Can my friend cycle 70 miles in 4 hours?

I'm in my 50s and run 21 min 5k. I am a decent cyclist riding 5 days a week. I could do this on a flat course and a somewhat hard effort. I could not on a mountain bike. Maybe you could, but you def need thinner, non knobby tires and an aero position to improve chances.

fisky wrote:

The guy who wrote "Dunning Kruger effect" nailed it. You are taking a big risk for... what exactly?

It's a life experience. This is largely how young males grow out of their innate moron stage.

tires and aero wrote:

I'm in my 50s and run 21 min 5k. I am a decent cyclist riding 5 days a week. I could do this on a flat course and a somewhat hard effort. I could not on a mountain bike. Maybe you could, but you def need thinner, non knobby tires and an aero position to improve chances.

Like most people, I agree that he will fail on a mountain bike. If it was a hard tail and you could lock the front forks, if the MTB had road tires, if the MTB had better gearing for flat road, then it would be just conceivable that someone could do it ... but not bysome one with no outdoor riding experience.

On a road bike, it would still be pretty tough, primarily because cycling uses your muscles differently than running, and the position is brutal for those inexperienced. Four hours is going to seem like 12 hours to this fellow.

The terrain and your position on the bike are so important in cycling, that talking of "average speed" is not the whole story.

Our club used to do TTs a couple of times a year, in different spots. One of them, a 22km ride from west to east, rolling hills, I averaged 26 miles per hour on a road bike with no aero bars. Oh, but did I mention we had 15+ mph wind from the west?

Lighten up Fisky. It’s not “really stupid”. It is about the experience, not the goal. Any injuries that might—MIGHT—result are part of that experience, and can help one grow.

Not only is it not “really” stupid, it’s not stupid at all. He’s testing himself, for his own reasons, in a relatively safe activity, especially if he avoids traffic.

Jeez, it’s only a 70-miler, give me a break. A friend and I did a century on mtb. Sucked, but am still glad we did it.

Not wearing padded shorts, now THAT’S questionable judgment 😁

I am the proud father of the young man who will ride 70 miles in 4 hours.

I hurt for you nay-sayers, who say it can't be done; you sit on the sideline while the adventure-seekers and achievers stream past you.

As one who overcame physical paralysis when I was my son's age - from a car accident up Poudre Canyon, CO - to create programs, between 1993 - 2004, which are now included in Silver Sneakers, I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard nay-sayers spewing garbage like: "He'll never walk again..." or "Exercise is harmful for old people."

Ever hear of Erik Erikson? This Developmental Psychologist once said, "Every adult... was once small. A sense of smallness forms a substratum in his mind, ineradicably. His triumphs will be measured against this smallness..." Erikson said life is a series of stages, each resolving positively to use those tools in the next stage, or resolving negatively, creating baggage. The final stage: "Integrity versus despair" allows/forces one to look back at one's life. With integrity, one can leave this world satisfied: "I had a great life. I had victories, and defeats, but they were mine; my life was not defined by someone else." Despair's voice tells us: "I wish I would have... but I now have no resources to satisfy those wishes and will die in despair."

This young man - who defines his life on his terms - will collect life's experiences defined by his inner self rather than by the nay-sayers who believe they can elevate themselves by standing on the shoulders of another. Carpe Deum, baby! I am proud to be your Father.

That’s kind of amusing.

In this case, it’s not really about what you call “the naysayers” having a negative attitude about an improbable outcome.

It’s more like a simple matter of physics.

If there is a motor on the old mountain bike, then I would give this kid’s goal a legitimate chance.

Also, in this case I would bet that all of the naysayers have ridden 70 miles in less than 4 hours before.

We just didn’t do it on an old mountain bike and claim that we were adventure-seekers because of it.

Lol

Drama queen 👆. If its not going well, he can just stop. No big deal.

With original stock components, an old mountain bike is essentially an anvil with wheels, compared to a road bike. And knobby wheels, at that. I wish the rider all the luck and (soon to be sore) cojones in the world.

Sprintgeezer wrote:

Lighten up Fisky. It’s not “really stupid”. It is about the experience, not the goal. Any injuries that might—MIGHT—result are part of that experience, and can help one grow.

Not only is it not “really” stupid, it’s not stupid at all. He’s testing himself, for his own reasons, in a relatively safe activity, especially if he avoids traffic.

Jeez, it’s only a 70-miler, give me a break. A friend and I did a century on mtb. Sucked, but am still glad we did it.

Not wearing padded shorts, now THAT’S questionable judgment 😁

I agree. Fisky, you're an excellent athlete, and part of the reason you're still an excellent athlete at your age is that you've developed a level of caution appropriate to a 70-year-old. A 19-year-old can get away with stuff you couldn't possibly get away with at 70, or even at 50.

A fit, healthy 19-year-old is unlikely to do himself any long-term damage from this attempt, whether he succeeds (unlikely) or fails after a valiant effort. He will be very sore for a few days to a week or so, but in all likelihood he'll bounce back just fine, and have a good story to tell.

In my early 30s and a decent runners I figured I'd cross train and do triathlons. I had a city/hybrid bike. I could not compete and watched as people flew by me in Central Park in the early morning.

I ended up buying a low end road bike and as stated by real cyclists above it made a hell of a difference.

The best vacation I ever had was cycling through the Alps but it took its toll on my crotch and I did lots of cycling standing. I'm glad I didnt develop nerve damage but I did develop anemia from the effort.

