With the TdS (Tour de Scottsdale) race rapidly approaching, I figured I needed to run some tests with some of the additions to my bike.
I recently changed my saddle (seat) to one that is more conducive to longer rides. It's not one of those huge gel-filled thingies but it has a little more cush. I also put the behind-the-saddle bottles cages, well, behind the saddle. I don't want to run out of water on this ride, so this will enable me to carry 4 bottles. The saddle is fine, but I need to adjust the cages so they don't poke me in the butt for 70 miles.
I also wanted to test my body. I have barely ridden 50 miles this whole month and needed to see how the "chicken legs" will fare. Also, the excema on my hands seems to be refusing to go away and I needed to see how they would do. The legs did pretty good! As the ride went on, they started to feel really good before the asked the rest of me to quit. I will do some light stationary riding this week and lots of stretching to be ready. The hands did good too. One of the reasons for my lack of riding has been these stupid hands. For most of the month, they've been cracking, bleeding, and painful. I AM seeing a homeopath to clear this up, but the process is taking longer than my current patience level. I am riding in this race on Sunday whether my hands hurt or not.
Overall, I was happy with my ride today. Not as fast as I would have liked, but not as slow as I could have gone either.
Useless ride stats:
Distance: 22.63 miles
Time: 1:20:25
Max speed: 24.5mph
Avg speed: 16.8mph
No bodies found in the canal!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Bicycle! Bicycle! I Want to Ride my Bicycle!
So I've got this 70(ish) mile race next weekend and I have hardly ridden this month. September has been a crazy month and my "training" has unfortunately taken a seat further back on the bus. I've only ridden a total of 45 miles for the entire month of September. Lousy.
This race next weekend isn't officially a "race", but it will be timed. I consider that a race. I won't end up on any podium, but I do plan to ride my ass off and post a respectable time. I figure 70 miles in less than 4 hours gives me a minimum average speed of 17.5mph. Of course that's what I plan on telling the event organizers for grouping purposes. I will be riding with team Bad-Ass for this ride. Everyone else on the team has been doing longer rides on the weekends and are in good riding shape. It should be interesting.
I hope to get in at least 25 miles one morning this week in preparation and then some easy stationary riding. I will be riding the new bike (yet to be named). Because of the warmer temperatures, I will add the "behind the saddle" water bottle cages. I refuse to be dehydrated! I'll be rolling with 4 bottles instead of the CamelBak. I'll bring enough nutrition to keep me going and be sure to eat plenty of breakfast as not to bonk.
I'm looking forward to this ride. My last organized ride was last November. Organized rides are a blast because so many people are all there to ride. The comraderie and energy is awesome! Occasionally, there's the complete moron that doesn't know how to ride in a group; but that can only sharpen one's skills (as long as no one crashes into or in front of me).
Should be fun...
This race next weekend isn't officially a "race", but it will be timed. I consider that a race. I won't end up on any podium, but I do plan to ride my ass off and post a respectable time. I figure 70 miles in less than 4 hours gives me a minimum average speed of 17.5mph. Of course that's what I plan on telling the event organizers for grouping purposes. I will be riding with team Bad-Ass for this ride. Everyone else on the team has been doing longer rides on the weekends and are in good riding shape. It should be interesting.
I hope to get in at least 25 miles one morning this week in preparation and then some easy stationary riding. I will be riding the new bike (yet to be named). Because of the warmer temperatures, I will add the "behind the saddle" water bottle cages. I refuse to be dehydrated! I'll be rolling with 4 bottles instead of the CamelBak. I'll bring enough nutrition to keep me going and be sure to eat plenty of breakfast as not to bonk.
I'm looking forward to this ride. My last organized ride was last November. Organized rides are a blast because so many people are all there to ride. The comraderie and energy is awesome! Occasionally, there's the complete moron that doesn't know how to ride in a group; but that can only sharpen one's skills (as long as no one crashes into or in front of me).
Should be fun...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)