Did You Ride Today?

[cobbwheels]

That was my point about the tandem. They are supposed to be stronger but they pooped out and I didn't. Showing just how tough the headwind was this day.

They probably don't do plenty of climbs! Climbing trains the legs to sustain making torque, just like you do on headwinds.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

They probably don't do plenty of climbs! Climbing trains the legs to sustain making torque, just like you do on headwinds.

Nope these people have been riding for years and awesome riders. One of very few that climb up to Mt Baldy on a tandem. 5 000 ft climbs. The guy on his single bike is an awesome climber on his own.

Some people say the wind is tougher than climbing. I know plenty.

I myself would pick climbing as tougher being a heavier rider but i do it. The wind would be my strong point. Being a big guy.

 

[cobbwheels]

Nope these people have been riding for years and awesome riders. One of very few that climb up to Mt Baldy on a tandem. 5 000 ft climbs. The guy on his single bike is an awesome climber on his own.

Some people say the wind is tougher than climbing. I know plenty.

I myself would pick climbing as tougher being a heavier rider but i do it. The wind would be my strong point. Being a big guy.

So true!

I've been aware of my weakness as a very light rider in the flats and headwinds so I worked that out. Half of it is simply training / riding in more aero positions and getting myself comfortable in those positions. Supporting those positions also required changes in muscle recruitment and pedaling technique. So I trained to get comfortable in these changes. Now I'm good as all-rounder type of rider, maybe even a little better on the flats so now, I'm diverting some of my training time on hill repeats! I've become so comfortable on aero posture, it became my default climbing position as well. I can still breathe good in it because of adaptations I think.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

So true!

I've been aware of my weakness as a very light rider in the flats and headwinds so I worked that out. Half of it is simply training / riding in more aero positions and getting myself comfortable in those positions. Supporting those positions also required changes in muscle recruitment and pedaling technique. So I trained to get comfortable in these changes. Now I'm good as all-rounder type of rider, maybe even a little better on the flats so now, I'm diverting some of my training time on hill repeats! I've become so comfortable on aero posture, it became my default climbing position as well. I can still breathe good in it because of adaptations I think.

My life principle through out my life I any sport has been, work on my weaknesses.

That is what has made cycling so entertaining for me.

Can you imagine the looks on other riders faces when a 230 pound guy is coming up from behind you o a timed event with 12,000 ft of climbing?

And the dude you're catching on the bike trail thinks he's going to drop you on that little 30 yard ramp up , coming up!

So much fun ha ha ha.

 

[cobbwheels]

Rode 80 miles today within a 16 hr fasting window. I did not eat anything within 12 hrs before the ride and did not eat during the ride either. My drinks are zero calorie home filtered mineral water with iodized salt added.

This is also the first time I did an 80 mile ride without peeing, not even once. I did stop once to take these pictures and swap empty bottles in my bag which only took few minutes and continued on my way. I didn't really need rest as there are mountains along the route which means I can rest my butt, arms, and back on the downhill portions by sitting fully upright and / standing on one pedal to relieve the butt.

Probably because I only consumed 2.75 bottles of water on this ride even though I brought 4 bottles. I was rationing my water supply but it seems I overdid it. Yet, I did not feel thirsty at all until I took my first meal of the day after the ride. Surprisingly, I did personal best on this ride, the long climbs and overall time even though I'm in more fasted state, high temperatures, and less hydration. No cramping during and after ride. No muscle fatigue either and finished strong on this ride. It's just unbelievable.

I still got badly shaken up by the very bumpy, very poorly maintained roads on this route in fact, I rarely come across riders on road bikes on these routes. My repaired and improved seatpost suspension and quadruple tape layer drop bar ends still failed to meet the challenge though it has vastly improved ride comfort. Most of the riders who rides these routes rides hard tail MTBs and I knew a few personally. They also make those 60, 80 mile rides on paved roads but using hardtail MTB to deal with our terrible roads.

You may notice the haze lingering on top of the mountains. They're smog from the city. We've been having these smog for two weeks now. The reason I headed towards the mountains is to try to escape this smog but not very happy to find them on the mountains as well. Our smog comes mostly from motor vehicles and 2nd from diesel/oil burning power plants.

