my fastest Buddy Ride yet--Roger and I headed out, and were joined by Mr. Garlic, and we flew out to Clark's Gap and back (Mr. Garlic remarked that it was his fastest ride yet as well).
Along the way, however, we were passed by a very terse pair, a man and a woman. At first, I thought it was something we had done...like stay on his/her wheel and draft when they didn't want us to (if that was so, they could've said something). Or maybe Roger and I sounded too "gung ho" about trying to keep up with them? Or maybe she thought we were hitting on her? Whatever it was, when she passed me to join up with him, instead of a courteous "on your left" it was a terse "excuse me". Bewildered, I let them pass and they were gone--rude though they might be, they were certainly very fast.
Later, at dinner, Jane reported that they'd been passed by the same people and they had been very rude to Jane's group as well--Jane had been signaling a left-turn, and even looked back to check that it was safe to turn around, when the rude roadies whizzed by, yelling at Jane to get off the trail! What had she done to deserve that? From what she said, she had done everything right--signal, check, all that.
So it wasn't just Roger and Mr. Garlic and me. I still have this notion that most cyclists are nice people--there was one guy that we stopped for because his CO2 inflator wasn't working, so we let him use one of our pumps, and he was pretty nice. He was riding a beautiful Felt Time Trial bike, with the wing-bars and cranked-forward rider position--the fork and the steer-tube was even designed so that while it still pivotted in the head-tube, it was still much further forward than a regular fork. Strangely, though, he disappeared--he was heading to Clark's Gap, just as we were, when his front tire blew. After he'd gotten it fixed, he was nowhere to be seen--maybe he thought that, since he had no way of repairing a flat anymore (out of tubes? no CO2?) that he'd better not press his luck and head home--perhaps wisely so.
But he was nice and gracious. Unlike those other two people.
Oh well. Some Bad Apples indeed...
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 5200
Distance: 28.93mi
Saddle Time: 1h32m11s
Actual Time: 1h45m
Start Time: 6:10PM
End Time: 7:55PM
Start Outside Temp: Warm
End Outside Temp: Cool
Max Speed: 29.5mph
Avg Speed (saddle): 18.8mph
Avg Speed (actual): 16.5mph
We went to The Village Grill again today. The experience wasn't as good as last time--the waiter couldn't replace my normal side-order with a side-salad, and the food took a really long time to come out for just 8 people. Of course, it is a bar (or at least has a bar), so I should really just expect that bar-food will come out slow...at least, that was my experience with Attitudes in Blacksburg...
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sunday Recovery Ride
Met up with Ben and Kat and Chia and Nancy and then...Ben locked his keys in his truck! So we called in some reenforcements, and rode out and back 20 minutes until he (Ben's Dad) showed up with a spare key. Then we rode out again, this time in the opposite direction, to Leesburg and back...Nice, leisurely pace of 15mph average. But Ben, with his relatively fresh legs, kicked my ass from SSS back to W&OD/Rte.28. Oh well.
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 5200 (interesting that I don't use this lighter all-carbon bike for the training rides and the heavier aluminum bike for my mid-week training, but when the difference in weight is only 1-lb, it doesn't matter much...)
Distance: 25.79mi
Saddle Time: 1h42m59s
Actual Time: 2h
Start Time: 3:30PM
End Time: 5:30PM
Start Outside Temp: about 70°F
End Outside Temp: about the same
Max Speed: 32.0mph
Avg Speed (saddle): 15.0mph
Avg Speed (actual): 12.4mph
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 5200 (interesting that I don't use this lighter all-carbon bike for the training rides and the heavier aluminum bike for my mid-week training, but when the difference in weight is only 1-lb, it doesn't matter much...)
Distance: 25.79mi
Saddle Time: 1h42m59s
Actual Time: 2h
Start Time: 3:30PM
End Time: 5:30PM
Start Outside Temp: about 70°F
End Outside Temp: about the same
Max Speed: 32.0mph
Avg Speed (saddle): 15.0mph
Avg Speed (actual): 12.4mph
Saturday, May 3, 2008
TNT Training Ride: White's Ferry
I did it: I woke up at 6:30, showered, dressed, and ate, and was out the door at 7:10, and rode the 11 miles up to the starting spot. Met up with Chuck and Roger and everyone else, and started promptly at 8:00. East on the W&OD to meet up with the Custis trail. Took the Custis trail to N. Lynn Street, where Jeff had set up an informal SAG stop--man, those snickerdoodles were good! Hopped back onto the route, which took us over the Key Bridge into Georgetown--sweet! My first time riding between states! Rode around and joined the Capital Crescent Trail, up to the first official SAG stop--more snickerdoodles!
