Yeah, I wrote that with one eye open while waking up from my nap. Sorry if it was hard to follow. My feet didn't leave the pedals until I was on my back and then the bike finally broke away. Pretty embarrassing.
I always buy at my local shop as I like trying shit on for fit and don't have the skill set and patience needed to return shit via shipping that doesn't fit. When I was riding 20-50 miles a week, as long as it did my job and didn't chafe I was happy to spend as little as possible. Once the miles and consistency cranked up, I am more than happy to shell out stupid money to turn a 6 hour in the saddle day in the middle of a 12 hour in the saddle week into the most comfort I can. Tldr: Used to spend roughly $40 each on shorts and jersey but now spend $100+ on jersey and $150+ on bibs and consider it a bargain.
rapha or castelli for bibs don't cheap out you probably have a little more room on the jerseys rode with a guy the just got back from racing nationals. he fast
Yep, could have grabbed the KOM on my cat 3 climb this morning. Was just a tune up for my big climb next week so I was pacing at what I am going to be doing on that ride. Get done and I am 2nd overall on that climb and definitely had plenty in the tank to get the job done. I might have to stop back by on the drive home.
I really appreciated you talking about the great views from up top in the caption of a picture of the parking lot. Also that route to CO you're taking is one of my favorite drives. Really jealous.
Just rode from Minneapolis to downtown St Paul. Yesterday and I ate 1 piece of pizza and drank a shit load of beer. This is my definition of hell. I don't want to ride back.
Is there a way to add resistance to trainers? I have this bad boy and can hang out in the biggest gears no problem -- compared to being taxing when on the road. Doesn't really look like getting a different flywheel is an option. Spoiler
Holy effing shitballs I can't believe I just did that. It was not only easier than I anticipated but also more difficult. I don't think that makes sense but it is how I feel. 44 miles and 4547' ascended done in 3:11:02. The 22 mile ascent I completed in about 2:11 with an average wattage of 222. That blew away both my time and power expectations and I for real left so much in the tank playing it conservative. I will look through my pics and see if there are any worth a shit and post them tonight when I get back to the cabin. Edit: already eaten 1/2 lb bacon cheeseburger and slammed 3 beers
Finally home and will dump some pics of my ride. I wish I could have slowed down to take some better pics but I was rushing as I wanted to beat the rush of tourists and afternoon storms off the mountain. Spoiler Within a couple miles of the start spot and already considerable elevation achieved I would actually consider this to be the most shoulder the road has at any point with the exception of turnouts and parking lots. No guardrails anywhere. Just some spots with at max an 18" high rock wall, perfect height to flip over if you ever came into contact with it. Nice shot of one of the stretches that pitches up more considerably than the average Once you get above the tree line it is mesmerizing. Also windy and cold, hit 45 degrees at one spot. Sure, why wouldn't there be a stop light... Road resurfacing at a couple places along the route and down to one lane. Quite possibly the worst job ever with the roads involved. This is actually about a 1,500 ft drop from the summit (actually summit twice before the descent starts).
Continued Spoiler Grand Lake was the stopping point. If I ever do this ride again I will set out earlier and this will be the halfway mark. Driving back and caught a pic of some of the switchbacks above the tree line. Found an elevation sign on the drive back. If any of you guys want to ride this ever I have a couple of suggestions. 1. Easy gradient for a big climb. Just get to the point where you can turn some watts for 1.5-3 hours and you will do great. 2. Under no circumstances should you drive this road before riding it. To me, the drive sucked so hard and it would have convinced me not to ride it if I would have driven it first. Completely different feel on a bike and I never once was at unease.
Today was my first ride ever doing a climb. I went from flat roads to the flat beach. Rode with a buddy to a brewery from his place and back, about 12mi total. Fuck. My bike isn't made for that shit.
Looks like Rapha is now controlled by WalMart money. Although from what I read there could be far worse people to gain control of it seeing as they've dumped considerable cash into cycling over the years. Time will tell. http://www.bicycling.com/culture/ra...al&utm_term=1018549599&utm_campaign=Bicycling
I get asked that a fair amount when I do join in on group rides. It comes down to two basic reasons. 1. I enjoy riding for the fun and health of it. 2. Self-employed business owner with zero other employees. Going down to an injury would be very detrimental to my household's finances. I know the chance for injury is there anytime I go for a ride but it is amplified when racing.
Also I am forty fucking one years old and that would be a definite indicator of a mid life crisis if I took up racing at this age.
just don't take up crit racing and you'll be fine. I say go for it..team TMB! you can join a local team, sign up for some races and still have tons of fun. that might just be me though. I used to get such a huge rush out of helping teammates get high places or even win local races. the competitiveness of 40+ cycling in this country is amazing. just don't expect to win races and you'll have a ton of fun.
I have thought about it more and more as I have gotten in better shape. I would probably need to get another bike although it would not be 100% necessary. What I really want to do is build a dedicated climbing bike and chase 3-4 huge climbs a year and spend all my time and money there. My trip to Colorado confirmed my long-held suspicions, I am built to climb. I just have to get rid of this extra weight. I still hold my own pretty well for my size though.
Having Colorado withdrawals. So hot and flat here. Have located a cat 2 climb 3 hours from Dallas in Lawton, Oklahoma. Mount Scott, 1,000' of gain in 3 miles. Think I am going to makes plans to head there soon to keep me motivated. Maybe see how many repeats I can do. Stupid thing is road is only open from like 9am-9pm. So much for beating the heat...
I would like to join this thread. I have a utility bike that I ride around the city but I would like to go further than that. What should I be prepared to pay for quality equipment and gear? If anyone is familiar with the bike scene in Birmingham that would also be a huge help.
I don't know if you are interested in stuff like this but one or my favorite places I've ever been in general is mallorca, and they also have a ton of bike tourism with people on the island. It's got hills and incredible landscape and it's just overall fucking awesome. I can't wait to go back
Yeah, your buddy can suck farts out of my butt. First ride and just casually go 30+ miles at 17+ mph...
One of my buddies and I along with our wives and another couple are eyeballing Spain bike trip next fall. Not sure if we will make it to the islands but the cycling culture over there is lit 4 sure.
Do mallorca. trust me. it's very easy to get to and it is amazing. the cycling tourism there is very famous. i ask you to at least check it out because it was my favorite place in spain