you have trouble with broken spokes.

 

[Hungry Jack]

The local sporting goods shop where my folks lived in Vermont sold Nishiki bikes. They looked nice though I questioned their durability with a 300-lb load.
The bike made for Nashbar was a remarkably stiff, responsive bike for the price. I enjoyed riding it. I kept breaking spokes on it, though. That's why the Mittendorf, with its unique inward-bending dropouts allowing undished wheels, was attractive to me besides its hot appearance. It never fit me, though. The original rider had a long torso while I'm all legs.

My Panasonic DX-2000 was a nice bike. HUGE 28-inch frame. Some a-hole bent the frame trying to sit on it while in a bike rack.

Hitting a pothole in an LWB recumbent bike is brutal on wheels because one cannot use one's body as a shock absorber very easily. I got tired of replacing spokes and purchased an Aerospoke wheel for the rear. Expensive but worth it if you have trouble with broken spokes.

My cycle-crazy BFF always said good things about Nashbar. I didn’t realize they had a private label, but the frame was probably made in Taiwan with most of the other branded frames.

If you kept breaking spokes, why didn’t you just get a beefier wheel? I had issues with Ultegra wheels flexing when I got out of the saddle on climbs, and switching to Kyserium Elite SLs fixed that. Mavic makes really nice wheels at moderate price points.

 

[Hungry Jack]

My neighbor owns Big City Bikes in Lincoln Park. It got looted a few nights ago. Made off with all of the remaining inventory--9 bikes (3 Surly, 3 All City, 3 other) and some other stuff. He also had a customer's well-equipped Pinarello in his shop for work that was taken. A neighbor found one of his Reynolds aero wheels in the grass a block away. Dumb looters. Those are great wheels.

 

[Gladeskat]

My cycle-crazy BFF always said good things about Nashbar. I didn’t realize they had a private label, but the frame was probably made in Taiwan with most of the other branded frames.

If you kept breaking spokes, why didn’t you just get a beefier wheel? I had issues with Ultegra wheels flexing when I got out of the saddle on climbs, and switching to Kyserium Elite SLs fixed that. Mavic makes really nice wheels at moderate price points.

I did get a beefier wheel - a 48 spoke tandem wheel but I kept breaking spokes.

The Aerospoke wheel is bombproof.

 

[Gladeskat]

My neighbor owns Big City Bikes in Lincoln Park. It got looted a few nights ago. Made off with all of the remaining inventory--9 bikes (3 Surly, 3 All City, 3 other) and some other stuff. He also had a customer's well-equipped Pinarello in his shop for work that was taken. A neighbor found one of his Reynolds aero wheels in the grass a block away. Dumb looters. Those are great wheels.

That's terrible. The customer will be bummed about losing his Pinarello.

I checked out the Reynolds aero wheelset. Yikes! $2100 for a set of bike wheels! I thought I was springing bigly for a rear Aerospoke wheel.

 

[Gladeskat]

Is Serotta out of business these days? Their website suggests they are not trying to sell many bikes these days. Sad. The same is true with Easyracers. Just when I want to upgrade my 14-year-old Tour Easy, I find out they're out of business. Too expensive to build bikes in California.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Is Serotta out of business these days? Their website suggests they are not trying to sell many bikes these days. Sad. The same is true with Easyracers. Just when I want to upgrade my 14-year-old Tour Easy, I find out they're out of business. Too expensive to build bikes in California.

Serotta got bought by a PE firm. Then they started making carbon frames! Talking about destroying your brand! Ben left and opened a new boutique frame shop, Serotta Design Studio. Now it also appears he bought the Serotta name out of bankruptcy and is reviving it. He plans to make titanium frames...

 

[stpaulcat]

In response to your earlier post in another thread, here is the Raleigh Super Course that I still have (now modified for riding more upright). I bought this bike after I was left only with the severed chain which had secured my previous Raleigh Grand Prix to a tree behind the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Toronto when I worked for Peat Marwick and Partners, one November day in the early 1970's..

http://classiccycleus.com/home/1971-raleigh-super-course/

 

[Hungry Jack]

In response to your earlier post in another thread, here is the Raleigh Super Course that I still have (now modified for riding more upright). I bought this bike after I was left only with the severed chain which had secured my previous Raleigh Grand Prix to a tree behind the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce in Toronto when I worked for Peat Marwick and Partners, one November day in the early 1970's..

http://classiccycleus.com/home/1971-raleigh-super-course/

There is a religious debate in the vintage cycling world about the merits of Reynolds 531 (British) tubing vs Tange 1 or 2 (Japanese). I don’t think it has spurred riots, but there are zealots in each side. Personally I would not know the difference if I were hit in the head with either steel.

