Here in Wisconsin, we've just recorded the snowiest December on record. Not just snowy, but its been cold. The high today was somewhere about 9 degrees. The overnight low is going to be something like -4. Not real good weather for road cycling.
I've been consistent though in heading down a couple times a week to Recyclist to ride the CompuTrainer. I think I'm now at 16 rides for a total of 330 miles. Riding a CompuTrainer is never going to replace doing a road ride outdoors. But, during the winter, it sure beats doing nothing. Now tat I have some more significant mileage put in, I am better able to comment on likes and dislikes.
Likes
--You are riding your bike.
Fit is very important. Specitivity in training makes a difference. Riding a stationary bike is never going to be the same as your bike. I'm training on the same bike I've been riding for 10 years and will ride next summer. That is important.
--Variation in Courses.
On a normal trainer, you have to adjust the resistance. On a stationary bike, you get some workout like intervals. the CompuTrainer has you riding real courses, so the resistance is always changing. So you have to shift. You have sections where its easier and sections where its harder. But that is like a real course, so that is good. And since its always changing, it helps combat some of the boredom of riding indoors. There is also a good selection of courses. I've done courses from 15 miles in length to 37 miles in length. Hilly courses and flat courses. You aren't doing the same program over and over again, unless you want to
--Power Meter and Spin Scan.
The science is very good. I've never ridden with power before. But now I am aware of it and can work on it through the winter. So far, I've been able to increase my average power from about 200 watts to 215 watts. I've just started using the spin scan to analyze my pedal stroke, but I am hoping I can improve that too. Overall though, the CompuTrainer is giving me much more information to train with than I've ever had before
-- It makes you work.
In the winter, it seems harder to get in enough training hours a week. I've been doing just 2 training sessions a week, one of 1 hour and one of 2 hours. Since this is all I'm getting, I need that training to be as effective as possible, and the CompuTrainer does well here. The RacerMate website claims that one hour on the CompuTrainer is like two hours on the raod. 'm not sure that is quite true, but it is harder. For one, if you stop pedalling, you don't really cost. So you keep pedalling and you train your legs to keep going at all times. Second, since you are watching your power number on the screen in front of you and riding against a pacer at an average power, when you go down a hill, you have a tendency to go hard to keep that power number up there. In general, since I am usually aiming to keep my average power at some goal, I tend not to slack off while on the trainer. And that is good. That is what I need in the winter
Dislikes
-- The scenery gets a little redundant.
By default, the CompuTrainer comes with three backgrounds--Seattle, Mountains and Desert. It uses these to generate the 3D graphics you see. The graphics are good, but after a while, you've seen it all. One thing they could do would be to include more scenery packs in the default CompuTrainer install. The other technology I am hopeful about is the Real Course Videos. But these are pricey at $100 each.
-- Cost.
A CompuTrainer is $1600, plus the need for a computer with pretty good 3D graphics, and then you probably want some sort of large LCD TV or Projection system to really enjoy it. So a total price tag of probably about $2500 if you want one at home. Fortunately, I can ride at Recyclist, but by the time March rolls around, I'll have seill probably sunk $250 or so into time to ride. As mentioned above, the real corse videos are $100 each. So none of this is cheap. Hopefully, with a little bit of competition out there in the computer based trainers, prices will come down a bit. If the unit can come down to around $1000 and the videos drop down to around $40 or $50, I think the ability to have a CompuTrainer at home is greatly increased.
Overall though, riding the CompuTrainer has been great. I think I have gained a little power. Tonight, I was really taking time to evaluate my riding position as well, and I think there are a few minor adjustments I may try out. And, my real course video should be in soon, so that will add a new element to riding. And for now, that is good, because its not getting any warmer out there.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
A Cold November
November has been a cold month, colder than normal even for Wisconsin. I've done a couple of rides outdoors, but both were frigid. Temps of around 30 degrees, but with a 15-20 mile wind. Not a lot of fun. While I don't have the coldest weather gear, I do have pretty good gear. But inevitably, some extremity gets cold and you are wondering what the fastest way home is.
So I've been spending a lot of time on the CompuTrainer at Recyclist. Well, not a lot of time, but I have been making it to ride a couple times a week. Generally I get an hour in on a course that is 16-20 miles. I've been pleased with the workout get on the CompuTrainer, and so far I haven't been bored riding it for an hour or so each time I go in.
What really excites me about the CompuTrainer though is all of the data that it collects and shows you. One feature is the built in power meter. On most of my rides, I've been averaging 200 watts. On a couple, I've averaged 211 watts. What I am interested in is how I can train over the winter and even into the spring to see that number improve. How much can I improve it? 10%? 25%? I rally have no feel for what I can do because I've never trained with power before. But having that instant feedback is useful.
One of the things that I have noticed about myself is that I fatigue about 40 minutes into the ride. I can see the power I'm generating drop off as teh ride goes along. For example, early in the ride tonight, I was averaging around 230 watts. By the end, my average was 211 watts. And in the late stages, I was a lot of times generating 195-205 watts. So this tells me something, that I need to work on my muscular endurance and being able to maintain a power output for a longer period of time. I'd like to improve that average power number by becoming more powerful overall, but I also ned to improve it by becoming more consistent through an hour long ride.
