First Century!

[Tony DeFilippo]

Not on my Atlantis.... but I'd argue that my 650B Trek is heavily Riv'd in setup.

 

I took advantage of the Gov't shutdown last week to take off on a long ride. I didn't set out convinced I would attempt a full century, in fact my only goal was to exceed my previous long distance ride of around 50 miles.  But at about the 25ish mile point I realized that the weather was great, the bike was handling good, my body felt right  (at the time), and I really didn't have anything I needed to be home for that night.  So I decided I'd push on to the end of the W&OD Rail Trail, having picked it up at its beginning in Shirlington, VA. 

 

I ended up dealing with pretty persistant hamstring cramping from about mile 35 on but was able to ride through it.  I stopped alot to rest and take in view's where they were and struck up a couple good conversations with fellow furloughed riders out enjoying the day.  I even had a Riv-Spotting, running into Mary of the Chasing Mailboxes blog on her sweet orange Moonbeam.

 

One dissapointment for me was the Selle An Atomica saddle, I guess it's just not going to be the right saddle for me.  I avoided any numbness issues but was feeling significant pressure in my 'sit bones' the whole ride.  I initially thought that was a pretty good tradeoff given that I was able to complete the long day in the saddle.  But the next day I discovered not just saddle sores but actual bruising corresponding to both sit bones and even a week later I'm still recovering from them.  This definitely wouldn't work on a multi-day tour for me.  I think I just need a wider saddle and I probably will probably try out a Brooks Flyer, I've got a B67 which I like but have found it to be less comfortable at 30+ miles.

 

The other lesson learned related to bike handling, I discovered mulitple times in high speed descents that there is a point where the bike develops a wicked shimmy to the point of becoming a front and rear shimmy.  Based on my weight (250lbs) and the relatively thin tubes I'm not really suprised, also the 650b conversion is probably contributing.  I don't really feel like its a deal breaker, more a good discovery of one of the 'edges of the envelope' for this bike.

 

The list of positives is far longer though;

 

-Doubled my previous long ride

-Used the drops for the first time and actually liked it

-Noodle bars with cotton over inner tubes was fantastically comfortable, no issues with my hands throughout the ride (I did put on gloves at the turnaround)

-Discovered the ability to ride through the pain of the cramps

-Had somewhat random bursts of really strong riding even late into the day

-Front basket with 'bungie net' was extremely versatile and the best 'gadget' of the ride

-I ate every 10-20miles in small quantities and never really 'bonked'

-Great views of the VA countryside especially past Herndon

 

Pictures prove it happened... http://dr2dc.blogspot.com/2013/10/shutdown-solo-century.html

 

Tony

 

 

[Shoji Takahashi]

congrats, Tony. That's a great accomplishment, and nice weather for the ride.

[Christopher Chen]

I hate to play the devil's advocate, but how long have you had that SA? My B-17 is finally broken in after a year (and probably more than a thousand miles) or so, and it's fantastic to ride now, but I couldn't imagine going for the tour I just did on a new-ish saddle.

cc

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[Deacon Patrick]

Fantastic! Well done, Tony. Looks like a fun ride.

With abandon,

Patrick

[Ron Mc]

Congratulations! Great accomplishment.  

[doc]

Great accomplishment!  Regarding the saddle...were you using a lubricant, and would changing into a dry pair of shorts mid-ride have made any difference?  I only ask from personal experience on longer rides, since I tend to perspire a fair amount.

On Tuesday, October 8, 2013 1:57:42 PM UTC-4, Tony DeFilippo wrote:

[Tony DeFilippo]

Thanks everyone!

 

CC - I've definitely thought about the SAA saddle being new-to-me.  I did two 25 mile rides and about a month of off and on commuting in addition to this century so it's not a complete 'new' unit.  But my B67 took that much and more before it became comfortable.  The reason I'm ready to pull the plug on the SAA is that reportedly the advantage on them is there isn't a break in period, they aren't supposed to change much.  And it seems like my sit bones are just plain wider than the saddle at that point.

 

Doc - I was in the same pair of shorts with a padded chamois type liner for the whole ride.  You bring up a good point, it wasn't a particularly hot and sweaty day but changing might have made a difference. I wasn't using any other lubricant's either... I'm not to fond of that idea to be honest.  I think I'd like to try and find an all-day comfort saddle that doesn't require that.  Maybe that is too optimisitic though.  A second pair of shorts is a great idea though.  Thanks!

 

Tony

 

[Howard]

My hats off to you, sir.

I just rode the W&OD out to Purcellville today on the Ram (it was *only* 80 miles r/t for me) and one of my knees was complaining for the last 15 miles.

[WETH]

Tony,
Congratulations! That is a great accomplishment.
-Erl

[Eric Platt]

Tony,

Congrats on the accomplishment.  I've only done a couple of centuries, and they also took all day.  The big thing is, you did it.  

Eric Platt

St. Paul, MN

[doc]

I have found that the thicker the padding, the more moisture gets absorbed, and the worse the effect on long rides.  I cut out the liners of all my shorts and now wear them with Andiamo skins.  I also use Boudreax's Butt Paste on longer rides with pretty good results as both a lube and for moisture protection.

