Oh Shoot

I finally had a chance to sit down and plan out a training plan at lunch today. If I'm going to do 100 in Palm Springs I need to really get going. 50 Miles already this Sunday.

Need to get going. Hope it doesn't get too cold this winter.

Season Recap

Ok the cycling season is pretty much over now. My last big ride was last week, the Tour de Poway, and now work really kicks into high gear through xmas, so I really don't have time to train for anything until next year.

I'll just briefly recap each ride from the most recent back to my last post.

TOUR DE POWAY CENTURY. This was a tough one. This is a 100 miles loop of North County, going from Poway to Ramona, back though Escondido, though Vista to the Coast, then south to Del Mar and then back east to Poway. It's not a particularly hard Century, there is not a lot of climbing, but it's not easy either.

This was the first century I ever tried last year, and had to pull up after about 55 miles last year due to an injury.

I was feeling pretty good through the first 60 miles or so. The next 10 were tough, and miles 70-80 just sucked... I was hating life so bad. If I could have quit, I might have, but I had no other way to get back to my car, but to ride there. I stopped twice just to catch my breath and get a breather, and I usually never stop. After about 85 miles I noticed my bike felt a little shaky. I got off and spun my back wheel and it spun twice and stopped. One of my spokes came loose again and the wheel was totally rubbing on the brake. So I was riding with my brakes on for how long I have no idea, but I would guess for most of that time that I was really struggling.

Anyway, I am glad I finished, I knew I could, but it tends to be one of those mind over matter things when you go for that long (7 hours and 10 minutes in the saddle). Lotus was there at the finish with Fia and a few friends, but the battery on the camera was dead. Gotta love that!!! Well get that crossing the finishline picture eventually.

CYCLE EASTLAKE - this was a metric century (100K - 62 miles) around the 20th of September. This was a nice little ride that mainly went down and back on the SB Fwy, then went out Otay Lakes to the 94, then southeast on the 94 to Barrat Junction and back. There is a freaking big hill out there at Barrat Junction. But besides that one hill, it was not too bad. There were a lot more riders than I thought there would be (probably about 300), so for a local ride, it was not too bad.

AMTRAK CENTURY - This was a full 100 miles from Irvine to Downtown San Diego. This was a real nice ride, fairly flat, not too hard, but I had a few small problems with the directions. It's called the Amtrak Century because you have the option to return to Irvine on the train. Usually most rides are an out and back or a big loop, so this one being one way was more unique, thus the return trip on the train.

Because I travel with my own support team we went up to Irvine the day before and they met me half way down with new water bottles and gels, then picked me up at the end. I gotta say I have the best support team on the century circuit. I would do this ride again, it was a good course, mostly good road conditions and fairly fast.

COOL BREEZE CENTURY - This ride was a blast. It was very well supported, the course was gorgeous, it was harder than I was expecting, but not overwhelming. The only part I did not like was a stretch you ride on old Hwy 1 along the ocean front. The road is below the new Hwy 101 and so they don't maintain the old Hwy 1 anymore. The road condition sucks on that stretch, but besides that this ride rocks. I will definitely do this ride again. The ride goes from Ventura up the coast to Santa Barbara. Does a big loop around Santa Barbara into the foothill, up to Goleta and back down along the waterfront.

One interesting thing I noticed on this ride was a building a little south of Carpinteria. It said CKE with a star on it. Only because I freaking eat there 2 or 3 times a week, did I know it was Carls Jr HQ. Who would of thought the HQ of a big fast food chain would be in a nice looking 2 story bldg on the coast about 20 minutes south of Santa Barbara. It was weird because really it's not that close to anything commercial, like an airport, or a real major city, etc. But then again, do you really need that these days???

That's a real quick recap of my rides. I really like my new bike. Full carbon is the way to go if you can afford it. Smooths out the ride a lot. I've lost a few more pounds and my body fat has gone down a bit, but I've still got a way to go. During the winter I am going to work as much as I can on intelligent training as far as intervals and strengh and core training, so when I pick up the mileage in the Spring I should be in a better starting place.

