Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Watts Up?
According to the chart Kenetic puts out with their fluid trainer, the one I have, I would average about 175 watts while averaging 17 mph on the trainer. At my peak speed of 23.7, it would have been about 350 watts, not for very long, though. Don't know if this is good or bad, but nice to know.
Adjustments
Rule one of adjusting anything (not just bikes, but anything ) is go little. Having been told once that "there are no rules" and not playing by them anyway, AND being discouraged by this numb toe thing, tonight I went big. Since I was riding in my bedroom and making more adjustments wasn't going to be a big deal, there wasn't much of a downside. I loosened up the cleats and slid them as far forward as I could. Did it work? I don't know. Sure didn't make it worse. I did 10 miles, averaged 17 mph and the last mile or so there was a little numbness in the toes of both feet. Better than last Sunday, I think. I am going to leave things where they are and try a long road ride on Saturday. Hope I am on the right track.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Toes
Since we have 30mph winds today I set up the trainer and spent 55 minutes on it, just 15 miles. I was going to ride further, but stopped because of some pain in the bottom of my left foot, right over the cleat. From the start of my serious riding, my toes always got slightly numb, but it didn't bother me very much. The past couple of months have been a lot worse, though, and I don't know why. Nothing has changed. Same shoes, pedals, cleats. A few weeks ago I moved the cleats back a couple of millimeters, but that didn't help. It can take as much as 45 minutes after a 2 hour ride for my toes and the bottoms of my feet to feel normal again. Today was the first time there was any pain while I was pedaling, and rather than risk any sort of injury that would keep me from riding, I stopped. So, does anyone have any suggestions? A cure maybe? I am not giving up my bike.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
First Flat of 09
After a full week on non riding, it was time to brave the 65 degree February weather, the blustery 5 mph winds and glaring sunshine and get out there, anyway. How could I not? I hadn't been feeling especially well since last Saturday's 50 miler - still struggling with asthma meds and side effects. Once again I have decided that the benefits of the medicine are not worth enduring the things that come with it. I stopped them after last week's ride, so I was interested in seeing just how well I'd do yesterday. No problem.
Last week when I rode with Dave we followed his route, which took me over roads I'd not been on before. This week I added his route to my usual Saturday loop. It connects nicely and adds 10 miles of pretty, mostly flat, back roads. I need to explore some more of the roads around here.
About a mile and a half from home the front tire started making some noise. I wondered if it might be going flat, but the bike felt ok, so I thought it might just be the pavement. About three quarters of a mile further, a lot of vibration started coming through the bars and the handling got sketchy - the front wheel was trying to slide out from under me. Flat tire. I was still three quarters of a mile from home, but since the next half mile or so was uphill and straight I slowed and kept riding. I hate walking in cycling shoes and I was too close to stop and patch the tube. Riding up the hill went perfectly, but the last 1/4 mile to my house is downhill and through a couple of corners, a pretty good recipe for a crash with a flat front. I walked the last little bit.
So, I got in about 42 miles and averaged 16.5 mph. The Garmin tells me there was 1363 feet of climbing, and even a couple of eight percent grades - glad they are short. I really like the Garmin, but wish the heart rate was visible instead of having to rely solely on the alarm. I'd prefer being able to adjust my effort before reaching my maximum. Still, a minor complaint, though.
Going out to patch my tube, now. Today's weather is the same as yesterday's. Goin' for a ride soon.
Last week when I rode with Dave we followed his route, which took me over roads I'd not been on before. This week I added his route to my usual Saturday loop. It connects nicely and adds 10 miles of pretty, mostly flat, back roads. I need to explore some more of the roads around here.
About a mile and a half from home the front tire started making some noise. I wondered if it might be going flat, but the bike felt ok, so I thought it might just be the pavement. About three quarters of a mile further, a lot of vibration started coming through the bars and the handling got sketchy - the front wheel was trying to slide out from under me. Flat tire. I was still three quarters of a mile from home, but since the next half mile or so was uphill and straight I slowed and kept riding. I hate walking in cycling shoes and I was too close to stop and patch the tube. Riding up the hill went perfectly, but the last 1/4 mile to my house is downhill and through a couple of corners, a pretty good recipe for a crash with a flat front. I walked the last little bit.