Don't underestimate another man's sport.

I was kindnof with you, until you started describing your son as the hero of his own life.

He would probably be more humble.

“He defines his life on his terms”😂😂😂😂😂

Sounds like some maudlin writing in a regrettable episode of Gunsmoke, or The Rifleman.🤢

For the record, I don’t think I have opined one way or the other about his chances—but nobody here has said that “it can’t be done”, they’re saying that based on the info given, “he won’t do it”.

Maybe you should just build a thicker skin, rather than trying to patch the holes in your thin one with pride and hilarious bravado.

If I were your son, I would be cringing at your comment. You might want to leave him to live his own life, he was doing well here on his own—certainly better than anything you have done for him via your comment.

coach wrote:

In my early 30s and a decent runners I figured I'd cross train and do triathlons. I had a city/hybrid bike. I could not compete and watched as people flew by me in Central Park in the early morning.

I ended up buying a low end road bike and as stated by real cyclists above it made a hell of a difference.

The best vacation I ever had was cycling through the Alps but it took its toll on my crotch and I did lots of cycling standing. I'm glad I didnt develop nerve damage but I did develop anemia from the effort.

Don't underestimate another man's sport.

OMG more drama! This is a young guy in good shape, who is going to try to maintain a certain pace on an mtb for 4 hours—it’s as safe as it gets, if he avoids traffic, and hydrates and eats.

He is not free-climbing el Capitan.

Go for it man, give it all you’ve got. Fvckin’ A

XCemdee wrote:

For clarification, I will most likely be borrowing padded shorts, I will be riding with a saddle height so that my legs are extended at 10º, I'll be dropping the stem down and riding in an aero position grabbing close to the stem.

Tomorrow I have a 2-3 hour easy bike ride with these additions and will update how it goes.

So, yesterday you did a 2-3 hour ride, right? How did it go? Hey, there's no shame in saying it was tougher than you thought. You're not a cyclist.

Did you do part of the ride at 17.5 mph? If so, how did it feel? Think you could hold it for four hours?

Coloradoman wrote:

I am the proud father of the young man who will ride 70 miles in 4 hours.

I hurt for you nay-sayers, who say it can't be done; you sit on the sideline while the adventure-seekers and achievers stream past you. . .

Wait, if this is all fiction then I'd like to change my prediction . . .

After becoming disillusioned with the Italian pros when they sabotage tonight's test ride, he overcomes a bad crash and a flat tire to cross the line less than a second to spare, wins the girl who moves to take a job in Chicago anyway, and his skeptical father takes up cycling.

Fisky goes home devastated.

XCemdee wrote:

For clarification, I will most likely be borrowing padded shorts, I will be riding with a saddle height so that my legs are extended at 10º, I'll be dropping the stem down and riding in an aero position grabbing close to the stem.

Tomorrow I have a 2-3 hour easy bike ride with these additions and will update how it goes.

How did the ride go?

If you have really been doing an hour per day on a stationary bike, (7 hours/week) I think your goal is plausible...but I wouldn't bet on you.

Tires: As others have said, knobby tires may be a deal breaker. Try to find/borrow a set of slicks if you haven't already. If you're relying on a non-GPS bike speedometer, calibrate it with the new tires.

Hydration: Eating and drinking properly is critical. If you fall behind fueling, it's not really possible to catch up. Everyone is different, but for me (160-170 lbs) 20oz liquid per hour would be absolute minimum for a challenge like this. So, ~25 oz per loop for you. If it's warm, you'll want more. If it's hot, you'll want a lot more.

Carbohydrates: Again, everyone is different, but plan on something like 50g carbs per hour. It's a lot. Avoid richer food with more than a little fat or protein. That won't be helpful in the moment.

Riding position: You need to balance 3 things: aerodynamics, safety, and comfort. The most aero position will inevitably be something that is unsafe, that you can't comfortably maintain for any length of time, that will overstress some muscles, and that you can't produce normal power in anyway. With no time or money to spend on fit and position, your best bet is to set the saddle height correctly, and ride in a safe position that is somewhere in your comfort zone, with mild adjustments to reduce wind resistance. If you try to ride in a low tuck with your hands at the stem for 4 hours, it probably won't end well.

Clothes: This is your chance to reduce wind resistance with no negative side effects. Bike shorts would be very helpful here. They will be more comfortable too. Wear a top that flaps as little as possible. The flapping is your energy being wasted.

Bike maintenance: Give the bike a once-over, or find someone who can help you out. A dirty, unlubricated chain will make your task harder than it needs to be. Same for a rubbing brake. Same for a poorly adjusted derailleur. Ignore the clown who suggested removing the brakes.

Hey. Did 1:30 on the bike. The back wheel was too wobbly so cut the ride short. Maintaining 17.5 MPH isn't an issue in terms of my fitness, but saddle soreness.

Definitely will be hurting at hour 3.

Sprintgeezer wrote:OMG more drama! This is a young guy in good shape, who is going to try to maintain a certain pace on an mtb for 4 hours—it’s as safe as it gets, if he avoids traffic, and hydrates and eats.

He is not free-climbing el Capitan.

Go for it man, give it all you’ve got. Fvckin’ A

+1. Fvckin’ A.

Yeah, that’s the killer.

Also, 4 hrs is qualitatively different than 90 mins. Will be a bit painful.

GCN bid on mtb vs road:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vvGjtNAUkcw