I'm sitting at the computer Sunday morning, rather than doing my usual 42 mile 360 Loop ride. The 50 (F)degrees didn't deter me, I had on my tights, base layer, jersey, with a jacket in reserve. But there is no sun and the cold wind bending the trees had me closing the garage door just seconds after I opened it. Today's ride will be in the kitchen doing a Carmichael TT workout. I have long since worn out the video, but really no longer need it.
Last Friday Marilane and I drove down to Gruene, Tx, me to preview the ITT (Individual Time Trial) because it is new this year, and TTT (Team Time Trial) courses, she to browse the shops. The two-man team course is a 26.6 mile loop that starts and ends in Gruene and the individual course is a 10.5 mile loop beginning and ending at the Canyon Lake Dam. Think of a figure 8, with about a mile of road constituting the intersecting part. I estimated doing both loops, slightly modified, at 40 miles and that it should take me about three hours.
Last year the ITT consisted of 15 miles of the TTT course, then a bit of a sting to the top of Canyon Dam. Therefore, being defending age-group champion, I was familiar with this really great ride down the River Road to Sattler. I had been looking forward to racing it again and mourned the change. Anyhow, I rode my road bike and meandered my way to Canyon Dam, remembering the undulations and gear shifting needed for maximum speed. There is a slight chance I may be asked to substitute in the TTT, so I wanted to be prepared.
The ITT course starts with .8 mile across the dam, on new, smooth asphalt, followed by a mile through a park (more of a wilderness area with a slight downhill and uphill loop). The course map indicates severe turns; and the main reason I wanted to preview the road. The turns aren't all that bad and hopefully they will blow the gravel before the race, allowing me to remain in the aero position.
At about 3.5 miles there is a turn onto Rt 306. This is a major two-lane road with lots of traffic and at the turn it had a teensy-weensy shoulder. But it also had a middle turn-lane and generally I don't mind riding in the middle of the road. This lane had a lot of road debris and all too soon I saw that it petered out. This brought me to a stop to consider my options. I could return on the river road and skip the 4 miles of preview, or I could gird my loins (for the younger generation: suck it up) and continue on.
Once the turn-lane stopped, the shoulder widened (to about half what I thought was safe). Truthfully, the shoulder was about six feet wide, but three feet of it was littered with road crap, and the other three was rough as a cob. Giving thanks for my 25mm Continentals, I soldiered on.
In my turn-lane deliberations, I determined I would skip the intersecting part of the figure 8, and I had already ridden the last portion of the ITT, so that left 4 miles of ITT and about 10 miles of the TTT. All uphill and against the wind. Perhaps a slight exaggeration. Yes, the wind was in my face the last 14 miles. My computer shows 4 climbs of around 4% before what would have been the turn for the ITT (the course map profile indicates only slight inclines, once again proving you need to preview a race course). It shows a 5% and a 10% (what is billed as a long climb of 13% in the race propaganda), plus some minor 2-3% for the TTT portion. And, all the while, traffic buzzing too close to my ear. I am not adverse to riding in traffic, and no one got close enough for me to give them a salute, but I won't be doing this again.
Needless to say, going too fast never became an issue. Statistically, on the River Road portion, I averaged 15.7mph (I did 21mph in the race last year). For the 17.9 mile return trip, mostly on Rt 306, I averaged 12.1. Because I'd cut several miles from the course, the total time of 2hrs 35 minutes exactly coincided with the amount of time Marilane browsed, and we arrived back at the car within a minute of each other.
I changed clothes and we wandered over to the River House Tea Room for a superb lunch, then drove home. Now to training for four more weeks and hoping no one gives me a call to substitute for a team member.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
TEXAS STATE ROAD CHAMPIONSHIP
Be careful what you wish for.... Having had the experience of finishing last on this course two years ago, and knowing my own strengths and weaknesses, when I signed up to ride several months ago, I hoped for a strong north wind. Regular readers know that I regularly whine about riding in anything more than a slight breeze. However, I knew the only way to stay with the peloton (made up of 60-64, 65-69, and 70+ riders) after the second hill would be to have the leaders slow down to my speed as I hid behind guys.
Gale force might be a tad strong, but the wind was quite stiff out of the north. Unfortunately, we still had a few lingering showers in the area. Saturday's racers had to contend with steady downpours. Be that as it may, unlike my previous experience with a south wind, the peloton kept a reasonable pace for the first two miles, mostly a slight downhill. The first climb caused a sharp increase in heart rate, but everybody made it over in good condition, and the wind kept the young guys from haring down the other side.
