Well, I might not be blogging as much for the next two weeks. Not that I do alot anyway, but I am taking 2 weeks off work to be home with my 10 week old son. My wife is coming back to work and I'm headed home. I'll try and post here and there but it's harder at home.
Anywho... enjoy the nice weather!
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Weight
I helped a friend of mine put together a snappy new bike last night. He bought it from a bike store in Boulder, CO. It is a nice pretty Iron Horse hard tail 3.0 that was a great price. It is a lower end model which is cool. He doesn't really ride alot anyway. He had an old (I mean old) Novara bike that I think I just swindled from him. He told me I could have it! Weeee, I now see a great single speed grocery getter bike in my future.
Anywho, on to the purpose. As I was putting all the components on his bike, I really started to have a yearning to update my mt bike a little. It's a 2006 Kona Dawg that has been ridden pretty hard. 2 major crashes is all. One left me in stitches and the other left my back very scratched up. Both left the front wheel taco'd.
So, I decided to put together a list of parts that it currently has and then find the parts and price of the components I would like to update it with. I have yet to do that part.
However, I did come to the conclusion that the components on my bike are HEAVY! Like 18 pounds of heavy and it does not include that stem, peddles, frame or the rims. That means that my road bike weighs about the same as the components on my mt bike. Yikes! I mean, sure, I do alot of rougher riding on the dawg but come on. I think the bike as a whole weighs pretty close to 38 or 39 pounds.
I know it will never be a weight weenie bike or anything, which I am totally fine with, but I would like it to go on a diet. If I could get it down to about 32 pounds I would be happy. With everything I've read, it won't be hard. Maybe expensive, but not hard. These are a list of my first (hopefully) upgrades (I don't have brands or models of anything yet)
seatpost
saddle
wheelset
hubs
tires
fork (I'd really like the Fox Talus $$$$)
Crank
Rear shock (I'd really like the Fox DHX coil 5.0 even though there is no weight savings here)
So there we have it. My main goal before the Dakota 5-0 this year is to upgrade the wheelset and tires. I think that will make the biggest difference in my riding performance.
Oh, and maybe I should put my fat ass on a diet as well.
Out
Anywho, on to the purpose. As I was putting all the components on his bike, I really started to have a yearning to update my mt bike a little. It's a 2006 Kona Dawg that has been ridden pretty hard. 2 major crashes is all. One left me in stitches and the other left my back very scratched up. Both left the front wheel taco'd.
So, I decided to put together a list of parts that it currently has and then find the parts and price of the components I would like to update it with. I have yet to do that part.
However, I did come to the conclusion that the components on my bike are HEAVY! Like 18 pounds of heavy and it does not include that stem, peddles, frame or the rims. That means that my road bike weighs about the same as the components on my mt bike. Yikes! I mean, sure, I do alot of rougher riding on the dawg but come on. I think the bike as a whole weighs pretty close to 38 or 39 pounds.
I know it will never be a weight weenie bike or anything, which I am totally fine with, but I would like it to go on a diet. If I could get it down to about 32 pounds I would be happy. With everything I've read, it won't be hard. Maybe expensive, but not hard. These are a list of my first (hopefully) upgrades (I don't have brands or models of anything yet)
seatpost
saddle
wheelset
hubs
tires
fork (I'd really like the Fox Talus $$$$)
Crank
Rear shock (I'd really like the Fox DHX coil 5.0 even though there is no weight savings here)
So there we have it. My main goal before the Dakota 5-0 this year is to upgrade the wheelset and tires. I think that will make the biggest difference in my riding performance.
Oh, and maybe I should put my fat ass on a diet as well.
Out
The Collective
Oh boy am I excited! A new mountain bike film by The Collective is coming out in April. These guys make an awesome film. I've seen their other works, Roam, The Collective and now Seasons. They are inspirational and have the most amazing filmography I have ever seen. I would love to be on site when they shoot. Not only to see the riders, but to see how they set up their shoots. I try to be an amateur filmographer and it would be fun to see how the "pros" do it.
Anyway, check out the teaser here.
Seasons
Anyway, check out the teaser here.
Seasons
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
IT
Alright, here at work, the group of people I work with are running Apple computers. We are intertwined in a pretty large company where everyone else uses Windows based computers. We have a printer in our area that we plugged into the network and all of us Apple users are able to print to, no problems. Well, we now have another person in our area who uses a windows based computer and she wanted to print to that printer. The IT guys came down and asked how we got it to work. I said, we plugged the printer into the network and we each added the printer and it just works. Well, he did some research, then found out they had to add the printer to their print server in order for our new Windows person to print to it. Well, they did that and now half of the Apple people can print to it and the other half can't. The windows person still can't print. We contacted the IT person and he replied with, "well, ask Dan... (me) because his would still print." Well, that's all fine and dandy, but they screwed around with the printer, gave it an IP address and added it to their print server... none of which I have access to. So, my question is "Why can't we print?" It's pissing me off that I am not an IT guy although I do like to troubleshoot and I will give it my best try before asking someone, but still... come on guys, the IT people are here to deal with these things and they blow it off. Not cool!
But on a good note, I rode my bike today.
And I get to help a buddy put together a bike he just got in the mail. A new Iron Horse mountain bike that is pretty!
But on a good note, I rode my bike today.
And I get to help a buddy put together a bike he just got in the mail. A new Iron Horse mountain bike that is pretty!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
BHMBA Biggest Loser
I noticed yesterday on the BHMBA group ride page that they have a new contest. It's the biggest loser contest. Deadline is July 1, 2008. I think there are about 3 or 4 people who are signed up so far. I'm one of those. Now I actually have a reason to shoot for my goal. I weighed myself this morning and it was 191.5. I want to get to 175 so we'll see. Winner gets to climb faster and be fitter and get some Acme Bikes schwag. I got my Kona mountain bike from there.
Black Hills Bicycling Rides
Anywho, live long and light... that's my new slogan.
Black Hills Bicycling Rides
Anywho, live long and light... that's my new slogan.
Ouch
Old age must be settling in a bit early. Last night I was trying to fix our bed frame (it is bent due to a cheap frame) and I hurt my back. I was leaning over and I felt the muscle pop... Then, down I went into an old heap of pain on the floor. I couldn't move. The wife was giving the boy a bath and when she came into the bedroom, she just looked at me and asked "what happened?" I quickly replied, I hurt my back and I can't get up. She helped me into the living room where I remained for the entire night while switching from heating pad to ice. I took a bunch of IBprofin this morning and my back still hurts, but not as bad. I can at least function.
What I was the most upset about was that I missed my roller ride last night. I was pretty mad, but I couldn't stand up much less sit on some rollers.
Maybe tonight, we'll see.
What I was the most upset about was that I missed my roller ride last night. I was pretty mad, but I couldn't stand up much less sit on some rollers.
Maybe tonight, we'll see.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Heart Rate
Alright, I have a heart rate monitor that I use when I ride my bike. However, even though I have one, I probably don't use it as I should. Honestly, I don't really know how to get the most out of it.
I started doing some searching online today and I checked and discovered a few things.
Today my resting heart rate is:
48 bpm
191 max hr
60-75% = 133-155
85-90% = 169-176
VO2 Max = 176-191
I am both impressed by these numbers and saddened a little bit. Usually when I ride I hang right around the 145-150 mark. I can hold those numbers for a long time. However, the things that I know I need to work on is intensity. I try doing some intervals on the rollers and very rarely can I get my heart rate up to 160+. I can, but I seriously feel like I am going to die. On that note, I found a couple training programs to help that out. I need to do more interval stuff and work everything harder.
I found these trainer plans HERE!
Aerobic power 1 (50 minutes)
15 minutes - Warm up (increasing intensity)
5 x (4min high intensity + 2min low intensity)
5 minutes cool down
This program is designed to increase your maximum oxygen consumption. It gives you 20 minutes at a very high oxygen consumption, but it is not designed to be ridden to completely exhaustion. Your VO2 max will gain improvements even at a more comfortable pace. It is, however, still important to push yourself very hard during the intervals. In the resting periods you should maintain an intensity at about 60% of VO2 max.
Aerobic power 2 (49 minutes)
15 minutes - warm up (increasing intensity)
5 x (40 sec. very high intensity – 20 sec. low intensity)
3 minutes recovery
5 x (40 sec. very high intensity – 20 sec. low intensity)
3 minutes recovery
5 x (40 sec. very high intensity – 20 sec. low intensity)
3 minutes recovery
5 x (40 sec. very high intensity – 20 sec. low intensity)
5 minutes cool down
This program is also designed to increase your maximum oxygen consumption. You work with a slightly higher intensity during the intervals than in the previous ‘Aerobic Power 1′ program. You will also gain increments in your anaerobic capacity. You can expect results after only a couple of training sessions. This program really rocks.
Anaerobic power 1 (50 minutes)
15 minutes - warm up (increasing intensity)
5 x (60sec. maximum intensity + 6 min. recovery)
This program is designed to increase your anaerobic capacity. During the intervals the body is exposed to enormous amounts of anaerobic metabolits. After only a few of these sessions your body will be better to work at an anaerobic enviroment. This skill is primarily used in competitions, where jumps and sprints demand anaerobic efforts. This art of training is very exhausting and therefore it should primary be used for competition preparation.
Aerobic power 3
10min warm-up
3min (semi-high intensity)
2min low intensity
8 x (3min high intensity + 2min low intensity)
5min cool down
This program gives you 24minutes at very high aerobic oxygen consumption. Your aerobic engine will love this program and you will be glad that these tough intervals are separated into short 3minutes bursts. It is though important to maintain some intensity in the recovery periods since that will help you to recover faster.
Aerobic power 4
10min warm-up
3min (semi-high intensity)
2min low intensity
4 x (6min high intensity + 4min low intensity)
5min cool down
This program also gives you 24minutes at very high aerobic oxygen consumption, but it will be tougher for you to maintain the same power outputs as in ‘Aerobic Power 3’ since the intervals are twice as long. If you compete in time trial events this program is good for pacing control training.
So, if I start doing some actual training programs to help out my cycling season, I would assume that I should do these no more than twice a week so I don't overtrain. Just a guess.
Why can't cyclists have training plans like runners do for 5K, 10K, half and full marathons? I've run a marathon and the training plan from runnersworld was awesome. It seems that cycling coaches want money for their training programs. I suppose we can thank Lance for that.
Also, it is really weird looking at George H on a Giant bicycle. He should ride a Trek...
I started doing some searching online today and I checked and discovered a few things.
Today my resting heart rate is:
48 bpm
191 max hr
60-75% = 133-155
85-90% = 169-176
VO2 Max = 176-191
I am both impressed by these numbers and saddened a little bit. Usually when I ride I hang right around the 145-150 mark. I can hold those numbers for a long time. However, the things that I know I need to work on is intensity. I try doing some intervals on the rollers and very rarely can I get my heart rate up to 160+. I can, but I seriously feel like I am going to die. On that note, I found a couple training programs to help that out. I need to do more interval stuff and work everything harder.
I found these trainer plans HERE!
Aerobic power 1 (50 minutes)
15 minutes - Warm up (increasing intensity)
5 x (4min high intensity + 2min low intensity)
5 minutes cool down
This program is designed to increase your maximum oxygen consumption. It gives you 20 minutes at a very high oxygen consumption, but it is not designed to be ridden to completely exhaustion. Your VO2 max will gain improvements even at a more comfortable pace. It is, however, still important to push yourself very hard during the intervals. In the resting periods you should maintain an intensity at about 60% of VO2 max.
Aerobic power 2 (49 minutes)
15 minutes - warm up (increasing intensity)
5 x (40 sec. very high intensity – 20 sec. low intensity)
3 minutes recovery
5 x (40 sec. very high intensity – 20 sec. low intensity)
3 minutes recovery
5 x (40 sec. very high intensity – 20 sec. low intensity)
3 minutes recovery
5 x (40 sec. very high intensity – 20 sec. low intensity)
5 minutes cool down
This program is also designed to increase your maximum oxygen consumption. You work with a slightly higher intensity during the intervals than in the previous ‘Aerobic Power 1′ program. You will also gain increments in your anaerobic capacity. You can expect results after only a couple of training sessions. This program really rocks.
Anaerobic power 1 (50 minutes)
15 minutes - warm up (increasing intensity)
5 x (60sec. maximum intensity + 6 min. recovery)
This program is designed to increase your anaerobic capacity. During the intervals the body is exposed to enormous amounts of anaerobic metabolits. After only a few of these sessions your body will be better to work at an anaerobic enviroment. This skill is primarily used in competitions, where jumps and sprints demand anaerobic efforts. This art of training is very exhausting and therefore it should primary be used for competition preparation.
Aerobic power 3
10min warm-up
3min (semi-high intensity)
2min low intensity
8 x (3min high intensity + 2min low intensity)
5min cool down
This program gives you 24minutes at very high aerobic oxygen consumption. Your aerobic engine will love this program and you will be glad that these tough intervals are separated into short 3minutes bursts. It is though important to maintain some intensity in the recovery periods since that will help you to recover faster.
Aerobic power 4
10min warm-up
3min (semi-high intensity)
2min low intensity
4 x (6min high intensity + 4min low intensity)
5min cool down
This program also gives you 24minutes at very high aerobic oxygen consumption, but it will be tougher for you to maintain the same power outputs as in ‘Aerobic Power 3’ since the intervals are twice as long. If you compete in time trial events this program is good for pacing control training.
So, if I start doing some actual training programs to help out my cycling season, I would assume that I should do these no more than twice a week so I don't overtrain. Just a guess.
Why can't cyclists have training plans like runners do for 5K, 10K, half and full marathons? I've run a marathon and the training plan from runnersworld was awesome. It seems that cycling coaches want money for their training programs. I suppose we can thank Lance for that.
Also, it is really weird looking at George H on a Giant bicycle. He should ride a Trek...
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Service Plans
Alright, I'm not sure what your opinion is on service plans, but I think they are a joke. Our heater went out last night and instead of calling the heating company to repair it, we turned on a couple space heaters and left for the night. I would have stayed, but given we have a newborn decided to leave. Anyway, I called company X to see if we could get a service man over and fix our heater. The lady on the phone asked if we had a service plan with them. I said no. She responded with, we are going to have to charge you a $95 after hours fee. I said, "But I am calling you at 9am and it's not after hours." She the responded with, but you don't have the service plan which would wave the after hours fee if the guy can't make it during normal business hours. Well, the repair man came and fixed the heater this morning. He finished up at around 1pm which last I knew, is not after hours. However, we will get charged the extra $95 even though the guy wasn't there after hours, nor did I call after hours. I think this is complete BS. It's a crappy way to get people to pay more every month for a stupid service plan that you may or may not need. Then When you do call and it is normal business hours, they charge you the fee anyway just because you don't have the service plan.
Damn the man!
Damn the man!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Tour of Cali
I am pumped! The new cycling season on Versus has finally begun. I didn't get a chance to watch the coverage yesterday, but you can bet your bottom dollar that I will be following the action on the tour tracker and on Versus tonight. Now that Discovery is out, I really am not sure who I am going to route for. I like Slipstream just because some of my favorite riders are there. However, I have the same feelings about Team High Road, Astana and CSC. I enjoy watching riders from each team. I guess I really don't have to pick a favorite. I could stay neutral and just route for riders instead of teams.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Weight Loss
Well, I'm doing really good to get in shape for the upcoming bicycling season. Since my rollers came in there has only been one day that I did not ride. Other than that, I have been fully committed. On top of riding nearly every day, I've lost 4 pounds. So, I'm down to 188. My goal for the summer is to be around 175 by April. I don't think it should be too much of a problem if I lay off the chips and beer and get my workout in everyday.
That's pretty much my update for the day.
That's pretty much my update for the day.
Monday, February 11, 2008
New Header!
I made a stupid header. I need to spend some more time and make on that looks good. And probably modify the rest of the page too since that is my profession. I make websites. That's what I do. Check out more at danspoke.com. It does sound like I'm soliciting. Yuck...
I do other stuff too. I am not soliciting business. I'm far too lazy for that. I did just finish making a logo for the disc golf club here though. They are hosting the Region 7 tournament this year. Look at it. It hasn't been approved yet so don't get your panties in a wad.
I haven't played disc golf in a year or so. I should go. It's fun... and cheap.
Sweet!
I do other stuff too. I am not soliciting business. I'm far too lazy for that. I did just finish making a logo for the disc golf club here though. They are hosting the Region 7 tournament this year. Look at it. It hasn't been approved yet so don't get your panties in a wad.
I haven't played disc golf in a year or so. I should go. It's fun... and cheap.
Sweet!
Rollers Adventure Part II
Well, I rode my rollers again yesterday. This time for 40 minutes while watching "The Recruit" on tv. I did really well. I took a small 5 minute break at minute 23, then continued in the saddle for more time. It was actually quite relaxing. I think good workouts are always relaxing. I'm looking forward to tonight.
If I can recall my numbers:
40 minutes
157 average heart rate
17+ average mph
629 kilocalories
14+ total miles
I'm loving it. I really can't wait to get out on the road and see how my training will have affected my performance.
I'm going to have to have the same routine every Sunday though. I play city league basketball with a bunch of guys and I had my best game all season. I'm definitely putting the success on the fact that I rode my bike. Our team is still undefeated. I guess when you put a bunch of former college basketball players on one team, you tend to do pretty well.
Go Rollers!
If I can recall my numbers:
40 minutes
157 average heart rate
17+ average mph
629 kilocalories
14+ total miles
I'm loving it. I really can't wait to get out on the road and see how my training will have affected my performance.
I'm going to have to have the same routine every Sunday though. I play city league basketball with a bunch of guys and I had my best game all season. I'm definitely putting the success on the fact that I rode my bike. Our team is still undefeated. I guess when you put a bunch of former college basketball players on one team, you tend to do pretty well.
Go Rollers!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Rollers
Alright, those rollers that I ordered from Performance came in yesterday. I set them up last night (very easy by the way) and hopped on my bike for a little spin. I took the advice from everyone on roadbikereview and started out in a doorway. That was some of the best advice I have ever gotten. To start with, I couldn't let go of the doorway. I was wibbly and wobbly all over the place, but I never fell off. After about 5 minutes of that, I finally got myself steady enough to put both hands on the handlebar. I was staring straight ahead at the front door. My wife was watching and she was wondering why I was gazing at the door without looking around. I told her if I look anywhere else, I'm gonna die.
So, after about 10 minutes of trial and error up-stairs, I thought i would actually try and get a workout in. So I moved my bike and the rollers downstairs, set them up by the wall, put in a mt bike movie and started riding. I made the mistake of looking down to the left... I fell over. I didn't hit the ground, but it was bad enough that I'm pretty sure I would have won the funniest home video award.
Anyone who says that you can't get a workout on rollers is mistaken. In my opinion, I was on the rollers for a total of 15 minutes of actual workout time and I was beat. I had to downshift a couple times because my legs and lungs were getting pretty tired. They are the 3 inch variety which I heard is more like a road feel. I will be ready this year and hopefully these rollers will snap me into shape.
My only complaint is they are fairly noisy. I thought they would be quiet but nope, they make a fair amount of noise.
A+ on the purchase. $150 well spent. Oddly enough, I am really looking forward to my training session tonight. Maybe I'll get 20 minutes in this time.
So, after about 10 minutes of trial and error up-stairs, I thought i would actually try and get a workout in. So I moved my bike and the rollers downstairs, set them up by the wall, put in a mt bike movie and started riding. I made the mistake of looking down to the left... I fell over. I didn't hit the ground, but it was bad enough that I'm pretty sure I would have won the funniest home video award.
Anyone who says that you can't get a workout on rollers is mistaken. In my opinion, I was on the rollers for a total of 15 minutes of actual workout time and I was beat. I had to downshift a couple times because my legs and lungs were getting pretty tired. They are the 3 inch variety which I heard is more like a road feel. I will be ready this year and hopefully these rollers will snap me into shape.
My only complaint is they are fairly noisy. I thought they would be quiet but nope, they make a fair amount of noise.
A+ on the purchase. $150 well spent. Oddly enough, I am really looking forward to my training session tonight. Maybe I'll get 20 minutes in this time.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Humour: Tips for becoming a roadie
Read this article here
I thought it was funny as I am a mt biker who also rides on the road and doesn't shave my legs. enjoy... muhahahahaha!!!
Humour: Tips for becoming a roadie
By Elden Nelson, The Fat Cyclist
Oh those silly roadies! (Tim de Waele)
As a mountain biker, you have no doubt noticed an entirely different kind of rider from time to time: the road cyclist. You have probably heard that many pro mountain bikers train on the road, due to the improved power, stamina, and pedaling technique road cycling yields.
Perhaps you've noticed how elegant and svelte a good road bike looks, and have thought to yourself 'I wouldn't mind riding on the road.'
Well, good for you.
However, my mountain biking friend, there are seven vital things you should know before you hit the road, so to speak.
1. Your bike is different.
As a mountain biker, you are used to putting your back into it when you need to lift the thing onto a bike rack, over a log, or so forth. My own preferred method is to use the 'Clean and Jerk.' If you use similar force when lifting a road bike, there's a good chance you'll accidentally throw it over a building.
Also, you need to pump the tires up harder. Much harder. No, even harder than that. Generally, in fact, it takes the weight of two or three 'roadies' (an endearing term road cyclists like to call themselves) to push down hard enough on a standard floor pump to get the tires to the proper pressure.
How do you know when a road tire is inflated to the proper pressure? The answer is simple: it's hard enough when one single more stroke of the pump will blow it off the rim. The real art is, naturally, in knowing whether you've reached that point.
2. The terrain is different.
When you are mountain biking, you naturally are inclined to look for interesting obstacles to ride over -- roots, rocks, fallen logs are all part of the fun. On a road bike, on the other hand, anything but perfectly smooth pavement is a potentially life-threatening danger, and must be avoided at all costs. Further, if you are ahead of another cyclist, you must use elaborate hand gestures to indicate that there is -- horrors! -- a pebble 75 metres up the road.
3. Words you know have different meanings.
Since roadies and mountain bikers have a common heritage, it's no surprise that they share some vocabulary. It's also no surprise that the variance in meaning in some of that vocabulary can get you into trouble.
For example, if a mountain biker says a ride is 'technical', you can assume that there is loose shale, several ledge drops, high-penalty (e.g., death) exposure on one side of the trail, or slick, mossy roots twisting along the singletrack. If a roadie calls a ride 'technical' on the other hand, it most likely means that there is a roundabout somewhere in the ride.
As a second example, when a mountain biker talks about going on a 'group ride', it means that a bunch of friends got together, regrouped at junctures of the ride, talked as they were riding, and probably had a beer or twelve together after the ride. When roadies have a 'group ride', on the other hand, riders are expected to ride in a tight formation, paying strict attention to the gap between your front tire and the rear wheel ahead of you. the gap should be no more than four inches. After the obligatory ten minute warmup, it becomes each rider's dual purpose to drop every other rider, while not being dropped yourself.
4. Beware of triathletes.
As a mountain biker, you've always been deeply suspicious of triathletes. As a road cyclist, you will find out you were correct to be so, and you will find out why. Triathletes will try to infiltrate your ranks and join your rides, then demonstrate that they have no idea of how to ride in a group, and very little control of their direction of travel.
Most importantly, though, they wear these short shorts and tank tops that are just plain creepy.
5. You must now keep your bike clean.
On a mountain bike, dirt is a badge of honor. A little mud on the downtube tells other riders that you're not afraid to ride in the rough stuff. On a road bike, on the other hand, if your bike isn't 15 percent cleaner than when you bought it, you are a slovenly ne'er-do-well who cannot be trusted.
6. Your body needs to change.
As a mountain biker, you've no doubt noticed it's quite helpful to have not just strong legs, but strong arms as well. Roadies, on the other hand, regard their arms as a necessary evil, their sole function being to keep their chests from falling onto the bike's stem.
It's a well-known fact that roadies bind their arms to their sides when not riding bikes, doing everything they can to facilitate the atrophy of these non-contributing limbs.
7. What you look at changes.
When mountain biking, you have no doubt been astounded at the beauty around you -- the trees, the streams, wildlife, beautiful sandstone vistas. As a road cyclist, you will also find yourself occupied with things to look at, such as the pavement. Or, if you're riding in a group, you'll be treated to the constant, unavoidable sight of the butt of the guy riding ahead of you. And cars flying by you, yelling out helpful suggestions about what you should do and to whom, as well as their understanding of whether you belong on the road (their stance is that you do not).
It's breathtaking, frankly.
As you can clearly see, road cycling has numerous exciting different experiences to offer the mountain biker. I'm sure you can hardly wait to try it out.
I thought it was funny as I am a mt biker who also rides on the road and doesn't shave my legs. enjoy... muhahahahaha!!!
Humour: Tips for becoming a roadie
By Elden Nelson, The Fat Cyclist
Oh those silly roadies! (Tim de Waele)
As a mountain biker, you have no doubt noticed an entirely different kind of rider from time to time: the road cyclist. You have probably heard that many pro mountain bikers train on the road, due to the improved power, stamina, and pedaling technique road cycling yields.
Perhaps you've noticed how elegant and svelte a good road bike looks, and have thought to yourself 'I wouldn't mind riding on the road.'
Well, good for you.
However, my mountain biking friend, there are seven vital things you should know before you hit the road, so to speak.
1. Your bike is different.
As a mountain biker, you are used to putting your back into it when you need to lift the thing onto a bike rack, over a log, or so forth. My own preferred method is to use the 'Clean and Jerk.' If you use similar force when lifting a road bike, there's a good chance you'll accidentally throw it over a building.
Also, you need to pump the tires up harder. Much harder. No, even harder than that. Generally, in fact, it takes the weight of two or three 'roadies' (an endearing term road cyclists like to call themselves) to push down hard enough on a standard floor pump to get the tires to the proper pressure.
How do you know when a road tire is inflated to the proper pressure? The answer is simple: it's hard enough when one single more stroke of the pump will blow it off the rim. The real art is, naturally, in knowing whether you've reached that point.
2. The terrain is different.
When you are mountain biking, you naturally are inclined to look for interesting obstacles to ride over -- roots, rocks, fallen logs are all part of the fun. On a road bike, on the other hand, anything but perfectly smooth pavement is a potentially life-threatening danger, and must be avoided at all costs. Further, if you are ahead of another cyclist, you must use elaborate hand gestures to indicate that there is -- horrors! -- a pebble 75 metres up the road.
3. Words you know have different meanings.
Since roadies and mountain bikers have a common heritage, it's no surprise that they share some vocabulary. It's also no surprise that the variance in meaning in some of that vocabulary can get you into trouble.
For example, if a mountain biker says a ride is 'technical', you can assume that there is loose shale, several ledge drops, high-penalty (e.g., death) exposure on one side of the trail, or slick, mossy roots twisting along the singletrack. If a roadie calls a ride 'technical' on the other hand, it most likely means that there is a roundabout somewhere in the ride.
As a second example, when a mountain biker talks about going on a 'group ride', it means that a bunch of friends got together, regrouped at junctures of the ride, talked as they were riding, and probably had a beer or twelve together after the ride. When roadies have a 'group ride', on the other hand, riders are expected to ride in a tight formation, paying strict attention to the gap between your front tire and the rear wheel ahead of you. the gap should be no more than four inches. After the obligatory ten minute warmup, it becomes each rider's dual purpose to drop every other rider, while not being dropped yourself.
4. Beware of triathletes.
As a mountain biker, you've always been deeply suspicious of triathletes. As a road cyclist, you will find out you were correct to be so, and you will find out why. Triathletes will try to infiltrate your ranks and join your rides, then demonstrate that they have no idea of how to ride in a group, and very little control of their direction of travel.
Most importantly, though, they wear these short shorts and tank tops that are just plain creepy.
5. You must now keep your bike clean.
On a mountain bike, dirt is a badge of honor. A little mud on the downtube tells other riders that you're not afraid to ride in the rough stuff. On a road bike, on the other hand, if your bike isn't 15 percent cleaner than when you bought it, you are a slovenly ne'er-do-well who cannot be trusted.
6. Your body needs to change.
As a mountain biker, you've no doubt noticed it's quite helpful to have not just strong legs, but strong arms as well. Roadies, on the other hand, regard their arms as a necessary evil, their sole function being to keep their chests from falling onto the bike's stem.
It's a well-known fact that roadies bind their arms to their sides when not riding bikes, doing everything they can to facilitate the atrophy of these non-contributing limbs.
7. What you look at changes.
When mountain biking, you have no doubt been astounded at the beauty around you -- the trees, the streams, wildlife, beautiful sandstone vistas. As a road cyclist, you will also find yourself occupied with things to look at, such as the pavement. Or, if you're riding in a group, you'll be treated to the constant, unavoidable sight of the butt of the guy riding ahead of you. And cars flying by you, yelling out helpful suggestions about what you should do and to whom, as well as their understanding of whether you belong on the road (their stance is that you do not).
It's breathtaking, frankly.
As you can clearly see, road cycling has numerous exciting different experiences to offer the mountain biker. I'm sure you can hardly wait to try it out.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Super Tuesday
Yesterday I came down with a bug. Today, the bug seems to be gone. I left work at lunch yesterday and slept for the entire afternoon. I had chills, I had sweats and I had a tummy ache. Today, I feel like a million bucks.
I really have nothing to report. The stock show ended. I had family out for it. It's always nice to see them.
I have nothing else to report. Sorry for the lamo post.
I really have nothing to report. The stock show ended. I had family out for it. It's always nice to see them.
I have nothing else to report. Sorry for the lamo post.
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