My first ride. 8 miles.. for your reading pleasure.. - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

bYuPride · 04-04-2007, 02:46 AM

So we start out on a pretty level road for a couple miles and then the road starts to incline for a long time, probably about a mile, and I'm starting to get fatigued. At this point I think my father in law is getting fatigued as well and he says as soon as we get to the top of the hill we should stop and figure out which route we want to go. (I think he just wanted to stop and rest for a second). So I pedal ahead and get to the top of the hill... as I'm coming to a stop, I pull my left foot out of the pedal and I'm trying to pull my right foot out, but it wouldn't and at a nearly complete stop, I fall to the right on my right side! ha ha! As if that weren't funny enough. Some soccer mom type in a mini van who is stopped at the intersection with her kids in the back seat yells to me, "Are you alright?! Do you need some help?" I quickly waved her off and started busted up laughing. My father in law comes up behind and is concerned that I'm super embarrassed... Of course I was embarrassed, but I all I could think of was how funny it would have looked from behind. My leg was all bloody and cut up but didn't hurt. After my father in law found out I was okay, he unzips his jersey and lays flat on his back and he's looking kind of green. He had a pork taco and beans and rice and soda just before he came. After that, we went another 5 miles or so and I had a total blast!

I've decided cycling is definitely not for whimps! I have to admit however, at this point, I'm a total whimp, but I'm excited to get better! I kind of feel like how Austin Collie feels when he said he feels at the bottom of the barrel in conditioning and so far behind all the other athletes. He's working his butt off though and he's getting better and better which is what my goal is as well.

On a side note, when I got home, I found my front tire was flat. What the hell? It didn't look like there was a hole or anything, how do I diagnose the problem? Another question... I'm totally pissed that some of my componentry has some war wounds... anyway to buff those out? They aren't big.. Final question... What is best to eat before a ride? Do power bars really give you extra energy?

MikeWaters · 04-04-2007, 02:58 AM

You need to check your tire inside and out for any debris. Also check the rim. If you are really smart, take the tube out, and remember its orientation, so that when you find the leak you will know where it was in relation to the rim and tire.

Oh yes, it's best to practice clip-in in grass the first time.

SteelBlue · 04-04-2007, 03:06 AM

Your first "spud". Congratulations.

bYuPride · 04-04-2007, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelBlue

Your first "spud". Congratulations.

Spud? I'm assuming that means falling off my bike? My wife is wife is cleaning up the wounds right now and it hurts like hell!

SteelBlue · 04-04-2007, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bYuPride

Spud? My wife is wife is cleaning up the wounds right now and it hurts like hell!

Spudding is when you don't clip out in time and you land on your side. The name comes from SPD's but the term applies to the process regardless of what pedals you didn't clip out of. Don't feel bad, we've all done it at least once.

bYuPride · 04-04-2007, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelBlue

Spudding is when you don't clip out in time and you land on your side. The name comes from SPD's but the term applies to the process regardless of what pedals you didn't clip out of. Don't feel bad, we've all done it at least once.

gotcha! thanks!

Archaea · 04-04-2007, 03:32 AM

One of my spuds. I went to my first race when I had returned from China without the ability to ride. I wanted to U turn but did not have the skill or speed to complete the turn anf fell over. The response to onlooking laughers was, "Welcome to cycling."

Those first few days were but three years ago, but now seem like an eternity ago. Welcome friend.

I can pretty much eat anything, before during and after, but generally, high carbs is good, fat is bad and protein is okay for long rides. Don't do too much too soon. Start with short rides and gradually increase ten to twenty percent per week.

bYuPride · 04-04-2007, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archaea

One of my spuds. I went to my first race when I had returned from China without the ability to ride. I wanted to U turn but did not have the skill or speed to complete the turn anf fell over. The response to onlooking laughers was, "Welcome to cycling."

Those first few days were but three years ago, but now seem like an eternity ago. Welcome friend.

I can pretty much eat anything, before during and after, but generally, high carbs is good, fat is bad and protein is okay for long rides. Don't do too much too soon. Start with short rides and gradually increase ten to twenty percent per week.

In general are cyclists arrogant jerk offs? I've heard that. I am wondering what kind of reputation people have of those who ride road bikes. From what I've seen, most if not all cyclists have been very cool.

Thanks for the advice on not doing too much too soon. Are 8 miles too much to do everyday to start out? Should I take it down to 5? I guess it would depend on how rigorous the rides were...

Archaea · 04-04-2007, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bYuPride

In general are cyclists arrogant jerk offs? I've heard that. I am wondering what kind of reputation people have of those who ride road bikes. From what I've seen, most if not all cyclists have been very cool.

Thanks for the advice on not doing too much too soon. Are 8 miles too much to do everyday to start out? Should I take it down to 5? I guess it would depend on how rigorous the rides were...

My first week I did fourteen per ride. Anything up to an hour is fine. Exceeding an hour should be done incrementally. Your legs will not know how to accept the differing lactate threshholds. You're younger than I so you might adjust more quickly. Welcome, it's the greatest sport, next to sex, alive.

