It has been a few weeks, but the winter competition for the most miles on the CompuTrainer at The Recyclist ended on March 7th. I finished with a little over 600 miles, which outdistanced everyone else in the field, so I'll be getting a Specialized Tarmac Elite road bike as the prize for winning. I haven't got a new bike in so long I almost don't know how it feels. But I'm excited to try out a full carbon road frame and compare that with my Titanium framed Serotta. I'm also excited tat I'll have two bikes, so I can keep working when one of them is getting worked on.
Thanks to Mike, Randy and Pat at The Recyclist for first of all putting on the competition and secondly, putting up with me all of those nights that I went in to ride. My hope is they will do it again next winter but also that more people come in and try out the CompuTrainer. I think once people try it, they will want to integrate using the CompuTrainer into their winter fitness program.
In the next few days, I'm going to post a full review of my thoughts on the CompuTrainer after riding it for 3 months.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Why Ride When its (Cold, Rainy, Windy, Hot, Crappy) Out
As I posted yesterday, despite pretty cold weather conditions in Appleton (windchills in the low 20's), I was able to get a 34.6 mile ride in. Could I have toughed out a few more miles--probably. But almost 35 miles is nothing to complain about on a day like yesterday. Yes, it would have been easier and warmer to stay in and watch the NCAA tournament game, but this wouldn't have helped me get to my goals.
For me, the short answer to why did I ride yesterday was all about goals. The Great Lakes 200 km brevet is only 4 weeks away. With so few base miles in (285 miles total for the year at the start of the day), snow expected Saturday night eliminating Sunday as a riding option, I wanted to get some miles in. Over the course of a year, a 35 mile ride isn't a big deal. But I didn't want to take a zero for the weekend, especially since spring weather is so unpredictable. At least I got something in.
But I think there is another reason to try to ride on some days when the weather isn't exactly your friend. Most cyclists have some sort of goals. Maybe its doing your town's century ride, maybe its an MS 150, maybe its Ride the Rockies or Cycle Oregon. The fact is, on any event, there are no guarantees about the weather. Events are held rain or shine, warm or cold. If you have been planning and training to do an event for months, you don't want to have to sit out because of weather. So on some of the crummy days, you go out and train so you know how to deal with less than ideal conditions. Here are some examples:
For me, the short answer to why did I ride yesterday was all about goals. The Great Lakes 200 km brevet is only 4 weeks away. With so few base miles in (285 miles total for the year at the start of the day), snow expected Saturday night eliminating Sunday as a riding option, I wanted to get some miles in. Over the course of a year, a 35 mile ride isn't a big deal. But I didn't want to take a zero for the weekend, especially since spring weather is so unpredictable. At least I got something in.
But I think there is another reason to try to ride on some days when the weather isn't exactly your friend. Most cyclists have some sort of goals. Maybe its doing your town's century ride, maybe its an MS 150, maybe its Ride the Rockies or Cycle Oregon. The fact is, on any event, there are no guarantees about the weather. Events are held rain or shine, warm or cold. If you have been planning and training to do an event for months, you don't want to have to sit out because of weather. So on some of the crummy days, you go out and train so you know how to deal with less than ideal conditions. Here are some examples:
- The year I did Ride the Rockies, one morning we started off and it was 34 degrees. People where complaining about the cold left and right. had been commuting to work on my bike all spring and spent a lot of cold mornings riding to work when it was in the 30's. I knew how to deal with cold. I knew how my body would react and to get myself warmed up, so while everyone else was being miserable, I was OK.
- I did a century ride in Pocatello, ID where 70 miles into the ride, the heavens opened with a rainstorm Noah would have been proud of. In addition to being wet, it cooled off considerably. The last 30 miles were honestly not a lot of fun, but I have ridden in the rain enough to know how my bike handles and how to cope with wet roads so I didn't put my safety at risk
- The next year on that same century in Pocatello, we had a tailwind the first 50 miles and straight into a headwind the last 50. Once again, I've ridden in enough wind to know how to pace myself and how to work my way through it. It is never enjoyable, but I get home.
- I can't even count how many long rides I've done when the temp has been over 100 degrees. But I know from experience how much I need to be drinking in that weather. And I know when my body is telling me that maybe a little longer break and some more fluids is in order, so I can address that before it becomes a problem.