Ok need to stop typing and do some exercises.

So Far So Good

Only 2 weeks left until I head off to Ventura for the Cool Breeze. Remarkably everything is going ok. Last weekend I planned to do about 75-80 miles as my training ride and ended up doing 83. I felt real good at the end also. I probably could have done 100 that day if I had the time.

I have a little soreness in the knees from time to time, but nothing really painful. I was thinking about raising my seat a hair since most of the pain is in the front of my knee, which usually indicates your seat is too low. So I raised it a bit this morning on my short ride around here before I went to work and that pain sort of went away. I'll keep it there and see how the ride on Sunday goes (planning to do about 85).

Couple of short rides during the week, 60 next weekend, one or two short ones again the following week, then the Century.

The only other things I am experimenting with are my shorts. I'm really favoring my bib shorts, espeically for these long rides. I'm going to try the performance bib's I bought a few weeks ago this sunday and see how they go. I haven't gone more than 35ish with them so far, so we'll see. I have another pair of bib's from descente (team CSC) which are comfy, but the pad isn't as cushy as some others, so that's always a consideration with these extreme distances.

I also sent my Garmin back to Garmin for service. It just kept turning off for no reason and they said that they would fix it for free since it was a known problem. They said I should have it back in 7-10 days from when they get it. They got it on Tuesday and I included a note in it that asked them to please try to have it back to me in time for my ride, but we'll see.

Other than that, So Far, So Good!!!

Cool Breeze

Lotus says this is going to be my new nickname for a while.

While I was out of town this week I was listening to the Fredcast and he had an interview with a bike shop owner in Ventura. During the interview the host of the Fredcast had mentioned that he has done the Cool Breeze Century before and he really liked it. The Cool Breeze is a Century that goes from Ventura to Santa Barbara and then back. They have a few distances available, but of course I am still looking for my first Century, so I'm going there.

The course is fairly flat, nothing higher than 800 ft, so the Coastal winds will be the biggest obstacle. I may actually change my training to do more into the wind riding and cross wind riding and less hills for the next month. Silver Strand here I come (a lot). I did 75 miles last weekend and included the strand in my ride, so I feel the 100 should be doable (my longest ride has been 92 miles with 6,000 feet of climbing, so this Century should be easier than that, but things can happen).

Need a new Goal

There really are not any more long distance rides in San Diego until October. I think I need an interim goal until then, otherwise I may be even more lazy than I am now.

So I think I'm going to work my way upto a 100 Mile the weekend of July 4th. I did 45 today and will try to do 1o more each Saturday until then. I think I can work in 1 to 2 rides during the week also since it's getting to be light out pretty late now.

At least this is my plan.

Updates

The Solvang Century did not go well. I went about 55-60 miles before calling it a day. We had a real rough night the night before with Sofia, so I did not sleep much, did not eat well the night before and just really had no energy or enthusiam for the ride. It was a realy nice ride, good rest stops and lots and lots of riders. I might actually try it again, but it is pretty far to get there. I would probably go up 2 days before just to make sure I was not so stressed out the dat before.

Then I started to ride with the Trek group again before the San Diego Century (which is tomorrow). BUT.... I really hurt my knee about a month ago on a training ride to Alpine and beyond. My guess is that I just over stressed my knee, becuase I have not had much time (really any) to do any rides during the week, so I just think I overstressed my knee.

After resting it for about a week or two I have started to get back in the saddle. But I'm only upto about 30 miles so far. I might go 35 this weekend. The knees still hurt a bit, so I'm for sure taking is cautiously for now.

I cancelled my entry in the San Diego Century since I knew there was no way I would be able to complete it. But I don't think there is going to be a Poway Century this year, so I'm not sure what is going to be my next goal.

Frackin A

Just like they say on Galactica.