I would not shorten an eight mile ride.

Cyclists have different reputations, depending on whether you're speaking of recreational, century riders or racers. Some racers can tend to be jerks, but the rest are great.

bluegoose · 04-04-2007, 05:51 PM

I've never Spudded in the 4 years that I've been riding. The closest I came was during my second century in Ashland Oregon when some guy on a STEEL framed bike wearing a BLUE BYU jersey almost took me down while stopping at the first rest stop.

I've also never fallen, been hit by a car, been hit by someone throwing crap at me, or anything else that would make my wife want me to stop riding. I did get run off the road once by a guy who veered into the wrong lane while coming towards me, but fortunately there was a nice level grassy shoulder by the side of the road for me to coast into.

And 8-10 miles is fine for your your first 2 weeks of riding. As much as anything, it gives your butt a chance to get used to sitting on the saddle, which is often the limiting factor for most new riders.

Way to go Pride. keep at it.

04-04-2007, 02:46 AM	#1
bYuPride Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 1,058	My first ride. 8 miles.. for your reading pleasure.. So we start out on a pretty level road for a couple miles and then the road starts to incline for a long time, probably about a mile, and I'm starting to get fatigued. At this point I think my father in law is getting fatigued as well and he says as soon as we get to the top of the hill we should stop and figure out which route we want to go. (I think he just wanted to stop and rest for a second). So I pedal ahead and get to the top of the hill... as I'm coming to a stop, I pull my left foot out of the pedal and I'm trying to pull my right foot out, but it wouldn't and at a nearly complete stop, I fall to the right on my right side! ha ha! As if that weren't funny enough. Some soccer mom type in a mini van who is stopped at the intersection with her kids in the back seat yells to me, "Are you alright?! Do you need some help?" I quickly waved her off and started busted up laughing. My father in law comes up behind and is concerned that I'm super embarrassed... Of course I was embarrassed, but I all I could think of was how funny it would have looked from behind. My leg was all bloody and cut up but didn't hurt. After my father in law found out I was okay, he unzips his jersey and lays flat on his back and he's looking kind of green. He had a pork taco and beans and rice and soda just before he came. After that, we went another 5 miles or so and I had a total blast! I've decided cycling is definitely not for whimps! I have to admit however, at this point, I'm a total whimp, but I'm excited to get better! I kind of feel like how Austin Collie feels when he said he feels at the bottom of the barrel in conditioning and so far behind all the other athletes. He's working his butt off though and he's getting better and better which is what my goal is as well. On a side note, when I got home, I found my front tire was flat. What the hell? It didn't look like there was a hole or anything, how do I diagnose the problem? Another question... I'm totally pissed that some of my componentry has some war wounds... anyway to buff those out? They aren't big.. Final question... What is best to eat before a ride? Do power bars really give you extra energy? __________________ Get your BYU license plates http://dmv.utah.gov/licensecollegiate.html#byu You do not have to wait for your current registration to expire. Get your freakin' plates on your vehicle and be TRUE BLUE!!!!!! "I'm on my beater bike" Translation: I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using titanium blessed by the Pope. I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared. It weighs less than a fart and costs more than a divorce. Last edited by bYuPride; 04-04-2007 at 02:49 AM.

04-04-2007, 03:32 AM	#7
Archaea Assistant to the Regional Manager Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Orgasmatron Posts: 24,338	One of my spuds. I went to my first race when I had returned from China without the ability to ride. I wanted to U turn but did not have the skill or speed to complete the turn anf fell over. The response to onlooking laughers was, "Welcome to cycling." Those first few days were but three years ago, but now seem like an eternity ago. Welcome friend. I can pretty much eat anything, before during and after, but generally, high carbs is good, fat is bad and protein is okay for long rides. Don't do too much too soon. Start with short rides and gradually increase ten to twenty percent per week. __________________ Ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα

04-04-2007, 02:58 AM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	You need to check your tire inside and out for any debris. Also check the rim. If you are really smart, take the tube out, and remember its orientation, so that when you find the leak you will know where it was in relation to the rim and tire. Oh yes, it's best to practice clip-in in grass the first time.

04-04-2007, 03:06 AM	#3
SteelBlue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Norcal Posts: 5,821	Your first "spud". Congratulations.

04-04-2007, 05:51 PM	#10
bluegoose Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern California Posts: 2,919	I've never Spudded in the 4 years that I've been riding. The closest I came was during my second century in Ashland Oregon when some guy on a STEEL framed bike wearing a BLUE BYU jersey almost took me down while stopping at the first rest stop. I've also never fallen, been hit by a car, been hit by someone throwing crap at me, or anything else that would make my wife want me to stop riding. I did get run off the road once by a guy who veered into the wrong lane while coming towards me, but fortunately there was a nice level grassy shoulder by the side of the road for me to coast into. And 8-10 miles is fine for your your first 2 weeks of riding. As much as anything, it gives your butt a chance to get used to sitting on the saddle, which is often the limiting factor for most new riders. Way to go Pride. keep at it.