Then, rode out and got on River Road. There, I linked up with Dave, who wasn't stopping for anything. He asked, "Have you ever ridden on River Road before?" "Umm, no..." I said in my best J. Geierman impression (Chia and anyone else who's worked with me/him will know what I'm talking about). "Well, it has its challenges..." he replied. I kinda knew what he meant, but I didn't know how challenging those "challenges" were: there were two brutal uphill climbs to the second SAG stop (no snickerdoodles, but the Girl Scouts had brought sandwiches--delicious!). Fed and watered we headed out, back onto River Rd. (the SAG stop was a departure from the main route on River Rd.)...and up yet another brutal climb! Josh (who had joined us by now) and Roger and I were somewhat annoyed--"Why do they always do this?" we shouted, meaning why do the ride-planners put a SAG stop right before a big climb? Wouldn't it make more sense to put it at the top of the climb? Or further out from the climb?
Anyways, we climbed River Rd., and then got to my least favorite part of Maryland: the area surrounding Poolesville. Again. Man, I'm coming to really hate that area for its rolling hills and its rough roads. Thankfully, I'm now pretty familiar with it...and I knew that I could finally rest once we hit White's Ferry road. Except for that one climb. Josh saw it and swore. "That's it! I quit!" he shouted. To which I shouted back, "You can't quit! Leukemia patients can't 'just quit'!" and gunned it up the climb. Those words would come back to motivate me later.
We bombed down to the ferry, where there was another SAG stop, but we couldn't stay for long because the Ferry was leaving.
Welcome to Virginia, where your radar detectors are illegal!
We rode out, climbing the "big scary hill" (wasn't bad at all, but it sounded bad from what Dave said) and got on Rte.15 South--y'know, I would drive this road to get home from a Ski trip--it's much more interesting by bike =) AND we went through historic Leesburg, where we picked up the trail. Dave and I hauled-ass all the way back to the start point, where I signed in, and my 84-mile ride was officially over.
BUT: I had another 11 miles to go, back to my house. 11 windy, brutal miles. Slowly, painfully, I climbed back up the trail and turned off on Ferndale--and watched my mileage tick over from 99.99mi to 100.00mi! My first true Century! And 8 miles left to go...7 miles and I was about to give up and call for a lift when my own words echoed in my head: "You can't quit! Leukemia patients can't 'just quit'!" and I pushed on, stopping at a Bloom for a Snickers bar and some powerade.
6 miles. 4 miles. 2 miles. 1 mile. And then...my personal "the wall"--the climb up Walney road to my house. After all this training, it wasn't so bad! 10mph up it felt like I was flying (compared to before, where I was doing 10mph, too, but having only ridden 7.5 miles--this time I had ridden 107.5 miles and I was still strong). My right quad started cramping up, so I grabbed my thigh with my right hand and squeezed hard, forcing the lactic acid out of the muscle, and held the pressure there while I continued climbing, holding the handlebar with my left hand.
Topped out, and I was home! I did it! I did it I did it I did it! 108 miles! More than a Century!
I was home, I was tired, I was still panting even as I stripped off my clothes and weighed myself (165.5lbs--down from this morning's 170lbs). But I felt great!
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 1500
Distance: 108.03mi
Saddle Time: 6h16m19s
Actual Time: 8h
Start Time: 7:10AM
End Time: 3:10PM
Start Outside Temp: 60°F
End Outside Temp: 80°F
Max Speed: 38.6mph (bombing down White's Ferry Rd.)
Avg Speed (saddle): 17.2mph
Avg Speed (actual): 13.5mph
Tahoe, here I come!
Then, rode out and got on River Road. There, I linked up with Dave, who wasn't stopping for anything. He asked, "Have you ever ridden on River Road before?" "Umm, no..." I said in my best J. Geierman impression (Chia and anyone else who's worked with me/him will know what I'm talking about). "Well, it has its challenges..." he replied. I kinda knew what he meant, but I didn't know how challenging those "challenges" were: there were two brutal uphill climbs to the second SAG stop (no snickerdoodles, but the Girl Scouts had brought sandwiches--delicious!). Fed and watered we headed out, back onto River Rd. (the SAG stop was a departure from the main route on River Rd.)...and up yet another brutal climb! Josh (who had joined us by now) and Roger and I were somewhat annoyed--"Why do they always do this?" we shouted, meaning why do the ride-planners put a SAG stop right before a big climb? Wouldn't it make more sense to put it at the top of the climb? Or further out from the climb?
