Went for a post-work ride last evening. I had a two-hour window, and I wanted to take advantage of it.
Throughout the ride, I felt weak. No pop. No zing. Sprints were efforts; climbs felt like I was dragging an anchor.
Here's the rub: heart rate was normal. in fact, it never approached maximum. And my overall average speed was well above 18mph (18.3). Usually, for the particular route, 18 is a goal.
So what is that all about? I felt weak, but I performed well.
I hate riding in the afternoon. Between the traffic, the unsteady weather, and the stress of the day, I never get balanced or rhythmic. Maybe that's why I felt weak.
Or, maybe I am stronger than I think I am.
I hope that is the case!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Cervelo S1 Test Ride (Anticipation!)
Like the old ketchup ad, anticipation is upon me.
I am looking for a bike to race. Cecilia (my fat-bottomed Italian) has treated me well, but she is a bit too soft for crits, and I am not likely to set her up as a time-trial bike for triathlons.
Enter the Cervelo S1.
I have been reading about these bikes for some time, with keening interest.
What I like:
- New geometry (relative to my Bianchi)
- Racing pedigree
- Can be either a road racer or a tri bike
- Relatively inexpensive (frame, fork, post, headset for ~$1,200)
What concerns me:
- Ride quality
What will it be like going from 15-year-old steel to modern aluminum? - Setup
How will my Chorus groupset and Shamal wheels interact with the frame? This is nothing I can test ride - Total cost
I have the groupo and wheels, but I will need to get a stem and bars.
I need to get 85 miles this Saturday as part of my century training. I plan to ride it on the Cervelo. Doing so will let me evaluate it completely--climbs, descents, sprints, cruising, and spinning.
I can't wait. The anticipation is slow-good!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
When a bRIDEsmaid...
I got stood up this morrow. The parties shall remain nameless. We will simply refer to them as "slackers".
After a 25-minute ride up to the rendezvous, I spent quality time with my various personalities and several crickets. Then I checked my email (love that cell phone!), learned that I was on my own, and I began to follow plan "B".
The problem was, I had no plan "B".
So, I backtracked to my water depot at Maple Lawn, considering my options. It was a beautiful morning. Cool temperatures, slightly overcast, and enough recent rain to keep people in their houses (out of their cars and off the streets). It was also 0730 on a Saturday, so little traffic was to be seen.
Rather than picking one of my usual routes, I mixed it up. I decided to start the usual Tridelphia Mill Road loop, and tack on the Sharp Road route out to Larriland Farm. I did not know what the mileage was going to be, but I figured that I would have enough miles upon my return to only need an additional loop to get my target mileage.
The ride was pleasant, but I had no "pop". My legs would turn over, but I never had anything like explosive bursts for hills or sprints. I don't know if it was my lower-GI issues in the early morning, or something I ate in the morning, but I had no there there. It was not a slog, but I was not dancing on the pedals either.
In the end I got my 70 miles in about 4 hours. I might have had another five miles in my legs. After that, I would have bonked.
It looks like I need to up the mileage during the week. The plan is Tuesday morning spin class and afternoon group ride, and Thursday morning Tridelphia loops. Then hit it hard on Saturday morning.
So, the bridesmaid went solo, and made it through the day. As the song goes: "anger is an energy!"
71.59 Miles
4:05:54
17.4 mph average
Consumed
2 Gu
2 Accelerade (one scoop per 24 oz)
4 bottles total
After a 25-minute ride up to the rendezvous, I spent quality time with my various personalities and several crickets. Then I checked my email (love that cell phone!), learned that I was on my own, and I began to follow plan "B".
The problem was, I had no plan "B".
So, I backtracked to my water depot at Maple Lawn, considering my options. It was a beautiful morning. Cool temperatures, slightly overcast, and enough recent rain to keep people in their houses (out of their cars and off the streets). It was also 0730 on a Saturday, so little traffic was to be seen.
Rather than picking one of my usual routes, I mixed it up. I decided to start the usual Tridelphia Mill Road loop, and tack on the Sharp Road route out to Larriland Farm. I did not know what the mileage was going to be, but I figured that I would have enough miles upon my return to only need an additional loop to get my target mileage.
