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Archives for June 2008

A milestone comes early

06.13.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 7 Comments

When the year began, I tried to predict how many miles I’d ride. Based on my numbers for the last five months of ’07, I guessed I would cover about 1,200 miles in ’08. Looks like that will be inaccurate.

After today’s ride, I found that I have already broken the 1,000 mile barrier. To be precise, 1,008 miles since the beginning of the year. I might be able to hit 1,200 by the end of the month.

So, how far upward should I revise my mileage goal for 2008? A reasonable figure would be 2,000 miles, which would give me six months to duplicate what I’ve already done in the first six months. Or should I set a mileage goal at all? Why not just plan on riding as regularly as possible, and let the chips fall.

I want to get some more long organized rides in this year, and have even been kicking around the idea of going after a century, perhaps in the fall. To do that, I will have to increase my weekly mileage as well as my long ride mileage. That seems a more sensible plan than just trying to hit a big number by year’s end. And by working on the training goals, the year-long mileage will just take care of itself.

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Categories // Records & stats, training Tags // mileage, Rides

The Bike Forums addiction

06.12.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 4 Comments

While this blog has been a great source of information about biking for me, there’s another site that I visit daily. Bike Forums can command my attention for way more time than I should give it in one sitting.

If you are involved in cycling, Bike Forums has a community to match your interest. Hard core hammerheads trade gibes in the Road forum, large bikers hang out in the Clydesdales & Athenas group. There are forums for commuters, collectors of classic and vintage bikes, safety advocates, regional forums that attract readers from a specific geographic area, and many others.

My favorite is the 50+ forum, for riders aged 50 and up. The dialogue is usually civilized, and members are quick to offer tips and advice. Right now, I am eagerly awaiting delivery of my 50+ forum jersey (most of the forums feature custom jerseys, but they’re not always available, so latching onto one can put you in a fairly exclusive club).

The 50+ forum jersey.

In addition to 50+, I frequently visit the Road forum and the Texas forum, and sometimes the Clydesdales & Athenas forum (although if I can finally get my weight under 200, I’ll no longer qualify for that one).

I first posted a question on the forums several months ago, about what I needed to do to upgrade my old Raleigh 10-speed. I got two pages of responses, including several offers to give me a replacement front derailleur for the bike. That experience got me hooked.

Now, I log on every day to see who is saying what. Ride reports are a staple of the forums after weekend rides, and most feature pictures from scenic bike routes from all over — even sometimes overseas. Many of the posters are regulars, and they develop their distinctive online personalities through their posts and interactions with other forum members. We share triumphs when someone reaches a difficult riding goal, such as completing their first century ride, and setbacks when others are sidelined with injuries. Sometimes, the posts even get off the topic of biking. I choked up when one regular 50+ poster — a cancer survivor — put up a picture of himself walking his daughter down the aisle at her wedding.

Online forums had never attracted my attention, until I discovered Bike Forums. Take a look — but don’t be surprised if you find yourself going back again and again.

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Categories // Community Tags // 50+, Bike Forums, forums

What I’ve learned from this blog

06.11.2008 by Ray Niekamp // 1 Comment

When I started this blog back in February, I thought of it as a place to share my experiences as an older fella who is getting reacquainted with bicycling.

I think I’ve done that most of the time, but the blog has turned out to be so much more for me. I’m getting much more out of it than I’m putting in, and it’s all because of you.

Some terrific people have taken the time to comment on my posts, many of which have been ridiculously naive or uninformed. You’ve given me tips, advice, and feedback. Several of you have become online friends, and I’ve had the good fortune to actually meet a couple of you face to face.

So what has this blog experiment brought me?

Answers to my questions on sometimes elementary biking techniques, like using clipless pedals most efficiently. The pros and cons of road and mountain clipless, and the cleats and shoes that go with them. Advice about tire selection, bike accessories, food and drink, smooth riding. I was stunned when so many chimed in on that burning question: should I wear a bandana or a headband?

I’m a better biker today than I was in February. That’s partly due to experience, and just riding more. But in large part, it’s due to all of you who have shared your expertise with this newbie.

This post is beginning to read like a valedictory, and that’s not my intent. I’ll continue to write about my efforts to become a better biker, and I hope you continue to offer your comments on my posts. I just thought it was time to give some credit where credit is due. Thanks.

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Categories // Blogging, Technique Tags // blog, Blogging

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