I used another feature for the first time tonight. We hooked up the cadence sensor to my bike and monitored my pedal stroke. The CompuTrainer will tell you a number of things. First, it will give you splits between your left and right legs, so you can see if one is dominant. For me, I know my right leg is a little stronger, and that showed sometimes, but for the most part, I was more even then I thought I would be. Secondly, the CompuTrainer will also analyze your stroke in terms of how even and smooth your power output is during the stroke. Clearly, everyone is going to be more powerful on their down stroke and I am no exception. But it also gives you a measure on a scale of 1-100 of how smooth and consistent throughout the stroke you are. Tonight, I was averaging around a 60. I am not sure of what this number means in absolute terms. But what I can use it for is a measure of how much I can improve. Some high cadence speed drills would probably help me. If it makes my pedal stroke more efficient, that will show up in more power and less fatigue. I have more to learn about this, but I find it exciting that I have some tools to help me measure how I am performing.
I think I've rode the CompuTrainer 7 times now and have about 125 CompuTrainer miles. Its not perfect. Its not as interesting as being out on the road. You are pedaling in one plane because you never have to go around a corner or up a hill. Yes, the resistance adjusts, but its not the same as the angle of the bike changing. But at the same time, when its 22 degrees outside, I'd rather be on the CompuTrainer, and it does give me a lot of tools that I didn't have before. I want to keep up twice a week, keep varying courses, and see how I can start making some quantifiable improvements.
So I've been spending a lot of time on the CompuTrainer at Recyclist. Well, not a lot of time, but I have been making it to ride a couple times a week. Generally I get an hour in on a course that is 16-20 miles. I've been pleased with the workout get on the CompuTrainer, and so far I haven't been bored riding it for an hour or so each time I go in.
What really excites me about the CompuTrainer though is all of the data that it collects and shows you. One feature is the built in power meter. On most of my rides, I've been averaging 200 watts. On a couple, I've averaged 211 watts. What I am interested in is how I can train over the winter and even into the spring to see that number improve. How much can I improve it? 10%? 25%? I rally have no feel for what I can do because I've never trained with power before. But having that instant feedback is useful.
One of the things that I have noticed about myself is that I fatigue about 40 minutes into the ride. I can see the power I'm generating drop off as teh ride goes along. For example, early in the ride tonight, I was averaging around 230 watts. By the end, my average was 211 watts. And in the late stages, I was a lot of times generating 195-205 watts. So this tells me something, that I need to work on my muscular endurance and being able to maintain a power output for a longer period of time. I'd like to improve that average power number by becoming more powerful overall, but I also ned to improve it by becoming more consistent through an hour long ride.
I used another feature for the first time tonight. We hooked up the cadence sensor to my bike and monitored my pedal stroke. The CompuTrainer will tell you a number of things. First, it will give you splits between your left and right legs, so you can see if one is dominant. For me, I know my right leg is a little stronger, and that showed sometimes, but for the most part, I was more even then I thought I would be. Secondly, the CompuTrainer will also analyze your stroke in terms of how even and smooth your power output is during the stroke. Clearly, everyone is going to be more powerful on their down stroke and I am no exception. But it also gives you a measure on a scale of 1-100 of how smooth and consistent throughout the stroke you are. Tonight, I was averaging around a 60. I am not sure of what this number means in absolute terms. But what I can use it for is a measure of how much I can improve. Some high cadence speed drills would probably help me. If it makes my pedal stroke more efficient, that will show up in more power and less fatigue. I have more to learn about this, but I find it exciting that I have some tools to help me measure how I am performing.
I think I've rode the CompuTrainer 7 times now and have about 125 CompuTrainer miles. Its not perfect. Its not as interesting as being out on the road. You are pedaling in one plane because you never have to go around a corner or up a hill. Yes, the resistance adjusts, but its not the same as the angle of the bike changing. But at the same time, when its 22 degrees outside, I'd rather be on the CompuTrainer, and it does give me a lot of tools that I didn't have before. I want to keep up twice a week, keep varying courses, and see how I can start making some quantifiable improvements.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
End of the Season?
Maybe, but maybe not yet. Its been raining in Appleton for the last 3 days. No chance to get out and ride. And there is a chance of rain/snow mix through the weekend. I'm hopeful I can get a ride in on Friday, but it just depends on the weather. I did go out and do 27 miles last Sunday, when the windchill was a balmy 18 F. That was cold, really, really cold. Coldest ride I have ever done.
I have went back to Recyclist and done the CompuTrainer twice more. I did the Madeira Time Trial course (22 miles) and a course on the Blue Ridge Parkway (17.7 miles). They were both easier than the first course I did (Death Valley Artists Canyon), but easier doesn't mean easy. The CompuTrainer is still a good workout for an hour of riding. Its good for me for a couple reasons. First, it forces me to ride at a certain intensity that a lot of times on my own, I don't think I do. Second, because you are on a trainer, it forces me to pedal all the time. I have this bad habit of pedaling 15 seconds and then stopping for 5. I need to be more consistent and keep pedaling all the time.
Tuesday night I averaged 200 watts on the madeira course, and tonight I averaged 204 on the Blue Ridge course. Don't know if those are good or bad at this point, but its where I am at. I guess what I really want to see is improvement.
I've found another company that makes real life videos for the CompuTrainer. ErgVideo offers videos that look more like the Spinervals workout. A nice thing is that they are only $45 each, so not as pricey as the Real Video's from Racer Mate. I'll probably try one of these when the weather turns completely.
I'm working on my 2009 cycling goals and should post them sometime next week. Goals mean a training plan and sticking to it. Riding with a purpose and paying attention to the little things. Goals mean getting serious about the diet and actually doing your core exercises. But most of all, goals mean feeling a sense of accomplishment when you complete them.