The ride was pleasant, but I had no "pop". My legs would turn over, but I never had anything like explosive bursts for hills or sprints. I don't know if it was my lower-GI issues in the early morning, or something I ate in the morning, but I had no there there. It was not a slog, but I was not dancing on the pedals either.
In the end I got my 70 miles in about 4 hours. I might have had another five miles in my legs. After that, I would have bonked.
It looks like I need to up the mileage during the week. The plan is Tuesday morning spin class and afternoon group ride, and Thursday morning Tridelphia loops. Then hit it hard on Saturday morning.
So, the bridesmaid went solo, and made it through the day. As the song goes: "anger is an energy!"
71.59 Miles
4:05:54
17.4 mph average
Consumed
2 Gu
2 Accelerade (one scoop per 24 oz)
4 bottles total
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Belgian Points
I'm on the phone with my LBS, inquiring about the evening's group ride.
It was an on-again, off-again rainy day. Being new to the group, I did not know what conditions they would ride in (or avoid).
The LBS guy--older, gruffer, no-nonsense, wise-ass--said that they would hold off on a decision until 5:00 (for the 5:30 ride). "But we don't want to go out in the nasty stuff. After all, we're not collecting Belgian Points here."
It is the perfect way to describe the weather I love to ride in most. Rainy. Cold. No one else on the road. you can ride all day and see no other riders, even on frequently-trafficked routes.
Add a little road grime and mud, the wet scent of manure, and the sound of the water cascading off your wheels, and it is a little slice of heaven!
It was an on-again, off-again rainy day. Being new to the group, I did not know what conditions they would ride in (or avoid).
The LBS guy--older, gruffer, no-nonsense, wise-ass--said that they would hold off on a decision until 5:00 (for the 5:30 ride). "But we don't want to go out in the nasty stuff. After all, we're not collecting Belgian Points here."
"Belgian Points"
It is the perfect way to describe the weather I love to ride in most. Rainy. Cold. No one else on the road. you can ride all day and see no other riders, even on frequently-trafficked routes.
Add a little road grime and mud, the wet scent of manure, and the sound of the water cascading off your wheels, and it is a little slice of heaven!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Novara Ponderosa 29er (2009) Review
Background
I am a roadie, but I had been searching for a bike that I could ride on trails, through mud and over rocks on those days when I need to get my ya-ya's out (as my beautiful bride would say). You know, those days when for whatever reason you can't (or won't) get out on the road, but you need to ride...and ride hard.
I had been using my beautiful bride's bike, but one particularly nasty, rainy, cold, and muddy day I realized that I was one step away from destroying her ride. I was making too many demands of the drivetrain and the frame as I clunked down various horse trails. My marriage is too important to me.
So, with my 40th birthday present still to be received (months later...long story...), I started looking around at used bikes on Craigslist, eBay, and my LBSs. I quickly realized that I was looking in the $700 to $800 range for a bike to fit my modest desires:
- Proper size
- Hardtail
- Decent components
- Built to last
- Bigger wheels make for easier management of obstacles
- When up to speed, they maintain speed
- Easily converted into commuter bike (that behaves like a road bike)
And I bought one.
Review
Specs
| Part | Description |
| Frame | Aluminum |
| Fork | RockShox Dart 3 29'' w/ lockout |
| Crankset | Truvativ Firex 3.1 44/32/22 |
| Bottom bracket | Truvativ Giga Pipe |
| Shifters | SRAM X-7 |
| Front derailleur | SRAM X-7 |
| Rear derailleur | SRAM X-7 |
| Rear cogs | SRAM PG-950 11/34, 9-speed |
| Brakes | Avid BB7 Disc |
| Brake levers | Avid FR 5 |
| Rims | WTB SpeedDisc All Mountain |
| Front hub | Shimano M475 Disc |
| Rear hub | Shimano M475 Disc |
| Tires | WTB Prowler MX 29x2.1" |
| Handlebar | Truvativ Stylo SL 31.8mm |
| Stem | Truvativ XR 3D |
| Seat post | Truvativ XR |
| Saddle | WTB Pure V Race |
| Pedals | Alloy platform |
| Headset | Integrated semi-cartridge |
| Chain | SRAM PC 951 |
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