Blackshirt Propaganda from ManMachine
The anatomy of descending
Today's stage 6 of the Giro d'Italia showcased a 248-kilometer ride from Bressanone, Italy to Mayrhofen, Austria. Michele Scarponi of team Diquigiovanni's led from near start to finish. The 248 km (154 mile) stage featured two steep climbs along the route as well a few subsequent descents.
At one point Scarponi was in a two-man break away with Vasil Kiryienka from Belarus. The two stayed away until Scarponi dropped Kiryienka after the second climb of the day and after Kiryienka flatted and then began to cramp. It looked like Scarponi- some 30 seconds up the road was going to solo the rest of the way.
But on the third descent, Kiryienka amazingly caught back up. This is where the true skill of a bike rider shines through. Sure, a rider can train hard to improve his VO2 Max, do intervals and endurance training to be able to sprint fast or go long distances or both- and see real results. But learning how to corner- properly and fast is one of the toughest skills to master on two wheels.
Although mountain bike riders for the most part, are markedly better at cornering fast than road bike riders. Riding a mountain bike riding typically invloves more input from steering and braking and over time, the rider learns how to control the bike using braking and steering inputs. it is a 'feel' that the rider responds to, from the seat and from the bars. It is akin to riding motocross.
On the Universal Sports broadcast today, announcer/analyst Todd G, a former rider himself, nailed it dead-on. Scarponi's lack of cornering skills allowed Kiryienka to catch back up. In a quick tele shot, you see Scarponi almost crash as his bike wobbles and he nearly washes out. No doubt Scarponi spooked himself and was probably even more tentative after that near-miss. Todd then stated the most important, key element of cornering- Counter Steering.
In short, counter steering moves the wheels out from under he center of mass. It involves turning the front wheel in the opposite direction you want to turn the bike, be it a motorcycle or a bicycle. Counter-steering is achieved by pushing on the inside of the handle bar in the opposite direction you actually want to go.
SBK rider Miguel Duhamel shows off his counter steering ability (notice how the front wheel is pointed right- but he and his machine are turning left!
The idea of counter steering seems counter intuitive (no pun intended!) but the laws of physics dictate otherwise.
US announcer, Todd G made a few more statements that were so precise and so clear as to what it is and what it takes to descend a mountain fast and efficient. He said, counter steering on a bicycle, because of its light weight is so very subtle. Which is spot on. He also said that most cyclists do not really understand counter steering- also spot on. Proof of this lies in the many crashes and road run-offs that recreational and pro level riders constantly rack up.
Better evidence of the repeated blunder are the visual accounts of riders blowing corner after corner, turn after turn. Most times you see a rider who enters a corner too fast and suddenly has to scrub off a significant amount of speed, which in turn carries him and his machine out wide- riding off or nearly off the road.
The success rate of riders actually clipping the apex(s) of a corner at high speed is probably no more than 20%. The number one reason why riders do not negotiate turns properly? Not fully understanding counter steering. There are also many ancillary reasons, but counter steering effectively, is the key to successfully rounding the corners- as quick as you like sunshine...
To see the very best at utilizing counter steering, just tune in to a motoGP or any SBK race. These blokes know how to get around a corner and do it fast. In fact, do you want to learn how to be a better at descending? Ride a motorcycle. If you don't have one or cannot get one, go mountain bike riding. The best road rider/racers are former mountain bike rider/racers.
Some quick tips:
(no death grip- this allows the bike to follow its 'natual' centrifugal path - by holding too tight you prevent the front end from following its inherent course) (this causes the already rigid front end to become more unstable)
Remember, a bit slower in...but almost alwaysfaster out.