I have went back to Recyclist and done the CompuTrainer twice more. I did the Madeira Time Trial course (22 miles) and a course on the Blue Ridge Parkway (17.7 miles). They were both easier than the first course I did (Death Valley Artists Canyon), but easier doesn't mean easy. The CompuTrainer is still a good workout for an hour of riding. Its good for me for a couple reasons. First, it forces me to ride at a certain intensity that a lot of times on my own, I don't think I do. Second, because you are on a trainer, it forces me to pedal all the time. I have this bad habit of pedaling 15 seconds and then stopping for 5. I need to be more consistent and keep pedaling all the time.
Tuesday night I averaged 200 watts on the madeira course, and tonight I averaged 204 on the Blue Ridge course. Don't know if those are good or bad at this point, but its where I am at. I guess what I really want to see is improvement.
I've found another company that makes real life videos for the CompuTrainer. ErgVideo offers videos that look more like the Spinervals workout. A nice thing is that they are only $45 each, so not as pricey as the Real Video's from Racer Mate. I'll probably try one of these when the weather turns completely.
I'm working on my 2009 cycling goals and should post them sometime next week. Goals mean a training plan and sticking to it. Riding with a purpose and paying attention to the little things. Goals mean getting serious about the diet and actually doing your core exercises. But most of all, goals mean feeling a sense of accomplishment when you complete them.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Riding the CompuTrainer
One of the problems is always how to maintain cycling fitness during the winter months. Living in Virgina, I was able to pretty much ride year round. Sure, you would lose weekends to bad weather, but you could always get some miles in every month. In Wisconsin during the winter though, riding outdoors is not an option. I plan to resume cross country skiing this winter, but it would still be nice to get some cycling specific training in.
The Recyclist bike shop here in Appleton may have the answer. They have 3 CompuTrainers set up that you can use on an hourly basis for $8 an hour. You can also buy a 10 pack pass for $70. This link has all the details.
http://www.bicycledealer.net/indoorcycling.html
For those unfamiliar with a CompuTrainer, its a cycling trainer that is hooked up to the computer. The computer will change the resistance of the trainer based on the course you ride, so if you are going uphill, resistance will be harder and downhill resistance will be less. It also includes computer graphics that display on a monitor (or at the Recyclist, that they project onto a wall) so you see a little bit of the course you are riding. The trainer has a power meter in it, so you get instantaneous and average watts. You can ride against a friend on the CompuTrainer next to you or against a computer generated "pacer" who will ride at a constant wattage throughout the course. There are over 400 courses to choose from, everything from dead flats to rollers to climbing workouts. With these features, the CompuTrainer tries to overcome the limitations on indoor cycling--namely boredom and repetition. Anyone reading this who has ridden on a standard trainer for 30 minutes knows what I am talking about. But with the power meter and software to analyze your pedal stroke, they also provide a tool that can help you work on weaknesses--and who doesn't have weaknesses that they can't improve.
I had heard of the CompuTrainer before, but never ridden on one. And at $1600 to purchase my own, it was going to stay that way until I found this option at the Recyclist. So I made an appointment for Friday and headed over with the bike in the back of the car.
You want to arrive about 15 minutes early to get your bike set up. The first thing they do is calibrate your resistance on the trainer. Then they enter your information into the computer--your name, your weight including the bike and the average watts you want your pacer to ride at. From there, you select your course and you are off. The guys at the shop suggested a course called the Death Valley something or other, 15 miles of what looked like a rolling profile (or so they thought).
Let me tell you, it was HARD!. Several sections with grades of 13% and long sections of grades over 10% (the CompuTrainer tells you on screen what the simulated grade is). There were two hills, and when I got to the top of the first simulated hill, I was wasted. I recovered on the downhill and fought my way up the second. For the ride, my average watts turned out to be 175. Not sure if this is good or bad--but its where I'm at. I can ride this exact same course a month from now and tell if I improved. At the end of the ride, my jersey was soaked. They do have a fan blowing and towels, of which a couple were soaked too. It was a hard intensity workout. Not exactly what I was intending to do, but good in the sense that I had to work at it.
I think the intensity of the workout falls into the positive category for the CompuTrainer. In Appleton, we don't have long hard climbs like the simulated ones I was climbing. But the CompuTrainer forced me to climb those. Also, I can use the CompuTrainer in the winter to get in that hard workout once a week, so I can maintain some power through the winter. Riding the CompuTrainer isn't as good as being outside, but its better than the stationary bike or riding a normal trainer. Better than a stationary bike because you are riding your bike in the position you are normally riding in. Better than a trainer because there are some graphics to look at and because it will automatically adjust resistance throughout the course. Not as good as a real ride because nothing can compete with real scenery and because you don't have to worry about bike handling. But on Friday night when its 40 degrees and raining, it sure beats being outside and it beats riding the couch.
One of the most promising aspects of the CompuTrainer is the Real Course Videos they have released. Instead of computer generated graphics, these are actual videos of Ironman bike courses. This would make the CompuTrainer ride even more interesting because now you are looking at real scenery. I'll need to inquire at Recyclist if they have these available (they are a CompuTrainer dealer, so they may get them at a discount or included with their setup). If not, I may have to try to talk them into splitting the cost with me. Riding an actual Ironman course with actual video of the course--then I could see myself going in on a snowy Saturday and doing 50 miles. That would be great for maintaining on bike endurance through the winter.
So all in all, I'll be back, probably on Monday, toiling away on the CompuTrainer. I'm starting to put together my 2009 cycling goals, and they will include some long distance events. I'll need a strong base for that, and I'm sure the CompuTrainer will be a big part of that base.
