Did You Ride Today?

[Uawadall]

Another happy cyclist riding in warm weather! 18.3 miles/18.9mph/800 ft Tuesday evening 76 degrees
19.5 miles/18.1mph/900 ft Wednesday evening 90 degrees
17.4 miles/17.6mph/800 ft this morning at 5:30..It was 70 degrees!!

Hopefully I can sneak in another short one tomorrow morning and get a long ride or 2 this weekend. Temps heading down to high 60's. Finally getting use to the BMC.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

It's good to be back on Campagnolo again! Forza! Potenza! Vai! Vai! Vai!

 

[Methodical]

The Major Taylor George Street challenge is in Worcester, Mass and is a real thigh burner. I did it on a bet with my old riding partner quite a few years ago. The bet was that he could beat me using his road bike, but I had to use my Time Trial bike. I have it marked on my calendar for this year, but waiting to see how I feel before I register.

That's right Worcester. I lived there, how could I forget. I recall seeing a video of folks attempting the challenge. Good luck.

Major Taylor George Street Challenge

 

[Methodical]

I should be able to get something longer in this weekend. I did 2 sets on the trainer (intervals) on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I tilled my yard yesterday. Does that count as ride? It had 2 wheels and I sure feel soar afterwards.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

2-1/2 hours with a weed whacker this afternoon. Sucked.

It was 83 degrees this afternoon and after blowing the grass off I headed out on the new Wilier. The wind was about 7 to 10 MPH.

The weed whacking took the snap out of my legs so it was an intermediate effort at best. 27 miles with 1100' of climbing.

 

[Methodical]

Question. Do you'll ride solo or with a group and why? Curious.

Thanks...

 

[zipp2001]

Had a blast with a fun bunch of brother from church after our breakfast get together. Demo bikes were provided by Tomten Biketown for those who didn't have a bike. I used one of the demo bikes and man did it make my old clunker seam like a tank. Looks like I know my next bike purchase.

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View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gTFsQb-Hlg

 

[CAMPYBOB]

73 degrees today and sunny with the wind a mild 7 to 8 MPH.

41 miles with 2510' of climbing. It was a beautiful day to ride. I stopped a few times to check on the derailleur settings to make sure they were just where I like them and other than that it was climb and roll on to the next climb.

The new Wilier GTS is feeling more like home. It has a stiffer bottom end than the Wilier Izoard's I've been on since 2009...less BB sway and less bounce under tough climbing and acceleration. Fairly smooth, but plenty of road feedback. Rides relaxed and points like a good bird dog. Stabile...no hands is easy. The fork is also stiffer than the Izoard's fork. Overall, I like it so far. The Gran Turismo GTS is probably going to be my main training bike this Summer.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

Wow, a scorcher today! Funny weather, from 60 and wet midweek to 104 max today. The Garmin pic below was about 10 miles into our 44 mile ride. Got a bit warmer after that. Gina really overheated so we stopped at a park 30 miles in and dumped 3 or 4 bottles of water on her head. I thought she was done but she insisted on finishing the ride, a real trooper! We got to the coast and it was 90 there, actually gave me a cold chill after being in the 100+ areas. Seriously, 90 felt cold today! Still wearing my under layer though!

I'm getting over a cough and wow, my lungs were hurting today. As well as muscle fatigue on the ride. The heat really does a number on you when you aren't ready for it.

Soaked and ready to continue!

 

[CAMPYBOB]

Wow, a scorcher today! Funny weather, from 60 and wet midweek to 104 max today.

I think 104 degrees was the hottest ride I ever did in Ohio! That's hot no matter what State you're in! Sweat running down your arms so much it takes gloves just to get a grip on the bars.

It's only 68 degrees in Ohio today. I got out for a quick 18 miles before the morning rain moved in. It spit a little rain here and there while I was riding, but not even really a drizzle. The humidity was clearly 'up', but even that felt pretty good to me.

I alternated short stretches of interval-like work...not quite full gas...with slow climbing. Something like 800' of vertical, but only one real hill on the course.

I got chased by a dog. It was the second time the part pit bull-part lab chased me. He wasn't out for blood, just wanted a race. The first time he chased me he passed me up and then pulled up right in front of me. Only a fast and hard pull on the brakes kept me from hitting the deck.

This time I stopped and talked to the young wife of the farmhouse out in the country and explained to her that her insurance rates would go through the roof after they wrote a check for a new bike and covered all my medical expenses if I crashed over her puppy dogs. Three dogs were in her yard. All were rescue dogs according to her, but only the one wanted to go road racing with me.

