AT Cycling Log - 100,000 miles done! Next stop ???

[_Rick_]

What's recommended for long rides? Triple or Compact crank? Or does it not really matter since I don't really change gear at all.

Go for a compact. Even here in the Alps, I manage to get by, so unless you have really crazy slopes (>10%) you plan on hitting, a generous compact should do it. 50/34 +11-28 is what I currently ride. Plenty of gears to keep it easy up to around 7%, after that you have to change strategy and slow the cadence on long climbs.

I've been riding last years model of this: http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2504

The SRAM Force group is really nice, and having a decent set of "compromise" wheels, that are quite light, without insanely breaking the bank (still 500 euro for a set...) included is great.
While you can get carbon frames at that money, often you'll end up with a heavier bike, and a fragile frame, so as a daily commuter I was readily convinced that a carbon fork would do.
Problem with Canyon is, they only sell in Europe...

The Madone has a slightly slower (Tiagra, ugh, not a full 105...) Cassette, so you should be fine for climbs, but probably max out a bit earlier for descents.

I can highly recommend the SRAM group though, double-tap is pretty nifty once you got used to it. And you really might want to look at used bikes, can save a fair penny there, some people get a new bike quite often, or sell bad fits, so usually you can make a pretty nice deal.

Anyway, changing gear is important for those long runs, as sometimes you've got wind, long climbs or similar, and if you're going all-out, you just won't be able to keep up. In the flat, I usually only use 3 gears though, depending on the wind (50: 19/17/16 or something like that).

Also look at the Specialized bikes, they may have something interesting in that price range. And of course, before you buy, make sure you order the right fit. Even just a replacement stem, to get more comfy, will be an unnecessary supplementary expenditure


edit: and another 12 today.

Total: 10791

 

[Baked]

Went night riding last night along the beach. 13 miles.

Total: 10,804

 

[jman19]

19 miles today

Total: 10,823

 

[Maximilian]

EDIT: Ignore, got mixed up with the running thread sry.

 

[_Rick_]

Planning to ride this tomorrow:

https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...NXAA&t=h&mra=dvme&mrsp=3&sz=12&via=1,2,3&z=11

Slightly daunting, as that small climb is pretty brutal, but the break before the longer/gentler one should allow me to recover. Sill, a 100km ride is going to feel pretty long.
Let's hope the weather stays reasonable and cool, with no big rainfalls or storms.
Never been to that side of the Vercors, so pretty excited to discover some new places.
After a rest day today, and only short rides the days before, I should be in sufficient shape - the last few miles are downhill anyway. First time I'll attempt two real climbs (i.e. more than 200 meters per climb) on a day.

If I don't feel in great shape, might skip the first climb, and just go around....
But let's not think about failure!

 

[highland145]

EDIT: Ignore, got mixed up with the running thread sry.

Sure you did.:sneaky:

19 also

Total:10842

 

[Demo24]

Only made it 13 today, at a quite slow 12mph. Wanted to go for a longer ride, felt good the first 4 or so and got myself over the most challenging hill on that course without problem. Went down the other side and just hit the wall as things started to rise again, dunno what happened maybe the heat or just tired. Legs felt fine, just no energy so hopefully better tomorrow.

I wish I had a route near me that was pretty flat so I could get up and maintain 20+ mph, with so many hills around here it's going to take me awhile to do that since I'm nearly always going up some sort of incline.

Total: 10855

 

[Ns1]

7/26 - 8
7/27 - 3


Total: 10866

Going for ~20 tomorrow. Hope I don't die.

 

[Blieb]

Morning ride ... 42 mile on road
Afternoon ride ... 14 mile offroad.

Total: 10922

 

[mechBgon]

59 miles: http://app.strava.com/rides/15185081 plus about 3 miles before and after. I tried adding some Hammer Nutrition energy gel to my Gatorade for additional calories. Whether it was the stronger concentration of the energy drink, or myself just having an off-day, it wasn't working out very well :\

At the end of the ride, however, I put in a good effort on the lower section of Fish Lake Trail. 23.5mph average for 7.5 miles, on a 33-pound mountain bike, on a very gradual downgrade! Now I'm 6th on the Strava leaderboard, behind some roadies and a triathlete: http://app.strava.com/segments/1484046

So that's +62 miles today, and I did 3 miles yesterday commuting, for...

Total: 10987

 

[_Rick_]

Right.