*The author is a former sportbike and grand prix roadracer
The matrix of muscle around bone, the substance of flesh and blood, a composite that comes to be one- yet in a division of cells there lies a complex Man. Factories mix carbon with forged steel; shape it, heat it, robotic welded, and then formed to some kind of perfection or our perception thereof. Cogs in unison mesh with gears that hum with production-oh but not alone, fore this mass of particles stands still until that matrix applies its human force. Given its pureness of design, its elegance and beauty, that mass is nothing without Man - this sophisticated yet simple Machine. Cogito - Ergo - Zoom
ManMachine is a near perfect symbiotic engagement, but sometimes one can fail the other. In my case it is usually Man. A hard reality to face is aging, and while mid 40's can hardly be seen as old, there is no getting around the fact that Man slows down as he progressivly get older. I could get away with injuries, aches and pains 20, even 10 years ago. But that is no longer is the case, I ache, I hurt, and I don't heal as quickly anymore. The paradox is that I am actually more active now than I was 10, 20 years previous, though the end result is a step slower and a bit more fragile. But I keep pushing my body and pressing my luck, hoping for that near perfect synergy to carry me faster and faster across the line...
Bicycle racing is Hard. Eh, No shit, you don't say there sherlock. Well, yea to all those cyclists who are in the know! But if you don't have the experience or an appreciation of just what it takes to push your body to its physical/aerobic limits then let me reiterate. Bicycle is racing is hard, no wait, make that really fucking hard. 
A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon a local club- Century Road Club of America. BAsically, a bunch of guys and girls who participate in a variety of club races, both road and off-road. I recently joined and took a shot at the Thursday night Road Race event which happens to take place near my apartment. First let me set the stage. I have not ridden much this year, due to a host of crap and what not. So, between some solo and group rides I had logged only about 800 mediocre miles before attempting my first race of 2008. Not exactly a great idea...but I threw caution to the proverbial wind anyway! The 21 mile race is a three lap event that runs on a 7.2 mile circuit through Readington.
Thursday, August 21.
We set off at a blistering pace, about 25-26 mph out of the gate. 
I'm going faster than I wanto to, but I have got to stay in touch with the draft. The group bends through the winding roads and the pace is mad- 28 mph. Now if this were 1/2/3 pro level race it would be fine, but we're talking club guys here! Then there is me, the newbie, and slow as shit! Nearing the end of the first lap I'm barely hanging on and starting to fade- as I watch my speed fall from 27, to 25, to 21 and finally down around 19-20 mph.
It's no use- I'm losing the draft but I've got to keep pedaling, got to keep going. By the end of lap two I'm done, and about to be lapped by the fast guys (who, by the way race in sanctioned events) So I give them plenty of room and slow it down letting them all pass. I'm not going to be the guy who took out the fast riders, or balked a move for the lead...that's for damn sure. I cruised in with a two lap average of 20.8 mph, lungs sucking hard for air, and my leg muscles on fire- no doubt filled with lactic acid. It was humbling to say the least, as I thought maybe, just maybe I wouldn't get lapped...so much for that notion! 
Wednesday August 27.
Ok, so I know that road racing is tough, so maybe I'll try my hand or in this case legs at a Time Trial or as we two-wheeled blokes like to refer to as TT's. The Wednesday night TT runs the same course as the road race, but it is only one lap- 7.21 miles of rolling terrain. It's all out for one lap, right then, as quick as you like sunshine...Super. I planned and prepared since Monday for this run, stretching properly, eating properly, hydrating, and so on, and I felt good on Tuesday with a short easy spin. Wednesday arrives and I feel a bit tired, but I figure it will pass as the day goes on and I get amped up for the TT. I roll out and decide to ride my bike to the start which is only 3 miles away from my door. So far so good.
I get to the start line of the course and sort out all my stuff, I take off my backpack, and set off to do about 45 minutes of warm-up riding. I get no more than 2 miles into my warm-up and BAM! My right quad cramps though not viciously, but enough to make the eyeballs a bit wide and my breath a bit shorter. My first reaction is anger, yup, I'm fucking pissed off, and cursing into the wind. I cannot believe what is happening, I am utterly dismayed and disqusted at the same time. I turn around and head back to retrieve my stuff, and head home. I pedal easy spinning a low gear so as not to lock up the confounded muscle. I get off the bike and have a sit down, and good talking to myself as well! 
