Author Topic: The Cycling Thread (Read 1067112 times)

HeliDriver · « **Reply #4360 on:** July 22, 2016, 09:30:32 pm »

Went with my wife to check out a new trail today. I wasn't expecting much, as it's a wider, machine-made, multi-use trail that's part of the Trans-Canada trail network. I figured it would be wide and boring, with good views, but was thankfully wrong.

Mountain bikers were obviously involved in the planning, because the trail had some really nice, fast, flowy sections with bermed corners. No crazy DH features, but lots of nice little rollers where you could get a bit of air if you want.

Overall, it was really fun and should be a great addition to the area.

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/calgary/outdoor-report-high-rockies-trail-1.3650193

Jaeger · « **Reply #4361 on:** July 22, 2016, 09:34:37 pm »

Wow - if I had scenery like that around I think I could get into the whole MTB thing.

huota · « **Reply #4362 on:** July 23, 2016, 02:41:07 am »

Quote from: quadzilla on July 22, 2016, 09:05:29 am

A buddy called saying he needed to get in some longer hills before we hit Lake Placid in a couple of weeks. So back up to Collingwood for three days of great riding with amazing weather.

1. Scenic Caves or as I like to call it...The Pain Cave (3.8 kms @ 7% avg, Cat3 climb with sections hitting 20%)

2. Grey Rd 19 (5.7 kms @ 5%, Cat3) and Epping (4.1 kms @ 4%, Cat3)

3. Pretty River (7.2 kms @ 3%. The last 3.1 kms is rated Cat4)

* I took the category climb ratings from Strava. Amazing how different Cat3 climbs can be to climb.

Ended up with 1847m (700 + 751 + 396) of climbing over the 3 rides.

Awesome!

huota · « **Reply #4363 on:** July 23, 2016, 02:50:56 am »

@HeliDriver, that looks fantastic, you're very lucky to get to ride in a place like that.

Quote from: Jaeger on July 22, 2016, 09:34:37 pm

Wow - if I had scenery like that around I think I could get into the whole MTB thing.

Me too. I love mountain biking in the North Shore more than anything, but just can't be bothered anymore as it's pretty flat where I live. If I could just find some flowing XC trails here I may just go and buy a XC MTB. Then again, I already have a cyclocross bike for that kind of stuff...

safristi · « **Reply #4364 on:** July 23, 2016, 01:01:02 pm »

So Froome Zoome... Froome it is wins tour de Brexit...........skinny Englishmen have taken over Paris and are harassing dudes in faux bike shorts on the CHUMPS DÒH LYCEE..................Warm beer and Fish and Chips or a nice pub curry are ...ON ORDER.........no Chateau De Plonk needed.............

RunsinLight · « **Reply #4365 on:** July 23, 2016, 06:47:58 pm »

Watched 60 Cycles last night. Short Documentary on a Cycling race in 1965. Wasn't overly exciting but was neat to see older looking bikes and the different road conditions in some spots.

https://www.nfb.ca/film/60_cycles_en/

Jaeger · « **Reply #4366 on:** July 24, 2016, 03:55:00 pm »

Big congrats to Fortress Froome.

RunsinLight · « **Reply #4367 on:** July 24, 2016, 09:17:02 pm »

Got my first case of road rash today. Luckily it didn't involve any cars. Took a curb at the wrong angle and got scraps in the usual places. Could have been much worse because i was on a busy road. Bike seems to fine, had to recenter my tire with handle bars.

Jaeger · « **Reply #4368 on:** July 25, 2016, 09:06:57 am »

^^^ Ouch! Here's to happy mending.

84im · « **Reply #4369 on:** July 26, 2016, 05:37:53 pm »

I snapped these two photos on my ride today (Island Highway just north of Qualicum Beach, on Vancouver Island, B.C.)

safristi · « **Reply #4370 on:** July 26, 2016, 05:57:51 pm »

That Pic is Bogus..........blue skies on the Island $:-\$ ...and the angle of attack is 45 degrees.....maybe kingergartners on trikes hazard....USELESS SIGNAGE MATTERS....

huota · « **Reply #4371 on:** July 27, 2016, 09:09:59 am »

Just completed the Strava July Distance Challenge (1250km), which is also my personal best for one month. Should make it in the 1400-1500km range by the end of the month. Now off to the Wed night club ride...