Yes We Can (Ride when it is really cold out)
OK, so maybe it wasn't really cold out, but it was plenty cold enough. It has not been a good week for weather in Appleton. Early in the week there was lots of rain and wind, with cooler temperatures. Thursday was the best day--low 40's with some wind, but you could ride. Friday was dry with no wind, but a high of only 36. Still, you can ride when its 36 and I did. Today, Saturday, I think the high was 34. During my ride the temp was between 31 and 34. But what really gets you is that 15-20 mph wind out of the Northeast. That equates to windchills anywhere from 19-24 degrees F. Cold.
It is my desire to do the Great Lakes 200 km Brevet on April 25th, so just 4 weeks away. While I've been able to train the last couple weekends, there just aren't a lot of miles in my legs yet, and if you are going to do a 200 km ride in a month, you better get some base miles in and build some endurance. So cold as it was, I headed out.
I wound up doing 34.6 miles. The first 25 miles or so I was actually fine and didn't really feel cold. I t the 26 mile point, I dropped into Recyclist to see my buddies there. When I cam back out, it was just 8 miles home, but it seemed to get a lot colder while I was in there.
Anyway, the point is, you can ride if you prepare for it. The worst part is actually sitting in your house before the ride thinking about how cold it is. If you can get out there, and get through those first 3-5 miles, usually you are OK. On a cold day like today, the extremities will get cold, so you have to manage that, but it is possible to get a good ride in. As cold as it was today, I don't feel like 34.6 miles is anything to be ashamed of. And a couple years ago, I did a 200 km brevet in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and I doubt the air temp ever got over 38 all day (fortunately there was no wind that day).
You always hear people say you can ride if you dress for it. But no one ever says what they do to dress for it. So I'm going to do that here. Today, this is what I wore
When dressing for the cold, pay special attention to the extremities. For me, its always my fingers that get cold first. Having the glove liners actually really helps. It creates another dead air space. I also really like the Gavia gloves. They have a long cuff that will go over your jersey or jacket and prevent any wind from getting onto your wrists.
Some sort of thermal headband to cover your ears is a must too. I put the beanie over the headband and under my helmet, and my head wasn't cold at all.
One final piece of advice. When shopping for winter cycling gear, consider buying things like jackets a size larger than you normally would. First, in the winter you are riding less, so you may not be as fit and trim as normal. Second, remember you are going to be layering all this gear over other gear. You don't want your clothing so tight you can't move. On the other hand, be sure its not too loose or you defeat the whole purpose of layering by not creating dead air spaces.
Anyway, Appleton is supposed to get 3 inches of snow tonight, so its good I got a ride in today.
It is my desire to do the Great Lakes 200 km Brevet on April 25th, so just 4 weeks away. While I've been able to train the last couple weekends, there just aren't a lot of miles in my legs yet, and if you are going to do a 200 km ride in a month, you better get some base miles in and build some endurance. So cold as it was, I headed out.
I wound up doing 34.6 miles. The first 25 miles or so I was actually fine and didn't really feel cold. I t the 26 mile point, I dropped into Recyclist to see my buddies there. When I cam back out, it was just 8 miles home, but it seemed to get a lot colder while I was in there.
Anyway, the point is, you can ride if you prepare for it. The worst part is actually sitting in your house before the ride thinking about how cold it is. If you can get out there, and get through those first 3-5 miles, usually you are OK. On a cold day like today, the extremities will get cold, so you have to manage that, but it is possible to get a good ride in. As cold as it was today, I don't feel like 34.6 miles is anything to be ashamed of. And a couple years ago, I did a 200 km brevet in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and I doubt the air temp ever got over 38 all day (fortunately there was no wind that day).
You always hear people say you can ride if you dress for it. But no one ever says what they do to dress for it. So I'm going to do that here. Today, this is what I wore
- A long sleeve base layer
- A long sleeve wool jersey from Portland Cyclewear
- An outer cycling jacket from Sporthill. These can also be used for Nordic skiing, and are nice because the front is windproof but the back allows you to breath
- Pearl Izumi Ultra Sensor shorts (same shorts I always wear)
- Pearl Izumi Leg Warmers
- Pearl Izumi Tights over the shorts and Leg Warmers
- Wool socks
- Toe Warmers
- Pearl Izumi glove liners
- Pearl Izumi Gavia gloves
- Pearl Izumi Thermafleece headband
- A Beanie type cycling cap under my helmet
When dressing for the cold, pay special attention to the extremities. For me, its always my fingers that get cold first. Having the glove liners actually really helps. It creates another dead air space. I also really like the Gavia gloves. They have a long cuff that will go over your jersey or jacket and prevent any wind from getting onto your wrists.