The second hill, two tiered at 10%, separates the men from the boys, and once again I came up short. But, I stayed with the guys longer than some of the others, and when finally I got gapped, I had some company. Michael, in the 65-69 age group and Fred, in mine, found ourselves about 20 yards behind the group and unable to close (indeed it continued a bit faster than us), but ahead of the rest of the old guys and possibly one or two younger ones.
The course heads north for 16 miles, then south for about 14, then west for about 3. Even though the two tough climbs were behind us, the trio still had 10 miles and 7 minor climbs against the wind before getting some relief. Trading places leading, we pushed on as fast as we could without going into the red zone. Fred and I were putting time into the other guys in our group, Michael hoping to pick up stragglers in his group.
The turn to the south finally came and we enjoyed the wind at our backs pushing us up what is usually a challenging climb. I topped 40mph twice and spent a lot of time in the mid-30s on the downhills. But in order to do a downhill, there were the climbs to conquer. About twenty miles into the race, a 13% grade loomed up at us. We took it as gentlemen, easing up without trying to bust it. I began to feel the effects of racing.
A few miles further and a horn sounded behind us. The young ladies started 15 minutes behind us and apparently the leaders were approaching. It took another couple miles before the lone lady passed, quickly leaving us behind, as she did all of her competitors (they were not in sight and never did catch us). Well, we just enjoyed the heck out of this leg, but soon enough came the last right turn.
The last few miles has two hills, the last one 7%, then is only slightly up, like 1 or 2%. As we approached the first hill, the last, lingering shower caught us. The rain was cold and sharp, with the wind coming into our right shoulder. My left shoe quickly filled with water coming from the wheel, while the right shoe was merely wet. On the second climb I stood to test my quads for the upcoming sprint. They quickly told me that if I tried that again, they would shut down. Sitting down and easing off a bit cost me 20 yards and I couldn't close the gap. That is how we finished.
During the whole race, Fred was clearly stronger than I. I learned later he rides a bunch (obviously) and had raced the Leadville 100. I was happy just to hang with him to the end. Rain notwithstanding, I had a good time celebrating my 70th birthday.
Gale force might be a tad strong, but the wind was quite stiff out of the north. Unfortunately, we still had a few lingering showers in the area. Saturday's racers had to contend with steady downpours. Be that as it may, unlike my previous experience with a south wind, the peloton kept a reasonable pace for the first two miles, mostly a slight downhill. The first climb caused a sharp increase in heart rate, but everybody made it over in good condition, and the wind kept the young guys from haring down the other side.
The second hill, two tiered at 10%, separates the men from the boys, and once again I came up short. But, I stayed with the guys longer than some of the others, and when finally I got gapped, I had some company. Michael, in the 65-69 age group and Fred, in mine, found ourselves about 20 yards behind the group and unable to close (indeed it continued a bit faster than us), but ahead of the rest of the old guys and possibly one or two younger ones.
The course heads north for 16 miles, then south for about 14, then west for about 3. Even though the two tough climbs were behind us, the trio still had 10 miles and 7 minor climbs against the wind before getting some relief. Trading places leading, we pushed on as fast as we could without going into the red zone. Fred and I were putting time into the other guys in our group, Michael hoping to pick up stragglers in his group.
The turn to the south finally came and we enjoyed the wind at our backs pushing us up what is usually a challenging climb. I topped 40mph twice and spent a lot of time in the mid-30s on the downhills. But in order to do a downhill, there were the climbs to conquer. About twenty miles into the race, a 13% grade loomed up at us. We took it as gentlemen, easing up without trying to bust it. I began to feel the effects of racing.
A few miles further and a horn sounded behind us. The young ladies started 15 minutes behind us and apparently the leaders were approaching. It took another couple miles before the lone lady passed, quickly leaving us behind, as she did all of her competitors (they were not in sight and never did catch us). Well, we just enjoyed the heck out of this leg, but soon enough came the last right turn.
The last few miles has two hills, the last one 7%, then is only slightly up, like 1 or 2%. As we approached the first hill, the last, lingering shower caught us. The rain was cold and sharp, with the wind coming into our right shoulder. My left shoe quickly filled with water coming from the wheel, while the right shoe was merely wet. On the second climb I stood to test my quads for the upcoming sprint. They quickly told me that if I tried that again, they would shut down. Sitting down and easing off a bit cost me 20 yards and I couldn't close the gap. That is how we finished.