I'm all like, wtf? what is going on here? Not that I was really expecting any answers, but I was frustrated and needed to vent. I stretched ever so gently, walked around a bit, drank a lot of water and powerbar mix drink, and tried to massage the knot out. I mean I didn't want to throw the towel in, I wanted to run that damn TT - as it would be the last of the season.
I talked with a few guys and their words of encouragement gave me enough incentive to stay and give it a whirl. Here is where I should inform those who don't me at all or know me well, that for whatever the reasons are, I am a fucking basket case under pressure. To say that my state of mind when competing is a bit fragile...would be a huge mo'fo' understatement. I'm not able to overcome this disadvantage, just yet. Anyway, once something throws me off, I'm usually done, usually. But on this night something would turn out slightly different.
Eddie, the guy who runs the TT calls out our starting positions- based on previous times, but since I didn't have one, I had to make a guess. I told him probably in the 22-23 minute range. Slower riders go out first, so I only have about 15 more minutes before my start. Slowly, my quad is feeling slightly better, as it has loosened up a bit. I feel better, mentally too. I pop an aspirin and a potassium pill, down some more water and get ready to roll off third in line. The only down side is that my warm-up was fairly slow and short, about 8 miles and not nearly at the pace it should have been. Oh well, at least I feel like I can go the distance. Eddie calls out 30 seconds to go...15 seconds to go...then, in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1- go man go!
I rotate leg and foot over and over, putting human force into my machine gradually building my speed. I try to quickly settle into a rhythm of around 21-22 mph, and get ready for the first set of rollers, where I know I will scrub off a bit of momentum. I'm down to 17-18 mph through the section of rolling terrain, but it soon levels out again and I'm back on the gas. A hard right hander with scattered gravel in the road means hauling it down fairly well to negotiate the tricky turn, I keep my eyes up and keep off the brakes- and I'm through ok. On to the chipped stone road - which sucks balls btw, because it leads to the only short, but very steep hill. Stay in the saddle or the rear wheel might spin up...so I grind it out and lose a ton of speed, as I can only manage 6-7 mph up that climb. Good thing it is only about 50-60 yards in length!
I managed to pass both riders who went off ahead of me, and now I'm telling myself maybe only one or two of the real fast guys will come steaming by. Maybe it will be the guy on his P3 Cervelo- decked out in skin suit and aero helmet, or the gent on his beautiful Orbea TT bike, at least I could marvel at that their power and machinery as they go blowing past me eh? Well I just kept pushing, and hoping to make it to the end with no incidents, and as I approached mile 6, I could not believe that no one has yet to come past. Could it be that I won't be lapped? I didn't want to get too confident just yet, so I put my head down and pedaled as hard as I could for the finish. The last 1/2 mile is a false flat and really burns the legs, so I held back a hair to have some reserve in the last few yards or so.
As the finish line came into view, I glanced under my arm to see if I was going to be passed in the waning seconds...and to my surprise there was no one there! I spun up the rpm's then shifted to a higher gear, as high as my legs could bare, then I threw every last bit of energy and force I had left into those cranks and pedals- breathing extremely heavy as my legs burned- so much more than I have ever experienced this year. 25 yards to go...10 yards to go...now 5...whooshing across line I flew- it's over man, it's done. I began to slow my effort, shifting into an easier cog, but I'm breathing so heavy I can barely get the breaths in and out. That was suffering! That was Hard, but fun, but so fucking hard. 
