Well, tomorrow is the first day of the Tour de Nebraska - 300 miles over 5 days in the Sandhills of Nebraska. It is my first long ride and I'm really looking forward to the challenge. Weather forecast for the most part looks favorable. Chance of showers and thunderstorms a couple days, but 20-40% chance, so maybe it'll be dry after all. Highs ranging from the upper 70's to upper 80's. No talk about a wind advisory as of yet! Will take any good luck wishes - I'll report back here about the Tour when I'm back home. Maybe some of you other cyclists will be interested in this ride for next year.
A long bike ride does sound very exciting. For me This is my first year riding. I have a 1980 ultra light 12 speed Schwinn 11.8 voyeuger which I bought used but is in Mint condition. The Bike is great and sure keeps up with others who have the newer versions going.
I myself right now average ride between 20 and 30 miles to start. (Nothing like jumping into it huh lol)
The first week was rough always felt out of breath, wasn't so used to changing of the gears and setting a pace was difficult but I did get through it.
Then my first Monday night about 3 weeks ago I went out with a cycling group from Church and their average pace is 16-18 miles an hour a good pace for experienced riders nice and easy but rather difficult for beginners.
I did get some help though with the course and on the return trip did at least 15 miles an hour on return.
This past Monday after several days of more training at the gym and outside riding, I was able to at some points go as fast as 18 miles an hour and we did 24.8 mile ride in 2 hours. My total mileage though was 29 and this included my just over 2 miles cycling from home and back to the meeting place.
Today I went out for a ride did 21.8 miles in under 2 hours. I am thinking I did it in under 20 minutes time since a good part of the run I was going pretty fast.
My riding right now is with small groups that have a good pace and do miles like this and I will build up my mileage as I go along.
Sounds like you've got a good start. My bike is a hybrid so not much emphasis on speed here. However, I was moving at 31.5 mph down some of the hills on the Tour! A bit scary, actually....what happens if you blow a tire at that speed? Fortunately, I didn't have to find out.
I assume you're riding on a highway or something? Much of my riding is on crushed limestone trails (Rails-to-Trails), though I do part of my work commute on streets and highways.
The Tour was really great! Being out in the country with the wind in your face and beautiful scenery all around is good for the soul! I would highly recommend an organized ride like this for anyone. If you didn't already have the biking bug, you surely would then.
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