After a very dismal last two months of riding I had my first training ride of 2008 today. It didnt start out as a training ride but an international Marathon along the coast closed our planed route so we headed inland at the closure and added extra miles and some climbs. A total of 65 miles and just over 3000' of climbing. I burned 4100 calories and got to look at some wonderful scenery also. Todays ride alone was more miles than most of my weekly totals over the past two months. We will train some for the first century ride in three weeks but after that we start working towards the double centuries. Whether or not I am able to do them depends on my neck.
So after todays ride(which follows a club ride of 30 miles yesterday) my neck feels quite good. No Pain at all and I had full movement. I do have some muscle pain between my shoulders and a little at the area where the neck joins the shoulder area. I think some of this will be remedied as I am able to strengthen those areas. If this all that occurs then I am ok with it. So I move on from here.
Full Version: 1st True Training Ride Of 08
Damon, that is wonderful news. I hope that your recovery continues and that you can ride off to your heart's content into the sunset!
Wow Damon! Thrilling just to KNOW someone who is this incredibly fit! 
Astonishing! Thanks for posting and so glad your neck is feeling OK after
such a push! I have a question for you though... I have never been able to
find a comfortable riding position with racing handlebars. My neck hurts terribly
in short order. Doesn't riding in this position for lengths of time throw that
neck of yours into spasms???
Astonishing! Thanks for posting and so glad your neck is feeling OK after
such a push! I have a question for you though... I have never been able to
find a comfortable riding position with racing handlebars. My neck hurts terribly
in short order. Doesn't riding in this position for lengths of time throw that
neck of yours into spasms???
QUOTE(Damon @ Jan 20 2008, 08:16 PM) 
After a very dismal last two months of riding I had my first training ride of 2008 today. It didnt start out as a training ride but an international Marathon along the coast closed our planed route so we headed inland at the closure and added extra miles and some climbs. A total of 65 miles and just over 3000' of climbing. I burned 4100 calories and got to look at some wonderful scenery also. Todays ride alone was more miles than most of my weekly totals over the past two months. We will train some for the first century ride in three weeks but after that we start working towards the double centuries. Whether or not I am able to do them depends on my neck.
So after todays ride(which follows a club ride of 30 miles yesterday) my neck feels quite good. No Pain at all and I had full movement. I do have some muscle pain between my shoulders and a little at the area where the neck joins the shoulder area. I think some of this will be remedied as I am able to strengthen those areas. If this all that occurs then I am ok with it. So I move on from here.
So after todays ride(which follows a club ride of 30 miles yesterday) my neck feels quite good. No Pain at all and I had full movement. I do have some muscle pain between my shoulders and a little at the area where the neck joins the shoulder area. I think some of this will be remedied as I am able to strengthen those areas. If this all that occurs then I am ok with it. So I move on from here.
QUOTE
So after todays ride(which follows a club ride of 30 miles yesterday) my neck feels quite good. No Pain at all and I had full movement. I do have some muscle pain between my shoulders and a little at the area where the neck joins the shoulder area. I think some of this will be remedied as I am able to strengthen those areas. If this all that occurs then I am ok with it. So I move on from here.
Damon, THIS is the kind of news I've been waiting to hear! Very excellent! I'm thrilled for you.
Thanks for letting us know. Now, get out there and ride like the wind!
hugs!
Mickee,
Yes the riding position with drop bars can be very uncomfortable but the key is to have a proper fit on the bike done by someone who is qualified. Usually most higher end bike stores have someone who can do the job but I feel cetified coaches do the best job especially if you happen to ride with them regularly.
I also was riding long before the injury occured so I had ample time in the sadle to develop some strength in the areas of my neck where I am having the problem. In 2006 the only releif that lasted more than two days was after my 200 mile one day rides. I would get up to four days releif after the event.
Yes the riding position with drop bars can be very uncomfortable but the key is to have a proper fit on the bike done by someone who is qualified. Usually most higher end bike stores have someone who can do the job but I feel cetified coaches do the best job especially if you happen to ride with them regularly.
I also was riding long before the injury occured so I had ample time in the sadle to develop some strength in the areas of my neck where I am having the problem. In 2006 the only releif that lasted more than two days was after my 200 mile one day rides. I would get up to four days releif after the event.