During the whole race, Fred was clearly stronger than I. I learned later he rides a bunch (obviously) and had raced the Leadville 100. I was happy just to hang with him to the end. Rain notwithstanding, I had a good time celebrating my 70th birthday.
Monday, September 3, 2012
MISCELLANEOUS
It has been quite awhile since last I posted anything. Not that I haven't been cycling, but it's been quite boring. In preparation for State Road Race, I took the aerobars off my bike, to get my arms used to the regular position for over an hour and a half. State is 33 miles, with hard climbs and I like to think I can do it in ninety minutes; reality tells me it will come in more like an hour and 45 minutes. My Sunday rides have suffered, but I like to think I'm getting stronger. This coming Thursday my friend, Barry, and I will drive up and preview the course. It's the same one I did two years ago, so it will be more of a refresher. My age group starts with the young (60+) guys, so once again I'm hoping just to make it over the first hill (which is two-tiered) with the group before being dropped and having to ride the rest of the course by myself. By way of explanation, if I'm in the peloton after the first climb, then I can stick until the second, which gets me one-third of the way around the course. Most of this first ten miles will be ridden (if hidden in the peloton) in the upper 20mph range, which is why I'm hoping for only 90 minutes of pain.
Yesterday's ride left a bit to be desired, in terms of how my heart/lungs felt, so I proclaimed that this would be a recovery ride. It takes a lot of determination to hold back, especially when I had a favorable wind for the first fourteen miles. I thought I would have a dramatic increase in heart-rate when I turned into the wind, but with an ego-busting use of the large cogs, I kept the increase to a minimum. Stats: 1hr 11 minutes in Zone 1 (60% of maximum heart-rate), and 44 minutes in Zone 2; only 2 minutes in Zone 3 (mostly the one big hill on this route). Average HR with the wind at my back was 92 and in my face: 99. Interesting enough, my time was only 10 minutes slower than when I try to hustle.
After the road race I'll re-install the aerobars for a month of Time Trial training in anticipation of defending my Tour de Gruene championship (age group). Unfortunately (I think), they cut the route from 17 miles to 10. I do better in longer routes. However, this year it is at least a loop course, so I end up back at my car rather than 18 miles away.
 |
| Recovery ride felt slow and plodding |
After the road race I'll re-install the aerobars for a month of Time Trial training in anticipation of defending my Tour de Gruene championship (age group). Unfortunately (I think), they cut the route from 17 miles to 10. I do better in longer routes. However, this year it is at least a loop course, so I end up back at my car rather than 18 miles away.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
GEORGIA, 2012 EDITION
Again this year, we had our family get-together in Suches, Georgia. Again this year, since this is a cycling blog, I'll skip details of all the fun we had hiking the Appalachian Trail (completing all of the trail in Georgia), swimming at Lake Winfield Scott (not me, of course), and the fireworks display in Suches.
My concern that I had lost some training was alleviated on my first ride. We arrived at the cabin on Monday and around 9am on Tuesday (allowing folks to get to work and clear the roads), I began the traditional 3 Gap inaugural ride. That is, I always do this ride first. Woody Gap is only three miles from the cabin, and the climb only a mile, followed by a five mile downhill. The wind in my face necessitated pedalling down the mountain in order to maintain a decent speed. Mostly I stayed in the 25-30mph range, but did manage 35mph on one stretch.
A nice, rolling transition of four miles brought me to Turner's Corner, the start of the nine mile climb to Neel's Gap. I always allow an hour and it usually takes me 50-55 minutes to complete. The start is gradual, and several miles into it you receive relief in the form of a slight downhill for about a mile. Then it is three miles of 6-8% grade.
The reward for such hard work is a three mile descent, mostly without vehicles, thus allowing me to use all of the road. My GPS indicates four spikes over 35mph, and nothing under 30mph once I got moving going down. A left turn onto GA 180 put me immediately onto the climb up Wolf Pen Gap. This three mile climb, mostly in the 8-10% range, usually takes half an hour and is my favorite of all the gaps. The two mile descent of corkscrew turns is a lot of fun, and as usual I braked too much on my first run. Generally it takes two or three times to re-familiarize myself with this section before I can zip around and fully enjoy the experience. After Winfield Scott, it is another five miles of rolling hills to the cabin.
In all, I did the 3 Gap ride, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, five times and on two other occasions rode from the cabin up Wolf Pen and back. I also did the Hogpen Gap loop twice.
