My longest bike ride ever - 62 miles!

[licuadora]

Hey there Stewart, just wondering if you have heard of the MS 150 "ride to the beach" in October 4-5 this year from San Antonio to Corpus. My husband has done that one and he has also done the Houston-Ausitn ride many times, but not the Houston-AUS one recently. His sister has MS so it has a bit of special meaning to be able to do it.

On a side note, I have acutally been on a bike too, we've been doing some fun Saturday morning "urban" rides in Ausitn discoverning some old neighborhoods by leaving from the hike and bike trail. Maybe I'll be ready for a MS ride someday

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by PlayaGroom

Yeah...we'll see about the crits. They're pretty intense, but look like a blast. I really need to log some miles before I consider it more seriously.

I've heard a lot of good things about the MS rides though...great organization, and of course, riding for a cause. Good luck with the mileage build-up!

Also - you take part in spinning classes, no? Do you find those workouts comparable to being on a real saddle? I'm looking at some local clubs for when our roads are frozen over and have been wondering about the classes.

Yep, I've been taking spinning for almost four years and instructing it for almost two. It CAN be similar to road riding, but that is not always the case.

I'm actually going to buy a trainer for my road bike this week, either fluid or centrifugal, haven't decided which. I am curious to see where I get the better and/or more realistic workout, on the spin bike or on my road bike on a trainer.

In any event, spinning is a hell of a lot of fun, and road authentic or not (depends largely on the instructor, I would think) I would suggest trying it out.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by licuadora

Hey there Stewart, just wondering if you have heard of the MS 150 "ride to the beach" in October 4-5 this year from San Antonio to Corpus. My husband has done that one and he has also done the Houston-Ausitn ride many times, but not the Houston-AUS one recently. His sister has MS so it has a bit of special meaning to be able to do it.

On a side note, I have actually been on a bike too, we've been doing some fun Saturday morning "urban" rides in Ausitn discoverning some old neighborhoods by leaving from the hike and bike trail. Maybe I'll be ready for a MS ride someday

Austin is a GREAT biking city. I wish I had taken up the sport when I was in college!

Of course I've heard of the MS "Bike to the Beach!" I am planning on riding the Tour de Pink on September 7th (hopefully the 80 mile route), and if I do okay there, I was thinking about giving the Bike to the Beach a shot! So if I ride, will I get to meet you and hubby?

[PlayaGroom]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Yep, I've been taking spinning for almost four years and instructing it for almost two. It CAN be similar to road riding, but that is not always the case.

I'm actually going to buy a trainer for my road bike this week, either fluid or centrifugal, haven't decided which. I am curious to see where I get the better and/or more realistic workout, on the spin bike or on my road bike on a trainer.

In any event, spinning is a hell of a lot of fun, and road authentic or not (depends largely on the instructor, I would think) I would suggest trying it out.

I had my bike on a trainer all winter last year, which is why I asked about the spinning option. The trainer is a great workout, but I just want an excuse to get out of the house once and a while for an aerobic workout. I can't speak to the differences of fluid/centrifigual, but I use a fluid trainer (adjustable resistance) and it's worked great so far! Check out the Spinervals training DVDs, they're killer workouts (and have fun titles too)!

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Austin is a GREAT biking city. I wish I had taken up the sport when I was in college!

Of course I've heard of the MS "Bike to the Beach!" I am planning on riding the Tour de Pink on September 7th (hopefully the 80 mile route), and if I do okay there, I was thinking about giving the Bike to the Beach a shot! So if I ride, will I get to meet you and hubby?

You'd be fine, I used to cycle 46 miles round trips in London twice or three times a week and never felt I was struggling.

As long as you keep to riding at least 15-20 miles a day on average the occasional long ones (100 miles+) aren't as difficult as you may have imagined.

[licuadora]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Austin is a GREAT biking city. I wish I had taken up the sport when I was in college!

Of course I've heard of the MS "Bike to the Beach!" I am planning on riding the Tour de Pink on September 7th (hopefully the 80 mile route), and if I do okay there, I was thinking about giving the Bike to the Beach a shot! So if I ride, will I get to meet you and hubby?

Could happen,,,, not sure if Jim is planning on Bike to the Beach, but if he is YES of course we'll meet up with you. He just came in from a ride in fact, out Southwest Pkwy and back, just a little tease of a ride. His big riding days are Sundays out in Dripping Springs with the boys.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by Daddy B

You'd be fine, I used to cycle 46 miles round trips in London twice or three times a week and never felt I was struggling.

As long as you keep to riding at least 15-20 miles a day on average the occasional long ones (100 miles+) aren't as difficult as you may have imagined.