High 5, Damon! I'm itching to get back out there and will be glad for a release to do so in the near future.
Love hearing that the neck is good. A great way to start out 2008!
QUOTE(Damon @ Jan 21 2008, 11:56 PM)
Mickee,
Yes the riding position with drop bars can be very uncomfortable but the key is to have a proper fit on the bike done by someone who is qualified. Usually most higher end bike stores have someone who can do the job but I feel cetified coaches do the best job especially if you happen to ride with them regularly.
I also was riding long before the injury occured so I had ample time in the sadle to develop some strength in the areas of my neck where I am having the problem. In 2006 the only releif that lasted more than two days was after my 200 mile one day rides. I would get up to four days releif after the event.
Yes the riding position with drop bars can be very uncomfortable but the key is to have a proper fit on the bike done by someone who is qualified. Usually most higher end bike stores have someone who can do the job but I feel cetified coaches do the best job especially if you happen to ride with them regularly.
I also was riding long before the injury occured so I had ample time in the sadle to develop some strength in the areas of my neck where I am having the problem. In 2006 the only releif that lasted more than two days was after my 200 mile one day rides. I would get up to four days releif after the event.
Thanks Damon... so there must be something natural in that position if the bike fit is just right.
How interesting. And thanks for the info. Your experience at the upper end of endurance makes my
daily attempt at acquiring relative fitness a positive, hopeful thing. Thanks.
Damon, glad to hear that your ride went well. I hope you have a good training season. You continue to be an inspiration to us. Please keep us posted.
I do have a bike question for you... Whenever I ride my bike I end up with a sore neck from leaning forward and then having to look up. Do you have a suggestion for this? I don't ride road bikes... just mountain bikes. Perhaps I could raise my handlebars so I'm not leaning forward so much? I don't think that would cause too much problem since wind resistance isn't really an issue in mountain biking.
WHOOPS! I guess I should have read all the posts... I see that this question was already asked and answered.
Thanks Mickeefyn and Damon.
I do have a bike question for you... Whenever I ride my bike I end up with a sore neck from leaning forward and then having to look up. Do you have a suggestion for this? I don't ride road bikes... just mountain bikes. Perhaps I could raise my handlebars so I'm not leaning forward so much? I don't think that would cause too much problem since wind resistance isn't really an issue in mountain biking.
WHOOPS! I guess I should have read all the posts... I see that this question was already asked and answered.
Thanks Mickeefyn and Damon.
Jeff not a problem because bike fit is important no matter what kind of riding. It may not be that your bars need to be raised but possibly just a shorter stem. But a bike fit can assist in many aspects. A proper fit not only helps in comfort but also improves the amount of energy applied to the cranks and can also help to prevent soreness and injury to the knees.
If all of this s in proper adjustment cycling is much more fun.
If all of this s in proper adjustment cycling is much more fun.
QUOTE(Damon @ Jan 20 2008, 08:16 PM)
After a very dismal last two months of riding I had my first training ride of 2008 today. It didnt start out as a training ride but an international Marathon along the coast closed our planed route so we headed inland at the closure and added extra miles and some climbs. A total of 65 miles and just over 3000' of climbing. I burned 4100 calories and got to look at some wonderful scenery also. Todays ride alone was more miles than most of my weekly totals over the past two months. We will train some for the first century ride in three weeks but after that we start working towards the double centuries. Whether or not I am able to do them depends on my neck.
So after todays ride(which follows a club ride of 30 miles yesterday) my neck feels quite good. No Pain at all and I had full movement. I do have some muscle pain between my shoulders and a little at the area where the neck joins the shoulder area. I think some of this will be remedied as I am able to strengthen those areas. If this all that occurs then I am ok with it. So I move on from here.
So after todays ride(which follows a club ride of 30 miles yesterday) my neck feels quite good. No Pain at all and I had full movement. I do have some muscle pain between my shoulders and a little at the area where the neck joins the shoulder area. I think some of this will be remedied as I am able to strengthen those areas. If this all that occurs then I am ok with it. So I move on from here.