The Recyclist bike shop here in Appleton may have the answer. They have 3 CompuTrainers set up that you can use on an hourly basis for $8 an hour. You can also buy a 10 pack pass for $70. This link has all the details.
http://www.bicycledealer.net/indoorcycling.html
For those unfamiliar with a CompuTrainer, its a cycling trainer that is hooked up to the computer. The computer will change the resistance of the trainer based on the course you ride, so if you are going uphill, resistance will be harder and downhill resistance will be less. It also includes computer graphics that display on a monitor (or at the Recyclist, that they project onto a wall) so you see a little bit of the course you are riding. The trainer has a power meter in it, so you get instantaneous and average watts. You can ride against a friend on the CompuTrainer next to you or against a computer generated "pacer" who will ride at a constant wattage throughout the course. There are over 400 courses to choose from, everything from dead flats to rollers to climbing workouts. With these features, the CompuTrainer tries to overcome the limitations on indoor cycling--namely boredom and repetition. Anyone reading this who has ridden on a standard trainer for 30 minutes knows what I am talking about. But with the power meter and software to analyze your pedal stroke, they also provide a tool that can help you work on weaknesses--and who doesn't have weaknesses that they can't improve.
I had heard of the CompuTrainer before, but never ridden on one. And at $1600 to purchase my own, it was going to stay that way until I found this option at the Recyclist. So I made an appointment for Friday and headed over with the bike in the back of the car.
You want to arrive about 15 minutes early to get your bike set up. The first thing they do is calibrate your resistance on the trainer. Then they enter your information into the computer--your name, your weight including the bike and the average watts you want your pacer to ride at. From there, you select your course and you are off. The guys at the shop suggested a course called the Death Valley something or other, 15 miles of what looked like a rolling profile (or so they thought).
Let me tell you, it was HARD!. Several sections with grades of 13% and long sections of grades over 10% (the CompuTrainer tells you on screen what the simulated grade is). There were two hills, and when I got to the top of the first simulated hill, I was wasted. I recovered on the downhill and fought my way up the second. For the ride, my average watts turned out to be 175. Not sure if this is good or bad--but its where I'm at. I can ride this exact same course a month from now and tell if I improved. At the end of the ride, my jersey was soaked. They do have a fan blowing and towels, of which a couple were soaked too. It was a hard intensity workout. Not exactly what I was intending to do, but good in the sense that I had to work at it.
I think the intensity of the workout falls into the positive category for the CompuTrainer. In Appleton, we don't have long hard climbs like the simulated ones I was climbing. But the CompuTrainer forced me to climb those. Also, I can use the CompuTrainer in the winter to get in that hard workout once a week, so I can maintain some power through the winter. Riding the CompuTrainer isn't as good as being outside, but its better than the stationary bike or riding a normal trainer. Better than a stationary bike because you are riding your bike in the position you are normally riding in. Better than a trainer because there are some graphics to look at and because it will automatically adjust resistance throughout the course. Not as good as a real ride because nothing can compete with real scenery and because you don't have to worry about bike handling. But on Friday night when its 40 degrees and raining, it sure beats being outside and it beats riding the couch.
One of the most promising aspects of the CompuTrainer is the Real Course Videos they have released. Instead of computer generated graphics, these are actual videos of Ironman bike courses. This would make the CompuTrainer ride even more interesting because now you are looking at real scenery. I'll need to inquire at Recyclist if they have these available (they are a CompuTrainer dealer, so they may get them at a discount or included with their setup). If not, I may have to try to talk them into splitting the cost with me. Riding an actual Ironman course with actual video of the course--then I could see myself going in on a snowy Saturday and doing 50 miles. That would be great for maintaining on bike endurance through the winter.
So all in all, I'll be back, probably on Monday, toiling away on the CompuTrainer. I'm starting to put together my 2009 cycling goals, and they will include some long distance events. I'll need a strong base for that, and I'm sure the CompuTrainer will be a big part of that base.
Friday, October 24, 2008
A Mighty Mighty Wind
One thing Wisconsin seems to have no shortage of is wind. Forget the "frozen tundra of Lambeau Field". On a road bike it seems to be more "the windswept plains of rural America". Thursday, October 23 was no exception. There was a howling wind out of the east blowing at a constant 20 mph.
Calumet County Wisconsin is a client for the IT Consulting company I work for, so I was in Chilton for a 1:00 PM meeting. I brought my bike, and after my meeting changed clothes and headed off south of Chilton for a ride. My original intention was to do the route below, a 42 miler.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/216493
But the wind coupled with the fact that I hadn't had lunch was too much. I turned arund on County Road GG near Hickory Road and just went back to Chilton.
This is good country to ride in. Its all rural with lots of farms with big red barns. As you get further south you also get a few rolling hills, which are nice to change things up. I know further west there is a road called Seven Hills Road that lives up to its name. Chilton is a neat little town too with some interesting buildings. Here's a picture of a bank downtown, built when banks projected an image of strength, stability and security.The wind was tough today. But this time of year, you take the days you can get. It didn't feel like 52 degrees (which was the temp) due to the wind, but I got 24 miles in, so nothing wrong with that.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Appleton East 40 Miler
I did a route today that is one of my favorites today, a 40 mile loop east of Appleton. You can see the route at the following link at Bikely.com
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/214473
I did this route or a close variation quite a bit in the summer months when there was more daylight in the evening. Its nice because its a good amount of miles for a weeknight and its very low traffic. Also, those who live in Appleton know the wind generally blows out of the west, so this route would have a tailwind on the way home.
The route is generally flat. On Manley Road south of Highway 15, you will have a couple of rollers but nothing too serious. The scenery is pretty much small farms. There is an old Lutheran church to see on County Road O right after the "Y" from the Quarry. Its neat to look at from the bike, but nothing I've ever felt the need to get off the bike for. Once you get down onto Island Road and Shady Lane, you do have some more trees. I snapped this picture today along Island Road.
