It seems that when I have a great ride in the morning, the evening ride will also be great. Yesterday morning I achieved my second-fastest time for the year. Last night I set a new all-time PR for the trip home! 11:08...beating the previous time by 3 seconds!
Yesterday I went through my records and compiled a list of the fastest times for each trip. I guess it got me going, and I just pinned it all the way home. It paid off.
I hammered the pedals for the first mile and kept a good pace. However, after climbing Nemesis Hill I thought I was sunk. I looked at my time split and was sure I had missed the mark, but it's been a while since I TT'd (Time Trialed) it home and I couldn't remember what a good split was. To my great fortune when I turned to the west, a slight tail wind was ready to usher me home. I got down in the drops and put everything I had to the pedals. I maintained extreme caution as I passed my crash site from earlier this year, particularly since there were many cars on the road with me. (That was the last time I was down in the drops over this section.) It was a fantastic feeling riding along the steady, slight negative grade, maintaining about 30 mph!
Pulling up to the driveway I stopped my timer and my heart thrilled at the sight!
July 08, 2010
July 07, 2010
10:38
Almost set a new 2010 personal best on the way in to work this morning. I don't always try for a best time, but to try is an option each morning I get on the bike. I usually know within about 5 minutes whether or not I can compete. Here's how:
So far, my 2010 best time is 10:32 set June 18th.
Really though, the true test is the ride home. That's a topic for another day. Or several other days.
- If there is a headwind over the first stretch or any rain or wet roads, I'm sunk.
- The first leg of the ride is generally completed in less than 4 minutes. If I'm more than 20 seconds over that, then it means my legs are not in it that morning.
- If I make it through that first leg in less than 4 minutes there is one final test. After I turn south, I cruise down Nemesis Hill. If I can hit 40 mph or higher, then I'm set to compete. (Today I peaked just over 40.)
So far, my 2010 best time is 10:32 set June 18th.
Really though, the true test is the ride home. That's a topic for another day. Or several other days.
July 06, 2010
Burnout
Over the long weekend I put a lot of sawdust on my bike instead of miles. By last night I felt a bit stiff, and had the thought that I need to ride more.
This morning I dusted off the saddle and bars and got geared up for the ride into work. I threw a leg over the saddle and pushed off while clicking into the pedals. As I neared the road, I saw a couple of cars coming, so I pedaled hard to the center turn lane (I live on an arterial street) and then kept my momentum through the light.
As I pulled onto the next street I saw a semi-truck and trailor easing up to spead ahead of me. Involuntarily my legs jumped to the challenge and my heart thrilled at the thought of catching the draft of that truck! In short order I was up to almost 25 mph, but my hamstrings wound tight and my quads seared. My lungs were in worse shape trying to catch my racing heart. Sadly, after only 1/4 mile I watched the truck pull away from me.
This jump-start did not help my time.
This morning I dusted off the saddle and bars and got geared up for the ride into work. I threw a leg over the saddle and pushed off while clicking into the pedals. As I neared the road, I saw a couple of cars coming, so I pedaled hard to the center turn lane (I live on an arterial street) and then kept my momentum through the light.
As I pulled onto the next street I saw a semi-truck and trailor easing up to spead ahead of me. Involuntarily my legs jumped to the challenge and my heart thrilled at the thought of catching the draft of that truck! In short order I was up to almost 25 mph, but my hamstrings wound tight and my quads seared. My lungs were in worse shape trying to catch my racing heart. Sadly, after only 1/4 mile I watched the truck pull away from me.
This jump-start did not help my time.
July 02, 2010
Beneficial Crack
Along my commute there are variable pavement conditions. I'll spare the detailed distress report, but this morning I was reminded why I like longitudinal cracks (those that run in the direction of travel). Longitudinal cracks are great after a light rain.
You see (indication I will now talk as an enginerd), roads are generally crowned at the centerline, forcing water to flow from the centerline to the gutter. That means that half of the storm water falling on the road 'theoretically' flows across my wheel path to get to the gutter.
Why do I care? This means I get wet even though the rain stopped an hour ago. (I'll now resist the temptation to discuss water surface friction, angular momentum, and projectile motion.)