The Hogpen Gap loop starts at the base of Brasstown Bald, or Jack's Gap if you prefer. The eastern descent of Jack's Gap is a real bummer. Five miles of downhill, but only the first mile is fun and after that it is so gradual that you sometimes wonder (as you have to pedal) if you are going down at all. However the right turn and ascent up Unicoi Gap is just as gradual, and short, like three miles.
The downhill of Unicoi is eight miles of sheer fun, with sweeping curves that can be taken as speed. My top speed was 40mph at the very start, with lots of peaks over 35mph and nothing under 30mph for the first three miles. Soon enough, sigh, came the right turn and transition to Hogpen Gap.
Hogpen is similar to Neel's, in that the beginning is not-as-steep and there is a short downhill relief before the real climbing begins. The difference is Hogpen's "gradual" is just under 10%, and the "steep" has a lot of over 10%, including a 15% pitch of about a quarter mile (perhaps less). I'm proud to say I made it, for the first time, without stopping. As a matter of fact, at the beginning of the climb I had been passed by a guy (cyclist) playing loud music (the tune the same as I hear at Gold's). He also passed me as I took a short break at the top (thus he apparently took a break somewhere along the way). But I didn't see him again, even though the downhill brought me to 45mph. It would have been faster but a car (one of the few I saw) was in my way. I could smell his brakes about halfway down, so obviously he didn't like using his gears to adjust his speed.
Hogpen takes a lot of energy, but after a rolling transition, I still had to climb up Jack's Gap to get to the car. This is another six and a half miles of climbing, although to be truthful, it also has a few relief parts. Still, it was a slow slog. I did the Hogpen loop twice. The second time, I had to stop after the 15% grade.
The other loop I do is over Skeena Gap. This is a fifty-one mile loop. The day I picked to ride it had heavy humidity and I felt blah. Even small inclines gave my legs fits. After thirty-eight miles I called Marilane to come pick me up. I didn't have enough oomph to make it over Wolf Pen. And, I never attempted Brasstown Bald. Usually I build up the strength to tackle the 16%, 16%, 24% grades, but since I couldn't do the 15% and had trouble with the 12%'s, this seemed out of my reach for this year.
All in all, I had 334 miles of mountain riding, and 33,900 feet of climb. After returning home I signed up for the State Road Race Championships in Killeen. This course has some heavy hills, and with my mountain training as a base, I hope to achieve some sort of recognition this year.
My concern that I had lost some training was alleviated on my first ride. We arrived at the cabin on Monday and around 9am on Tuesday (allowing folks to get to work and clear the roads), I began the traditional 3 Gap inaugural ride. That is, I always do this ride first. Woody Gap is only three miles from the cabin, and the climb only a mile, followed by a five mile downhill. The wind in my face necessitated pedalling down the mountain in order to maintain a decent speed. Mostly I stayed in the 25-30mph range, but did manage 35mph on one stretch.
A nice, rolling transition of four miles brought me to Turner's Corner, the start of the nine mile climb to Neel's Gap. I always allow an hour and it usually takes me 50-55 minutes to complete. The start is gradual, and several miles into it you receive relief in the form of a slight downhill for about a mile. Then it is three miles of 6-8% grade.
 |
| On the Skeenah Gap ride |
In all, I did the 3 Gap ride, either clockwise or counter-clockwise, five times and on two other occasions rode from the cabin up Wolf Pen and back. I also did the Hogpen Gap loop twice.
The Hogpen Gap loop starts at the base of Brasstown Bald, or Jack's Gap if you prefer. The eastern descent of Jack's Gap is a real bummer. Five miles of downhill, but only the first mile is fun and after that it is so gradual that you sometimes wonder (as you have to pedal) if you are going down at all. However the right turn and ascent up Unicoi Gap is just as gradual, and short, like three miles.
The downhill of Unicoi is eight miles of sheer fun, with sweeping curves that can be taken as speed. My top speed was 40mph at the very start, with lots of peaks over 35mph and nothing under 30mph for the first three miles. Soon enough, sigh, came the right turn and transition to Hogpen Gap.
Hogpen is similar to Neel's, in that the beginning is not-as-steep and there is a short downhill relief before the real climbing begins. The difference is Hogpen's "gradual" is just under 10%, and the "steep" has a lot of over 10%, including a 15% pitch of about a quarter mile (perhaps less). I'm proud to say I made it, for the first time, without stopping. As a matter of fact, at the beginning of the climb I had been passed by a guy (cyclist) playing loud music (the tune the same as I hear at Gold's). He also passed me as I took a short break at the top (thus he apparently took a break somewhere along the way). But I didn't see him again, even though the downhill brought me to 45mph. It would have been faster but a car (one of the few I saw) was in my way. I could smell his brakes about halfway down, so obviously he didn't like using his gears to adjust his speed.