We had a couple storms come through Appleton this last week with some wind and rain. So the trees have lost a lot of their leaves from the previous weekend. There are still some fall colors out there, just not as many. I've always liked the area down by Shady Lane. Being a little more wooded, its a little more interesting than just farm after farm.
There are a number of variations one could do on this route. You could follow County Road MM into Hortonville to add a couple miles or if you need a store stop. At the "Y" intersection at the Quarry, you could go left instead of right and cut off a few miles if you want a shorter ride. You don't have to come in Shady Lane either. It all depends on what one is in the mood for.
The temperature today in Appleton was mid 50's. There was some wind out of the south, but it eased as the ride went on. I moved to Wisconsin from Virginia, where I would ride year round. Yes, January and February were cool, but you would usually get some days in the mid 40's or even 50+. I was concerned coming to Wisconsin about how much the weather would cut into the riding season. Clearly, there is going to be snow on the ground here in January and February, so those months will be for cross country skiing. But how soon would that snow and cold get here? Would I be done riding November 1? October 15?
I have to say I've been very pleased so far. I like riding when the temp is around 50 degrees. I like riding in arm warmers. I like to not have to wear the leg warmers, but something about 50 degrees to me seems like the perfect temperature. Maybe because its warm enough that you aren't worried about staying warm, but cool enough that you aren't worried about overheating like on a summer day. I wore a long sleeve base layer and a long sleeve wool jersey today and felt great. Clearly it will get colder, but I also have more gear I can wear, so my cycling season isn't done yet.
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/214473
I did this route or a close variation quite a bit in the summer months when there was more daylight in the evening. Its nice because its a good amount of miles for a weeknight and its very low traffic. Also, those who live in Appleton know the wind generally blows out of the west, so this route would have a tailwind on the way home.
The route is generally flat. On Manley Road south of Highway 15, you will have a couple of rollers but nothing too serious. The scenery is pretty much small farms. There is an old Lutheran church to see on County Road O right after the "Y" from the Quarry. Its neat to look at from the bike, but nothing I've ever felt the need to get off the bike for. Once you get down onto Island Road and Shady Lane, you do have some more trees. I snapped this picture today along Island Road.
We had a couple storms come through Appleton this last week with some wind and rain. So the trees have lost a lot of their leaves from the previous weekend. There are still some fall colors out there, just not as many. I've always liked the area down by Shady Lane. Being a little more wooded, its a little more interesting than just farm after farm.
There are a number of variations one could do on this route. You could follow County Road MM into Hortonville to add a couple miles or if you need a store stop. At the "Y" intersection at the Quarry, you could go left instead of right and cut off a few miles if you want a shorter ride. You don't have to come in Shady Lane either. It all depends on what one is in the mood for.
The temperature today in Appleton was mid 50's. There was some wind out of the south, but it eased as the ride went on. I moved to Wisconsin from Virginia, where I would ride year round. Yes, January and February were cool, but you would usually get some days in the mid 40's or even 50+. I was concerned coming to Wisconsin about how much the weather would cut into the riding season. Clearly, there is going to be snow on the ground here in January and February, so those months will be for cross country skiing. But how soon would that snow and cold get here? Would I be done riding November 1? October 15?
I have to say I've been very pleased so far. I like riding when the temp is around 50 degrees. I like riding in arm warmers. I like to not have to wear the leg warmers, but something about 50 degrees to me seems like the perfect temperature. Maybe because its warm enough that you aren't worried about staying warm, but cool enough that you aren't worried about overheating like on a summer day. I wore a long sleeve base layer and a long sleeve wool jersey today and felt great. Clearly it will get colder, but I also have more gear I can wear, so my cycling season isn't done yet.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
An Autumn Evening
I was able to get out of the office today a little before 5:00 PM and get a quick ride in. Sunset in Appleton is about 6:15 these days, so a 20 or so miler was in order. Not the longest or most epic ride, just a ride after work. Weather was perfect. Temperature in the low 50's, no wind.
I ride a lot of miles, usually about 6000 a year. This year I'm just over 5000, so I don't know if I'll make it to 6000. But any way you look at it, I spend a lot of time on the bike. When you ride that much, you have times when you get a little burned out. I know this year, I didn't ride as many miles as I could have in August and September. Part of this was life was a little hectic. Part of it was probably that I was a little burned out. It happens.
My route tonight took me north of Appleton and back for a total of 22.9 miles. Nothing special, just flat farmland and country roads. Even the trees that surround the farmhouses have mostly lost their leaves. No moments when I had to get out with my camera phone and snap some pictures. But I really enjoyed the ride tonight, even though it was nothing special. I think part of it is the realization that the daylight is getting shorter and the temperatures getting crisper. In a matter of weeks, there will probably be snow covering these roads. So you appreciate that you can get out and do a ride now, because that opportunity probably won't be there in a few weeks.
This will not be my last ride of the year, but you start realizing that the year is winding down, so for me at least, I try to appreciate each one just a little more.
I ride a lot of miles, usually about 6000 a year. This year I'm just over 5000, so I don't know if I'll make it to 6000. But any way you look at it, I spend a lot of time on the bike. When you ride that much, you have times when you get a little burned out. I know this year, I didn't ride as many miles as I could have in August and September. Part of this was life was a little hectic. Part of it was probably that I was a little burned out. It happens.
