CANARY IN THE COAL MINE

     I've written about my friend Dean before.  He is a former Senior Games national champion and we occasionally team up to compete in team competition, winning more than not.  For two out of five years we are competitors in solo races.  The other three years he is "safe."  When we first met fifteen years ago, he beat me like a drum.  For the last couple of years I've been faster.  But that's neither here nor there.
     I use Dean as my canary.  He's three years older than I, probably closer to four.  At our age a couple of years makes a big difference.  I remember when he turned 68 he said that that was as fast (i.e. strong) as he could be, and from then on he couldn't get faster.  Well, he continued to beat me, but not by as much and a few years later I finally could take him in the time trials and be competitive in the road races.  But then I turned 68.  I didn't get faster.
     But what with working harder, longer, and new technology, I didn't get any slower.  Experience also helped.  My best years, competitively, were when I was 71 and 72.  Then faster guys entered the age group. Of course, when I turned 75 I left them behind for a few years.   My times stayed relatively the same for about ten years.
     When we meet a couple of times a year at races, I always check him out and discuss what he is going through.  A little while ago he said he could no longer do two hard training days in a row.  If he had a hard day, he would take the next day off.  Well, two weeks ago I did a long, hard ride and had to take the next day off, and the second day was still recovery mode.  This past Monday I rode four miles longer and finished about the same time.  I managed to do a recovery ride on my trainer on Tuesday, but my legs are still tired.  It may take a few years before I have to completely take the next day off, but that day is coming.  My canary told me so.

KNOWING IS NOT ALWAYS DOING

     Years ago I wrote a tutorial about the proper way to change a tube.  So I know how to change a tube.  Doesn't mean I follow that procedure all the time, and yes, occasionally it comes back to bite me.  But this isn't about tubes again.  But first a little background.
     Next week I'll be during a three hour race at Pace Bend Park.  Not the six, twelve or twenty-four hour races that are part of the week-end.  I'm not a fan of Pace Bend, but this year have three races there.  It's a ~six mile loop with some challenging climbs.  Last year I used my time trial bike with a 32 cog and managed to get up the hills, but after a few laps the one big hill really slowed me down and my neck was killing me (see Feb 4, 2019 post).  That remains an option, but Plan A is to go with the Trek Emonda and switch out the 11-25 cassette with an 11-30, which is what I did for Nationals in Colorado.  A few days ago I made the switch.
     Removing and replacing a cassette is quite simple as long as you have the proper tools: chain whip, Shimano cassette tool, wrench.  But you have to pay attention.  In the past I've managed to 1) lose a spacer and not notice and 2) put two gears back in the wrong order.  So embarrassing!  Not that I did it, but couldn't figure out why and had to take it to the shop for them to figure out why it wouldn't shift properly.  And 3) replace the wrong lock ring.  Another trip to the shop to find out that yes, you cannot interchange different speed lock rings (I think it was a 9 instead of a 10).  CONSTANT VIGILANCE!  as Professor Moody would say avoids these traps.
     And one more thing to be careful about: replacing the lock ring.  It is very easy to get this cockeyed.  Which is why I always use my fingers up until the final tightening with the wrench.  Except a few days ago.  I put it on and gave it a twist to make sure it was properly seated then wrenched it tight.  I wasn't paying attention.  It crossed my mind that it didn't feel like all the other times in the past, but that didn't generate any action.
     So yesterday on the BSS Research ride, I could hear something rattle in the back.  Keep in mind I'm deaf in one ear and take my hearing aid out of the other when I ride.  I couldn't locate the source of the rattle.  While moving, I checked the bottle cages and the tail-light.  Finally at a short rest stop I got off the bike and checked the cassette.  It was loose.  Well that was eight miles into a twenty-five mile ride.  But once I determined the cause, and that it wouldn't fall off, I settled down for the duration.
     Once home I removed the cassette and carefully replaced everything, this time being extremely careful of the lock ring.  Then I double checked all was tight.
     Check back next week to see if I've gone with Plan A, or return to the TT bike.  And when working on your bike, give it your full attention.
   

SUCK IT UP, BUTTERCUP!

     I'm running out of excuses to avoid riding.  But that won't stop me from whining about it.  A well-outfitted cyclist has apparel for all kinds of weather.  I consider myself well-outfitted.  Whether or not I choose to wear them is the crux of the situation.  Let me point out a few revelations, most of which are not new to me.

     I don't like being cold.  I have tights (Under Armour calls them fitted leggings).  I even have fleece tights for really cold weather (thanks, Byran).  I have a nice thermal jacket, full finger gloves, winter socks.  I have a buff that doubles as a balaclava.  In cold weather I especially like to have my ears covered.  But it isn't the temperature that keeps me off the bike.  It's either the lack of sunshine or a brisk wind.  A combination of both will generally push me onto the trainer in the kitchen.  Of course, the remedy for this is to ride with a group.  Groups mostly have an upbeat attitude which overcomes cloudy days, and you can find someone to ride behind to hide from the wind.  That's more difficult during the week, when most folks have to work.

     I don't like being wet.  I have a rain jacket, rain pants, booties, even a helmet cover.  I see nothing positive from going out and slogging through the rain.  That said, I've been known to pack my rain jacket in case I get caught in the rain.  I'll check the radar and if it looks possible, then off I go.  Maybe if I just cleaned my bike I'll wait for a better day.  Of course, I have more than one bike, so that is an option.

     I don't like riding at night.  I have lights.  Not the zillion lumen ones that you can land a plane with, but sufficient.  I found out recently (Christmas lights ride that I bailed on) that my light attachment doesn't really fit the new handlebars on my Roark, and would not stay firm.  So I need to engineer a fix. Plus, the night vision is beginning to wane (old age, enough said).  It will take something extraordinary to get me out at night.  Of course, gloomy daylight might require a flashing headlight, especially for in-city riding.

     I really don't like wind.  It is depressing to be working your muscles so hard and see 10 mph on the computer.  This was somewhat mollified when I started using a power meter and training with it.  If the schedule calls for 180 watts, it doesn't matter if you're going 10 or 12 mph.  I'd rather be doing 20-22, but what the heck.  If I'm out in a stiff wind for a couple hours however, I won't do it two days in a row.  Wind really beats me up.

     I know what I need to do to achieve my goals.  It's either suck it up or change my goals.  Stay tuned.