I should also mention that around the 3rd mile, my right contact popped out and stuck to the inside of my sunglasses. G r e a t...now my field of vision is half good half blurred! Depth perception not exactly ideal with one good eye! I tried to just forget about it, and not let the problem affect my race, even though it was annoying and somewhat distracting, I just stuck to job at hand. It isn't the first time a contact lens has come out of my eye during a competition, I remember it happening once in a motorcycle race as well, and at those high track speeds, I pulled into pitlane fairly quickly. But on a bicycle, it is manageable. What a night, first the pre-race cramps, then the mid-race vision obstacle. Not my idea of a smooth event but that is how it sometimes goes...adversity builds character, right? Sure...or, adversity can unravel the best laid plans.
It took me almost 5 minutes to catch my breath and be able to talk! I did manage to glance at the computer as I rolled across the line and saw a 19 something average speed, so I was not too disappointed. Eddie gave us our final times- Gervasi; 21:57 (he tells me "that's a good ride" Thanks man, I needed that) I came in just under my predicted time of 22 minutes, so that was cool. I averaged 20.06 mph over the 7.21 mile rolling course, which for me was not too bad. Considering my half-ass training plan, and the fact that I missed all the previous 12 TT's, I can hang my helmet somewhat high. The winning time was 18:10- the guy on the P3...whew! About a 23.75 mph average pace, now that is fast, blazing fast, man.
Did mention that racing is hard? 
My buddy Joe G knows!
If you have not seen the Frank Schleck crash on Stage 5 in the Tour De Suisse, go review it to see how it unfolded. If have already watched it, then you may or may not understand how it happened. Regardless, Schleck was extremely fortunate not to be seriously injured or worse. That said, he has really no one to blame but himself for the a very "basic" mistake.
The Breakdown:
Schlecks crash actually began a minute or so up the road before he actually lost control of his bicycle. Let's rewind the tape and go back up the mountain to analyze what went wrong and how it could have been avoided. This analysis will preclude any mechanical fault and focus on rider-induced incidents only - and by all indications, the Schleck crash seemed to be just that - rider induced.
As Schleck and Markus Fothen are descending, notice how both riders turn in too early, as most all cyclists do, and is most common in the pro peleton. The difference is that Fothen manages to keep his vision further up the road than Schleck did. Also, Fothen did not panic at the high entry speed into the corner. Apparently, Schleck (from watching the video) perceived his corner entry speed too high, and thought he would not make the corner - so he unclipped his right foot, and most likely was on the binders to slow himself down. But, braking is actually the last thing you want to do when you blow a corner.
By braking, the bicycle or any two wheeled vehicle, tends to "stand up" - meaning the object in question now has an opposing force to the riders input of lean, through body weight and counter-steering and instead of following the arc of the turn wants to go straight on. Braking also inhibits steering input - too much front brake while steering, and the front end will wash out. Too much rear braking destabilizes both the front and the rear of the bike. Consequently those opposing forces cause the chassis/frame to become "upset" or ill-handling which is harder to control - especially at high speeds.
So Schleck and Fothen are flying down the descent in the drops, and just as they pass the stone building on the left, the road starts to bend right - and it's a decreasing radius right hand blind corner. They both begin their turn-in, (which is about a second or two too early) Schleck is positioned on the inside of Fothen, and Schlecks lean angle is more pronounced than Fothen's. As Schleck leans more and more into the turn, his perception of where the apex was - is farther up than he anticipated. He then realizes that he is in too hot - too soon, and tries to scrub off some speed, but makes what could have been - fatal mistakes.
The video is not clear enough to tell, nor is the angle of the video conclusive to see if his eyes veered off course. Although it does appear that he "target fixated" on the guard rail and the trees, instead of the road. Once he did that - it was all over. Mind you, this was all happening within about a 5 to 6 second time frame. But high-speed cornering is a split second exercise and craft. Take superbikes or MotoGp - where high-speed cornering decisions happen in mili-seconds. The point is, that descending at 40 to 50 mph is completely different from the skeleton pace of 25 to 30 mph on the flats, or 15 mph on the climbs. The mental adjustment needed to understand and read the landscape and process that information is enormous, and unfortunately, a lot of riders never come to terms with it. It is a learned craft, not something that comes easy. Descending skills are not a "package" deal just because you are a pro or an elite rider, something that seems lost on the masses as well as the riders themselves.