Anyways, we climbed River Rd., and then got to my least favorite part of Maryland: the area surrounding Poolesville. Again. Man, I'm coming to really hate that area for its rolling hills and its rough roads. Thankfully, I'm now pretty familiar with it...and I knew that I could finally rest once we hit White's Ferry road. Except for that one climb. Josh saw it and swore. "That's it! I quit!" he shouted. To which I shouted back, "You can't quit! Leukemia patients can't 'just quit'!" and gunned it up the climb. Those words would come back to motivate me later.
We bombed down to the ferry, where there was another SAG stop, but we couldn't stay for long because the Ferry was leaving.
Welcome to Virginia, where your radar detectors are illegal!
We rode out, climbing the "big scary hill" (wasn't bad at all, but it sounded bad from what Dave said) and got on Rte.15 South--y'know, I would drive this road to get home from a Ski trip--it's much more interesting by bike =) AND we went through historic Leesburg, where we picked up the trail. Dave and I hauled-ass all the way back to the start point, where I signed in, and my 84-mile ride was officially over.
BUT: I had another 11 miles to go, back to my house. 11 windy, brutal miles. Slowly, painfully, I climbed back up the trail and turned off on Ferndale--and watched my mileage tick over from 99.99mi to 100.00mi! My first true Century! And 8 miles left to go...7 miles and I was about to give up and call for a lift when my own words echoed in my head: "You can't quit! Leukemia patients can't 'just quit'!" and I pushed on, stopping at a Bloom for a Snickers bar and some powerade.
6 miles. 4 miles. 2 miles. 1 mile. And then...my personal "the wall"--the climb up Walney road to my house. After all this training, it wasn't so bad! 10mph up it felt like I was flying (compared to before, where I was doing 10mph, too, but having only ridden 7.5 miles--this time I had ridden 107.5 miles and I was still strong). My right quad started cramping up, so I grabbed my thigh with my right hand and squeezed hard, forcing the lactic acid out of the muscle, and held the pressure there while I continued climbing, holding the handlebar with my left hand.
Topped out, and I was home! I did it! I did it I did it I did it! 108 miles! More than a Century!
I was home, I was tired, I was still panting even as I stripped off my clothes and weighed myself (165.5lbs--down from this morning's 170lbs). But I felt great!
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 1500
Distance: 108.03mi
Saddle Time: 6h16m19s
Actual Time: 8h
Start Time: 7:10AM
End Time: 3:10PM
Start Outside Temp: 60°F
End Outside Temp: 80°F
Max Speed: 38.6mph (bombing down White's Ferry Rd.)
Avg Speed (saddle): 17.2mph
Avg Speed (actual): 13.5mph
Tahoe, here I come!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday Buddy Ride
No one but me and Chuck...where was everyone? Without Jeff or anyone else to motivate me, I didn't go as fast as I could have...but we did go longer, out to the General Store and back. And to think, some of our actual training rides were this long.
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 5200
Distance: 32.06mi
Saddle Time: 1h48m50s
Actual Time: 1h55m
Start Time: 6:00PM
End Time: 7:55PM
Start Outside Temp: low 60's
End Outside Temp: high 50's
Max Speed: 33.9mph
Avg Speed (saddle): 17.6mph
Avg Speed (actual): 16.7mph
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 5200
Distance: 32.06mi
Saddle Time: 1h48m50s
Actual Time: 1h55m
Start Time: 6:00PM
End Time: 7:55PM
Start Outside Temp: low 60's
End Outside Temp: high 50's
Max Speed: 33.9mph
Avg Speed (saddle): 17.6mph
Avg Speed (actual): 16.7mph
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday Buddy Ride
My teammates know me now...when I have "that look", I've had a bad day at work. Come to think of it, lately, when haven't I had a bad day at work? Probably the ones where I don't interact with my coworkers much...
Anyways...I got there, Jane said "go" and I went. I was alone for practically the whole ride, anger and frustration driving my pedals against the head-/cross-winds. I got out to Clark's Gap, stopped, had a bite, and then turned around and drafted behind a guy who passed me going the other way. He turned off in Leesburg, and I kept going, catching up with Jane's mini-group shortly. "If you go fast, you can catch up with the other group!" she called to me as I raced ahead. "I know! And I will!" I shouted back. And I did--not 10 minutes after leaving Jane's group did I catch up with Chris' group (Chris is Jane's husband), which had Mr. Garlic (surprise, surprise =). I darted out ahead of them, too, maintaining 20+mph up from SSS to Rte. 28--my strongest finish there yet!