First 15 km to the first climb started with the wind in the face, but I was making reasonable progress. Luckily the tree across the road was just after the emergency turn off, which I then took, and went for the first climb.
500 meters on 7km or so, and especially the last quarter had some downright brutal parts. Well, got over it still feeling pretty well, about 90 minutes after I departed. Back down into the valley, and onto around 10 kilometers of straight along the river, not perfectly flat, but almost. Still making good speed. Turn left onto the road to the col de Romeyère. Expected it to be a gentle climb to the plateau.
Was mistaken.
Grade wasn't overly brutal, but still felt like around 8% in parts, with the average probably around 6-7. At the bottom I saw the first sign of bad things to come, but being commited, I shrugged it off. After all, why could it possibly be important to have light on my bike? Can't believe such idiotic road signs.
Well, after much suffering in the heat, I make it to the tunnel. A 500 meter, single lane, non-illuminated tunnel. Black hole of death. But I was so lucky! A car went right past me, as I got to the tunnel entrance, so I followed it's red lights. Sadly, the tunnel was still climbing, and I'm not sure the driver was truly aware that I was behind him, depending on him. Suddendly the grade really picked up, and I thought 'well, that's it...' But in the last moment before I lost sight of him, I saw daylight in the distance.
Surely,I told myself, the tunnel is as the apex of the col. Oh, how I was mistaken. While the rest of the climb wasn't as steep as the first part, it did continue for quite a while. Topped out after over 800 meters of climbing.
Then came the bad part. Going down, I realized, that this col had not taken me onto the plateau. And every meter I descended, I'd have to climb again. I think the descent bottomed out after around 300 meters, and surely, a third, non-expected climb awaited me. I was burnt out, running low on both bottles, and faced with another climb of around 300 meters. Now, it wasn't exactly the steepest of climbs, but oh boy, was I going up slowly. As I topped out onto the plateau, I was so happy, and luck of luck, I found a drinking water fountain. After filling both my bottles to the brim, I had some refreshed energy, but my stomach was slowly getting a bit tender.
Rode the 10 km's or so on the plateau at a reasonable pace, but bot my best. Descent into the valley also worked well. And the final leg home, I could at last benefit from the wind, that had bothered me on the way out.

So, 60 miles of distance, one mile of total climb (not counting minor unevenness in the road) and got home after 4 hours and 40 minutes. Not the best pace at 13mph, but quite grueling nonetheless.

Total

11047

 

[Baked]

Funny how when you split up your rides, you end up with a lot more miles! Did 10 today.

Total: 11,057

 

[drteming]

20 miles this morning before going in to work. I hate call weeks.

Total: 11,077

 

[KMc]

45 miles this morning at sunrise. Clear blue skies, light winds and comfortably warm temps.

Total: 11,122

 

[Demo24]

16 today, think the heat is getting to me lately which it hasn't bothered me as much before.

Total: 11, 138

 

[Ns1]

+6 on Saturday

Did my first "climb" - went to Griffith Park and took the uphill route. Holy shit, brutal. 1-2 halfway up, then break, then 1-1 another quarter way, then 1-1 to the top.

That was a whole 1.5 miles.

I'm putting it in the weekly rotation - I'm gonna keep hammering it until it's easier.


Total: 11, 144

 

[KMc]

I'm gonna keep hammering it until it's easier.

It never gets easier, you just go faster.

 

[Ns1]

It never gets easier, you just go faster.

ugh

 

[_Rick_]

It never gets easier, you just go faster.

Actually:
For the long rides I did have to learn to...take it easy.
Otherwise you'll just burn up before you hit the slopes, and then you'll lose out worse, than going slightly slower for the first part would have cost you.

So it depends a bit on what your goal is. You can also substitute faster with further

 

[Phanuel]

actually:
For the long rides i did have to learn to...take it easy.
Otherwise you'll just burn up before you hit the slopes, and then you'll lose out worse, than going slightly slower for the first part would have cost you.

So it depends a bit on what your goal is. You can also substitute faster with further

Nope! It never gets easier!

Hope these doctors can figure out what's wrong with my back and give me a solution to the endless agony I'm in after 30 minutes of decent exertion that I never had during college. Climbing 3700' while in pain for 2500' of it is really fun, let me tell you...

 

[drteming]

It never gets easier, you just go faster.

Ahh, a follower of The V.

 

[mechBgon]

I was planning to do a decent ride after work today, but had to work late. Maybe tomorrow... for now, +3 miles.

Total: 11,147

 

[serpretetsky]

+13 miles today
Total: 11160

 

[Schmide]

Yesterday

15mi

Total: 11175

 

[Ns1]

things I learned today: put air in your tires