My route tonight took me north of Appleton and back for a total of 22.9 miles. Nothing special, just flat farmland and country roads. Even the trees that surround the farmhouses have mostly lost their leaves. No moments when I had to get out with my camera phone and snap some pictures. But I really enjoyed the ride tonight, even though it was nothing special. I think part of it is the realization that the daylight is getting shorter and the temperatures getting crisper. In a matter of weeks, there will probably be snow covering these roads. So you appreciate that you can get out and do a ride now, because that opportunity probably won't be there in a few weeks.
This will not be my last ride of the year, but you start realizing that the year is winding down, so for me at least, I try to appreciate each one just a little more.
Monday, October 13, 2008
High Cliff State Park in Fall
I hate to say, but I’ve lost some fitness over the last month. After doing 54 miles yesterday, my legs were not up for doing another 50 miles Sunday. I must also say though, neither was my schedule, because it seems that weekends are so busy now. Still, with 80 degrees in October, I wasn’t going to pass up a ride entirely. With the wind blowing out of the south, I decided to do an out and back from my house in Appleton to High Cliff State Park. Total distance turned out to be 29 miles.
My route took me over the Lawe Street bridge since the College Avenue bridge is closed pending reconstruction. The Lawe Street Bridge is not my favorite with its metal surface, but you can ride over it, just don’t stop. Of course, with the sharp down and then sharp up, you get a little bit of a work out. I worked my way over to John Street, down to Calumet Avenue and then south on Lake Park drive. John Street is sufficiently wide that traffic is not an issue. You are only on Calumet for about 0.1 miles, and Lake Park quickly becomes rural. I tend to take a left on Manitowoc road and then a right on State Park Road to get down to High Cliff.
One of the things which has always attracted me to cycling is that you may see something you haven’t seen before. On a bike, you are going slowly enough to really have a view of the terrain as you go by so that you actually see what you are going past. Today was one of those days. The foliage in High Cliff was terrific as you can see below.
One of the other things I found today in the Park that I never knew existed was an observation tower. I’m guessing it was about 5 or 6 stories in height. From the top, you had terrific views of the fall colors and Lake Winnebago. Walking to the top in cycling shoes wasn’t the greatest, but the views were outstanding.
So there you have it. A 29 mile ride, that I have done before, but colors and scenery like I haven’t seen on the ride before. That’s what for me keeps cycling interesting and why I keep riding year after year.
My route took me over the Lawe Street bridge since the College Avenue bridge is closed pending reconstruction. The Lawe Street Bridge is not my favorite with its metal surface, but you can ride over it, just don’t stop. Of course, with the sharp down and then sharp up, you get a little bit of a work out. I worked my way over to John Street, down to Calumet Avenue and then south on Lake Park drive. John Street is sufficiently wide that traffic is not an issue. You are only on Calumet for about 0.1 miles, and Lake Park quickly becomes rural. I tend to take a left on Manitowoc road and then a right on State Park Road to get down to High Cliff.
One of the things which has always attracted me to cycling is that you may see something you haven’t seen before. On a bike, you are going slowly enough to really have a view of the terrain as you go by so that you actually see what you are going past. Today was one of those days. The foliage in High Cliff was terrific as you can see below.
One of the other things I found today in the Park that I never knew existed was an observation tower. I’m guessing it was about 5 or 6 stories in height. From the top, you had terrific views of the fall colors and Lake Winnebago. Walking to the top in cycling shoes wasn’t the greatest, but the views were outstanding.
So there you have it. A 29 mile ride, that I have done before, but colors and scenery like I haven’t seen on the ride before. That’s what for me keeps cycling interesting and why I keep riding year after year.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Pay to Play
While in De Pere yesterday and riding along their bike trail, I kept riding past these kiosks that something like "Pay Here". I didn't really know what this meant being new to the area, and I didn't really want to stop and interrupt my ride to find out. When got home last night, I Googgled "De Pere Bike Path" which took me to this page explaining what the signs were all about.
http://www.foxrivertrail.com/hours-fees-uses.htm
So it seems that as a bicyclist you need to pay a $3 daily fee or purchase an annual pass for a fairly nominal fee of $20.
My first reaction to this was not positive. I think like a lot of folks my first thought is "why is one more fee being imposed" as well as the feeling of who is going to get off of their bike, interrupt their ride and pay at one of these kiosks. Plus, how do you enforce something like this? Are we going to have an officer stop everyone riding their bike and ask them for their trail pass? And finally, there is part of me that says why are we imposing a fee on bicyclists? won't this discourage folks from a healthy activity like cycling? If we have a better community by people riding their bikes more (if you are reading this, you know all the arguments--more bikes equals less car traffic, less pollution, healthier citizens, etc), why do we effectively want to tax that activity and put another barrier in place to people participating in that activity?
I thought about this more last night though, and I'm starting to come to the viewpoint that charging a nominal fee is not just reasonable, but perhaps even a positive. I'm a big believer in that the person who gets the utility out of government service should be the person that pays for that service to be provided. If you use more water in your house than me, the City of Appleton will charge you more in your water bill. The amount of the service you use (in this case water) directly correlates with what you pay. In other words, if you are efficient, single or for whatever reason don't use much water, you pay less. The person who is wasteful or has a big yard to water or whatever else who uses a lot of water pays more. This is the way it should work.
When I first moved to Appleton a couple months ago, there was talk about building a convention center downtown (there probably still is--I just haven't heard about it for a while). This convention center was going to cost something like $30 million dollars which would of course be paid for through a tax increase. So lets analyze this. The plan is to build a convention center that the citizens of Appleton (and maybe surrounding communities) will pay for. The primary users of this convention center will be individuals from out of town--that is the point of having a convention center, to draw in conventions from out of town. The other main beneficiary of the convention center will be travel type businesses--hotels, restaurants, rental car companies, etc. How does this make sense? Most of the people that would be paying for the convention center (the taxpayers in Appleton) will probably never set foot inside of the convention center. So how are they deriving benefit from having a convention center here. Yes, I know there is an economic argument, more conventions would create more jobs. Mind you, mostly minimum wage jobs like hotel staff and restaurant staff, so once again, I'm not sure Appleton as a whole really benefits. This is the classic example of where one group reaps the reward of some activity and gets someone else to pay for it. Good deal if you can find it, but not the model of fairness.