Hi Damon,
I am new here as of today. I started cycling 2 years ago and have done 2 organized rides in Michigan. PALM and DALMAC. The later was the most grueling and I am going to sign up again this year. It takes you from Lansing to the Mackinaw Bridge. I am going to do a 5 day ride this year that goes across the bridge into the Upper Penninsula. Sooo, I just purchased a trainer. It is a cycleops fluid trainer. I hope to improve my riding and do my first century ride this year. The ride I did last year (DALMAC) averaged 77 mi per day. I think I can do it!! I can't wait to be a better rider. I have a nice trek bike and great friends who coach me on. My biggest challenge last year was not falling with my clipless pedals. I actually took a spill 3 times and have the scars to show it. I will follow you here, and whether you are interested or not, I will fill you in on my cycling adventures.
I hope you recover well from your injury and I am so envious that you get to ride outside now. When I read that you do double centuries, does that really mean that you are riding 200 miles in 1 day? Thats seems so crazy to me. I am amazed. To do 77 in a day is a lot for me. Do you do rides all over the country? I have friends that do RAGBRAI and SAGBRAW and something in Tenn. Unfortunately, I am not there yet.
Well, enough rambling. I just wanted to say hi and I am excited to meet a fellow cyclist. I am trying to get my hubby into it. He is going to get a used bike and try this summer.
Good luck with all you do
Kellie
Kellie,
Its great to have another rodie here in the neighborhood. One of the benifits of Southern California is that I can ride year round. I too use the cycleops trainer and as I write this I should be at my twelve week stationary training class but I am home with the flu. It is by far the best way to develop a good base for the coming year.
Yes it is 200 miles in one day and I will be doing three if my neck continues to cooperate. I also have some friends who do RAGBRAI one of them was part of Lance Armstrongs Tour of Hope team last year. I generaly stay here in California and a couple of rides in Arizona.
What workout are you using on your trainer?
Its great to have another rodie here in the neighborhood. One of the benifits of Southern California is that I can ride year round. I too use the cycleops trainer and as I write this I should be at my twelve week stationary training class but I am home with the flu. It is by far the best way to develop a good base for the coming year.
Yes it is 200 miles in one day and I will be doing three if my neck continues to cooperate. I also have some friends who do RAGBRAI one of them was part of Lance Armstrongs Tour of Hope team last year. I generaly stay here in California and a couple of rides in Arizona.
What workout are you using on your trainer?
Damon,
I clearly am a nurse and not a computer expert. So If you find that I am repeating myself, just say so. I have trouble navagating this site.
I need to clarify that the DALMAC ride I did had 2 of the 4 days at 77 miles, the other 2 were less. So to say it was averaging that, is a stretch. I was miserable at 77 and I truely cannot see the 100 mile marker!! It sounds absolutely horrid. Ok, that clarified, I have no plan for the trainer. I really am a rookie cyclist. My only plan was to get on and go for an hour per day, most days of the week.
I do love biking though and want so much to be a better cyclist. Any advice is so very much welcomed. My RAGBRAI friends don't know Lance personally, but sure did get a thrill when he rode by them.
I clearly am a nurse and not a computer expert. So If you find that I am repeating myself, just say so. I have trouble navagating this site.
I need to clarify that the DALMAC ride I did had 2 of the 4 days at 77 miles, the other 2 were less. So to say it was averaging that, is a stretch. I was miserable at 77 and I truely cannot see the 100 mile marker!! It sounds absolutely horrid. Ok, that clarified, I have no plan for the trainer. I really am a rookie cyclist. My only plan was to get on and go for an hour per day, most days of the week.
I do love biking though and want so much to be a better cyclist. Any advice is so very much welcomed. My RAGBRAI friends don't know Lance personally, but sure did get a thrill when he rode by them.
So glad your feeling better. I know how frustrating it is to have an injur knock you out for awhile. Sounds like your no worse for the wear....maybe you needed the rest. Kepp posted on your progress....and what events you are up to.
My trianing....going pretty well. Up to 10 miles. SO far injury free! Going for my long weekend run as soon as I get through new posts here.
Stephanie
My trianing....going pretty well. Up to 10 miles. SO far injury free! Going for my long weekend run as soon as I get through new posts here.
Stephanie
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