The other consideration, and I'm only speaking from my own experience, is that your "contact area" may not have been toughened up enough for such a drastic increase in mileage.

I have an SA also, and it's not quite as comfortable as my Champion Flyer on my roadish bike, and downright uncomfortable on my upright tourer.  It was one of the early ones, and it has stretched considerably.  I guess I'm saying that I wouldn't give up on it just yet.  My next bike will be an adventurer tourer, and I think I'll use the SA for that.

[Manuel Acosta]

That first 100 miles is always a kicker. Now comes the slippery slope of going further...

Lovely ride report and great pictures.

[Tony DeFilippo]

Howard - great to hear you were out on the W&OD as well, I would have loved seeing you out on the RAM in particular!

Thanks very much Erl and Eric.

Doc - thanks for the advice, I'm going to have to look into Andiamo skins.  I'm still not wild about having to use 'butt paste', but I guess I'll have to figure something out as I look at doing these longer rides.  Also a good point about the 'contact area' toughening up, I'm sure it's just like anything else.  Interesting to me that your looking at the SA for an adventure tourer, I"m curious what you think between sprung and unsprung saddles in general and their applications...?  I like the sprung B67 quite a bit but it's an unfair comparison as I've only done ~50 miles at once as opposed to the century on the SA.

Manny - I'm totally headed that direction... at least thats my thought right now.  I am pretty jazzed to have done the first one and want to get back out there as soon as I can pick another day.  Lucky for me (but not for my extra recreational time) I am no longer furloughed so I'll have to get in my rides on weekends like everyone else now!  Thanks for the comments on the pictures, particularly coming from you that means alot!!

Tony

[doc]

Both bikes currently have sprung saddles: the tourer has a B67 Pre-aged and the Rando has a Champion Flyer.  Interestingly, when I used the SA, it is paired with an inexpensive shock absorber post where I can pre-set the firmness and travel.  It makes for a nice ride.

Below is a link to Chamois Cremes from Lovely Bicycle that may prove helpful.  I prefer the BP because it is thicker and has more lasting benefit.  For me, I really notice the difference.

http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2012/06/chamois-creams-comparative-review.html

[Tony DeFilippo]

Interesting article on lovely bike, very thorough!  Funny thing I'd I didn't actually have a problem with my crotch... Rather my but itself directly on my sit bones contact area.  In fact, the pad in my padded shorts and most that I see do not cover this area.  Those creams look like they'd definitely help get me on the bike sooner after the fact though.

Looks like a rainy commute both ways today...

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[Steve Palincsar]

Where in Del Ray do you live? I'm at 106 E. Howell Ave.

In my experience -- my first century attempt was in 1973, first
completed in 1974 and have been doing them ever since -- going from a
maximum length of 50 to double that is very difficult. I did it for
years, and always dreaded reaching the 75 mi point, because invariably
I'd cramp at that point, spend a half hour overcoming it, and then
suffer for the remaining 25 miles. It was the conventional wisdom that
"if you can do 50 you can double that to 100" but for me doing so was
misery. What I found over time was that if I got my riding distance up
to the point where a 60 mile ride was just an ordinary weekend ride,
doing 100 was not only possible, it could be done pain-free without
turning into a test of human endurance.

I think you picked a particularly challenging route to do a century on.
The W&OD is just too choppy, with its numerous grade crossings, to
settle down into a good long-distance rhythm, and the scenery is the
same. What's more, solo centuries impose a mental toll that's hard to
appreciate until you do one where you're not alone.

Have you ever ridden in Southern Maryland? It's fairly close for you,
especially since the work on the Wilson Bridge has been completed.
Rural farm country, formerly all tobacco but in recent years shifted to
other crops, very scenic and not at all "DC suburban," and of all the
places I've ridden among the best-furnished in terms of facilities for
rest stops for an unsupported century. I recently (Sept. 28th) led
this route: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3319181 as a ride for the Oxon
Hill Bicycle Club, 102 mi with shortcut options for 80. 70 and 60 mile
routes. The route was conceived of as an alternative to Pax Velo's St.
Mary's Century, as this year they moved the ride start far south of
Leonardtown, making it too time-consuming to get there, so I moved the
start closer to home, 45 min. from Alexandria. My ride report is here:
http://ohbike.memberlodge.org/reports?mode=PostView&bmi=1400850

Regarding the bike issues you mention in your post: I think what you
experienced as a shimmy on descents may bewhat Jobst Brandt has called
"speed wobble." It's often induced by the rider: shivering from the
cold, or a death-grip on the bars can set it off. It's one of the most
terrifying things you can experience on a bike, certainly far more so
than crashing a car. It can be stopped by touching the top tube with a
knee, or clamping the top tube between the knees. I had it on my
Paramount in 1972-1973, then something I changed about the bike (or
myself) made it go away and never return.

[Steven Frederick]

The DZ Nuts that she reviews favorably is my current choice as well.  Works just fine for me.  (I used Assos for years but a formula change a couple of seasons ago caused a rash reaction that put me right off the stuff.  And the saddle for a while...)

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