So how does this relate to bike paths and fees. Well, as a cyclist, I derive the benefit of having a bike path there. I get utility out of having a bike path there, and judging by the number of people out yesterday, so do a lot of cyclist. So therefore, to me, it is only fair that I and other cyclists help to pay for the cost of having that amenity (the bike path) there. Building a bike path and maintaining it is not free. It seems to me appropriate to ask the people who use it to help to pay to maintain it.
This model isn't perfect for all services government provides. Certainly no one wants to say that you need to pay for Police or Fire services. And I think in general, we don't' want every city park to charge an admission fee. Otherwise, we risk becoming an elitist society where we have amenities available only to those who can afford to pay and not for other income brackets. Certainly one of the goals of things like City Parks and Bike Paths and the like is to have a place where the community can come together for recreation. If we charge a fee for everything or a fee that is too high, it takes the community out of that sentence. Turning parks and bike paths into a private country club is in no ones interest.
So in summary, I think asking folks to purchase an annual pass at a nominal fee is reasonable. Those dollars can help to maintain a clean and safe bike path, and maybe even go into making more such amenities available, like more bike paths or better facilities along the paths that already exist. But we should make sure the fees do not become a discouragement to people cycling or make it to where certain income groups are locked out from using the trail. That would be a shame, and do more harm to a community than a fee could hope to do good.
I'm interested in hearing others thoughts on this.
http://www.foxrivertrail.com/hours-fees-uses.htm
So it seems that as a bicyclist you need to pay a $3 daily fee or purchase an annual pass for a fairly nominal fee of $20.
My first reaction to this was not positive. I think like a lot of folks my first thought is "why is one more fee being imposed" as well as the feeling of who is going to get off of their bike, interrupt their ride and pay at one of these kiosks. Plus, how do you enforce something like this? Are we going to have an officer stop everyone riding their bike and ask them for their trail pass? And finally, there is part of me that says why are we imposing a fee on bicyclists? won't this discourage folks from a healthy activity like cycling? If we have a better community by people riding their bikes more (if you are reading this, you know all the arguments--more bikes equals less car traffic, less pollution, healthier citizens, etc), why do we effectively want to tax that activity and put another barrier in place to people participating in that activity?
I thought about this more last night though, and I'm starting to come to the viewpoint that charging a nominal fee is not just reasonable, but perhaps even a positive. I'm a big believer in that the person who gets the utility out of government service should be the person that pays for that service to be provided. If you use more water in your house than me, the City of Appleton will charge you more in your water bill. The amount of the service you use (in this case water) directly correlates with what you pay. In other words, if you are efficient, single or for whatever reason don't use much water, you pay less. The person who is wasteful or has a big yard to water or whatever else who uses a lot of water pays more. This is the way it should work.
When I first moved to Appleton a couple months ago, there was talk about building a convention center downtown (there probably still is--I just haven't heard about it for a while). This convention center was going to cost something like $30 million dollars which would of course be paid for through a tax increase. So lets analyze this. The plan is to build a convention center that the citizens of Appleton (and maybe surrounding communities) will pay for. The primary users of this convention center will be individuals from out of town--that is the point of having a convention center, to draw in conventions from out of town. The other main beneficiary of the convention center will be travel type businesses--hotels, restaurants, rental car companies, etc. How does this make sense? Most of the people that would be paying for the convention center (the taxpayers in Appleton) will probably never set foot inside of the convention center. So how are they deriving benefit from having a convention center here. Yes, I know there is an economic argument, more conventions would create more jobs. Mind you, mostly minimum wage jobs like hotel staff and restaurant staff, so once again, I'm not sure Appleton as a whole really benefits. This is the classic example of where one group reaps the reward of some activity and gets someone else to pay for it. Good deal if you can find it, but not the model of fairness.
So how does this relate to bike paths and fees. Well, as a cyclist, I derive the benefit of having a bike path there. I get utility out of having a bike path there, and judging by the number of people out yesterday, so do a lot of cyclist. So therefore, to me, it is only fair that I and other cyclists help to pay for the cost of having that amenity (the bike path) there. Building a bike path and maintaining it is not free. It seems to me appropriate to ask the people who use it to help to pay to maintain it.
This model isn't perfect for all services government provides. Certainly no one wants to say that you need to pay for Police or Fire services. And I think in general, we don't' want every city park to charge an admission fee. Otherwise, we risk becoming an elitist society where we have amenities available only to those who can afford to pay and not for other income brackets. Certainly one of the goals of things like City Parks and Bike Paths and the like is to have a place where the community can come together for recreation. If we charge a fee for everything or a fee that is too high, it takes the community out of that sentence. Turning parks and bike paths into a private country club is in no ones interest.
So in summary, I think asking folks to purchase an annual pass at a nominal fee is reasonable. Those dollars can help to maintain a clean and safe bike path, and maybe even go into making more such amenities available, like more bike paths or better facilities along the paths that already exist. But we should make sure the fees do not become a discouragement to people cycling or make it to where certain income groups are locked out from using the trail. That would be a shame, and do more harm to a community than a fee could hope to do good.