The combination of Schlecks unclipped foot, probable braking, and target fixation, was the receipe for disaster. He basically had no control over his bicycle, and subsequently went over the guard rail into the trees and shrubs. Missing a drop off by inches. Could Schleck have avoided the crash completely? Could he have saved or prevented the endo at all? Possibly, maybe, but no one can say for sure.
Although, he may have been able to avoid crashing if he delayed his turn-in about a second or two later than he did. He may also have been able to make the turn - albeit very wide if he counter-steered his bicycle with a very firm and decisive input on the right bar. Furthermore, keeping his head up, eyes looking "through" the corner towards the exit of the turn. Sounds easy - right? Well, no it's really not. But when you are a pro rider descending mountain passes at 50 mph - it is a critical and possibly life-saving set of skills. The point at which he unclipped - Schleck had already made the decision to bail instead of trying to think his way out of the inevitable crash. Yes, he maybe had a second to think about it, but it was a crucial second that could have ended his life.
The conclusion is that Schlecks crash was his own fault, his own mistake, that probably could have been prevented. Of course it is not 100% known for sure and there is some slight conjecture in the analysis. The best part of the incident was that Schleck came away unhurt and will live to race another day. Unfortunately, this type of crash will happen again and again, and all riders whether recreational to pro who continue to make the mental mistakes will pay a high price - possibly the ultimate.
My two cents worth of advise (eight years of motorbike racing) would be to take a roadracing or motocross class or school to realize the theories and practices of how Turning, Steering, and Braking really work. Bike handling skills translate perfectly to the bicycle, and gives the rider a more comprehensive understanding on the "mechanics" of two-wheeled handling. I am very surprised at how many riders do not fully understand counter-steering or gyroscopic forces at work on a bicycle. Can't take a motorcycle school or class? Go talk to your mountain bike buddy, because more than likely he or she knows how to handle a bicycle much better than the road guy or girl. Hence, the best road bike descenders are usually former mountain bike racers or riders. As the Tour approaches, look for these similar incidents, and keep on eye on how the majority of the peleton corners. Watch how they rely on leaning their bodies into the turn instead of counter-steering a bit more. Watch how most of the riders turn-in too early which forces the exit too soon and then causes a rider to run wide - nearly off or competely off the road surface.
Watch the cyclists, then when you get a chance watch a Superbike or MotoGp race and see how it is supposed to be done. Yes the speeds are far apart and the propulsion systems are obviously miles apart as well. But the "mechanics" of Turning, Steering, and Braking are the same. Some get it...some don't, and the one's who don't...well, they will keep right on running themselves off the roads. Let's hope their resulting actions leave no scars!
37 degrees outside. Cloudy, with a slight rain. Not ideal for outside activity. Cycling not really an option. Football? Perhaps. But not today. There are approximately 225 hours left in 2007. A year marked by tulmutuous economic performance, political discord, and communistic rumblings. Personally marked, by a uneasy and unfulfilling job. A broken rib, followed by a broken hand. Two moves, one without advanced knowledge, a loss of income, and possibly bankruptcy on the horizon. yet contrasted by a great trip to Switzerland and Germany, and a few other goals achieved.
This years riding was not as much as 2006, but slightly more productive. 20 Less rides, but a higher average speed, with more ascending per ride and overall.
Average miles per ride 2007 | Average miles per ride 2006 |
| 31.21 | 29.33 |
| Average speed per ride | Average speed per ride |
| 15.556 mph | 15.31 mph |
| Average climb per ride 2007 1,090' | Average climb per ride 2006 748' |
2008 looms. A year that will be piviotable and challenging to say the least. I will look upon 2008 with hope, but with realism as well. Happy New year.
