century rides

Roy Keane

Thanks for the advice. I think my feet issues are actually related to the saddle, not the shoes (i.e., pressure on nerves that run down my legs).

I've wanted to try some new saddles. The tricky part is, saddles that could ease this problem are expensive, and there are endless varieties - brands, cutouts, shapes, etc. None of my LBS's have trial versions that you can try out before you can buy.

So, you're left with taking a gamble on, say, a $100 saddle that may not be any better for your own specific anatomy than the one you already have.

I'm not sure what to do...should I just roll the dice?

daveryanwyoming

Go to your best local pro shop and test ride some bikes with the various saddles. Also consider paying for a custom bike fit. Often a small adjustment to saddle fore aft position, tilt or height can relieve the kind of issues you're talking about. Find the right pro shop and they'll do the fit and let you try out a couple of different saddle designs during the fitting. I wouldn't reccomend this in the last week before your first century unless you're really having a lot of trouble. Also remember to shift up a couple of cogs and stand up from time to time during your ride. I do it all the time while recovering from pulls at the back of a paceline, it really keeps the blood flowing and with practice you do this and stay right with the group.

-Dave

mullerrj

Wanna know what I think your feet issues may be related to? And, it aint your saddle..it's your back. I'm bettin' you could have a herniated disc..that you don't even know you have..that is affecting the sciatic nerve and making your foot numb. You can have a herniated disc in the L5/S1 area and not even have any back pain. I know cause I have a herniated disc with no back pain, just foot numbness. If you don't think it's that, it could be that a nerve is being pinched because of the saddle...like you said. Try to figure it out, cause I wouldn't want to have to deal with the numbness if I didn't have to. For me, I know I have to...for now anyway.

Yes, I hear ya re: saddles. They are expensive. Mine was $150 but I was able to demo mine first, because I have an awesome LBS. Actually, I tried the Specialized Team Toupe BG saddle first. It felt like a park bench. Then I tried their Toupe Gel..which I bought. Wish you had a LBS like I do.

Well gotta run..and go celebrate the 4th! Happy 4th of July! Rob

garyj

I agree that a custom bike fit is helpful. About a month before my long ride I went in for a fit. All adjustments were small, but I could tell the difference, and it seemed to help on longer rides. I'd recommend you have a fit that includes measuring power output, not just physical body to bike measurements. After the initial setup, which changed a bit from when the bike was setup new, some adjustments were made as power was measured. I am very satisfied with the results.

I'm not sure I'd make any adjustments just a week before a long ride. If you have been comfortable I'd leave it alone for now. Even a small adjustment can make a big difference in 100 miles of riding. You don't want any surprises on your long day.

mullerrj

What's measuring power output going to tell you? Are you saying, for every fit change you make to the bike..check to see how it affects power output? If so, how do you do that? i.e. do you check power output at the same HR? I've never seen/heard simultaneous power output measurements being performed as part of a bike fit/check. Do you know any LBS that does this?

hmcclure

I'm getting my back "repaired" currently. This coming Friday, it will be a week since I've been on my bike. My lower back got jacked 3 weeks ago, while I was training for the MS ride. It's feeling much better, hopefully I'll be ready for the Ulcer, which is 111 miles around Utah Lake August 11th. I will be resting from now on at least each Sunday.

Do you cross train during season and off season, such as running or something else? I know that I need to strenghthen every part of my body, as I'm very new to cycling. Prior to this year, I've been very inactive for 17 years. I've recently lost 52 lbs by biking and have another 35 to go. I'm a 39 year old gal with lots and lots of biking goals for next season.

I know that biking a century is not a comfortable thing for most people, but I really want to get to the point like you, were I look forward to finishing without feeling like I'm going to die!

The areas of my body I feel I need to work are my core, arms, back, neck and shoulders. Hills aren't currently my strong point and I'm going to be riding more of those beginning next week and not dodging riding just because it's really windy. I'm now looking forward to the challenge.

What additinal advice do you have for a newby? My goal for next year is 3 centuries and the Lotoja.

By the way, Happy 4th!

mullerrj

First of all, kudos to you for losing 52 lbs. and good luck on losing the additional 35. I too lost 50 lbs. 4 yrs. ago (from 222 to 172) and I'm never letting myself go again. Also, at 39 you're NEVER too old to get in the best shape of your life. I got in the best shape of my life when I was 45..and I was a stud HS and College athlete. Anyway, keep it goin'..it's AWESOME!

I used to cross train as a Triathlete, but that's before I herniated a disc in my back last summer. So, after that..no running. Just weight training in the gym (non-back loading), core exercises incl Pilates, spinning and of course lots of cycling.

I can tell you right now, that core exercises are probably the best exercises you can do (for any sport really) and the most neglected by all athletes. I know because I've been going to several gyms now for over 30 yrs and only a chosen few do core exercises. For me, it wasn't an option..it was mandatory with a herniated disc. And, I feel great on the bike because of it..no back pain at all.