I'm interested in hearing others thoughts on this.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Appleton - De Pere Loop
I took advantage of the almost summer weather today to get a 50+ mile ride in. A number of times since I had been here I have rode east to Wrightstown, but just about every time I turned around there and headed back. Not really sure why I hadn't went further, but today I decided too.
I've mapped my route out at Bikely (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Appleton-De-Pere-Loop)
Just east of Appleton, there is a bike lane on Wisconsin avenue for 3 miles into Little Chute. It would be nice if more roads had bike lanes like this, but that is a different post for a different time. I just follow the main drag through Little Chute until I get to Kaukauna and cross the Fox River there. One of the bridges is a metal structure, which doesn't seem to bother you as long as you don't slow down. Swing left past a baseball field and then at the Y intersection of County Z and County ZZ, continue on County ZZ so you hug the river.
This is where the good part of the ride starts. The road hugs the river so you get a lot of nice views. Also, to the left of County ZZ is not really farmed, so on an October day like today, you have quite a few trees in fall colors. County ZZ passes through Wrightstown at about the 15 mile mark, and then its more of the same as you go towards De Pere.
I meant to take a left onto Old Military Road, but missed the turn and wound up taking Highway 32 North into De Pere. It wasn't bad. There was not too much traffic and there was a sufficiently wide shoulder to ride in. Once into De Pere, the should disappears, but its two lanes each direction, so traffic was not a problem.
Getting to downtown De Pere, I decided to look around a bit instead of just crossing the bridge and coming back. The downtown area seemed very clean and pedestrian friendly. There is also a paved bike/walking path along the river I rode a couple miles on. Overall, it looks like they have done a nice job with the area. Lots of people out walking and biking.
I crossed the bridge back to the North side of the Fox River (and I should metion there is both a pedestrian and bike line on the bridge) to start to head back. Lost Dauphin Road becomes County Road D. Fo a while you have more good views of the river and of some very impressive homes built along the river, but around Little Rapids, the views start to disappear. This same road eventually takes you back into Wrightstown.
From here, I stay on Wisconsin 96 until I can pick up County JJ. There doesn't seem to be much traffic on WI 96 in this area, and its easier just to get to JJ because then you can get directly to Appleton without winding around (I've would around these roads before, but today I wanted a more direct route). Once on County JJ, its just riding past farms until you get to where you want to turn off--French Road, Ballard, Meade. And then its back into Appleton.
There are stores to refuel in De Pere and both times you go through Wrightstown (stores North and South of the river). Terrain is pretty flat, which is typical for Appleton. Today winds were out of the southeast, so headwind out, tailwind back. Traffic is very low on the rural roads, but of course there is traffic going through Little Chute, Kaukauna, Wrightstown and De Pere. No where is really dangerous, but there is a roundabout by the bridge in De Pere, so that is a good place to be careful. Bikely shows the ride as 50 miles even. I ended up with 52.9 due to my little bike trail foray.
Overall, this is a great ride. Very scenic, low traffic and some good miles.
I've mapped my route out at Bikely (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Appleton-De-Pere-Loop)
Just east of Appleton, there is a bike lane on Wisconsin avenue for 3 miles into Little Chute. It would be nice if more roads had bike lanes like this, but that is a different post for a different time. I just follow the main drag through Little Chute until I get to Kaukauna and cross the Fox River there. One of the bridges is a metal structure, which doesn't seem to bother you as long as you don't slow down. Swing left past a baseball field and then at the Y intersection of County Z and County ZZ, continue on County ZZ so you hug the river.
This is where the good part of the ride starts. The road hugs the river so you get a lot of nice views. Also, to the left of County ZZ is not really farmed, so on an October day like today, you have quite a few trees in fall colors. County ZZ passes through Wrightstown at about the 15 mile mark, and then its more of the same as you go towards De Pere.
I meant to take a left onto Old Military Road, but missed the turn and wound up taking Highway 32 North into De Pere. It wasn't bad. There was not too much traffic and there was a sufficiently wide shoulder to ride in. Once into De Pere, the should disappears, but its two lanes each direction, so traffic was not a problem.
Getting to downtown De Pere, I decided to look around a bit instead of just crossing the bridge and coming back. The downtown area seemed very clean and pedestrian friendly. There is also a paved bike/walking path along the river I rode a couple miles on. Overall, it looks like they have done a nice job with the area. Lots of people out walking and biking.
I crossed the bridge back to the North side of the Fox River (and I should metion there is both a pedestrian and bike line on the bridge) to start to head back. Lost Dauphin Road becomes County Road D. Fo a while you have more good views of the river and of some very impressive homes built along the river, but around Little Rapids, the views start to disappear. This same road eventually takes you back into Wrightstown.
From here, I stay on Wisconsin 96 until I can pick up County JJ. There doesn't seem to be much traffic on WI 96 in this area, and its easier just to get to JJ because then you can get directly to Appleton without winding around (I've would around these roads before, but today I wanted a more direct route). Once on County JJ, its just riding past farms until you get to where you want to turn off--French Road, Ballard, Meade. And then its back into Appleton.
There are stores to refuel in De Pere and both times you go through Wrightstown (stores North and South of the river). Terrain is pretty flat, which is typical for Appleton. Today winds were out of the southeast, so headwind out, tailwind back. Traffic is very low on the rural roads, but of course there is traffic going through Little Chute, Kaukauna, Wrightstown and De Pere. No where is really dangerous, but there is a roundabout by the bridge in De Pere, so that is a good place to be careful. Bikely shows the ride as 50 miles even. I ended up with 52.9 due to my little bike trail foray.
Overall, this is a great ride. Very scenic, low traffic and some good miles.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)