Getting a stationary trainer (this Friday) and that will help a LOT, I think, especially during periods of rainy weather like we've been having these past few days...

And, by the way, I would give my left yarble to be able to have the opportunity to regularly bike around that great city!

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by licuadora

Could happen,,,, not sure if Jim is planning on Bike to the Beach, but if he is YES of course we'll meet up with you. He just came in from a ride in fact, out Southwest Pkwy and back, just a little tease of a ride. His big riding days are Sundays out in Dripping Springs with the boys.

Makes me think of a student I have in my spinning class. He's a bit older than I am, in his 50s, and is still chunky like me, but he is a VERY serious cyclist - does long rides every Sunday as well with his friends. I asked him a couple of weeks ago what his route was, he said "We've managed to map out a perfect route in 10 mile segments between the finest kolache shops in northwest Houston."

[TJordan]

Congrats Stew


My dad is training for an Ironman Triathlon.
I don't get it.

HAHA

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by TJordan

Congrats Stew


My dad is training for an Ironman Triathlon.
I don't get it.

HAHA

Way to go, dad!!!

You should give it a tri! (Get it? Tri? )

If it weren't for the running, I would LOVE to do a tri!

[TJordan]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Way to go, dad!!!

You should give it a tri! (Get it? Tri? )

If it weren't for the running, I would LOVE to do a tri!

I need to get back into shape and I believe that bike riding would be my best way.

[MN Annie]

Congrats, Stewart, for working so hard!

I know a retired guy who just rode across the US. It took about 80 days for him to pedal from Virginia to Oregon. I think that is absolutely amazing!

The last two years, our son has done the century part of this ride. It's very long, but has beautiful scenery.
The Big Mick

[u2girlie]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Getting a stationary trainer (this Friday) and that will help a LOT, I think, especially during periods of rainy weather like we've been having these past few days...

And, by the way, I would give my left yarble to be able to have the opportunity to regularly bike around that great city!

Are you getting a trainer that you use your bike with or a spin bike? We have an indoor trainer that we used last winter. We put my Gary Fisher mountain bike on it with a slick on the rear. Great for long spins but my only complaint is there is very little resistance -- or at least compared to spin bikes. We are contemplating buying the Greg LeMond Spin bike this winter. Our local bike shop sells them. Pricy but will be used, unlike our Bowflex.

[licuadora]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Makes me think of a student I have in my spinning class. He's a bit older than I am, in his 50s, and is still chunky like me, but he is a VERY serious cyclist - does long rides every Sunday as well with his friends. I asked him a couple of weeks ago what his route was, he said "We've managed to map out a perfect route in 10 mile segments between the finest kolache shops in northwest Houston."

Oh yes, there must be some food on a ride - and kolaches would be awesome. We have found a little deli on one of the urban rides over in Hyde Park. Had a watermelon sliced up for the group for $4 and ate in hte side yard at the picnic tables spitting seeds . Lots of little MX joints over on the east side, and a crepery operating out of a trailer. And we love to stop at Torchy's Tacos over on S.1st another trailer for some decadent tacos and Jarritos sodas.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by MN Annie

Congrats, Stewart, for working so hard!

I know a retired guy who just rode across the US. It took about 80 days for him to pedal from Virginia to Oregon. I think that is absolutely amazing!

The last two years, our son has done the century part of this ride. It's very long, but has beautiful scenery.
The Big Mick

Wow, that looks like a cool ride! I'm looking forward to doing sport travel with Kelli... I want to take some nice bike tours in other parts of the country.

Originally Posted by u2girlie

Are you getting a trainer that you use your bike with or a spin bike? We have an indoor trainer that we used last winter. We put my Gary Fisher mountain bike on it with a slick on the rear. Great for long spins but my only complaint is there is very little resistance -- or at least compared to spin bikes. We are contemplating buying the Greg LeMond Spin bike this winter. Our local bike shop sells them. Pricy but will be used, unlike our Bowflex.

I'm getting a floor sitting trainer that I use my own bike with. I have unlimited 24 hour access to the spin bikes at the gym where I teach spinning, but I want more time on my own bike. I'm going to try to go check some out this morning...

Originally Posted by licuadora

Oh yes, there must be some food on a ride - and kolaches would be awesome. We have found a little deli on one of the urban rides over in Hyde Park. Had a watermelon sliced up for the group for $4 and ate in hte side yard at the picnic tables spitting seeds . Lots of little MX joints over on the east side, and a crepery operating out of a trailer. And we love to stop at Torchy's Tacos over on S.1st another trailer for some decadent tacos and Jarritos sodas.

My main route only has convenience stores...