Hills should NOT be your strongpoint right now..if you say you have another 35 lbs to go. Don't worry about the hills. Your hill climbing will improve with your weight loss. Right now, I would concentrate on the longer rides in your aerobic zones so your body learns to use/burn fat for energy. You'll drop weight in the process and build endurance. Just slowly build up to a longer ride each week..don't overdue it from one week to another or you'll injure yourself or get sick.

Just be patient...with the weight loss and increased mileage. Afterall, you didn't gain all the weight you did overnight..so don't expect to lose it overnight. Same with your endurance..you can't expect to jump on a bike and go 100 miles and feel great afterwards..you have to build up to it.

Anyway, keep it goin'..you're doing fine..and good luck with your training..remember- PATIENCE! Happy 4th! Rob

hmcclure

I started at the same weight and that's where I'm at today too! GOOD FOR YOU....AND YOU DID IT ALL CYCLING TOO?

With a herniated disc, does that get better or is it just about managing the pain through core training?

What type of core training do you recommend for lower back pain?

How far would you recommend to ride daily and then the once a week long ride?

Thank you for your time here. I appreciate it.

How many years have you been a serious rider?

__________________
Heather~

mullerrj

Nope, I lost most of my initial weight through weight training and eating better. Once I reduced the initial weight, I started cycling. Once I lost more weight, I started running and swimming. Now, I just cycle and weight train, and eat sensibly for weight management.

Well, with my herniation..L5/S1..which I blew out completely, I don't have much pain, just some numbness in my right foot and stiffness in my lower back. But yes, I'm managing it all through core exercises- specifically Pilates and Swiss ball crunches/back extensions.

For me, I ride 3-4 times a week. I do crit races on Tues night, fast group rides on Thursday nights..and one long endurance ride on Saturday or Sunday. In-between, I may do an active recovery ride on the bike or trainer and/or a slower group ride. The weekday rides are usually 40-45 miles and the weekend ride anywhere from 70-120 miles. They are HARD rides too. But, most important are the Active Recovery days. If I'm going long/hard on a Saturday ride..I usually need 2 days of active recovery. Older I get the more recovery time I need. For you? You can follow a similar plan. If you don't have crit races..do interval training on Tuesday night..for Thursday night..find a fast group to ride with..and on the weekend, find a partner to ride long with. As I said before, work up to the desired mileage...say no more than 5-10 mi. increases per week.

Serious rider for the last two of four years. Rob

Bro Deal

That's a pretty easy century. The East side of the lake is dead flat and the West side is gentle hills. Make sure you are acclimatized to the heat. If you did the 100 on the first day of MS150 in Cache Valley then that was good training for the heat.


I do quite a lot of trail running and hiking in season, and mountaineering and some mountain biking in the winter. With the exception of trail running, I don't think the cross training does a whole lot of good for cycling other than general fitness and keeping me in condition during the cold months.


As Merckx once said, ride a lot. For Lotoja you are going to need some serious miles.

__________________
"You are like the wind and I like the lion. You form the tempest. The sand stings my eyes and the ground is parched. I roar in defiance but you do not hear. But between us there is a difference. I, like the lion, must remain in my place. While you like the wind will never know yours." -- Mulay Hamid El Raisuli, Lord of the Riff, Sultan to the Berbers, Last of the Barbary Pirates

garyj

There's a local shop that has someone available with the equipment that does such a fit. I noticed that the trainer spend most of his time getting a balance in power on my left and right side. HR was not involved. It was my first experience with a fitting. There was a simulated climb that I could see the ongoing results. We did the same run three times I think - maybe four. The difference between the first and last run was obvious. I didn't so much feel anything at the shop in the 10 minutes or so per run, but I notice the difference on my long rides with the changes.

mullerrj

Hmmm..I'd be interested in knowing not only how he measured the power balance or imbalance (probably a computrainer) but more importantly how he corrected it. Orthotics? Toe in/Toe out? Float? Can you find out? Because the first question that comes to my mind is: How did he know that he wasn't correcting something that was caused by a flaw in your pedaling stroke..or that your left leg is just flat out stronger than your right? So instead of trying to make your right leg stronger, creating a balance..he corrects for it via the equipment. I'll give you an analogy with golf. It's like a professional golf instructor making changes to the clubface of your driver to correct a slice, rather than trying to teach you how to correctly turn your shoulders/hips and swing on an inside/out path and get your hands through the shot. Make sense? Don't get me wrong, I can see the utility of a computrainer and left/right leg power balance..but as part of an initial fit- just don't know. Anyone else here of such a fit..that includes power balance? Thanks Rob

garyj

I believe the system was the Computrainer. My left leg was (and still is) a bit weaker than my right (a former injury). The power was not the same but he was working with what looked like a figure 8 - only it was sideways. It was explained to me that the size of the loop indicated the power, which was different. He made adjustments that smoothed out the loops. I've been working on my left leg strength since then.