I completed my first RAGBRAI and the ride was much easier than anticipated. I actually felt like I got stronger as the week went on. I took the first week off since I got back and yesterday was the first time back in the saddle.
What surprised me most was that I actually felt much weaker (speed, endurance, and stamina) since I completed the ride. Is this normal or is my body still recovering? I was really hoping I would come back a much stronger rider but it looks like the opposite has happened.
Does anyone have any suggestions to get back to where I was before I did the ride?
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Post-ride blues: The inability to ride after the 70mph RAGBRAI bus rollover on I-80 on the return trip to Vermont. I’m still in the fog of painkillers and have resigned myself to letting chores pile up while waiting for this aging back to heal. My bike, alas, while minimally affected by the crash, has gone unridden in the days since leaving Iowa.
Looking forward to getting back in the saddle again.
Best,
~ Kevin
Tough break Kevin but could have been much worse. The Little Stoker and I wish you a speedy recovery….there is still some bike season left in Vermont before the snow flies.
RIDE RIGHT
Yep, it could’ve been much, much worse, indeed. I’ll be riding again soon, no doubt. Autumn in Vermont is a great time of year to ride! I sure do wish I could share it with many of the wonderful folks I’d ridden with in Iowa, though.
Best,
~ Kevin
Kevin, sorry to hear that your down. That bus wreck was a horrible way to end your RAGBRAI week. Hope your better soon!
Kevin, sorry you are in pain. I hope you are healed in time for the leaves changing. Such a pretty time of year to ride. Well actually pretty here in Jersey… gorgeous there in Vermont.
Thanks for the well-wishes Michrider and Bumblebees. I’m on the mend, but I tend to be impatient. The pain-killers are keeping me in a pretty foggy state of mind but not bad enough to diminish the memories of this year’s ride across Iowa. (I can be thankful that the accident happened on the way home rather than on the way to Glenwood.)
I wish I’d had the opportunity to meet a few more of the folks on this forum. I ran into Princess Amanda a couple times, passed Michrider on day one, but didn’t make it to any of the planned forum member gatherings. Did any of those breakfast plans or beer tent gatherings happen?
All the best,
~ Kevin
Didn’t make it to any of the meetings either with so much of the afternoon/evening focus being on heat survival.
So many new and low-time road riders have benefited from your positive and informative comments, Gypsy. So glad to hear you’re doing well.
Yeah, it was a bit too hot for planned meeting. I made it the the Altoona beer garden on Wednesday night. There were orange shirts (Altoona Volunteers) everywhere, too D.AMN funny!!!!!
I waited a week before riding again – mostly because I needed to stay off the bike to let one little spot heal up (hint – the Chamois Butter wore off about 5.5 hours into the ride each day).
I was a little nervous about getting back on – especially after reading that people got back on and felt weaker. I have to say – my bike was lighter and more responsive than I remember it being during the ride (especially Thursday – Saturday) and then I realized, hey, hold it – the bike isn’t more responsive and light – I’m just stronger and in better biking shape.
And so it is true – I enjoy the bike now more than ever. I’m thinking of upgrading yet again from my 2005 Bianchi Imola to a 2001-2004 Reynolds 853 Steel Frame Lemond (I’m keeping my eyes on craigslist and eBay) with Dura-Ace. I’ll probably keep my Bianchi and put it up on the trainer.
I now know why people climb mountains – the end of Ragbrai kind of brought that experience home. I wasn’t sure the day I finished if I would do it again. Now, for some VERY STRANGE REASON it is occupying my thoughts a lot – such as – I wonder how many miles I can get in before next year’s Ragbrai?
It is pure addiction.
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