Jaeger · « **Reply #4372 on:** July 27, 2016, 05:52:17 pm »

Yep - that's awesome.

Triple Bob · « **Reply #4373 on:** July 28, 2016, 11:14:22 am »

Changed my weekly race from 'Expert' to 'Sport', i.e. 2 laps instead of 3. The last few races have been particularly hard, not sure if it's the course changes or the heat.

Either way, came mid-field in Sport this week, 79th out of 128. Very happy with that, as it was over 35C again so was pretty hard. Ave heart rate of 187 for 48 minutes.

Data for Quad.

https://www.polarpersonaltrainer.com/shared/exercise.ftl?shareTag=bb9255e5cf02b88e674798dbdfacdd80

huota · « **Reply #4374 on:** July 31, 2016, 04:10:58 pm »

Quote from: huota on July 27, 2016, 09:09:59 am

Just completed the Strava July Distance Challenge (1250km), which is also my personal best for one month. Should make it in the 1400-1500km range by the end of the month. Now off to the Wed night club ride...

It's the end of July and I've logged 1,604km, which beats my previous monthly record by +500 kilometres. Staying home for summer vacation makes a huge difference.

Quote from: Triple Bob on July 28, 2016, 11:14:22 am

Changed my weekly race from 'Expert' to 'Sport', i.e. 2 laps instead of 3. The last few races have been particularly hard, not sure if it's the course changes or the heat.

Either way, came mid-field in Sport this week, 79th out of 128. Very happy with that, as it was over 35C again so was pretty hard. Ave heart rate of 187 for 48 minutes.

That's a really high average HR. What's your max. HR, if you don't mind me asking?

Railton · « **Reply #4375 on:** July 31, 2016, 04:24:03 pm »

Quote from: huota on July 31, 2016, 04:10:58 pm

Quote from: huota on July 27, 2016, 09:09:59 am
Just completed the Strava July Distance Challenge (1250km), which is also my personal best for one month. Should make it in the 1400-1500km range by the end of the month. Now off to the Wed night club ride...

It's the end of July and I've logged 1,604km, which beats my previous monthly record by +500 kilometres. Staying home for summer vacation makes a huge difference.

Quote from: Triple Bob on July 28, 2016, 11:14:22 am
Changed my weekly race from 'Expert' to 'Sport', i.e. 2 laps instead of 3. The last few races have been particularly hard, not sure if it's the course changes or the heat.

Either way, came mid-field in Sport this week, 79th out of 128. Very happy with that, as it was over 35C again so was pretty hard. Ave heart rate of 187 for 48 minutes.

That's a really high average HR. What's your max. HR, if you don't mind me asking?

Yes, yes it is and if 187 can be sustained for 45 minutes or so then maybe he has had a stress test done and his max has been found to be up around 203 or so, but, 187 for a 40 year old male is certainly not a "training zone" number.
Railton

HeliDriver · « **Reply #4376 on:** July 31, 2016, 05:56:20 pm »

I think I've used my heart rate monitor maybe half a dozen times. It was never comfortable, but mostly it was just wildly inaccurate. I remember seeing more than 300bpm a couple times.

Seemed like it happened mostly at higher speeds. Not sure, but I'm thinking the polyester jersey was creating some kind of static charge as it fluttered in the wind, which messed up the sensor.

Are these things generally pretty accurate?

Triple Bob · « **Reply #4377 on:** August 01, 2016, 08:48:49 am »

Quote from: Railton on July 31, 2016, 04:24:03 pm

Quote from: huota on July 31, 2016, 04:10:58 pm
Quote from: huota on July 27, 2016, 09:09:59 am
Just completed the Strava July Distance Challenge (1250km), which is also my personal best for one month. Should make it in the 1400-1500km range by the end of the month. Now off to the Wed night club ride...

It's the end of July and I've logged 1,604km, which beats my previous monthly record by +500 kilometres. Staying home for summer vacation makes a huge difference.

Quote from: Triple Bob on July 28, 2016, 11:14:22 am
Changed my weekly race from 'Expert' to 'Sport', i.e. 2 laps instead of 3. The last few races have been particularly hard, not sure if it's the course changes or the heat.

Either way, came mid-field in Sport this week, 79th out of 128. Very happy with that, as it was over 35C again so was pretty hard. Ave heart rate of 187 for 48 minutes.