 

[Gladeskat]

Serotta got bought by a PE firm. Then they started making carbon frames! Talking about destroying your brand! Ben left and opened a new boutique frame shop, Serotta Design Studio. Now it also appears he bought the Serotta name out of bankruptcy and is reviving it. He plans to make titanium frames...

II PM'd Serotta and they said they're back in business.

I hope Easy Racers can get back in business somewhere where the cost of living isn't so high. Maybe Serotta can buy the rights for building the Ti-rush. Or Cannondale the rights to build the Gold Rush, the first bicycle to break the 65-mph barrier and win the DuPont Prize. There are no better road bikes for touring than Easy Racer's LWB recumbents, IMO.

 

[Gladeskat]

Oh no. A 1972 Paramount.

Or a Trek 520

 

[Hungry Jack]

Nice tubing!

(I hear that occasionally from Mrs. Jack. Come to think of it, she doesn’t really follow metallurgy)

 

[stpaulcat]

Nice tubing!

(I hear that occasionally from Mrs. Jack. Come to think of it, she doesn’t really follow metallurgy)

Oh, you stud you.

 

[BorisSutherland]

That is an incredible performance. Of course, riding almost 310 miles in less than 20 hours isn't easy at all. In general, as far as I know, there are not too many trails available in the world where you can ride such significant distances. When I visited Japan 2 years ago, I got in touch with a company that offers japan cycling tours with long-distance trails. One trail lasted more than 300 miles, but I refused to think about it because it was too hard, so we took a shorter tour. All I can say is that everything was incredible.

 

[Hungry Jack]

Are cyclists inherently masochists? I cannot think of much that would be more unpleasant than riding for 20 hours on gravel.

People talk about how tough rugby and ice hockey players are. Having played both sports, I can say with 100% certainty that nothing can induce physical discomfort like cycling. And I am not just talking about saddle sores.

Long-time TDF super-domestique Jens Voigt, and excellent climber, had a saying: "Shut up, legs!" It became a mantra for cyclists.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

In 1976 me, my custom made French LaPierre and 3 of my road racing buddies did the TOSRV from Columbus to Portsmouth (Ohio) and back in less than 8 hours. It was an all out assault on the 8 hour mark. We thought we were pretty special at the time. Pales in comparison to what these guys are doing.

GOUNUII

I also did the TOSRV a few times while in junior high and high school, once riding from Lima to Columbus before the event. I had a baby blue Frejus bike I rode for many years as a member of the local AYH. I think our cycling club might have participated in the inaugural TOSRV back in the sixties. It was a fun event rolling along the Scioto River down to Portsmouth and the Ohio River. Is this event still conducted every year? The longest ride I did was a double century which the goal was to ride it under 24 hours. I was sore for many days after so that was my one and only attempt at it, we finished we under 24 hours but not in 8!

 

[GOUNUII]

I also did the TOSRV a few times while in junior high and high school, once riding from Lima to Columbus before the event. I had a baby blue Frejus bike I rode for many years as a member of the local AYH. I think our cycling club might have participated in the inaugural TOSRV back in the sixties. It was a fun event rolling along the Scioto River down to Portsmouth and the Ohio River. Is this event still conducted every year? The longest ride I did was a double century which the goal was to ride it under 24 hours. I was sore for many days after so that was my one and only attempt at it, we finished we under 24 hours but not in 8!

I haven’t kept up with TOSRV. Don’t know if the event continues today. But it was HUGE back in the day. I should have mentioned we did not do all 200 miles in the same day. Half on Saturday. Back to Columbus on Sunday. Broke it up into 50 mile segments. We were pretty hard core competitors back then. Fearless for sure. Borderline reckless at times. Lots of training for no other good reason than to set an aggressive goal and then go for it.

