long flat rides in north gA?
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1299 days
qb ant posted 44 weeks ago.
Check out the Silver Comet Trail in Smyrna. It's not really North Georgia, but it's about 45 minutes or so from Duluth. It's part of rails to trails and it goes about 56 miles, mostly flat.
"90% of the game is half mental" Yogi Berra
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312 days
Leroy Bonkers posted 44 weeks ago.
Yeah, I've done a lot of rides on the Silver Comet. And while I don't want to turn my nose up at such a great resource...
There was is always a lot of debris/plant matter on the trail. Two weeks ago there were entire downed trees! And the miles before 10 and after 40 are not very well sutied for a quick, steady ride.
But on the plus side there is a lot of shade and no cars!
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jalyon posted 43 weeks ago.
In Rome there is a relativelty flat, well marked route that begins behind Mount Berry Square Mall. They have 10, 30, 60, and 100 mile loops marked by painted arrows on the roads. It does have some rolling hills but the roads are good and the traffic is light.
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312 days
Leroy Bonkers posted 43 weeks ago.
thanks for the intel! Do you know of anywhere to secure a route map for this ride?
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1529 days
DSmith posted 42 weeks ago.
Here is a link to several ride maps around Atlanta. I think the Rome ride is included.
http://www.mycoachchris.com/Ride%20Maps.htm
I would try to train with some rolling hills for IMFL. Although the course is flat the winds make some stints of the ride feel like you are going up hill.
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1196 days
blueraider_mike posted 39 weeks ago.
Your best bet is to get on your trainer and stay on the aerobars for 5-6 hours - allowing yourself to stand up and stretch about every 10 minutes...
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Leroy Bonkers posted 39 weeks ago.
5 hours on the trainer? Hmmm.... Supplies would include: Water bottles, gel, and a hammer with which I can put myself out of my misery!
But really now, I appreciate the advice! Any recomendation for over coming the neck fatigue from a long ride? Sometimes it's all I can do to keep looking forward.
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1196 days
blueraider_mike posted 39 weeks ago.
Leroy,
I am serious about the trainer. To ride your best you must ride aero in an IM. If you neck hurts; either your bike isn't fitted right in the aero position for your body type or you are not riding in that position often enough. You have be relaxed in that position - takes a lot of time.
Nothing wrong with looking down keeping your spine in alignment. Just be sure to look up every once in a while.
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312 days
Leroy Bonkers posted 38 weeks ago.
I think I will try that long trainer ride (God help me :eek: ). The frequent hills around here mean varying periods of climbing and coasting. Perhaps it would be good to have a session where I get neither - just constant pedaling.
Perhaps I will rent and watch a bunch of inspirational movies during this session (Vision Quest, Chariots of Fire, etc.)
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240 days
dawgruff posted 34 weeks ago.
Not to be argumentative but there is NEVER debris or downed trees on the silver comet trail. It is both policed and monitored daily. I work with PATH and several other organizations who were instrumental in allowing biking on the sc trail. originally it was just for pedestrians. that being said, the first 6 miles (in smyrna) are VERY crowded and annoying. north of smyrna it is fine and good for biking.
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234 days
tri2achieve posted 33 weeks ago.
blueraider_mike;81805 wrote:
Leroy,I am serious about the trainer. To ride your best you must ride aero in an IM. If you neck hurts; either your bike isn't fitted right in the aero position for your body type or you are not riding in that position often enough. You have be relaxed in that position - takes a lot of time.
Nothing wrong with looking down keeping your spine in alignment. Just be sure to look up every once in a while.
I'm glad to see you post that. I just bought a new bike computer to pick up from my rear wheel so I can get speed/distance while on trainer. I plan on getting 90% of my bike time there this winter.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.- Paul
Anybody know of any long flat routes to ride in North Georgia?
I'm building up for IMFL and would like to do some routes a little more like what I'll encounter on race day. However hitting the hills is not the end of the world either!