Hogpen takes a lot of energy, but after a rolling transition, I still had to climb up Jack's Gap to get to the car. This is another six and a half miles of climbing, although to be truthful, it also has a few relief parts. Still, it was a slow slog. I did the Hogpen loop twice. The second time, I had to stop after the 15% grade.
The other loop I do is over Skeena Gap. This is a fifty-one mile loop. The day I picked to ride it had heavy humidity and I felt blah. Even small inclines gave my legs fits. After thirty-eight miles I called Marilane to come pick me up. I didn't have enough oomph to make it over Wolf Pen. And, I never attempted Brasstown Bald. Usually I build up the strength to tackle the 16%, 16%, 24% grades, but since I couldn't do the 15% and had trouble with the 12%'s, this seemed out of my reach for this year.
All in all, I had 334 miles of mountain riding, and 33,900 feet of climb. After returning home I signed up for the State Road Race Championships in Killeen. This course has some heavy hills, and with my mountain training as a base, I hope to achieve some sort of recognition this year.
Sunday, June 17, 2012
SOME DAYS ARE LIKE THAT
It started yesterday. Once again, due to lack of riding Monday-Thursday, I felt the need to cycle the weekend. Friday I did hill work. Saturday came the University (32 miles) ride. Also on Saturday, my chain started acting up, jumping a gear unexpectedly. More precisely, just going up or down a cog, then coming back to the original. I played with the cable tension, inspected the chain and the quick link (finding them suspiciously flexible sideways), and the cogs. It seemed better, but I determined that my Sunday ride would have me taking the hills seated.Also, my Saturday ride clued me in that there would be no resting my back in the aero position, as I had removed the aerobars in anticipation of riding the Georgia mountains. So, here is Sunday's recap, short and sweet: my legs were dead from the start, no push; no aero position; a jumping chain (on the middle cogs); and super high humidity. I can't remember the last time sweat rolled off my chin (yes, it was sweat) like a dripping faucet. The wind today decided not to be a factor. I was pleasantly surprised to only come in ten minutes slow.
I'm reconsidering the aerobars for the mountains. Even if not useful going up and down, the transition miles would certainly help my recovery and back. Oh, and I'll be at the bike shop first thing in the morning.
Friday, June 15, 2012
WASHED BIKE
This is more of a big deal than most folks think. I joke that I wash my bike twice a year whether it needs it or not. This is not far from the truth. It's titanium. Only if I get caught unexpectedly does it go out in wet weather. I lot of the time I use my Camelbak, thus avoiding sticky crud on the down tubes. Therefore, before big races (not time-trials, my tt bike has never been washed), I'll spruce it up a bit and take off the bottle brackets and tt bars. This year my big race was in February. But soon we'll be in the North Georgia mountains, and I will start with a clean bike.
I'll also have new tires. Up until last year I would get a new set of Continental 4000s at the beginning of each race season. After seeing the treadwear marks on my tires, I skipped new ones last year, but didn't want to be swooping around the curves of Wolf Pen Gap on old ones this year. I also purchased a tool to remove my quick link on the chain. When they first came out, I had no problem getting them off by hand. I suspect they are new and improved, because there is no movement at all with my fingers. Easily removed with minor pressure with the tool.
Anyhow, I use my carwash liquid, which works quite well in removing the crud and leaving the metal bright and shiny. Simple green and a stiff brush left the chain bright and shiny. I actually washed the old tires while still on the wheels, so I could inspect just how worn they were. Truthfully, I could have gone another year on them, were it not for a rip in the bottom of the rear one. Had we been short on cash, I would have put a dab of duct tape on the inside and switched it to the front. Besides, with urging from my friend Barry, and a few articles in Velonews, I experimented with 25mm tires, up from the 23s I've been on for years.
The bike wash was Monday and today was the first ride on my clean bike, freshly lubed chain, and new tires. Hot, humid, windy weather deterred any great times or speed, other than at the bottom of one hill where I usually can take the corner (merging onto Loop 360) 24-26mph. I had no difficulties leaning a bit and seeing 28.4. Once again, the humidity zapped me, and after struggling up Courtyard, had to skip Jester. I won't worry about it unless I return from Georgia and am still unable to do both.
