My Most Recent Ride 2010 (Part III of the series)

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Monday evening's ride, which I posted this elsewhere (on another forum.)

I did twenty-eight miles with the 'A-' group. Most of the ride was unremarkable; we were averaging almost exactly 20 mph over what I'd describe as 'tiny rollers:' 20-40 feet high, many at 3-5%. IOW, easy terrain!

Four miles from the end, on a downhill, they were only going 22 mph, so I passed them. I was holding 27 mph even after the bottom, until my chain slipped and I had to stop. Rough road bounced it off its idler! Anyway, they got past me while I was hurrying to fix my chain keeper, and with a bit over 2 miles left, they were small dots down the road. Giving chase, I was catching them slowly at 27 mph; so the further I chased the faster I rode. I finally caught them; I was doing 31 and they were doing 25 mph.

I had about ten seconds' rest (if you can call it that at 25 mph,) then the front bunch started their sign sprint. They'd already gapped the rearmost riders when I pulled into the passing lane and spun the pedals. The leader was just starting to feel safe in his victory when I went sailing past with 100 feet to spare. Computer showed top speed of 35.7 mph.

By the way, some of you may recognize the name of the guy I beat in the sprint. Not for his reputation for speed, but nonetheless widely known in recumbent circles. He is Jeff Potter, who translated and published Gunnar Felau's book in the U.S., The Recumbent Bicycle.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

I actually do have that book, pretty informative.

More importantly, the end of your ride was a head-to-head 'bent sprint?

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

I love it when recumbents blow past the herd of DF riders. Of course, I never could do that, but I am glad we have RRI members who can!

Keep up the good work!!!!

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

No, unfortunately Jeff was on an upright. For now at least, he is bentless, having sold his WISL Missile and his R-40.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

I love reading these stories! It gives me motivation to continue riding. Not that my aim is to be the "Mistress or Dominatrix" of bent Racing" I simply like to be able to cruise at a good pace when I want.

I will start my training for the MS ride this weekend. I am hoping that it won't take long to get my lungs/legs back pretty fast so that we can finish while it is still fairly cool in the day. I can't wait to get started.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Yesterday my ride started pretty badly. The cable keeper just below my fd broke off and I was stuck with my small chainring. I stopped and with the help of the local bike cops I was able to put it on the middle ring and it held. Decided any climbs were out so I went for a personal best.

Thanks Felix and Rachel (the two cops) I picked up the pace. Fortunately, stopping to fix my bike had allowed lots of riders to pass me. This gave my Greyhound brain plenty to work with. In no time I was moving past riders as I was holding 23-24 pretty well.

Our MUP dumps out onto a service road for about 1.5 miles. There were a couple of riders ahead of me and I hit 27 with just a tiny bit of downhill (not even enough to register). I snuck up beside them unheard and when I said "hey guys, hows it going?" one guy almost crashed he let out a few expletives and said I scared the S*** out of him. They were running about 24 so I picked it back up to 27 and walked away. I had about 4 miles before we hit along climb with grades between 4 and 7% and wanted a good gap before we hit it. Must have worked because I didn't see them until after I turned around.

Anyway, managed to make my personal best for 38 miles with a moving average of 20.8. Not too bad considering the stops and slowing down for the walkers, joggers, etc.

Today I tried to see if I could match or beat that speed. I left earlier in the day and it was hotter, also had a pretty mean wind. I was at 21.2 at the turn-around but my speed went way south on the way back. I ended with a 20.5 average for the same 38 miles.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Awesome tale! I love it love it love it. (sigh) Aah, someday soon I will be on a bent, not my old honeybee bike. I have finally decided to give her up. It is designed a little to big for me so in the meantime I may try one of the EDGe SWB or a LWB to train with along wth the tandem. Aah, to ride again. The itch is really needing scratched.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Him being on an upright probably gave you even more motivation to beat him. . 35.7 mph (57.1 kph for me) is really hauling ***, excuse my french. It takes about a 3-4% downhill and I am hammering before I hit that speed.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

You are definitely riding at a strong pace. About 5-6 years ago when I was riding a DF my fastest time for the Sea of Galilee loop was around 1hr 52min which works out to 20.4mph for the 61km loop. At the time, I was riding with a buddy and we were pushing pretty hard and even drafting some.