Some sort of thermal headband to cover your ears is a must too. I put the beanie over the headband and under my helmet, and my head wasn't cold at all.
One final piece of advice. When shopping for winter cycling gear, consider buying things like jackets a size larger than you normally would. First, in the winter you are riding less, so you may not be as fit and trim as normal. Second, remember you are going to be layering all this gear over other gear. You don't want your clothing so tight you can't move. On the other hand, be sure its not too loose or you defeat the whole purpose of layering by not creating dead air spaces.
Anyway, Appleton is supposed to get 3 inches of snow tonight, so its good I got a ride in today.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Feels Like Summer Again…
The long Wisconsin winter has finally appeared to break. Today it was 45 degrees, tomorrow will be 49 and Monday and Tuesday of next week will be in the low to mid fifties. With the warmer weather and roads that are clear of snow, I can finally start riding again.
I did a 35 mile ride today, from home down to High Cliff State Park, then back up to the CE trail via Military Road and Harwood Road. I dropped into the Recyclist to purchase a new cycle computer and then used Prospect Ave to get back to Washington Street in Kimberly and across the bridge and back home. It was a great route. High Cliff State Park is always nice. After climbing the hill, I came straight back down, out the gate and took a right onto Spring Hill that took me to Military Road. There was another smaller hill here, but it was cool to do something different than just to come back via State Park Road.
My only complaint was with Outagamie County. In several places, the CE trail is still covered by snow, forcing me to get off and walk over the snow. Eventually, I gave up and just road on CE (College Ave). The traffic out east isn’t too bad an there is a shoulder, so safety was fine. But come on folks, its springtime after a long hard winter. People want to get outside and after being indoors for the last 3 ½ months. Lets get the trail plowed. We pay a lot of taxes in Wisconsin, I wouldn’t think it would be too hard to get someone out there to plow the trail.
There were quite a few people outdoors today in Appleton. Mostly people out walking, a few runners and a few cyclists. It was great to see. I think everyone is ready to do something other than huddle indoors and try to stay warm.
I’ll see how I feel tomorrow, but I’ll get another ride in. I’d love to do 40-50 miles, but early in the season, you just have to see how you feel. I feel like I’m a couple of weeks behind where I would like to be with my training and building a base. So I want to get out there and get some miles in. But I need to be careful not to overdo it too. So I’ll do something, but I’m not sure what yet.
But it doesn’t matter. Spring is here. I can ride outside again. The sun shined a little brighter today.
I did a 35 mile ride today, from home down to High Cliff State Park, then back up to the CE trail via Military Road and Harwood Road. I dropped into the Recyclist to purchase a new cycle computer and then used Prospect Ave to get back to Washington Street in Kimberly and across the bridge and back home. It was a great route. High Cliff State Park is always nice. After climbing the hill, I came straight back down, out the gate and took a right onto Spring Hill that took me to Military Road. There was another smaller hill here, but it was cool to do something different than just to come back via State Park Road.
My only complaint was with Outagamie County. In several places, the CE trail is still covered by snow, forcing me to get off and walk over the snow. Eventually, I gave up and just road on CE (College Ave). The traffic out east isn’t too bad an there is a shoulder, so safety was fine. But come on folks, its springtime after a long hard winter. People want to get outside and after being indoors for the last 3 ½ months. Lets get the trail plowed. We pay a lot of taxes in Wisconsin, I wouldn’t think it would be too hard to get someone out there to plow the trail.
There were quite a few people outdoors today in Appleton. Mostly people out walking, a few runners and a few cyclists. It was great to see. I think everyone is ready to do something other than huddle indoors and try to stay warm.
I’ll see how I feel tomorrow, but I’ll get another ride in. I’d love to do 40-50 miles, but early in the season, you just have to see how you feel. I feel like I’m a couple of weeks behind where I would like to be with my training and building a base. So I want to get out there and get some miles in. But I need to be careful not to overdo it too. So I’ll do something, but I’m not sure what yet.
But it doesn’t matter. Spring is here. I can ride outside again. The sun shined a little brighter today.
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