I'll also have new tires. Up until last year I would get a new set of Continental 4000s at the beginning of each race season. After seeing the treadwear marks on my tires, I skipped new ones last year, but didn't want to be swooping around the curves of Wolf Pen Gap on old ones this year. I also purchased a tool to remove my quick link on the chain. When they first came out, I had no problem getting them off by hand. I suspect they are new and improved, because there is no movement at all with my fingers. Easily removed with minor pressure with the tool.Anyhow, I use my carwash liquid, which works quite well in removing the crud and leaving the metal bright and shiny. Simple green and a stiff brush left the chain bright and shiny. I actually washed the old tires while still on the wheels, so I could inspect just how worn they were. Truthfully, I could have gone another year on them, were it not for a rip in the bottom of the rear one. Had we been short on cash, I would have put a dab of duct tape on the inside and switched it to the front. Besides, with urging from my friend Barry, and a few articles in Velonews, I experimented with 25mm tires, up from the 23s I've been on for years.
The bike wash was Monday and today was the first ride on my clean bike, freshly lubed chain, and new tires. Hot, humid, windy weather deterred any great times or speed, other than at the bottom of one hill where I usually can take the corner (merging onto Loop 360) 24-26mph. I had no difficulties leaning a bit and seeing 28.4. Once again, the humidity zapped me, and after struggling up Courtyard, had to skip Jester. I won't worry about it unless I return from Georgia and am still unable to do both.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
RPM'S
I don't like riding on Saturdays. Being retired, I can ride during the week. I don't have to ride on the weekend. However, this past Saturday I did my "University" ride, 31 miles. I did it because on Wednesday in doing my hill ride, I hit the highest heart-rate in two-plus years, 166. I felt I needed a day off, and it turned into two. So, with the weather almost perfect, I took advantage and started out about 8:15am.
My FB posting describes it quite succinctly: Fastest time, highest average speed, highest average RPMs, EVER. Of course, the wind always plays a part, and in this case, it proved to be negligible. For whatever reason, I held a high cadence the whole way (it is an out-and-back, mostly east-west). My average jumped from 70-71 to 76. Don't let the number fool you, this includes coasting downhill, going uphill in the big ring, and waiting at red lights. Most of my time was spent in the mid-80s. My glutes screamed at me all afternoon, finally subsiding after ingestion of aspirin.
I know from years of looking at my stats, high rpms are good. But you need good energy to keep it up for a whole ride. This was one of those days.
Not to be confused with my Sunday ride. One of the reasons for taking Saturday off is to be rested for my Sunday morning (like starting 10 minutes before daylight, or 30 minutes before official sunrise) 360 Loop ride. This 42 mile ride has 18 (or 24, depending on definitions) climbs, 6 of which I'd call significant. My plan to continue glute punishment never materialized, in view of the stiff wind in my face for the first 75 minutes. Nevertheless, I had fun, my time average, and my legs were not impaired by the previous day's activity.
Generally speaking, the strength and endurance now exhibited, I expected two months ago. Let me rephrase that. I hoped for. Indeed, cycling is very honest: if you put in the miles, you will get the results. I just need to get in the miles. Shouldn't be a problem getting miles now, since a cycling vacation in the mountains of North Georgia is looming on the horizon.
My FB posting describes it quite succinctly: Fastest time, highest average speed, highest average RPMs, EVER. Of course, the wind always plays a part, and in this case, it proved to be negligible. For whatever reason, I held a high cadence the whole way (it is an out-and-back, mostly east-west). My average jumped from 70-71 to 76. Don't let the number fool you, this includes coasting downhill, going uphill in the big ring, and waiting at red lights. Most of my time was spent in the mid-80s. My glutes screamed at me all afternoon, finally subsiding after ingestion of aspirin.I know from years of looking at my stats, high rpms are good. But you need good energy to keep it up for a whole ride. This was one of those days.
Not to be confused with my Sunday ride. One of the reasons for taking Saturday off is to be rested for my Sunday morning (like starting 10 minutes before daylight, or 30 minutes before official sunrise) 360 Loop ride. This 42 mile ride has 18 (or 24, depending on definitions) climbs, 6 of which I'd call significant. My plan to continue glute punishment never materialized, in view of the stiff wind in my face for the first 75 minutes. Nevertheless, I had fun, my time average, and my legs were not impaired by the previous day's activity.
Generally speaking, the strength and endurance now exhibited, I expected two months ago. Let me rephrase that. I hoped for. Indeed, cycling is very honest: if you put in the miles, you will get the results. I just need to get in the miles. Shouldn't be a problem getting miles now, since a cycling vacation in the mountains of North Georgia is looming on the horizon.
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