"March to the Trenches" plays loudly from the
sidelines, we are just boys pretending; yet striving.
Boys trying to prove what lies beneath the skin.
Summoning all our skills and cunning, however
barely sufficient they may have been.
It's just a game, but a game like no other game,
no matter how many times we played, each game
was the game of all games. Dire and yet foolish all
wrapped up in one. A win was something to brag
about...Defeat was a painful wound - lingering and
disappointing until the next sandlot showdown.
Almost perpetual motion...not at all lanky but still
quite mobile. A mass of awkward flesh and bones.
Limbs pumping furiously...with capable but still
hopeful arms. In full stride past every defender.
I am gone.
There, over my shoulder, from the gleaming
horizon, I spot what seems to be the perfect spiral
of certain victory - cutting swiftly through the air...
now arching down - towards my awaiting grasp.
With a great leap I forge ungracefully into the
open...with out stretched arms and proven hands...
time stands still for just one sudden singular moment-
Then come the mighty cheers of wishful success
and more still, the intense screams of my possible
failure - all vividly echo from the field of play.
My eyes focus, never waning...I grasp and clutch
that brown leathery ball, the very object of my
desire, into my hands and chest as I plunge down
to the hard, cold cemetery ground.
Rolling over and over, tumbling to a stop with ball in hand,
I've made it to make-shift end zone, the promised land for this boyhood dream....
For a brief, uncertain, and ultimately meaningless
moment I had found my purpose-
my achievement-
my glory.
As I walked back to my childhood home, dirty
and scarred from the ground, blood stained from my elbows and knees...
The violins, the mighty horns, and bass drums in my head, bellowed out
the inspiring rhythm, fast tempo notes and rousing sounds of another "Sunday With Soul"
I was happy in being right there - in that instant,
perhaps odd world. Relishing in the feeling of
accomplishment, and yet knowing that it really
didn't mean anything to anyone...except me.
On the make-shift field, I was equal to my peers, sometimes even revered for my unasumming yet absolute ability to catch a ball. I was actually a deep ball threat...imagine that! On the field I could not hear the yelling and the constant arguing from where I dwelled, I could not see the anger or sorrow that plagued my almost every day.
No, on the field, everything disapeared, except the ball and the patches of dirt and grass upon which I ran and ran, and played with every last fiber of my being, until I couldn't play anymore. In the cold, the rain and snow...
I played as if it were the only thing that ever mattered, the only reason I was there. Those sandlot fields gave more than just flight to boyhood dreams- The future lessons of life, the sometimes marked failures and ultimately- the fleeting, but special memories to keep and hold sacred, to take deliberately to the grave.
I love the game, the legends, the history. I revel in its remarkable outcomes, stunning upsets and hard-fought victories. Football is defining. Football is tough, but pure.
11 against 11 more, yet it is one on one - where the player meets his opponent - the ensuing battle to be waged within the confines of 5000 square yards of unforgiving turf.
Football is a game infused with passion, skill, frustration and sometimes luck. A contest of courage, fortitude, fear and violence. Football is truly an American cornerstone of life.
The year is swiftly moving to a close which gives me the chance to reflect upon the events, and the end results. A quick synopsis reveals that I cycled only 72 times on the road to date, compared to 92 road rides in 2006. The good news is that I averaged slightly higher YTD speeds, and had a strong September, and October run.
My YTD average speed for those 72 rides was in mid 15's. Nothing to write about...but I'll do it anyway - ha!
2007
Rides: 72
Miles: 2,247
Avg spd: 15.556
I was hoping for at least a 16 mph average, but just fell short. 72 rides netted me 2,247 total miles, much less than the 2,699 in 2006. Which was 500 less miles this year, but with more ascending and slightly higher average speeds overall in 2007.
Side by Side
| 2007 | 2006 |
| 72 Rides | 92 Rides |
| 15.556 mph | 15.31 mph |
| 2,247 miles | 2,699 miles |
Now let's take a look at September/Oct 2007 v 2006. Which I believe is more indicative of my performace at the end of the year. Here is where I excelled for a very brief period.