Except...EXCEPT, when the water that is supposed to flow from the centerline is intercepted by longitudinalcanyons cracks. I think it is awesome to benefit from what I normally (during the day job) consider a detriment.
Because on the curb-side of those cracks the water has already flowed toward the curb, and is thus dry enough for me to travel at regular speed without fear of road-grime attacking my feet and legs and bike and back.
In short: Longitudinal Crack = No Racing Stripe
You see (indication I will now talk as an enginerd), roads are generally crowned at the centerline, forcing water to flow from the centerline to the gutter. That means that half of the storm water falling on the road 'theoretically' flows across my wheel path to get to the gutter.
Why do I care? This means I get wet even though the rain stopped an hour ago. (I'll now resist the temptation to discuss water surface friction, angular momentum, and projectile motion.)
Except...EXCEPT, when the water that is supposed to flow from the centerline is intercepted by longitudinal
Because on the curb-side of those cracks the water has already flowed toward the curb, and is thus dry enough for me to travel at regular speed without fear of road-grime attacking my feet and legs and bike and back.
In short: Longitudinal Crack = No Racing Stripe
July 01, 2010
Weighty Matter
Commuting home last night:
I had just checked my power output (Am I pushing hard? Yup. Could I push harder? Definately. Am I going to push harder? Nah, 23 MPH is sufficient today.), when I heard another chain slinging through a derailer on my left.
"Hey man!", said a tall, long-haired hippy as he passed by me.
"Hey there." I responded, quickly checking the composure of my competitor. (He qualified as a competitor the moment he chose to pass.) Short sleeve button-down shirt, khaki shorts, and sandals(?). The cuff-saver on his bike indicated 'old-school' and it appeared to be a sturdy steel frame, but I didn't catch the brand - distracted by the fact that such an individual would actually be wearing a helmet. Involuntarily my mind thought 'Rabit!', and I increased my efforts to match his speed.
This guy was focused ahead and intent on burning me. Here I was dressed to the hilt in performance clothing, attached to the pedals of my shiny carbon fiber road bike, gleaning info from my gps computer - by appearance, a true-blue cyclist. The hippy knew his advantage, and played it well. Immediately pulling a gap between us, he pedaled seemingly effortlessly forward, dodging a slowing car without being phased. Within 2 short blocks, he was far enough ahead to catch a yellow light that I missed. I was appropriately put in my place!
On the green light I decided to push it because I really wanted to see this guy race up Nemesis hill (a 1/4-mile slog between 8% and 10%). As I approached the toe of the hill he was already cresting it, standing up with good form.
When I recently picked up my new bike I conceded that it was officially above my abilities. Now I know it's true. I've got some work to do.
I had just checked my power output (Am I pushing hard? Yup. Could I push harder? Definately. Am I going to push harder? Nah, 23 MPH is sufficient today.), when I heard another chain slinging through a derailer on my left.
"Hey man!", said a tall, long-haired hippy as he passed by me.
"Hey there." I responded, quickly checking the composure of my competitor. (He qualified as a competitor the moment he chose to pass.) Short sleeve button-down shirt, khaki shorts, and sandals(?). The cuff-saver on his bike indicated 'old-school' and it appeared to be a sturdy steel frame, but I didn't catch the brand - distracted by the fact that such an individual would actually be wearing a helmet. Involuntarily my mind thought 'Rabit!', and I increased my efforts to match his speed.
This guy was focused ahead and intent on burning me. Here I was dressed to the hilt in performance clothing, attached to the pedals of my shiny carbon fiber road bike, gleaning info from my gps computer - by appearance, a true-blue cyclist. The hippy knew his advantage, and played it well. Immediately pulling a gap between us, he pedaled seemingly effortlessly forward, dodging a slowing car without being phased. Within 2 short blocks, he was far enough ahead to catch a yellow light that I missed. I was appropriately put in my place!
On the green light I decided to push it because I really wanted to see this guy race up Nemesis hill (a 1/4-mile slog between 8% and 10%). As I approached the toe of the hill he was already cresting it, standing up with good form.
When I recently picked up my new bike I conceded that it was officially above my abilities. Now I know it's true. I've got some work to do.
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