Am I crazy for riding my bike for 7 hours straight?

Question

I rode my bike from Barnstable to Chatham and back on Route 28 on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It's extremely far, at least 20 miles one way. It took me 7 hours to get there and back, but I stopped a few times to put on sun lotion and to take a drink. I left at 9 in the morning and got home at 4. I'm 15, and my parents don't know I did this. They weren't home at the time, so I figured it was the perfect opportunity to do this, because if they had known I was going to do this, they probably wouldn't have wanted me to because the road I took is dangerous. I just love to ride my bike and I'm adventurous, so I wanted to go to Chatham. Am I insane for doing this?

Answer 1

Kelsey,

When my brother was your age, he would ride his bike up the Beartooth Mountains in Montana.  He would leave in the morning and not come back till late afternoon.  My mother was always crazy with worry, because he never said where he was going.  Riding your bike is just fine...It is a very healthy activity...Much better than sitting at home watching TV or doing something illegal.  Try to remember that if something were to happen on the road, your family would have no way of knowing where to go to find you.  SO...my suggestion to you...pick a destination and a route that you will stick to and ALWAYS leave your family with a plan of your ride...  Enjoy the summer and keep on pedaling!

Answer 2

10/10 from me mate!

It seems you had a good day out, doing what you enjoy!

Just a few words of advice though, - given your experience, I would avoid riding busy main roads for most of your trips!! ( and by your own admission- dangerous!)

You still have a little work to do if you want to cover big distances but well done so far.

.Best of luck.

.

Answer 3

no ur not insane. u have a hobby. u do wut u love and u push yourself to be better. :)

Answer 4

hella no!!!! i ride my bike 10 hours a day soimetimes!!!!!!

Answer 5

No man you're just a cool as I was at that age! :D kudos man!! keep that spirit up!

just be careful as you're starting, as someone said, better don't use main roads, and just stay alert because you still have no much experience of diff situations on the road so take care.

40 miles is not "extremely far" but it's amazing that you can do it on the spot just by grabbing your bike and pedalling at ya age. keep it up

Answer 6

No.  You're not insane for doing this.  It sounds like you're addicted to cycling though.  Congratulations.

Your next step is to do research and find your local cycling club.  Go on some of their group rides and learn about training and equipment.

Then enter a local race in the junior category.

Stay dedicated and you'll be riding with the pros by the time you're 21.

Oh and if you think 7 hours straight is crazy, try 7 days straight: http://www.raceacrossamerica.org/

Answer 7

no, thats great exercise! although it may be a good idea to let someone know where you are going next time in case you get injured

Answer 8

You must be very fit!