Again, I was very sluggish riding. We had a 34 mile ride today, that I’ve done many times, but today, we went counter clockwise. I got about 30 miles in, and just didn’t have another pedal stroke in me. I was wet from head to toe, and it was only about 32 degrees. It may have been the first time that despite the fact that I really enjoy the folks I was cycling with, I was hating the ride. I was about to bonk, and could feel it coming on. I dismounted, squatted and waited. Drank all my water, and one of the rest of the group came back to make sure I was OK. I sent them on. When I’m touring, I won’t have the luxury of a group of friends all the time, and it’s necessary to learn to watch for signs of deterioration, and decide how to best handle each situation. I waited it out….. just about 5 minutes, and I could re-mount the bike, and cycle on through the pre-determined route.
Crappy day. UGH! My saving grace, is that I didn’t cut the ride short, didn’t hold up the group, and was able to re-group and restore my ride at a comfortable albiet much slower pace. Don’t think I was booking prior to that. I was slothfully bringing up the rear today. It may be that I’m in touring mode already, which is a much slower pace. It may just be that I’m out of shape, or not demanding enough of myself every day. In any case, I have gotten 68 miles in 2 days, which does make me happy.
Life is good.
Go make your own breeze and remember: if you’re not having fun; you’re in the wrong gear.
I find I bonk on days I am pushing myself beyond my comfort levels for an extended period of time; where if I just rode “my” pace I can go much further in distance & riding time
You hit the nail on the head here. I wasn’t feeling up to the pace my friends were riding.
In warmer weather, I’m used to being much further forward in the group. So I was frustrated to
be so last, and yet unable to catch up. The fact is that I’ve kicked into winter mode, and touring mode, and just
am not working so much toward speed for now.