GOUNUII

 

[Hungry Jack]

I plan to do this in late August, God willing:

https://www.horriblyhilly.com/

This will be my third time. The 100k route for geezers like me has 6,200 ft of climbing, much of it on the last 20 miles when you are good and tired. You get hit with three 350 ft+ climbs over about 16 miles, a break of about 5 miles, then a 700 ft climb to the top of Blue Mound, a good portion of which has double-digit gradients.

This time, will probably ride my gravel bike with road slicks. The gearing is more forgiving than my roadie, though the roadie is faster.

If I expire on this ride, please retire my handle and give my posts to charity.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

In 1976 me, my custom made French LaPierre and 3 of my road racing buddies did the TOSRV from Columbus to Portsmouth (Ohio) and back in less than 8 hours. It was an all out assault on the 8 hour mark. We thought we were pretty special at the time. Pales in comparison to what these guys are doing.

GOUNUII

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

Since we are discussing bicycles I thought this article would be of interest. I hope to see these classic bikes in person myself soon but you can go to the Quint Gallery website to view them.

——————————————————————

“SDIFF Board Stalwart Ron Miriello’s Collection of Steel Italian Bicycles Goes on View at Quint Gallery, June 5 through July 17, 2021
SDIFF founding board member and graphic designer and artist Ron Miriello’sfascination with vintage Italian steel bicycles will finally be shared with the public. From June 5 through July 17, the Museum Of__, inside Quint Gallery in La Jolla, will present an exhibition of vintage steel bicycles handcrafted and built throughout Italy between 1978 and 1986, from Ron’s personal collection.

For decades, Italian steel bicycles have been synonymous with finely detailed craftsmanship and storied histories, from their hand-painted lettering and unique details etched in steel, to head tube badges and wool jerseys celebrating the pride of their cities and villages. Though once there was a bicycle maker in most every Italian town, streamlined manufacturing has shifted the bicycle world’s ethos and desire for more advanced technologies. A globalized industry has challenged the future of these family-run operations in favor of mass production, but their stories of dedication to the craft continue through a community of devoted collectors of these steel wonders around the globe.

You can see Ron’s bicycles for yourself at The Museum Of__, Quint Gallery, 7655 Girard Avenue in La Jolla. They are open for walk-ins from Tuesday-Saturday from 11AM-5PM. Visitors are required to wear a face covering at all times within the building.”
www.themuseumo.com

 

[Hungry Jack]

Since we are discussing bicycles I thought this article would be of interest. I hope to see these classic bikes in person myself soon but you can go to the Quint Gallery website to view them.

——————————————————————

“SDIFF Board Stalwart Ron Miriello’s Collection of Steel Italian Bicycles Goes on View at Quint Gallery, June 5 through July 17, 2021
SDIFF founding board member and graphic designer and artist Ron Miriello’sfascination with vintage Italian steel bicycles will finally be shared with the public. From June 5 through July 17, the Museum Of__, inside Quint Gallery in La Jolla, will present an exhibition of vintage steel bicycles handcrafted and built throughout Italy between 1978 and 1986, from Ron’s personal collection.

For decades, Italian steel bicycles have been synonymous with finely detailed craftsmanship and storied histories, from their hand-painted lettering and unique details etched in steel, to head tube badges and wool jerseys celebrating the pride of their cities and villages. Though once there was a bicycle maker in most every Italian town, streamlined manufacturing has shifted the bicycle world’s ethos and desire for more advanced technologies. A globalized industry has challenged the future of these family-run operations in favor of mass production, but their stories of dedication to the craft continue through a community of devoted collectors of these steel wonders around the globe.

You can see Ron’s bicycles for yourself at The Museum Of__, Quint Gallery, 7655 Girard Avenue in La Jolla. They are open for walk-ins from Tuesday-Saturday from 11AM-5PM. Visitors are required to wear a face covering at all times within the building.”
www.themuseumo.com

LOL. If someone stole my bike, I'd be bummed too.

The exhibit sounds amazing. Would love to see it.

When my dad's health went south and I took over his life, I started working on his old house, knowing I would have to sell it fairly soon. It was FULL of old stuff.