I have been slowly increasing my volumes to around 200kms/week or 125 miles/ week. For my last four rides I have been averaging ~19 mph for the loop. I ride really early starting around 5:30 - 6:00 am to beat the heat. The Sea of Galilee is 200 meters below sea level and gets hot fast.

Now that the summer is here what kind of riding volumes are you and others on the forum doing?

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

In contrast, I'm riding with the Greeneville Hiking club. Most
retired....age 60-79. All DF, but me. Twelve of us on Saturday,
rode 25 miles in over 100 degree heat in the SUN. That was
97 recorded in the shade. Grades 3-12, nothing level.

Bill, the 79 year old (no meds) was riding a folding Bike Friday
and I was impressed. He kept up with the group.

We all got back to Mike and Linda's and had wonderful home
made strawberry and vanilla ice cream. Nice brownies and
other desserts. I stuffed and went to dinner. Extra insulin,
no sweat!

BTW, the P-38 did well.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Geesh Ward,

I get tired just reading about your rides!!!

I rode my new V Rex with new rims yesterday. Didn't go far or fast because it was HOT and I had a teleconference to go back to. Rode 12 miles.

I am starting up my MS riding schedule because I am riding with Team Edge (Bill, Keila and friends). I have a feeling they are planning to ride in a group (fine with me) and ride fast (not sure I will keep up). But I plan to have fun regardless. And the money we raise, goes for a good cause!!!

My riding this year has been way off due to bad weather and several upgrades issues (each taking a lot of time to complete) with my V Rex. But I think it is done and I am back to start do more riding. We shall see!

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

This time of year I'm riding 3-5 times per week. Weekday evening rides run 25-35 miles and weekend rides are 45+. There's a full century club ride scheduled for Saturday, but the weatherman says thunderstorms.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

This year I have had alot more time to ride. I have been riding a 70-100 mile ride on the weekend and trying to get in two 40ish rides during the week. Last weekend I set out hoping to ride a double metric but the heat beat me.

Left the house at 6am and headed down onto Ft. Benning. Pretty flat for the first 25 miles but then the misery starts. Climb after Climb and when I stopped with 67 miles under my belt at 9:45 it was 97 degrees with no clouds in site. I decided to cut it short and ended up with 96 miles. I stopped as I came through downtown at a little general store and had a large glass of ice cold apple cider (ahhh). Managed a ride average of 17.0 for almost exactly 6 hour ride.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Wednesday (last night) was the weekly hard ride. After hill intervals on Tuesday, I wasn't sure I'd have any legs left; but they weren't bothering me too much, so I figured, "what the hey..."

The headwind at first kept the speeds down to a reasonable 22-24 mph on the flats. They were echeloning and I couldn't find any shelter; so I just hung off the back and let them pace me. I stayed with them on hills that came later, and was with the group on the final stretch. During the course of the ride, the pack was whittled down from 20 uprights to the strongest 5, (mostly on the climbs, which meant I passed 15 uprights on uphills,) and down the final stretch they were taking 10-second pulls and doing 29-31 mph. When they slowed slightly getting set up for the sign spring, I hit the gas, passed them, and fanned my 53/12. Left 'em in the dust! Overall average 22.9 mph, my best ever for that route (34 miles.) Top speed was 38 mph, done out in the middle of the course, while ungapping myself after someone up front caused the group to unexpectedly surge.

Today, my legs really ARE toast. But it was worth it! Scenery? Well... the corn is getting almost tall enough to use for cover.

 

Re: My Most Recent Ride - 2010

Way to go!:s5: