Finally....

 Doing it with the road bike

A different route for the road bike.

It doesn't seem too many years ago riding almost anywhere across this valley and seldom encounter traffic. That included riding on any of what used to be four of the State highways in the valley. Like everything else, that has changed - a lot. With those changes also come other new opportunities. It used to be, a simple morning ride would be a 40 mile tempo-ride, or maybe a set of 30/30 intervals. The entire route would only have perhaps 850 feet of total elevation change. With the new road cutting up to SR 158, I can get nearly 2,000 feet of elevation, with a couple good climbs - in about 52 miles. This is also pushing me into areas and roads I wouldn't have otherwise taken the road bike in the past. Dust-Guarded dirt roads, loose gravel on some short climbing segments, hoping curbs - a regular Peter Sagan. I still have to push it to maintain a respectable average moving speed. One descent pushes nearly 50 MPH - when traffic permits. The overall statistics are also pretty good, pushing a little into Zone 4, extended Zone 3, with a solid balance in Zone 2. Still dealing with traffic for parts of the ride, I'm having to ride at a hard and deliberate pace for some sections - making it easy to maintain a race pace cadence through parts of the course.

The new turn on to SR158 (Powder Mountain Road).

Hesitant 

A lot going through my mind while riding, but not sure where to take it. The changes made to the road bike seem to be having a positive effect. Still need to make a few changes - albeit minor. Thinking a new saddle is in order, bar rotation adjustments, maybe even slightly wider tires. Just not sure where to take everything a this point. It's obvious where the training rides need to go, but the fundraising has completely stalled - as in kaput! Lacking inspiration more than motivation. Something that always seems to land me is going back to "461". Don't ask me why, but that slab of vinyl reminds me of only the best of times on Monte Cristo - and I can't even tell you why. Truth is, Monte is brutal, but a true friend. Few if any changes on the highway after passing the State sheds. Sure, they added a couple new cattle guards going down into Rich County, occasionally they resurface parts of the road - stuff like that. Make no mistake, that ride is a suffer fest - but I keep going back. Providing the work schedule permits, that will be on the agenda for the upcoming week. I still don't know what any of this has to do with "461", but go along with it as though it really makes sense. I'll figure the rest out later.

This wasn't part of the original release in "461 Ocean Blvd", but it was added to the deluxe edition forty years later. This is actually the final show for that tour at the Hammersmith

Click here for "The Sky is falling..." Eric.

Ride HARD!

Making a few changes

44 mile morning rides on the hardtail

 Finding what works - Bike Fit / Setup

There has been a lot said about bike fit and setup. I've personally wrestled with the different setup and fits over the many years. A lot of rec riders settle for saddle (seat) height, but there's a lot more to consider. Basically everybody has their own unique body geometry and as such, well it's not as easy as it sounds. The road bike has been running the same drivetrain for the past 15 years. 50/34 front rings, with an 11/28 rear cassette. The crankarms have been the same 172.5 mm the entire time. I've had a couple professional bike fit attempts over the years - with limited, if any success. The front stem has been shortened and raised over time, with several variations of saddle positions. A few months ago I noticed a picture someone had taken of me grinding solo up Snake River Canyon. I had always thought my pedal stroke to be good - but that proved wildly incorrect. The picture screamed the reason I have broken saddle rails on other setups. Basically I was pushing back from the top pedal position into the saddle with tremendous force. Heel down to make matters worse. This also explains the chronic frontal knee pain I would have after climbing Monte - or anything else for that matter. Without going into the weeds, I'm trying a shorter crankarm setup - going down to 170 mm. Also, I've adjusted the cleats on my shoes to put the driving force farther back. I'm sure there will be other minor adjustments, but for now its time to get the road bike in service - next week.

Don't buy a Bucklos Chain

The hardtail has been getting a ton of time and miles. That bike is pretty low maintenance - for a mountain bike. Still, regular service is a must. Regular chain/lube and cleaning makes it run much better. Chains, rings and cassettes wear out - not mention tires and bearings. Having replaced a lot of chains over the years, I've always ran either Shimmano or Sram high-end components. I took a chance on a plated BUCKLOS chain - from Amazon. Major mistake. I put maybe 400 mile on it before it started to bind up. It's kind of the problem with 12 speed chains having thinner side-plates, in that they can bend a lot easier. I've never had that problem with a Shimmano or Sram chain - yet. This is also the argument for still running 2X front ring groups, versus a 1X chain ring. Regardless of that debate - steer clear of the Bucklos chains.

Another month or so and this will be approaching a "mud hole".

Stalling....

It has been a struggle, as usual this year. The Huntsman campaign is not moving at all, not to mention the event training has not really taken off. The next 30 days are critical and a more concerted effort will be required. The path toward success narrows with every passing day. Options become limited as the key days approach. Work commitments are also taking their time, but not insurmountable. It's just time to get serious - about everything. If this were an undergrad class, I think the professor would give this a gratuitous B-, mostly for just attendance and handing in the work. Certainly not mastering the material.

Click here for "The Moonbeam Song" Harry Nilsson

Ride HARD!

On the shoulders of giants

 Carrying the load

I recently read a very short biography of an individual I knew growing up. I would have known this person for pretty much the second half of her life. Confined to a wheelchair and without any use of her limbs, she was still able to live a remarkable life. The biography only covered her early life - basically the first half that I wouldn't have seen. It is an amazing story, as it could be almost unbelievable had I not known otherwise. One thing that stood out was that from the earliest of her days, she had a tremendous support network - a family, that made life even possible. By the time I came along, she was a giant in our community -albeit, none of us youngsters were to ever know that at the time. The point to all of this is very simple; everyone needs a support network along the way. Eventually it is passed on to the next group or person to carry the ones that follow. Nothing new about that, now is there?

Little chance of coincidence

Luck is not all its cracked up to be. In fact, the harder your work and the more you prepare, the luckier you will become - pretty straight forward. Along with that, practically every decision you make will have an effect at some point down the road. When we are younger we convince ourselves that we can get away with poor habits and bad decisions. Truth is, it all adds up along the way. And then there are those occasions that we identify as coincidence, when in fact we chose to be at that place at that time - be it intentionally or unintentionally. You had to make a series of decisions to even get to that point. The results are what they are. In the end, if you desire happy coincidence, you need to make choices well ahead of time that will put you there. Repetition becomes behavior. Behavior becomes part of your character. If you want to race fast, you have to train fast. At the end of the day, a persons character is what they do when nobody else is not looking. At some point it can't be faked. It will all come home to roost eventually. If you want to take your chance at coincidence, set yourself up for success first.

Training Updates

A minor foot injury during the week, completely unrelated to riding, kind of set things back a bit. Add to that some work demands and it has been a less than ideal week. A session of hills last night felt pretty good. Changing the methods to stimulate more progress. It is past time to get the road bike out and go through all the details. Time is flying by and not a lot of progress on the Huntsman campaign or other training metrics. Diligence is the word of the day.  Time to string a few together.........

Click here for Dave Mason "Only you know and I know"

Ride HARD!