Cycling

[The Imp]

Had a bit of moped-training this morning. I was trailed by a moped for the last 10k of my ride to work, which is one long undulating stretch. It either drops 1-2% or rises 1-2%, with two brief 5% streches. I fought to stay in front of him, and managed it, but I had to stay above 35 throughout. That'll wake you up in the morning!

 

[RayP]

My cycling group rode the Seattle to Portland ride this past weekend. Most of them did the one day ride, some did the two day-er. I helped drive all the luggage down to Portland. It sucked at times just standing around waiting for them to come in without a bike i could go ride around myself. Almost gave my bike a hug when I got home. Already told the group I'm doing it next year and that they'll be down a driver.

That looks and sounds awesome. Definitely would love to do something like that.

Had a bit of moped-training this morning. I was trailed by a moped for the last 10k of my ride to work, which is one long undulating stretch. It either drops 1-2% or rises 1-2%, with two brief 5% streches. I fought to stay in front of him, and managed it, but I had to stay above 35 throughout. That'll wake you up in the morning!

I'll tell ya man, there is nothing quite like feeling the need to pick it up a notch or two when you have a bunch of angry and grumpy commuters in the morning pissed at you who can't get around you.

 

[Rocko604]

That looks and sounds awesome. Definitely would love to do something like that.

I'm sure you'd have a great time. You also wouldn't be the only person from Georgia, saw quite a few peach-themed jerseys and a couple of UGA and GT jerseys.

 

[RayP]

Bike shop got the bike yesterday, and will be ready for pickup tomorrow. I don't think it's the frame I posted earlier, but based off what he said I think it's this one. He didn't have time to open it up, but going off what he read to me from the box it was in it should be this frame.

Man I can't wait to pick this thing up.

 

[RayP]

 

[The Imp]

Whoop, there it is.

 

[RayP]

Put 45 miles (72 K) in on the bike yesterday, and climbed about 3500 feet (1060 meters). Ride into work this morning was a bit sluggish, but kept it all on the small cassette on the way in. Might pick it up a bit more on the way home, but still nothing too crazy.

Got a couple comments on the frame yesterday when stopping for water and such.

 

[The Imp]

I got in 140k with the Tri-club yesterday, including one stretch of 13k, and one of 20k, with full gas. Well, 90 % of max HR. Felt pretty good. Body is beginning to respond again, after feeling duly sluggish after La Marmotte.

 

[RayP]

I got in 140k with the Tri-club yesterday, including one stretch of 13k, and one of 20k, with full gas. Well, 90 % of max HR. Felt pretty good. Body is beginning to respond again, after feeling duly sluggish after La Marmotte.

Damn dude, nice ride.


Do you train more on the bike than you do running or swimming?

 

[The Imp]

No, my base on the bike is where it needs to be. I'll do my commutes, and the odd weekend long-ish ride, that's it.

The exceptions are tomorrow, where a friend and I are going out to an abondoned airfield to do speed runs on the tribikes , and some weekend ride coming up, where we'll bike the ironman route.

OW swimming three times a week, and running three times a week, until about August 18th, then I begin tapering.

 

[RayP]

Gotcha... seems like every weekend you're logging in some really impressive distance on the bike.

And OW swimming three times a week? Jeez, color me jealous. The biggest tri club in Atlanta only gathers once a month... but part of that is a logistical thing, because there really isn't anywhere within an hour or two for open water swimming. Waterways are either too busy or too polluted. The closest place that I'm aware of that OW swimming is doable at around here is a 90 minute drive without traffic, one way.

 

[The Imp]

I have a beach park with a lagoon about 5 km from my apartment. Add to that, that's where the swim leg of IM Copenhagen takes place

Being a lagoon, it's relatively quiet even on windier days, and we don't get as many jellyfish as there are out in the "proper" sea. We still get them though. Thankfully no one that sting, yet.

From the start out to the 180 degree turn up north, it's about... 1,3-1,4 k.

 

[RayP]

Damn, that's awesome. I'd kill to have something like that near me. Atlanta unfortunately isn't really near any large body of water. Closest one is a lake that's still an hour+ drive, and that's just to get to the end of it that is so busy with boaters you'd be committing suicide if you tried to swim out there. Although might be able to find a part of it further north that would be calmer... but even then there is no way in hell I'd risk it.

 

[RayP]

In a really good groove on the bike right now. Good 28 mile ride on Saturday, 52 on Sunday, off day today, and 65-70 tomorrow depending on the route I take.

Tomorrow I'm riding from Atlanta to Athens. There will be a lot of great smooth country roads to ride along once I get about 15-20 miles outside of Atlanta. Really, really looking forward to it. That, and there will be some nice long stretches of relatively flat roads to ride on for miles at a time... which will be a huge change of pace for me, and a nice one at that.

 

[RayP]

Good ride yesterday, just over 69 miles (111 kilometers) and climbed just over 3500 feet (1067 meters).


But good god, it was so ****ing hot out. I thought I was going to die just from the heat. So uncomfortable. Summer needs to just go away already.

 

[The Imp]

To supplement Ray's story...

Back in May, my Canyon roadbike all of a sudden had a crack in the frame, right behind the stem. Nothing too major, and I couldn't quite make out if it was structural or just cosmetic.