So, I got in about 42 miles and averaged 16.5 mph. The Garmin tells me there was 1363 feet of climbing, and even a couple of eight percent grades - glad they are short. I really like the Garmin, but wish the heart rate was visible instead of having to rely solely on the alarm. I'd prefer being able to adjust my effort before reaching my maximum. Still, a minor complaint, though.
Going out to patch my tube, now. Today's weather is the same as yesterday's. Goin' for a ride soon.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
This Week
I thought about taking another picture of the thermometer in downtown Liberty today, but decided against it. I thought it might be a little discouraging to those battling snow and ice. But, it was 74 with bright sunshine and winds at 5 to 10 mph. Not a bad day to ride, and tomorrow is supposed to be identical. It's a little hard to believe that we had two days of no school due to a dusting of snow and days that didn't get out of the 30's.
Last Sunday was in the 40's and I got in a 38 mile ride. I felt good, but it was Super Bowl Sunday and there was a lot of non-nutritious food to prep and cook, so the ride was a little shorter than I wanted. In case anyone is interested, Alton Brown's (Good Eats - FoodTV) chicken wings were well worth the effort. I made a double batch of them and coated one of them with a Ranch Dressing concoction that was good, but needs a little work. Alton's coating was right on. I was rooting for the Cardinals, simply because they beat the Panthers, and the Cardinal is the state bird of NC. It was a good game, anyway.
Tuesday I set up the trainer and did 11 miles. I thought about pulling out the Spinerval dvd, but common sense prevailed. I found that The Who's Live At Leeds is not a bad choice for pedaling music.
That brings us to today. What can I say? How much better can February weather get? I was going to wash my bike before I left, and it would have had a wonderful cherry odor (see twitter update) but, I just went for a ride, instead. About 20 miles in I met up with Dave, another Liberty rider. He hasn't been riding a lot lately, and is starting to get back in shape. We were going in opposite directions, but I decided to turn around and ride with him. He was a little concerned that he would slow me down, but, I think it's fun sometimes to just slow down and ride and chat with someone. By myself there is a tendency to go as fast as I can until I blow up. We rode together for about 10 miles. It was nice. I finished up with 49.8 miles at 16 mph. Not a bad day.
I totaled my January miles and was surprised to see I'd gone about 40 mile further than last January. I was feeling a bit discouraged because I thought I was riding less. I am not.
Last Sunday was in the 40's and I got in a 38 mile ride. I felt good, but it was Super Bowl Sunday and there was a lot of non-nutritious food to prep and cook, so the ride was a little shorter than I wanted. In case anyone is interested, Alton Brown's (Good Eats - FoodTV) chicken wings were well worth the effort. I made a double batch of them and coated one of them with a Ranch Dressing concoction that was good, but needs a little work. Alton's coating was right on. I was rooting for the Cardinals, simply because they beat the Panthers, and the Cardinal is the state bird of NC. It was a good game, anyway.
Tuesday I set up the trainer and did 11 miles. I thought about pulling out the Spinerval dvd, but common sense prevailed. I found that The Who's Live At Leeds is not a bad choice for pedaling music.
That brings us to today. What can I say? How much better can February weather get? I was going to wash my bike before I left, and it would have had a wonderful cherry odor (see twitter update) but, I just went for a ride, instead. About 20 miles in I met up with Dave, another Liberty rider. He hasn't been riding a lot lately, and is starting to get back in shape. We were going in opposite directions, but I decided to turn around and ride with him. He was a little concerned that he would slow me down, but, I think it's fun sometimes to just slow down and ride and chat with someone. By myself there is a tendency to go as fast as I can until I blow up. We rode together for about 10 miles. It was nice. I finished up with 49.8 miles at 16 mph. Not a bad day.
I totaled my January miles and was surprised to see I'd gone about 40 mile further than last January. I was feeling a bit discouraged because I thought I was riding less. I am not.
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