One day, I ventured into the second level of the coach house. One side had an apartment for boarders, while the other was unfinished. As I rummaged through the unfinished side, I came across an old Serotta bike frame. It was probably from the mid-1990s. It was in good shape, with a few scratches but no rust.

Ben Serotta was an iconic American steel frame builder from the 1970s and on. His name became legendary for beautifully shaped steel tubing. So finding this old frame really surprised me. Literally, I caught my breath when I recognized the dusty badge.

The frame is too small for me, but it is about the right size for my best friend and riding partner. He also does some bike building. So I sent it to him. He was thrilled. He hopes to do the build this fall. Should be amazing to see that bike ride again!

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

LOL. If someone stole my bike, I'd be bummed too.

The exhibit sounds amazing. Would love to see it.

When my dad's health went south and I took over his life, I started working on his old house, knowing I would have to sell it fairly soon. It was FULL of old stuff.

One day, I ventured into the second level of the coach house. One side had an apartment for boarders, while the other was unfinished. As I rummaged through the unfinished side, I came across an old Serotta bike frame. It was probably from the mid-1990s. It was in good shape, with a few scratches but no rust.

Ben Serotta was an iconic American steel frame builder from the 1970s and on. His name became legendary for beautifully shaped steel tubing. So finding this old frame really surprised me. Literally, I caught my breath when I recognized the dusty badge.

The frame is too small for me, but it is about the right size for my best friend and riding partner. He also does some bike building. So I sent it to him. He was thrilled. He hopes to do the build this fall. Should be amazing to see that bike ride again!

That’s a cool story. Can you get pics of the bike rebuild from your friend after he is done with the project?

I had an office in a locked “secured” campus building with private security guards and had 2 bikes stolen anyway within a short period.I got a new bike recently but it’s not working out for me. I’ll probably sell it and find something more suitable for riding around campus and my neighborhood. I think my days of trail riding are over as I approach 70 and will find a lighter bike that will better fit my needs. I’m encountering too many bike accident horror stories among friends and in the news that is making me back off and be more cautious about risky activities like off-road trail riding. Awhile ago I had a nasty spill on an outing on some local trails on my cross bike (before it was stolen). I was descending rapidly downhill and hit a pile of gravel at the bottom and got dumped off my bike- it was like my front tire was grabbed by a giant hand and stopped as I hit the patch of gravel and got flipped off. In retrospect I probably didn’t have the proper bike to be riding thru gravel. I was able to walk away bruised and bloodied but it reminded me trail riding may not be the safest activity for me as I age. Friends have been buying ebikes during the pandemic but don’t know if I’m ready to go that direction yet.

 

[Hungry Jack]

The Tour started Saturday, and has been a **** show with lots of crashes on what looked to be relatively benign stages.

On stage 3 (today), Geraint Thomas crashed for no apparent cause, and separated his shoulder. The medics arrived, popped his shoulder back in, and Thomas proceeded to mount his back and get back in the race--with 85 miles to go with cold rain coming down.

Unreal. Pro cyclists are a different breed.

 

[mountaindrew]

The Tour started Saturday, and has been a **** show with lots of crashes on what looked to be relatively benign stages.

On stage 3 (today), Geraint Thomas crashed for no apparent cause, and separated his shoulder. The medics arrived, popped his shoulder back in, and Thomas proceeded to mount his back and get back in the race--with 85 miles to go with cold rain coming down.

Unreal. Pro cyclists are a different breed.

There is no word I know of to describe how tough TDF guys like Thomas are, to ride 21 days straight (with maybe one day of "rest" - they still ride 50-75 or more miles on their own that day) basically at max speed for about five hours every day. "Tough" isn't adequate - how about "tough to the 44th power"?

I was still living in Evanston after graduating in the mid 80s, and caught on with the Evanston road racing club - they were out of the bike shop on Church Street near the post office, can't even remember the name of the shop. During the summer they took rides most week days up Sheridan Road all the way to Fort Sheridan and back. About 35 miles I think.

I was a clueless new rider, with my ten year old, $100, Schwinn Sierra, trying to keep up with these relatively serious riders, who all had $800-1500 racing bikes. But that's the good thing about being clueless, I didn't know that I had no business trying to ride with them.