I'm out of town and I brought Thunder with me (YES I NAME MY BIKE, WANT TO FIGHT ABOUT IT!!!) and I was just giving it a quick once over before I put it in my van and noticed the rear wheel was rubbing a lot on the brake. One of the spokes had apparently become very loose and caused the wheel to go WAY out of true.

This is a total pisser, I can't imagine how much more effort I put in to cover that distance. Thinking back I was noticing that it felt a little wobbly going down some of the descents to Alpine. It shouldn't have since I just took it in, but I did not think anything of it at the time. They actually have mechanics at all the stops who could have fixed this for me right there if I would have thought to check it.

ANOTHER VALUABLE LESSON LEARNED....for whatever that's worth...

I'm stronger for it now??? Yea that's it...

DNF

Yes again on my second try to complete a Century I got another DNF as my result. I enjoyed the ride and it was pretty tough and hot. Most of the climbing was done in the East Country Mountains and it was about 90 out there. I felt like I was struggling, but when I looked back at my splits and time on my garmin I was actually doing ok.

I made a huge rookie mistake and wore a new pair of gloves. I had bought them a few months ago and figured the new fresh padding would be a benefit on this long ride.

DON'T EVER WEAR OR EAT ANYTHING NEW ON A CENTURY.

After about 30 miles my hand really started hurting, I could feel a blister developing. It hurt to grab the handlebar. Around mile 45 it was real bad. I took off the glove then, which helped, but it still hurt. At the rest stop at mile 59 I had pretty much decided to call it a day as to not agrevate the blister. I have another century in 2 weeks in Solvang, which is more important of the 2 to finish since I could do the Granfondo anyday myself since it's in my backyard.

I knew not to do anything new on a ride, I've heard this from other people, but the gloves were the same as my current gloves, so I figured it would be ok.... wrong...

Anyway I did go 77 miles, burned 5800 calories and lost about 5 pounds, and climbed 5500 feet accorind to my Garmin. I also tweaked my back going up Fury Lane, a freaking steep climb after youv'e already gone about 76 miles. I went a lot harder than I normally would have, since I thought I was going to have Lotus pick me up on the park at the top of the hill... Again a rookie mistake.

Lesson learned (and I guess reinforced) and now to prep for the Solvang Century. I'm actually going up in there this week for work, so I may scout out a bit of the course. It really helps if you know what's coming to you can pace out your effort.

SUNDAY.SUNDAY..SUNDAY....!!!!

Ok the Granfondo is this Sunday. I went for a short ride this afternoon just to see how everything felt. I am very worried about the leg, but everything felt fine.

I did not really push it for obvious reasons, but so far, so good. I'm just worried that I'll go out too slow, but I guess if I have energy towards the end I can always crank it up in the last 20 since it's flat to down hill more or less.

I think I have to also remember not to kill myself Sunday since I have the Solvang Century just 2 weeks later.

They changed the course a bit from the initial layout, probably to accomodate the rest stops. So becuase of this the course actually goes right by my house on Medical Center (my ETA about 8am) and then goes within a block of another friends house in Rancho San Diego (have not figured out my ETA there yet).

Did I mention my bike is in sweet condition though. I took it to Trek to get a few things done to it (new chain, new front deraileur cable, true back wheel) and man does it feel good. The best thing was the cable, that was way overdue. Shifts like a champ now, almost seems like it's electric (yes they make those now if you got the $$$).

Well here we go!!!

NOT AGAIN!!!!

I went for a ride on Saturday, my last long ride before the Granfondo on Sunday the 1st. I was hoping to do about 65-70 miles.

My first 40 miles were great. I felt that I was going slow, but my avg MPH were pretty good for me. I went home, refilled the water bottle and headed out for the last 30 miles.

I think I cooled down too much, I was really tired leaving my house, but I pushed on. After about 8 miles I started to feel a lot better, got out to the lake and then it reared it's ugly head. That fricking pain on the side of my leg came back. It has totally been gone for almost two months now and now decides to come back the week before my ride WTF.