This is how the place looks like without smog (those are clouds and I took this photo myself last February).

 

[Mr. Beanz]

Rode 80 miles today within a 16 hr fasting window. I did not eat anything within 12 hrs before the ride and did not eat during the ride either. My drinks are zero calorie home filtered mineral water with iodized salt added.

This is also the first time I did an 80 mile ride without peeing, not even once. I did stop once to take these pictures and swap empty bottles in my bag which only took few minutes and continued on my way. I didn't really need rest as there are mountains along the route which means I can rest my butt, arms, and back on the downhill portions by sitting fully upright and / standing on one pedal to relieve the butt.

Probably because I only consumed 2.75 bottles of water on this ride even though I brought 4 bottles. I was rationing my water supply but it seems I overdid it. Yet, I did not feel thirsty at all until I took my first meal of the day after the ride. Surprisingly, I did personal best on this ride, the long climbs and overall time even though I'm in more fasted state, high temperatures, and less hydration. No cramping during and after ride. No muscle fatigue either and finished strong on this ride. It's just unbelievable.

I still got badly shaken up by the very bumpy, very poorly maintained roads on this route in fact, I rarely come across riders on road bikes on these routes. My repaired and improved seatpost suspension and quadruple tape layer drop bar ends still failed to meet the challenge though it has vastly improved ride comfort. Most of the riders who rides these routes rides hard tail MTBs and I knew a few personally. They also make those 60, 80 mile rides on paved roads but using hardtail MTB to deal with our terrible roads.

You may notice the haze lingering on top of the mountains. They're smog from the city. We've been having these smog for two weeks now. The reason I headed towards the mountains is to try to escape this smog but not very happy to find them on the mountains as well. Our smog comes mostly from motor vehicles and 2nd from diesel/oil burning power plants.
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This is how the place looks like without smog (those are clouds and I took this photo myself last February).
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Nice pictures. Glad you decided to post a pic of yourself. I was beginning to wonder if you were a white guy pretending to be Asian.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

Solo 46. Another windy ride but got a chance to wear the new California jersey.

 

[cobbwheels]

Nice pictures. Glad you decided to post a pic of yourself. I was beginning to wonder if you were a white guy pretending to be Asian.

Thanks! I'm just glad you didn't think I'm a spammer or a spammer pretending to be Asian!

Solo 46. Another windy ride but got a chance to wear the new California jersey.
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Looks good on you. Though not the funny ones I see you wear often!

My yesterday ride was also windy. A mixed bag of head and tail winds probably because I started the ride at noon.

It's actually the first time I encountered wind conditions where the wind direction did not change at all which is good for me because I always return home in the same which means I get balanced 50/50 ratio of head and tailwinds. It's probably because I started out the ride at noon. When I start the ride early in the morning, like 5 am, the wind direction often flips and I can either have headwind most of the way or tailwind.

I found I like things better with 50/50 ratio of head and tailwind than no wind at all.

Because when I hit the tail wind sections, I can sit upright to relax my whole upper body and hands without losing speed. Very useful on very long rides. Although it's usually harder to know if you're on a tail wind but to look at the ground and observe which direction road debris like dried bits of leaves are getting blown by the wind to OR just sit very upright and if you're not slowing down with the same pedaling effort, you're probably on tailwind!

If you're worried the extra weight on the saddle by sitting fully upright for long periods catching the tailwind will cause saddle soreness, switch to high gear and mash on the pedals to unload your butt on the saddle.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

I've got several silly jerseys though some are like new, worry once and some never. Sadly a life changing event forced me to put some in storage. It would take me an hour to locate the bag with my jerseys in it. Easier to just buy new ones.

 

[cobbwheels]

I've got several silly jerseys though some are like new, worry once and some never. Sadly a life changing event forced me to put some in storage. It would take me an hour to locate the bag with my jerseys in it. Easier to just buy new ones.