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 5200
Distance: 29.09mi
Saddle Time: 1h35m46s
Actual Time: 1h40m
Start Time: 6:05PM
End Time: 7:45PM
Start Outside Temp: felt like low 60°'s
End Outside Temp: no change
Max Speed: 33.3mph (pushing it down the hill just past the roller-hockey rink)
Avg Speed (saddle): 18.2mph!!! (I should probably stop being surprised at this, now. I'm fast--get used to it =)
Avg Speed (actual): 17.5mph
Afterwards, we went to this new place in Ashburn called the "Village Grill"--basically a sports restaurant with 20 TVs and 2 big-screens, serving up pretty good food.
---
I think, really, my ideal riding-weight is about 170lbs. It's possibly due to muscle mass, though I'm not entirely sure, since I haven't been monitoring my diet all that well. But I can definitely say that I wasn't averaging 18+mph back when I was 160, but then that could also be due to all the training...Dunno!
And I can say that doing something physically strenuous, but low-impact and repetitive (i.e. cycling) and spending time with friends is a great stress reliever. Much better than going to the range, I'll tell you what.
Anyways...I got there, Jane said "go" and I went. I was alone for practically the whole ride, anger and frustration driving my pedals against the head-/cross-winds. I got out to Clark's Gap, stopped, had a bite, and then turned around and drafted behind a guy who passed me going the other way. He turned off in Leesburg, and I kept going, catching up with Jane's mini-group shortly. "If you go fast, you can catch up with the other group!" she called to me as I raced ahead. "I know! And I will!" I shouted back. And I did--not 10 minutes after leaving Jane's group did I catch up with Chris' group (Chris is Jane's husband), which had Mr. Garlic (surprise, surprise =). I darted out ahead of them, too, maintaining 20+mph up from SSS to Rte. 28--my strongest finish there yet!
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 5200
Distance: 29.09mi
Saddle Time: 1h35m46s
Actual Time: 1h40m
Start Time: 6:05PM
End Time: 7:45PM
Start Outside Temp: felt like low 60°'s
End Outside Temp: no change
Max Speed: 33.3mph (pushing it down the hill just past the roller-hockey rink)
Avg Speed (saddle): 18.2mph!!! (I should probably stop being surprised at this, now. I'm fast--get used to it =)
Avg Speed (actual): 17.5mph
Afterwards, we went to this new place in Ashburn called the "Village Grill"--basically a sports restaurant with 20 TVs and 2 big-screens, serving up pretty good food.
---
I think, really, my ideal riding-weight is about 170lbs. It's possibly due to muscle mass, though I'm not entirely sure, since I haven't been monitoring my diet all that well. But I can definitely say that I wasn't averaging 18+mph back when I was 160, but then that could also be due to all the training...Dunno!
And I can say that doing something physically strenuous, but low-impact and repetitive (i.e. cycling) and spending time with friends is a great stress reliever. Much better than going to the range, I'll tell you what.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Recovery Ride
Chia and Nancy have become my official "Recovery Team", riding with me on recovery rides (well, the two I've done since Chia got his bike).
We were supposed to ride 41 miles around Catlett, VA, but A) I honestly think Chia and Nancy will need a lot more saddle time before they can do 41 miles and not die and B) even though we scheduled this ride for this weekend, we forgot to let the weather know of our plans, and it was yucky outside when the ride was called off at 7AM. Hilarity ensued when I called around, desperate for Nancy's number, since I didn't know Chia's home phone and he wasn't picking up on his cell. Luckily, Hunley had her number, and she was able to call Chia at home in time.
Interestingly enough, this ride was planned by a bunch of people I met back in February...
So, Chia and Nancy decided to ride on our own on the W&OD--first, we met up at W&OD/Rte.28, but The Yuck was there (kinda like "The Nothing" from The Never Ending Story), so we regrouped at W&OD/Vienna Community Center, where it was dry and not-drizzling. We hopped on and made it to the Arlington-end of the W&OD in a little under an hour (I may sound like I'm bragging, but I'll bet I could've made it in half that time if I were riding alone...of course, it would've been more mentally challenging if I was riding alone). After stopping, taking pictures, and refueling, we began the arduous trek back up to the VCC--it was easy going down to Arlington, not so much going back.