I've since ridden a week in Mallorca, and a week in the Alps, so by now it's safe to say it's cosmetic.

I wrote Canyon back in May, and now... They replied. A replacement frame is being shipped to me. They didn't need to see the frame, the pictures were proof enough.

It took too long, but it's difficult to complain about the outcome, eh?

 

[kmad]

picked up a brooks b17 on the weekend + a repair multitool

 

[NylanderBros]

Going for super long bike rides help with hockey a lot? Looking to get out of the gym, getting a little bored. Can it just be september yet??

 

[RayP]

Finally back on the bike this morning for the first time in almost a week, although the legs were anything but fresh. Have done a lot of hiking and mountain biking over that week. Nice to get back on the road bike, though. Feels like it's been months since I was actually on the roads, even though it hasn't beem more than a week.

To supplement Ray's story...

Back in May, my Canyon roadbike all of a sudden had a crack in the frame, right behind the stem. Nothing too major, and I couldn't quite make out if it was structural or just cosmetic.

I've since ridden a week in Mallorca, and a week in the Alps, so by now it's safe to say it's cosmetic.

I wrote Canyon back in May, and now... They replied. A replacement frame is being shipped to me. They didn't need to see the frame, the pictures were proof enough.

It took too long, but it's difficult to complain about the outcome, eh?

It took them that long just to reply? Damn... glad to hear they're sending you a new frame, though.

Imp, what bike computer do you use again? I changed what I view on my Garmin 510 to show the average grade % of the hill I'm ascending or descending on, but curious to how accurate that actually is.

Speaking of, really want to upgrade to the Garmin Edge 1000...

 

[The Imp]

I have a 500 on the road bikes, and I use my 310 watch for tri.

--

Crashed on my road bike a couple of weeks ago. Didn't feel too bad at the time, but... I can't run. I can swim and bike just fine, but there's something wrong on the side of my hip. It's been 2½ weeks now with no discernable improvement, and the Ironman is in ten days. I'm not really too keen on the situation as it stands.

 

[RayP]

I have a 500 on the road bikes, and I use my 310 watch for tri.

--

Crashed on my road bike a couple of weeks ago. Didn't feel too bad at the time, but... I can't run. I can swim and bike just fine, but there's something wrong on the side of my hip. It's been 2½ weeks now with no discernable improvement, and the Ironman is in ten days. I'm not really too keen on the situation as it stands.

Gotcha.

And ugh, that sucks man. I just missed out on a good 2.5 weeks of training, although I was active during that time... but I didn't get to spend time practicing on my transition from the bike to the run, and I definitely lost some endurance, especially on the running side.

Although I did just finish up a good ride and run just now, and that was probably the best pace I have ran ever since I started practicing transitioning. I've got a good 6-7 weeks to really kick my training up a gear, and get ready for this. At this point I don't care how quickly I do or do not finish the 70.3, I just want a good healthy start to finish go at it. Then when I take on my second attempt at one I can be more concerned at my time.

 

[le_sean]

Hey guys, I was looking to get into cycling and was hoping for any recommendations. I want to do a mix of road and off-road and try to make my first bike $1,500.00 or less. My uncle is an avid cyclist and swears by Shimano parts.

The bike that caught my eye was this:

http://www.giantottawa.ca/en-ca/bikes/model/anyroad.1/24677/89662/#specifications

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[The Imp]

If a mix of gravel and tarmac is your thing, then you're off to a good start with that bike. Do NOT downgrade to the AnyRoad 2 model, though. Tiagra is as low as I'd go for Shimano parts. Sora is a bit iffy. See this for reference:

Do note that you'll need a fair bit of kit in addition to the bike - shoes, bottle cages, seat bag and related kit (tubes, tire irons, inflator, etc).

Personally, I'm much more of a tarmac guy, and at that price range I'd look at the Defy.

 

[le_sean]

If a mix of gravel and tarmac is your thing, then you're off to a good start with that bike. Do NOT downgrade to the AnyRoad 2 model, though. Tiagra is as low as I'd go for Shimano parts. Sora is a bit iffy. See this for reference:

Do note that you'll need a fair bit of kit in addition to the bike - shoes, bottle cages, seat bag and related kit (tubes, tire irons, inflator, etc).

Personally, I'm much more of a tarmac guy, and at that price range I'd look at the Defy.

Thank you very much, I appreciate the advice. This table helps a lot.

Maybe I'll buy it and realize I'm more of a tarmac guy too. I'd rather buy an all-around bike and see what I do fall in love with. As of now I know I will want to do some rougher trails too.

But yes, the accessories will add to my total. Is there anything else that might be necessary for a cyclist that I would not know off hand?

 

[The Imp]

I enjoy having a gps system (bike computer), which tracks your route and speed. I myself have a Garmin Edge 500.

A helmet is an absolute must. And try before you buy, there. No on-line shopping. Helmet fit varies greatly.

Be ready to spend money on maintenance, too. Casette, chain, tyres, and cables will need to be replaced, likely once a year. But that would depend greatly on how much gravel you ride - the gravel will get into the chain, and wear it and the casette out more quickly than with standard road use.