All I can do is try to do my PT exercises, ice it and take lots of aleve. There is a 50 mile option on the Granfondo, so I have that, but I was ready (more or less) for the hills and the challenge of the 100 miles. But I have the Solvang Century on the 15th, so I guess it's better not to push it in the Granfondo, so I can have a good go of it in Solvang.

Man this sucks...

5,000 Miles

Rode my 5,000th mile on Thunder last week. It was a very hard ride last week, so I did not even realize I hit that milestone until later in the week when I was reviewing the ride in my head. I dis all of the hills in the Granfondo, so I know I can do those. It's just the endurance to get through the rest of the ride that concerns me.

I went out for a ride on Sunday hoping to do 72 miles, but only ended up doing 42 becuase of the weather conditions. It wasn't raining, but it was pretty cold and windy. Wind is a bitch on a bike. I was riding accross the bridge on the SBFwy and felt like I was going to get blown over the side. Also riding into a head wind sucks. Normally I would do about 25 mph on certain parts, but was only doing about 16mph.

More rain and cold scheduled for this weekend, soooo....

I'm committed now

Ok I paid my money, so now I'm committed to the 3 events on the right. We'll see what happens. Only 4 weeks until the first one now. Luckily that one is basically in my back yard, so I can train on big chunks of the course a head of time. This weekend I'll do a lot of climbing (up Honey Springs and then maybe half of the rest of the climbs), then next weekend a longer ride with medium hills, the following weekend a real long ride covering most of the century, then following week an easier ride, then the century...

It just better not rain on any of these weekends, or I'm going be screwed.

Training Sir

What kind of training????

Army Training Sir...

Just had that going through my head all day saturday on my training ride around here. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just ask any guy who went to high school in the mid 80's.

Chuckles like that help a lot to keep you going. The distract from the pains you inevitably feel after doing any physical activity for 3-4 hours.

Cycling Training Sir...

I was going to ride with the Trek group yesterday, they are starting their training series for the San Diego Century which is in May, so they are only at 25 miles today (wow I said only). But if I rode with them I would only really have time to do that milage since I would also have to add in travel time to get to the site of the ride and other inevitable delays.

So I chose to ride myself around here, hoping to do about 65 miles. Couple of loops near the lake, maybe once or twice on the SB Fwy, about 5 hours in the saddle, maybe 6 in total including pit stops, waterbottle refills, etc.

I actually only did 49.4 miles, but I'm glad i did ride here. At least I got twice the milage in. It was pretty cold and I now pretty much have come to the conclusion that I am not good in cold weather. I started at 9am and it was about 60 at that time. That isn't really that cold, but you have to bundle up for various reasons.

But whenever it has been cold I have not riden well. I usually end up going 1-1.5mph slower when it is cold out, vs. when it is warmer and sunny. Plus I usually go for longer distances when it is warmer. When I rode with the Trek group we mostly started at about 7:30am and I was always at the back for the first hour or two. But at the end 12-2pm I was always on the lead. I just pick up as it warms up.

It's not just a starting thing though, becuase when I ride in the afternoon, I am full power right out the door.

So I am a bit concerned about my ride in Solvang (which is about a hour North on Santa Barabara, but still on the Coast. It's going to be freaking cold there. I was looking at pictures of riders on their website and they were all pretty bundled up. I guess we'll see. I'll actually be in that area the week before on business, so I'll be able to get a better idea about the weather conditions, but I'm still a little (actually a lot) concerned.

So Far So Good

I've been able to get in a few rides since Christmas and everything seems to be going well so far. I've done Honey Springs twice now, which is a 50 mile round trip, so I'm optimistic. There are 3 rides I'm thinking about for this Spring. The first is Mar 1 which will actually go right by my house and up Honey Springs Road.

The others are linked to the right. I'm a bit worried about trying the Granfondo followed by the Solvang Century 2 weeks later, but I figure if I don't ride too much in between the 2 rides I should be able to complete the second.

This weekend I will try to go 60 miles around here. If I can do that I think my leg problems will be finally be behind me.

Now I just need to work on my speed.