Sept 2007 | Sept 2006 |
| 10 Rides | 10 Rides |
| 370.25 miles | 333.4 miles |
| 16.15 mph | 15.60 mph |
Oct 2007 | Oct 2006 |
| 6 Rides | 8 Rides |
| 181.25 miles | 211.5 miles |
| 16.5 mph | 15.68 mph |
For the two months of September and October 2007 I averaged 16.325 mph versus 15.64 mph in Sept/Oct 2006. I think 15 out of the 16 rides in Sept/Oct 2007, I never averaged below 16 mph. I was riding stronger than ever before, and I felt good. Unfortunately, it has all been flushed away! By the end of October, I had lost all motivation to get out on my carbon hot rod. I still had and still do have the desire to ride, but there is a difference between the two. I just cannot seem to implement my desire to ride... into actually riding.
This flaw in my character only fortifies my lack of discipline, and structure which I am all too aware of. It is fairly simple, I despise the cold weather. By cold, I mean any day under 60 degrees. The older I get the more I hate the cold, cloudy, and dreary weather. The plan is to move to a warmer climate in the next few years. Until then, it will probably be more of the up and down results tallied up over the past 3 years of cycling. I need to take a page out of the CSC team's motto: "Harden the fuck up" or similar to some of the Military's creeds: Hunker down, never quit, and meet the objective. I need Boot camp! Or a good kick in the ass. 
Oh how the mighty have fallen...
Ok, well not that I am mighty but holy frigin macaroni...how I have sadly fallen.
It has been 31 days since I last rode a bike,
and of all things...I get a front flat 12 miles
into Wednesday's ride. Good old Murphy,
that son-of-bitch bastard! : )
Funny what a month off the bicycle does to
your physical condition. Ah yea, not really
though. It basically wipes out all the conditioning
your body had attained and leaves you like an
atrophied piece of crap sucking wind like
a chain-smoking, oxygen bottle toting old man.
Despite only averaging 15.5 mph for a lousy
12 miles, I thought I felt pretty good, that is until Thursday.
My legs were like lead, and my body tired. Are you kidding me!? What the fuck man!?
"I'm worthless and weak" so I dropped and
gave myself 20...and now my arms hurt like
a mother fucker. I went from being in fairly decent shape
to completely out of shape in 4 measly weeks. Oh, it's going to be a long ass winter.
Redo those bar grips! Dress that carbon fiber! Straighten that helmet!
And goddamn it, tuck up those lycra shorts! Attention! Eyes front!
What's that on your chest, mister? It's a pie stain, sir.
A Pie stain?? on your bike shirt?! Just tell me, mister,
what bike club would pledge a man like you?
Ah, xyz wheelmen, sir. Report to the stationary trainer tonight
and every night at 1800 hours. And without that pie stained shirt!
Do you understand? You nauseating pile of blubber...
or in my case - a pile of aerobically challenged skinny ass disgrace of a cyclist! lol.
2007 is winding down now, as we are in the 4th quarter of the year. I've just broken the 2,000 mile mark for the year, 2,023 miles to be exact, on 64 rides. That puts me at 7,128 lifetime road mileage in over 3 years of road riding. Rather unimpressive by most standards I believe.
I'm still disillusioned with my performances, butI have kind of given up on trying to figure out the why's and how's, and just be less obsessive about the whole deal.
So far, it has been an uneventful cycling year, and I've pretty much got nothing except a few stats.
Average speed vs number of rides -Q3 2007/2006
3rd Quarter 2007 - average speed was
15.796 in 35 rides.