I petted the pit-lab mix that chased me and told here the new wireless shock collars were cheap and worked well. The owner was friendly, the mutts were all nice and I hope my advice sunk in. I like dogs as well as the next guy, but as JH and I can attest, dogs and road bikes just don't mix very well.

 

[jhuskey]

Dogs, bikes , gravity and asphalt make a bad mix. I have had a decent week of cycling including yesterday but I just couldn't get on the trainer today. The Sun is just now peaking out after a full day of rain but I was able the do a brake job on my wife's Rover as well as changing the oil. Also got a load of Spring pressure washing done. The big dog is making a remarkable recovery considering the magnitude of his leg injury. Life is returning to normal. Looking forward to a full weekend of cycling and boating.

 

[zipp2001]

Had afternoon plans so I had to squeeze in a ride after church and before plans. The were feeling good because they didn't work hard during yesterdays almost 3 hours in the woods with my men's group. The temp has been cool this weekend and today it was at 67 degrees with a 4-6 wind so I went and rolled out 34 miles. The route was a roller so for most of the ride you were either going up or down very little flats.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

No Gina today, 41 miles, 17.0 average. Started earlier since I didn't have to fight with Gina while trying to get her out of bed.

So temps topped out at 95 with an average of 87.

Some strange reason, Strava gave me an 18.4 average speed ha ha! I'd like to take it but really, it was only 17.0.

Whatever it was that had me coughing up my lungs over the last couple weeks must have really been burned out in the hear yesterday. No coughing last night, good sleep and good ride today!

Still a bit warm after the ride, helmet hair!

Some people ask how I carry the bikes. Not here but I'm posting the pic anyway ha ha!

Nothing like a good game of volleyball at the beach.

See, I take scenic pics too. I got a pic of Huntington Pier.

Got some nice big biceps there lady!

 

[Uawadall]

Did another metric, it was not fun. Rode on roads I rarely take and the roads looked like they haven't been serviced in 5+ years. My precious carbon bike went through more bumps than i would have liked,lol... The motorist were at their worst, honking when the road is completely clear with plenty room to pass, from the other side of the road, etc... A guy in a motorcycle pulled up to me and said "your suppose to be in the bike lane", I told him its called a shoulder and to keep it moving. Its easy to tell cyclist to go completely in the shoulder, but some aren't continuous, glass/gravel/pot hole/road kill/car part filled messes.

I tried it and didn't like it, the TMR02 isn't a good choice for long rides, especially on rough pavement. At around mile 40, my feet felt like they were on fire. Something about the toe box and went I stop at lights. Think it puts too much pressure on my toes. They were pretty blistered when I got home. I felt every pothole jar through me, its no Synapse. Had a hard time sipping in the road pedals today, at one point, I rode a mile not clipped in, just my foot floating on the wrong side. Was stung by something on one downhill and had my tail light fly of the bike on another.

Sometimes you just have to ride through the **** rides to keep the fitness for rides you'll enjoy.

62.5 miles/16 mph/3,300 ft.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

Dogs, bikes , gravity and asphalt make a bad mix. I have had a decent week of cycling including yesterday but I just couldn't get on the trainer today. The Sun is just now peaking out after a full day of rain but I was able the do a brake job on my wife's Rover as well as changing the oil. Also got a load of Spring pressure washing done. The big dog is making a remarkable recovery considering the magnitude of his leg injury. Life is returning to normal. Looking forward to a full weekend of cycling and boating.

WE had the same weather, JH. I was lucky to get that ride in this morning. It's 19:53 and the sun just came out. The rain hit several times today and never really quit.

I was floor mats for three vehicles and started to clean up the deck on one of the garden tractors. Discovered a broken weld on the left-rear lift point and it was on like Donkey Kong. One stupid repair followed another. Tweak this. Tighten that. Install these. I think I spent four hours on it.

I haven't got the pressure washer out yet. I've hit the car wash several times this Spring and got most of the undercarriages blown off. Mud, gravel, road salt...I hat all of it!

Did the front brakes on the car a few weeks ago. Thought I picked up a rock that lodged in the backing plate so I pulle a wheel to check it. 3/16" pad left so...you know the drill. Why bother putting a wheel back on when you can get filthy and completely clean and lube your caliper while slapping on new pads 10,000 miles before you really have to! LOL!

Good to hear you're riding is picking up! Time for us to catch Lim!

 

[CAMPYBOB]

NICE pics, Mr. B.!

I tried it and didn't like it, the TMR02 isn't a good choice for long rides, especially on rough pavement.

Nice effort, U!

Try this...Get some 2 MM thick Fizik 'Classic Touch' bar tape. Carefully and tightly over-wrap your existing bar tape. Do this after you have your bars and brake hoods set to perfection, of course.

Next, re-evaluate your shoes. Sounds like they might be too small or you're keeping your straps, BOA, whatever too tight. Might be time to try another pair.

It might just be your conditioning level, too. I would keep putting in the big miles on it and play around with your stem spacers and stem length as well as saddle setback if you think your weight distribution might be improved or position over the cranks need adjusted.

BTW, remember my posts from last summer? IIRC I got stung five times! Sucks to get drilled right between the eyes with 45 miles to go to get home, I can tell you that!

 

[Mr. Beanz]

BTW, remember my posts from last summer? IIRC I got stung five times! Sucks to get drilled right between the eyes with 45 miles to go to get home, I can tell you that!

Tell me about it. This is a pic from about a year ago, my normal face and then a pic from about 4 years ago I got drilled right between the eyes on a mountain descent. I went to the pharmacy and asked what I could do. Lady told me to put ice on it right away. Uhh yeah, like I have ice on a summer day 20 miles up a mountain road.

She did say hydrocortizone cream 1% works well. It has several times for me as I used to get drilled a lot. Like 3 times in 3 months. Record 5 times in one year, swelling each time. 2 ear shots, one forehead, one wrist and one neck.

 

[CAMPYBOB]

Mr. B., I'm not allergic to wasp/bee stings and as a rule I don't swell up much. The sting right between the eyes swelled up pretty good...not so much the nose as the the brow of the forehead.

It was 72 this afternoon with the sun out and the wind a steady 8 to 9 MPH.

I got in a nice 27-mile ride with 1350' of climbing. I kept the tempo moderate going out as the wind was more like 16 MPH with gusts right around 20 MPH and a cross tail wind when I started. It rapidly abated though and on the way back I stepped on the gas with only a light cross head wind to contend with.

It was a great ride until a guy backed his red Chevy 3/4-ton out of his driveway in front of me as was cruising down a hill at 30 MPH. I grabbed two fists full of brake and three times in rapid succession I yelled to get his attention...all as I steered left towards the ditch...on my brand new bike!

The third scream got his attention and he slammed on his brakes and I cleared his back bumper and the ditch with maybe two feet to spare on either side of me on the narrow chip & seal county road. Too close!

The driver yelled an apology out his window as I cleared him, still hard on my brakes, but still doing maybe 10 -15 MPH. I waved and shouted something like, "No worries!" and cruised on down the hill another 1/4-mile to my turn around point. I started climbing back towards his house and he spotted me and againyelled another couple apologies from his garage door. Again, I waved and shouted an, "It's Ok! We're all walking away from it!".

He never saw me coming...just an honest mistake that could have had sewrious consequence. Thankfully for both of us, this time it did not.

The moral of the story? Ride like they're all out to kill you. They just might!

 

[Uawadall]

NICE pics, Mr. B.!


Nice effort, U!

Try this...Get some 2 MM thick Fizik 'Classic Touch' bar tape. Carefully and tightly over-wrap your existing bar tape. Do this after you have your bars and brake hoods set to perfection, of course.

Next, re-evaluate your shoes. Sounds like they might be too small or you're keeping your straps, BOA, whatever too tight. Might be time to try another pair.

It might just be your conditioning level, too. I would keep putting in the big miles on it and play around with your stem spacers and stem length as well as saddle setback if you think your weight distribution might be improved or position over the cranks need adjusted.

BTW, remember my posts from last summer? IIRC I got stung five times! Sucks to get drilled right between the eyes with 45 miles to go to get home, I can tell you that!

One thing I forgot to mention is, I forgot to put on my cycling gloves on the way out. I wear gloves 90% of the time, especially on long rides.

My cleat position isn't the same as what I'm use to on my mountain bike ones. I didn't pay it too much attention, not really a problem on short rides. I'll have to play with the positioning. One noticeable difference is, I tend to stand on the tip of my foot at stop signs. With the other shoes, theirs padding to cushion it. With road shoes, more pressure is applied to my foot. Maybe I shouldn't do that anymore.

Yeah, sucks getting stung, can't really swat the damn thing away going 30.

I'll try some of these hacks, and if I don't get use to it, no big deal. It was purchased as my 20-40 mile speed rig, I still love the Synapse and its battle tested.

 

[Uawadall]

He never saw me coming...just an honest mistake that could have had sewrious consequence. Thankfully for both of us, this time it did not.

The moral of the story? Ride like they're all out to kill you. They just might!

No harm no foul, life is full of almost accidents. I'm surprised humans stay alive as long as we do.