We rode pretty easy all the way to Fort Sheridan, so I was able to keep up. As soon as we made the turn tho, BAM, it was go time. We usually had 10-12 riders, and it was all I could do to hang on to the back of the mini-peloton. Until we hit that little hill on Sheridan, roughly where Highland Park hits Glencoe. It was over. They kept their speed, I fell back, and I had to ride my *** off just to keep the group in view all the way back to the Bahai Temple.

I thought I was pretty tough to do that much. My other riding highlight that summer was a six day riding tour up the west side of Michigan, from near Holland, up to the UP with three riding friends. Did about 75 miles a day, and the second night, camped at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Carrying saddle bags and dealing with those rolling hills between the Lake and Traverse City.... on a 95 degree day, THAT was a workout.

Our last two days, Glades, were in the UP. From the bridge west up highway 2 about 50 miles, and then north up a pretty county road to a Bed and Breakfast. That was our one comfortable night of sleep for the six days. Even tho we had those gell filled seat covers, OMG, my rear was so sore for six straight days. Great riding memories.

 

[WestCoastWildcat]

The Tour started Saturday, and has been a **** show with lots of crashes on what looked to be relatively benign stages.

On stage 3 (today), Geraint Thomas crashed for no apparent cause, and separated his shoulder. The medics arrived, popped his shoulder back in, and Thomas proceeded to mount his back and get back in the race--with 85 miles to go with cold rain coming down.

Unreal. Pro cyclists are a different breed.

The time trial trial yesterday was exciting. (Lemond’s win on the final day in Paris was a classic.) I remember doing time trials with my AYH club (I really sucked at it) but it truly is a test of truth when you are out on the road alone. I’ve been a big fan of the Tour since I was young and would look at the French newspapers covering the tour. The tv coverage over the years has been great to watch. The scenery is amazing. I always look to the mountain stages to watch the descents- just crazy. The crashes early on have been horrific.

 

[mountaindrew]

The time trial trial yesterday was exciting. (Lemond’s win on the final day in Paris was a classic.) I remember doing time trials with my AYH club (I really sucked at it) but it truly is a test of truth when you are out on the road alone. I’ve been a big fan of the Tour since I was young and would look at the French newspapers covering the tour. The tv coverage over the years has been great to watch. The scenery is amazing. I always look to the mountain stages to watch the descents- just crazy. The crashes early on have been horrific.

Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwin were one of the best tv sports announcing pairs of all time, IMO. I haven't missed watching the Tour on TV since I started watching it in the early 90s.

 

[bringbacktherantboard]

 

[Gladeskat]

There is no word I know of to describe how tough TDF guys like Thomas are, to ride 21 days straight (with maybe one day of "rest" - they still ride 50-75 or more miles on their own that day) basically at max speed for about five hours every day. "Tough" isn't adequate - how about "tough to the 44th power"?

I was still living in Evanston after graduating in the mid 80s, and caught on with the Evanston road racing club - they were out of the bike shop on Church Street near the post office, can't even remember the name of the shop. During the summer they took rides most week days up Sheridan Road all the way to Fort Sheridan and back. About 35 miles I think.

I was a clueless new rider, with my ten year old, $100, Schwinn Sierra, trying to keep up with these relatively serious riders, who all had $800-1500 racing bikes. But that's the good thing about being clueless, I didn't know that I had no business trying to ride with them.

We rode pretty easy all the way to Fort Sheridan, so I was able to keep up. As soon as we made the turn tho, BAM, it was go time. We usually had 10-12 riders, and it was all I could do to hang on to the back of the mini-peloton. Until we hit that little hill on Sheridan, roughly where Highland Park hits Glencoe. It was over. They kept their speed, I fell back, and I had to ride my *** off just to keep the group in view all the way back to the Bahai Temple.

I thought I was pretty tough to do that much. My other riding highlight that summer was a six day riding tour up the west side of Michigan, from near Holland, up to the UP with three riding friends. Did about 75 miles a day, and the second night, camped at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Carrying saddle bags and dealing with those rolling hills between the Lake and Traverse City.... on a 95 degree day, THAT was a workout.

Our last two days, Glades, were in the UP. From the bridge west up highway 2 about 50 miles, and then north up a pretty county road to a Bed and Breakfast. That was our one comfortable night of sleep for the six days. Even tho we had those gell filled seat covers, OMG, my rear was so sore for six straight days. Great riding memories.