3rd Quarter 2006 – average speed was
15.413 in 31 rides
COMPARATIVES
Rides of 50 miles or more in Q3
# of rides over 50 miles in Q3 2007: 5
# of rides over 50 miles in Q3 2006: 8
September 2007 average speed: 16.15 mph - 10 rides
September 2006 average speed: 15.60 mph - 9 rides
Fastest average speed on a single ride 2007: 17.97 – 14 miles
Fastest average speed on a single ride over 25 miles 2007:
17.52 mph – 28.31 miles 1007’ elev
Fastest average speed on a single ride and over 25 miles 2006:
19.29 mph – 37.50 miles 615’ elev
What is most obvious is how my speed and riding are all over the map. No consistency. In 2006, I had more single rides over 50 miles, and more single rides ridden at a faster pace, yet overall my 2006 average speed is lower than my average speed in 2007 – so far. Moreover, my Q3 average speed is up from last year, and September 2007 was a significant jump from September 2006 – about 4% higher.
To date I have done 64 road rides for a total of 2,023 miles
at an average speed of about 15.71 mph. I have not broken the
10,000 mile mark yet, and I have not averaged 16 mph or better
for the entire year. I really thought I could have reached the 16 mph yearly average in ’07. It’s not over yet though and there is still an outside chance. One thing is that I am riding stronger since the beginning of August, with 13 of the 21 rides I did over 16 mph averages.
There is still an outside shot of doing a century as well, which I was Planning to do, but somehow never really worked it in to my schedule. In fact, I didn’t even do a single ride over 75 miles. Whereas last year, I managed a couple over the 75 mile mark. The more I cycle, the more I enjoy longer rides, there seems to be no real point to riding less than 35-40 miles at a time.
Of course I do, whether because of time considerations,
or weather, or lack of motivation, I inevitably do. But I really don’t view it as worthy riding less than 35 miles minimum. I’d much rather ride 45 to 65 miles at a time on most days, especially when the weather is nice. Because soon
the cold gray will roll in and steal away any will I have to ride.
Fingers crossed for an Indian Summer in 2007! Cheers
August mileage/Speed evaluation
It’s time for a bit of comparative analyses regarding
my cycling endeavors. I will preface analyses this by
summarizing that this has been a Tumultuous and
physically painful year. Much more so than in 2006.
That said; let’s take a look at the numbers:
Overall, I am down on mileage in 2007 compared to 2006.
This is attributed to the injuries I suffered, and the cold,
wet weather in the first quarter of the year. Surprisingly
though, I feel like my fitness level, overall and especially
in the last two weeks is better than last year at this time.
I had previously done a comparative analyses of Q1 ‘07
to Q1 ‘06, I did not compare Q2, so I am just going to skip
ahead and Compare August ’07 to August ’06. The reasons
for this is that by this time of the year, the legs and body are
near peak. With the warm weather, there is a lot of opportunity
to ride, which I have been doing, so it is a better comparison
to do a month-to-month analyses in the summer season.
August 2007 vs August 2006 Mileage:
August 2007 vs August 2006 Avg Speed:
16.2 mph vs 14.96 mph
Pretty easy to see that even with less riding, my avg speed
is up 1.24 mph. For a recreational cyclist like myself, that is
a real decent increase. I'm guessing that the longer rides
help to increase my cardio fitness, as well as some other factors.
A 7.7% increase in average speed from August miles
2006 to August miles 2007.
To further emphasize the significance of these numbers is
total mileage up to August 2006, to the total mileage in 2007
(to-date) At this point last year I had logged 1,951 miles.
For 2007 I have ridden only a total of 1,502 so far.
A negative difference of 449 miles, or 23% less.
One could make a few different cases as to why I'm faster, but instead I will just go ahead and simplify it: Harder riding, more hills, and this is my third year on the bike. Needless to say I am somewhat pleased with the rise and progress, although I should have been here sooner. Still, I'm a long way off of being race fit, and that was one of my goals for 2007. Time to shut up now. Time to go ride...and ride some more.
Bravenet Blog 
Blog Community
Get a Free Blog
Manage your Blog
bravenet.com