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 1500
Distance: 22.67mi
Saddle Time: 1h43m07s
Actual Time: 2h
Start Time: 10:00AM
End Time: 12:00PM
Start Outside Temp: around 60°F
End Outside Temp: not much warmer
Max Speed: 29.7 (bombing it down from I-66 to I-495)
Avg Speed (saddle): 13.2mph
Avg Speed (actual): 11.3mph
Afterwards, we went to Amphora, where I learned first-hand how bad their burgers are. Breakfast and desserts from now on. In-between foods, not so much.
We were supposed to ride 41 miles around Catlett, VA, but A) I honestly think Chia and Nancy will need a lot more saddle time before they can do 41 miles and not die and B) even though we scheduled this ride for this weekend, we forgot to let the weather know of our plans, and it was yucky outside when the ride was called off at 7AM. Hilarity ensued when I called around, desperate for Nancy's number, since I didn't know Chia's home phone and he wasn't picking up on his cell. Luckily, Hunley had her number, and she was able to call Chia at home in time.
Interestingly enough, this ride was planned by a bunch of people I met back in February...
So, Chia and Nancy decided to ride on our own on the W&OD--first, we met up at W&OD/Rte.28, but The Yuck was there (kinda like "The Nothing" from The Never Ending Story), so we regrouped at W&OD/Vienna Community Center, where it was dry and not-drizzling. We hopped on and made it to the Arlington-end of the W&OD in a little under an hour (I may sound like I'm bragging, but I'll bet I could've made it in half that time if I were riding alone...of course, it would've been more mentally challenging if I was riding alone). After stopping, taking pictures, and refueling, we began the arduous trek back up to the VCC--it was easy going down to Arlington, not so much going back.
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 1500
Distance: 22.67mi
Saddle Time: 1h43m07s
Actual Time: 2h
Start Time: 10:00AM
End Time: 12:00PM
Start Outside Temp: around 60°F
End Outside Temp: not much warmer
Max Speed: 29.7 (bombing it down from I-66 to I-495)
Avg Speed (saddle): 13.2mph
Avg Speed (actual): 11.3mph
Afterwards, we went to Amphora, where I learned first-hand how bad their burgers are. Breakfast and desserts from now on. In-between foods, not so much.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
TNT Training Ride: Berryville
Warm today. Noel and Josh and I quickly joined up and conquered the rolling hills and sometimes-steep climbs. A Metric century (100km). I wasn't sure if I'd need my 1500, with its triple, but I made the right decision as our speed dropped to 6mph on some of the climbs. Oof.
The dogs came out to play this time, too--I was ready for the first one. A "BACK OFF!!" yell didn't work, so I sprayed it with water. That didn't really work, either, but it broke off its pursuit, probably because it was tired of running. The second two...well, they seemed to just want to run, and the "BACK OFF!!" yell didn't work there, either. I suppose I don't look authoritative enough in my superhero costume, riding a bicycle.
A happy consequence of the big climbs were the awesome descents: I hit 41.5mph on the first, and 43.5 on the second! Holy smokes!
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 1500
Distance: 66.15 miles
Saddle Time: 3h55m01s
Actual Time: 4h15m (SAG stops)
Start Time: 8:15AM
End Time: 12:30PM
Start Outside Temp: WARM
End Outside Temp: HOT
Max Speed: 43.5mph!!!
Avg Speed (saddle): 16.9mph
Avg Speed (actual): 15.6mph
The dogs came out to play this time, too--I was ready for the first one. A "BACK OFF!!" yell didn't work, so I sprayed it with water. That didn't really work, either, but it broke off its pursuit, probably because it was tired of running. The second two...well, they seemed to just want to run, and the "BACK OFF!!" yell didn't work there, either. I suppose I don't look authoritative enough in my superhero costume, riding a bicycle.
A happy consequence of the big climbs were the awesome descents: I hit 41.5mph on the first, and 43.5 on the second! Holy smokes!
Statistics:
Bike: Trek 1500
Distance: 66.15 miles
Saddle Time: 3h55m01s
Actual Time: 4h15m (SAG stops)
Start Time: 8:15AM
End Time: 12:30PM
Start Outside Temp: WARM
End Outside Temp: HOT
Max Speed: 43.5mph!!!
Avg Speed (saddle): 16.9mph
Avg Speed (actual): 15.6mph
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