50 Mile bicycle ride - 4/25

Today I guess I was feeling a bit masochistic, so instead of working back up to 50 miles on the bike (where the only ride I have done up to this point this year was last weekend 17 miles) - I went straight for the 50 mile ride.

I did the loop around the Wachusett Reservoir, and I had plans to go with someone else, but they ended up falling through. It was probably for the best, because that allowed me to go at my own pace.

The last time I had done this loop, I remember being very fatigued after only an hour and a half - a result of starting out too fast. This time I did a much better job of pacing myself, but I did run across something interesting. I left with 2 bottles of gatorade, and went through the first one within the first hour and twenty minutes or so. That wasn't anything note-worthy - but I stopped at a Cumberland Farms and refilled by gatorade bottle with regular water. My plan was to have the water next, and space out the gatorade consumption.

This is where things got interesting. The next portion of the ride had quite a bit of uphill. By the time I got around the reservoir (probably a good 45 minutes later), I was in rough shape. My legs were incredibly fatigued from going uphill, and I was exhausted. Unfortunately I was only around 1/2 through the trip. Once the bottle of regular water was out, I started drinking the gatorade again. After about 15 minutes, I started feeling better again. It may have been somewhat related to a bit of a break that some downhill provided - but I think a major effect was the replenishment of electrolytes and fluids. Afterall, it was the hottest part of the day, by that time (1-2 pm, on the first 75+ degree day of the year).

By the time I got to Northboro center, my bottles were pretty much empty, and I had to make a second stop to get more gatorade. I also got a Twix bar - I just wanted to make sure I had plenty of energy. The ride back was fine, although I was still tired. But I was not anywhere near the rough shape I was in previously.

Total Cycling Time: 3:19:34
Total Distance: 47 miles
Avg HR: 153 (this includes about 15 minutes total of rest)

It was definately an ass-kicking ride. It took a few hours and a nice solid meal before I felt relatively recovered - but I'm sure I'll have some soreness for a couple days.