Comments on: What is a Big Ride?

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:56:00 +0000

Thanks Michael…..I, personally used to focus more on time, and now I seem to be more focused on distance. I appreciate your perspective and suggestion….good stuff.

By: Michael Moriarity

Michael Moriarity — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:29:00 +0000

My two cents: Define your big rides by time in the saddle, not distance. Ride time should not change significantly from summer to winter. Only the intensity should change. Slightly less intensity in the winter as you work on that base, but don’t lose intensity all together. Keep the body on its toes, and never stop building!

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:40:00 +0000

Good point, Joel. We should think that way about every ride.

By: Joel Phillips

Joel Phillips — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:59:00 +0000

Whether it’s racing neighbor kids in my townhouse community to the mailbox, a feverish sprint to the organic market at the end of the block or a 50-mile cruise in the foothills, every ride is EPIC. If you’re TRUELY Loving The Bike, aren’t all rides big??

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:40:00 +0000

Yeah, you’re right Luke. The length of a big ride can also depend on what type of bike you’re riding for sure. Enjoy your tim on the Koan as well as your road bike.

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:39:00 +0000

Thanks Bob, it’s nice to hear about everyone’s perspective on big riding. Keep on Enjoy Your Ride.

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:38:00 +0000

Great input…..and the terrain and elements can definitely play a huge part in the “big-ness” of the ride. Yeah, I would say that anything over 200kms is totally a big ride.

By: Darryl is Loving the Bike

Darryl is Loving the Bike — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:36:00 +0000

Good point, egggman. The importance of the ride can definitely be as big as the length in which you’re going. You’re also totally right about measuring it by the size of your smile as well. Nicely done.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 00:32:00 +0000

Honestly a “big ride” to me is more big in importance than distance…. I have done short sprints and considered them big if I beat a PR/PB on the same course. I have also had awesome Distance/Time rides that are my “big rides”. All my 6+ hour races instantly qualify but sometimes a 30km mtb race cam be a “big ride” just based on the meters climbed or the fun had… Big could just be the size of the smile sometimes…. Enjoy your ride!!!

By: chasingmailboxes

chasingmailboxes — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:02:00 +0000

I define “big rides” not only by time in the saddle, but also by terrain and other elements. Even though I randonneur and ride a Super Randonneur series whenever I can, I’ll never forget a December century I rode that 1. never got above freezing, 2. was windy, and 3. had over 10,000 feet of climb. It was KILLER! That said, in my “off season” from September to December, I consider anything over 200K a fairly big ride, particularly as rides longer than that at this time of year almost inevitably require night riding and managing big shifts in temps.