Monday, June 1, 2009

I Could Cycle 100 Miles!?!

I seriously need some advice from all you ladies (or guys) out there! Here's the story...

Last fall my husband and I picked up cycling as a hobby. It all started when my husband started riding his old ten-speed to work to save on gas. Then we decided he was serious enough about it to get a nice, Trek road bike.

Around that time I started getting up early in the mornings to get some exercise in for the day and get rid of that baby weight. Then my husband surprised me with a Trek road bike for my birthday!

Cycling is awesome! It is the only form of exercise that I have found that I really enjoy. It has toned up our bodies, strengthened our marriage, and put a slight dent in our budget.

Honey Daddy and I have gone on numerous bike tours together, including the one on my birthday last year where we cycled 65 miles and last month's rainy 50 mile ride.

This Saturday I am signed up to participate in a women-only ride called Little Red Riding Hood. Originally I planned to do the 62 mile ride... all by myself. Then last Saturday at a group ride organized by our local Trek store I met a couple of other ladies who have also signed up to do Little Red. They said I was welcome to ride with them.

It would be SO nice to have someone to ride with... especially some other women who cycle about my speed. (Honey Daddy is faster than me, and I have to work hard to keep up with him) The only problem? They plan on doing the 100 mile (century) ride. Yikes!

Honey Daddy and I planned to do a century ride by the end of the summer, but I am not quite sure I am ready for it yet! As a test, Honey Daddy took me out for a long ride on Monday, since my in-laws are here and can watch the boys. We pedaled 57 miles in just over three hours. I was beat that afternoon and my keister was sore, but today I actually feel fine.

So I am considering riding 100 miles on Saturday. Honey Daddy says that I can do it. It might be good to do my first century ride at a pace I am comfortable with... but 100 miles is SO far!

Should I do it? Or would my body feel something like this rusty old bicycle when I'm done?


Go see if anyone else could possibly be as Wordful as me!

24 comments:

  1. Wow, that sounds INTENSE!! I say go for it, although I'm no cycling expert, LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I say go for it, I am sure you can do it!! What a wonderful way to go too, with a supportive group at your side, encouraging you...at your pace (not that Honey Daddy doesn't encourage you of course!!). Go For It!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow - look at you - awesome!!!! start training - you go girl!!!!!! I KNOW how hard this is!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your first century, how exciting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so seriously impressed right now. My tushie hurts after a 1 mile bike ride. Go girl!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow!!! That's amazing! I say go for it! What's the worst that can happen? So you don't end up making it all the way, at least you tried your best, right?

    You can do it!!! I have faith in you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yes! Do it! Then post about it, so we can see how it turns out when you're the winner!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just the thought of a century scares me, but I'm entertaining the thought of attempting one by the end of the season. (My bigger focus is a cyclocross race, though) I say go for it, give it your best. Being able to do it more at your pace might make it more enjoyable, and I have a sneaking suspicion the feeling of accomplishment will far outweigh the achy muscles of the next couple days.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Absolutely! Go for it! My hubby has finally persuaded me to give cycling a go and I'm loving it when I can both find the time and the baby-sitter!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ditto! Go for it. You can do it, especially with others to motivate you along. It is so cool how much you can bike!

    ReplyDelete
  11. First of all, that is a FABULOUS picture. I Love it!

    Secondly, you totally ROCK! Even considering it is awesome!

    WIsh I had advice, but I don't...although I think you should go for it. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Go for it! Probably doing 100 miles at your pace will feel like the 57 you did with hubby :).

    ReplyDelete
  13. I think that you should totally do it. What an awesome thing to say that you have done.

    ReplyDelete
  14. wow! good luck!!! i say go for it- life is short!



    my ww's:
    http://www.mcclurefamilyspace.blogspot.com/
    &
    http://2by2boutique.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'll be rooting for you and living vicariously since I never learned how to ride a bike!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow that would be an awesome accomplishment.
    I don't have advice either. I am the type to go for it then die doing it. If you were fine doing 57 even if you were sore then you can do 100, though you may be crawling the next day. Just remember to keep up the long rides and taper off. I usually get hurt if I do a lot of exercise then stop I have to taper up or down!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think if YOU feel that you can do it then should definitely try it. And p.s., I'm in AWE of you! : )

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow, I know I couldn't make it more than 1.2 miles, on a good day.

    I bet you can do it though, especially with a group of girls encouraging you to go on!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sounds like fun --- do it and don't miss out! I ran a 26.2 marathon Memorial Day Weekend and I don't regret it one bit ~~~ I bet if you do the Century 100 you'll feel the same way! It's empowering.....

    BTW, this is my first stop @ your blog....and I love it! I'm a new follower!

    ReplyDelete
  20. OMG, you are one tough Mommy! I read 57 miles in 3 hours and about fell out of my chair. So proud of you!!

    I think you can do the 100 miles! Go get em!

    ReplyDelete
  21. You can sooooo do this!!!!

    Sure you might not be able to sit down on your kiester for a couple of days, but you can do this.

    Go for it - Girl Power!

    ReplyDelete
  22. It sounds like you are more than ready for a Century Ride. Good luck, Best Wishes!
    Thank you for stopping by my blog also, I appreciate it.

    ReplyDelete