Well, not sure where to start..
Firstly, cant believe that my rear has now gone 154 miles. Kinda un-believable.
Prior to the start of this ride, I have been feeling pretty good about my conditioning, pace, ability to climb hills, etc. After this ride I don't have that feeling anymore.
Pulling up to the parking spot I noticed that none of the riders I have previously ridden with were there. Before there were 2 other riders similarly outfitted as me (Hodge Podge). Not this time, all were outfitted in "cog snob" gear on expensive bike. I pulled into my spot a bit leery but telling myself that all is OK, I've ridden with the group before just not these riders.
Magically pulling my bike out of the car (a feat on its own) I set it up and peddle over to the group of riders to introduce my self. My opening statement is, and I quote "You guys look a lot faster than the previous group I rode with".. they just chuckled. This wasn't gonna go well...
We started out and I immediately realized that their pace as faster than my own. Typically I am able to keep up with the group and by the end near the front. Well by the first light (3/4 miles) I have already dropped off the back of the group and huffing to catch up. OH I forgot to mention that this section was flat.
Stopped at the light.. I told them not to wait up for me. Two said "OK", two others said "I just rode the mountains yesterday my legs are dead.. ill be much slower". Their slow did not equal my fast. Up to the 1/2 way point at 16 miles I could keep them in my sites, not too far ahead. But the ride back consisted of rolling hills but at a constant incline. Well....... I didn't see them from that point forward....
Not feeling so giddy anymore. Not discouraged, just not feeling the superhuman individual I imagined myself to be.
Total Miles Ridden: 153.78
This Ride: 32.54
Ascended: 1005 ft
Descended: 612 ft
Calories: 1700
Monday, May 23, 2011
Ride 2 w/ Team In Training - Saturday May 21
What a great day to get out riding. Was a slightly breezy 65+ degree morning. We again teamed up with the Tahoe team to start out. They were going 75 miles today because they all stopped short at 60 miles during that cold miserable ride.
We met up at 8:45 at Chatfield reservoir trailhead and planned for a trip around the reservior.
Started out mid pack, quickly making my way to the front group. Felt so good I started to charge up each hill, getting off the seat and hitting the hills hard. On the last hill, my cockiness got the better of me. I decided to charge up the last hill and leave all others behind. I did, I struggled, I pressed hard, I drove all the way up the hill and was totally spent. Had a lot of distance between me and the group. But...... Little did I know that there was "hidden" hill that continued up.. I huffed and puffed my way up, no out of the seat, not style, just head down low gear moving up slowly. By the time I hit the top the group were mere seconds behind.... so much for surging ahead!!! I was obviously the brunt of jokes at the top....
OH well Still Fun!
Total Miles Ridden: 121.24
This Ride: 22.82
Ascended: 442 Feet
Descended: 360 Feet
Calories: 809
Looking forward to Sundays Ride - Supposed to do 30..
Waiting for Good Weather
Completed my first ride with Team In Training on May 14th. We went 15 cold miserable miles.
I hesitated to update as the ride was un-eventful other then being so damn cold. Had to buy full gloves and a jacket however may of us were still cold. We started off the day with the team training for the Tahoe century. They were going 80 miles that day.... so I guess, looking back, we were more fortunate only going 15.
I hesitated to update as the ride was un-eventful other then being so damn cold. Had to buy full gloves and a jacket however may of us were still cold. We started off the day with the team training for the Tahoe century. They were going 80 miles that day.... so I guess, looking back, we were more fortunate only going 15.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Thought we were only going 20???
I was cautiously optimistic after loading up the car with the bike and equipment. This was the first time I was going to ride with a group from "Cog Snobs". I was rather nervous about my abilities; if I could keep up, if I would have an equipment malfunction, if I would have a flat tire could I fix it. All these thoughts and more were flowing through my head. If you know me you know that I don't like to be the cause of a problem (slow down or otherwise).
I left the house early, planning to be the first to arrive. I reviewed the location and confirmed that we were doing a 20 mile flat route. Well both those things were did not end up being accurate!!! I didn't get there first, pulled into the parking-lot and seeing two other individuals already unloaded and waiting to ride. I just shook my head. Put on the "game face" and introduced myself and we started the small talk. Turns out we were all nervous about the pace. Especially when one individuals states that they did a 29 mile per hour pace a few weeks ago (I'm at 16 mph). We all agreed to petition to be part of the B group and pull up the rear.