I stayed at Hope College (Holland, MI) on the second day of my trip around Lakes Michigan and Superior in 1979. Five dollars a night - you could do that back then. Then I rode for a day with two guys heading to Sleeping Bear Dunes and stayed overnight at White Cloud State Park. There, I learned that I seriously needed a tent to deal with the bugs. The next night, I snuck into Interlachen Music Camp and spent the evening sharing a cabin with a fellow trespasser who also tuned pianos between sessions. From there, it was on to Petosky where I stayed at the Community College there ($5) and saw full-frontal nudity on cable TV for the first time. After visiting Mackinaw Island, it was west on US2 along Lake Michigan to a small fishing town called Naubinway. I'd purchased a tent by then and enjoyed a bug-free night sleeping behind a tavern there. Next was heading north and then west, crossing Seney stretch...and that's when all hell broke loose.

Seems odd but the more one rides, the more the 'butt issues' go away. One has to suffer and build up some collagen padding on the bone and that takes about a week or two. By the time your L. Michigan ride was over, I'll bet your butt was beginning to feel better. Padded bike shorts are also useful. I sit in a lawnchair-like seat so I don't have any butt pain. Recumbents are great.

 

[mountaindrew]

I stayed at Hope College (Holland, MI) on the second day of my trip around Lakes Michigan and Superior in 1979. Five dollars a night - you could do that back then. Then I rode for a day with two guys heading to Sleeping Bear Dunes and stayed overnight at White Cloud State Park. There, I learned that I seriously needed a tent to deal with the bugs. The next night, I snuck into Interlachen Music Camp and spent the evening sharing a cabin with a fellow trespasser who also tuned pianos between sessions. From there, it was on to Petosky where I stayed at the Community College there ($5) and saw full-frontal nudity on cable TV for the first time. After visiting Mackinaw Island, it was west on US2 along Lake Michigan to a small fishing town called Naubinway. I'd purchased a tent by then and enjoyed a bug-free night sleeping behind a tavern there. Next was heading north and then west, crossing Seney stretch...and that's when all hell broke loose.

Seems odd but the more one rides, the more the 'butt issues' go away. One has to suffer and build up some collagen padding on the bone and that takes about a week or two. By the time your L. Michigan ride was over, I'll bet your butt was beginning to feel better. Padded bike shorts are also useful. I sit in a lawnchair-like seat so I don't have any butt pain. Recumbents are great.

That's a heck of an adventure you had, riding by yourself, most of the time, such a distance for a couple weeks. We rode some of the same roads, suffered on the same hills. We had lunch in Petosky. I must have been a few days away from my butt developing the bone padding I needed... it was still sore at the end of six days.

One of my best friends, a piano teacher at NU, is still an instructor at Interlachen every summer. I'll bet she knew the piano tuner.

There's absolutely nothing like seeing the country while moving across it under your own power. A very satisfying, rewarding and energizing feeling. Parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Montana are next on my list.

 

[Hungry Jack]

The time trial trial yesterday was exciting. (Lemond’s win on the final day in Paris was a classic.) I remember doing time trials with my AYH club (I really sucked at it) but it truly is a test of truth when you are out on the road alone. I’ve been a big fan of the Tour since I was young and would look at the French newspapers covering the tour. The tv coverage over the years has been great to watch. The scenery is amazing. I always look to the mountain stages to watch the descents- just crazy. The crashes early on have been horrific.

The time trial course played to Pogacar’s strengths, and he crushed it. He might win the Tour by a large margin.

Tour GC contenders that aren’t good time trial riders always seem kinda fake to me. I remember Andy Schleck getting exposed one year in the ITT when it looked like he had a shot.

 

[Bedivir]

Wow, 310 miles in only 20 hours?! That's truly insane. I cannot even imagine myself doing that. I don't even want to try it. Man, 243-watt figure for only 20 hours, I have no words to describe that. That man has to be mad. I also love cycling, but I'm not even close to his numbers. I don't even think that professional cyclists would reach those figures. I have always had a particular passion for cycling. I even have a collection of bicycles. They are all ensured by https://sundaysinsurance.com/, as I love them too much.