I don't have one because I always buy the cheapest ones but I like the idea to avoid looking so serious on the bike! I don't even wear sunglasses or goggles because I'll look too serious and also because it feels even hotter at >100 F to be wearing anything on the eyes. But I do have to wear mesh mask to help reduce the particulate matter I'm inhaling from the dust on the road kicked up by traffic and wind and soot from car exhaust. I doubt the mask filters out all the soot but it always get stained with soot after a ride so I know it's helping a little bit. Not good enough but better than nothing at all.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

I don't have one because I always buy the cheapest ones but I like the idea to avoid looking so serious on the bike! I don't even wear sunglasses or goggles because I'll look too serious and also because it feels even hotter at >100 F to be wearing anything on the eyes. But I do have to wear mesh mask to help reduce the particulate matter I'm inhaling from the dust on the road kicked up by traffic and wind and soot from car exhaust. I doubt the mask filters out all the soot but it always get stained with soot after a ride so I know it's helping a little bit. Not good enough but better than nothing at all.

I've actually gotten my old fart and fat ******* jerseys on sale over the net for $20.

Some good deals out there.

 

[cobbwheels]

I've actually gotten my old fart and fat ******* jerseys on sale over the net for $20.

Some good deals out there.

I buy mine on outlet stores at even lower prices but I very rarely go their way so I'm definitely missing out on a lot!

I don't order online for these kinds of purchases to make sure I get the right fitting and I can examine the material. Making sure you get proper quick dry fabric is quite big deal here due to the hot tropical climate!

 

[Mr. Beanz]

Another 20 miles today. Just an easy relaxation ride.

 

[Fourlegsgood2wheelsbad]

Nailing them poses . LOL

 

[Fourlegsgood2wheelsbad]

A solo quickie 18 mile out and back ( a first ) on the Hopland grade, just on my side of the grade. Climb has a "double summit" of sorts.

About 1500 feet of climbing first 40 minutes or so. Warm enough outside I wished I'd started an hour earlier. The road surface was kinda poor and full of gravel on the road and blind corners.

Enough gravel on the road am considering just not riding routes that get snow and ice . So many surprises in the sharp turns.

Been pedaling a lot on downhills , helps keep my cadence up as well as BPM.
Still have so so far to go to build my base miles. Used the liquid IV product first time (just a half packet for 12 oz ), helped fatigue for sure and keeping my head on strait. What a beautiful day!

 

[Mr. Beanz]

A solo quickie 18 mile out and back ( a first ) on the Hopland grade, just on my side of the grade. Climb has a "double summit" of sorts.

About 1500 feet of climbing first 40 minutes or so. Warm enough outside I wished I'd started an hour earlier. The road surface was kinda poor and full of gravel on the road and blind corners.

Enough gravel on the road am considering just not riding routes that get snow and ice . So many surprises in the sharp turns.

Been pedaling a lot on downhills , helps keep my cadence up as well as BPM.
Still have so so far to go to build my base miles. Used the liquid IV product first time (just a half packet for 12 oz ), helped fatigue for sure and keeping my head on strait. What a beautiful day!

Nice! A buddy of mine said he felt a huge difference with LI on the bike. Not sure but I think he's crazy.

I believe good for recovery, hydration, but a huge burst of energy?

 

[cobbwheels]

Nice! A buddy of mine said he felt a huge difference with LI on the bike. Not sure but I think he's crazy.

I believe good for recovery, hydration, but a huge burst of energy?

His former hydration and fueling must have been so bad, he got huge boost with IV.

Today I did 9 mile commute in 110 F temperatures without eating and drinking anything almost the whole day. My weight dropped from 115 lbs to 110 lbs upon returning home!!

Didn't feel anything wrong at all and did some personal bests on the climbs probably because of the rapid loss of weight. Not to worry. I can quickly regain that lost weight overnight which is mostly water and lean mass.

 

[cobbwheels]

Did my first non-stop 80 miles today. It's the exact same route I did with my last 80 mile ride.

The ride is accomplished entirely in a fasted state and maybe a little "dry-fasted" too as I probably consumed too little water for this ride where temperatures reached 108 F.