That's a really high average HR. What's your max. HR, if you don't mind me asking?
Yes, yes it is and if 187 can be sustained for 45 minutes or so then maybe he has had a stress test done and his max has been found to be up around 203 or so, but, 187 for a 40 year old male is certainly not a "training zone" number.
Railton

My Max is probably close to 200, say 195, at that point, I know to stop. It's certainly not training, the route is very tough.

quadzilla · « **Reply #4378 on:** August 03, 2016, 03:25:00 pm »

Quote from: huota on July 31, 2016, 04:10:58 pm

It's the end of July and I've logged 1,604km, which beats my previous monthly record by +500 kilometres. Staying home for summer vacation makes a huge difference.

Great work

I have found that doing club rides really adds up the miles quickly.

Quote from: Triple Bob on July 28, 2016, 11:14:22 am

Changed my weekly race from 'Expert' to 'Sport', i.e. 2 laps instead of 3. The last few races have been particularly hard, not sure if it's the course changes or the heat.

Either way, came mid-field in Sport this week, 79th out of 128. Very happy with that, as it was over 35C again so was pretty hard. Ave heart rate of 187 for 48 minutes.

Data for Quad.

Thanks for the link. Great work and kudos on the weekly improvements.

Quote from: HeliDriver on July 31, 2016, 05:56:20 pm

I think I've used my heart rate monitor maybe half a dozen times. It was never comfortable, but mostly it was just wildly inaccurate. I remember seeing more than 300bpm a couple times.

Seemed like it happened mostly at higher speeds. Not sure, but I'm thinking the polyester jersey was creating some kind of static charge as it fluttered in the wind, which messed up the sensor.

Are these things generally pretty accurate?

I find my HR pretty accurate and the strap didn't bother me after using it a few times. Pre-wetting the HR strap before the ride helps get better readings until you work up a sweat. Also, if it's the Garmin strap, once the battery starts to go, you will never get reliable numbers.

quadzilla · « **Reply #4379 on:** August 05, 2016, 09:26:57 am »

The short version....

Back from lots of cycling in Finger Lakes and Lake Placid.

The first 7 days was the Bon Ton Roulet which is an organized tour that cycles around the Finger Lakes. Had a lot of fun and the cycling was great. Almost all the roads have a nice paved shoulders except for roads that see about 1 car an hour. I rode with the Mrs for 5/7 days and the other 2 went out with a buddy for some more aggressive riding.

On the 6th night, the camp we were staying at was at the top of a very steep hill so there was an unofficial hill climb event. I decided at the last minute to enter and ended up winning it by 10 seconds.

Great tour for anybody looking for something fun and friendly. Most days the distances where 70-100 kms and we had 3 days we stayed at the same camp so you could take as rest days if you wanted.

Total Distance 545.88 km
min 0.42 km
max 164.07 km

Total Elevation 4196.0 m
min 34 m
max 1529 m

Total Calories 10,885
min 31
max 4097

* All the minimum rides were that short hill climb.

The two rides I did without the Mrs.

164.07 kms w/1529 m of climbing. Left at 7am due to the heat. Amazing route with some great climbs/descents.

96.5 kms w/1020 m of climbing. Another amazing route that started with a 14 km climb which I was able to secure the KOM on after sprinting away from my buddy to get the 1 second gap.

Then we headed over to Lake Placid for 3 days where we met some other friends.

Total Distance 174.69 km
min 26.57 km
max 107.93 km

Total Elevation 2638.0 m
min 380 m
max 1131 m

Total Calories 4,776
min 1039
max 2599

Everytime I’m in Placid I climb Whiteface, the American equivalent to Alpe d'Huez which some people say is slightly harder due to having only 2 switchbacks vs the 21 on Alpe d’Huez. Only 13 kms long but at a 8% average grade for over 1,000m of climbing, ouch. Happy to say that I took over 9 minutes off my time from last year.

The other ride we do is a loop around Giant Mountain (108 kms w/1100 m of climbing) which is one of my favorite rides there as there is lots of climbing and descending.

Our third day that was nothing but rain so we didn’t get to do the 1 lap of the IM route we normally do.

The best thing was how kind the majority of drivers are there. Lots of patience, plenty of room when passing if needed. The first day home we had a car honk at us going in the opposite direction.