Luckily it turns out that we were the only group when the head rider turned up. So we all agreed on a 16 mph pace.
Not to bore you with the details but the course was not 20 miles. It ended up being 36 miles and 2.15 hours in the saddle. I did most of the ride in the back, learning the hand signals, vocal signals (a whole host of new things to learn when you are drafting). However on the way back I moved up the line until I was behind the leader and enjoyed pushing hard up the hills. But as a validation of my lack of conditioning at a couple of points I challenged the leader on the hill (by challenged I mean just to keep up as he kicked up the hill) Never once did I hang on long enough to get 1/2 way up the hill. He just kept pulling away.
Total Miles Ridden: 83.42
This Ride: 35.77
At the end of the ride, I felt spent but good. Wanted to go sit in a corner and recover but ended up going to an unexpected 3 hr brunch.
Ascended: 849 Feet
Descended: 994 Feet
Calories Burned: 2152
I think I'm gonna like this biking thing.
I left the house early, planning to be the first to arrive. I reviewed the location and confirmed that we were doing a 20 mile flat route. Well both those things were did not end up being accurate!!! I didn't get there first, pulled into the parking-lot and seeing two other individuals already unloaded and waiting to ride. I just shook my head. Put on the "game face" and introduced myself and we started the small talk. Turns out we were all nervous about the pace. Especially when one individuals states that they did a 29 mile per hour pace a few weeks ago (I'm at 16 mph). We all agreed to petition to be part of the B group and pull up the rear.
Luckily it turns out that we were the only group when the head rider turned up. So we all agreed on a 16 mph pace.
Not to bore you with the details but the course was not 20 miles. It ended up being 36 miles and 2.15 hours in the saddle. I did most of the ride in the back, learning the hand signals, vocal signals (a whole host of new things to learn when you are drafting). However on the way back I moved up the line until I was behind the leader and enjoyed pushing hard up the hills. But as a validation of my lack of conditioning at a couple of points I challenged the leader on the hill (by challenged I mean just to keep up as he kicked up the hill) Never once did I hang on long enough to get 1/2 way up the hill. He just kept pulling away.
Total Miles Ridden: 83.42
This Ride: 35.77
At the end of the ride, I felt spent but good. Wanted to go sit in a corner and recover but ended up going to an unexpected 3 hr brunch.
Ascended: 849 Feet
Descended: 994 Feet
Calories Burned: 2152
I think I'm gonna like this biking thing.
Tuesday May 3rd
Was able to break a way for 1.17 hrs on Tuesday. Was a great day. I set a goal of attempting to 20 miles. While out at 9.5 miles the trail ran out. Ended up having to complete some loops to finally hear the 10 mile mark and turn around and head back to the house.
Total Miles Ridden: 47.65
This Ride: 20.95
Was good to get out and my seat wasn't too sore.
Ascended: 612 Feet
Descended: 324 Feet
Calories Burned: 1417
Monday, May 2, 2011
Weather caused a crash?
Well not a crash really, but with temperatures not hitting the 50 deg mark it put a hamper on getting a ride in this weekend. I was hoping to join a group of riders calling themselves "cog snobs" to do a 20 mile bike ride. Luckily they post their route online that I can do either today or tomorrow on my own.
Saturday: 45 Degree High
Sunday: 49 Degree High
Today: 59 Degree High - Hopeful to get out.
Tomorrow: 69 Degrees
My first meeting with Team in Training is this weekend and should hear more on the official training plans.
It's funny that while I do want to get back on the bike and put miles on, I do have a latent fear of not knowing if I can do 6+ hours. That's a long time on a seat pedaling. During the fitting process the fitter talked about numb hands, numb feet, numb ass. And that position helps a great deal but you will still have to deal with these issues. Well I'm hopeful that the more times I go out the more I get a feeling of what will be happening.
Saturday: 45 Degree High
Sunday: 49 Degree High
Today: 59 Degree High - Hopeful to get out.
Tomorrow: 69 Degrees
My first meeting with Team in Training is this weekend and should hear more on the official training plans.
It's funny that while I do want to get back on the bike and put miles on, I do have a latent fear of not knowing if I can do 6+ hours. That's a long time on a seat pedaling. During the fitting process the fitter talked about numb hands, numb feet, numb ass. And that position helps a great deal but you will still have to deal with these issues. Well I'm hopeful that the more times I go out the more I get a feeling of what will be happening.
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