I did personal best on the long climb again. Although adding high cadence sessions to my short weekday training in the last few weeks could have been a factor. At least now it seems to be working so I'll just keep doing it. I still do high resistance, low cadence sessions and I don't think I'll take it away from training. But I started doing high cadence sessions after having blisters on my feet after long rides. I really blame it for mashing big gears at low cadence for long periods up long climbs.

 

[Mr. Beanz]

Solo 40 on Saturday then another solo 20 today, Sunday. Cruised o the way out today just trying to get I 20 miles. As I stopped to turn around, a paceline of about 20 riders, male and 2 female went flying by. I turned around to chase them but they saw me and picked it up. I just kept hammering . They pulled away some, about 100 yards ahead.
I thought maybe I might not catch them the a second later I saw the back rider drop off. Well yeah buddy, I can at least catch him. Getting closer about 50 yards back, I saw the line break up.
Next thing I know I've passed about 10 of the riders. Reminded me of the group rides I used to do. Everyone would start out racing then a few miles later, 20 of the 25 riders were toast.
I kept on then finally passed the first three. As I rolled by, one guy asked if he could connect a line to my bike. I kept on the realized they fell back. I stopped at a park to water up seeing them roll by. I thought about going to the restroom but thought what the heck?
I jumped back on my bike then chased them down again. Easier this time seeing they were broken up. When I got to the sole lead rider I went around spinning in my 39 ring. After I was ahead about 30 yards, he tried keeping up. After about a mile he was still there surprisingly, so I went to the big ring to hammer him.
He started falling behind then once at the dark tunnel, I actually stood up hammering up the short steep grade. I rarely stand but wanted to hammer the final nail into the coffin
I pulled far ahead then funny, he pulled into the same parking lot at the end of his ride. I looked over at him to say hey but he didn't even acknowledge me. Bad sport haha ha.

Today was fueled by Chinese food last night.

Old fart Saturday Fat ******* Sunday

 

[cobbwheels]

Solo 40 on Saturday then another solo 20 today, Sunday. Cruised o the way out today just trying to get I 20 miles. As I stopped to turn around, a paceline of about 20 riders, male and 2 female went flying by. I turned around to chase them but they saw me and picked it up. I just kept hammering . They pulled away some, about 100 yards ahead.
I thought maybe I might not catch them the a second later I saw the back rider drop off. Well yeah buddy, I can at least catch him. Getting closer about 50 yards back, I saw the line break up.
Next thing I know I've passed about 10 of the riders. Reminded me of the group rides I used to do. Everyone would start out racing then a few miles later, 20 of the 25 riders were toast.
I kept on then finally passed the first three. As I rolled by, one guy asked if he could connect a line to my bike. I kept on the realized they fell back. I stopped at a park to water up seeing them roll by. I thought about going to the restroom but thought what the heck?
I jumped back on my bike then chased them down again. Easier this time seeing they were broken up. When I got to the sole lead rider I went around spinning in my 39 ring. After I was ahead about 30 yards, he tried keeping up. After about a mile he was still there surprisingly, so I went to the big ring to hammer him.
He started falling behind then once at the dark tunnel, I actually stood up hammering up the short steep grade. I rarely stand but wanted to hammer the final nail into the coffin
I pulled far ahead then funny, he pulled into the same parking lot at the end of his ride. I looked over at him to say hey but he didn't even acknowledge me. Bad sport haha ha.

Today was fueled by Chinese food last night.

Old fart Saturday Fat ******* Sunday

Great story! I think GCN made a video sometime this year the many disadvantages of training within a group ride setting. I observed this in our nearby training circuit and many of the young riders aren't making any significant gains compared to the gains I'm having. They even accuse me of doping! I'm simply sticking to my very own structured training and base miles. I don't go off chasing anyone like a rabid dog. I simply stick to my pace and if I drop them, it's their fault.

I've been eating semi-Chinese food as well this weekend, including the night before my long ride two days ago! Mostly pork and rice and only cost a quarter per meal! Otherwise, no eating before and during rides for me and limited hydration.