2010 cycling thread

[Jay68442]

The season is only a few weeks away so its time to start a new riding thread. I dropped the road bike off at the bike shop today for a tune-up. Will be hitting the roads soon, spin classes until then.

[dadmo]

I'm in a bit of a jam. My doctor won't allow any muscle building for another 6 weeks. I won't be able to spin or ride until early April.

[Paul54]

I've been doing a lot of business travel so this is my penance for enjoying too many big lunches and dinners. Yesterday covered 15 miles during a high temp of 45F. Today another 12 at about 40F. I'm not complaining. I never thought I'd do this and find it invigorating. Of course, the love goddess thinks I'm crazy. I think she's just jealous.

Bill, I feel your frustration. I'm sure you'll catch up quickly, and leave us in the dust, no doubt. Hang in there.

[TCLEFT]

I'm in a bit of a jam. My doctor won't allow any muscle building for another 6 weeks. I won't be able to spin or ride until early April.

Bill,
Ask your Doctor if you can swim. I've had double ACL tears and repairs. Not as extensive as what you've gone through, but if not for access to a pool, I wouldn't have healed as quickly. If your Doc says ok, I'd say find a YMCA and swim.
ML,
Mark

[dadmo]

I'm only allowed upper body work, which I've done none of. I have therapy M, W, F for 2 1/2 hours each time on the off days I go to the gym and stretch the legs which is also 2 hours, by then I'm ready to head home. I asked if I could work on my calves and that got a no because the calves are attached to the knees. I guess I should have had them replaced sooner. I've gotten to the 130 degrees of flexion he wanted then at the last visit he pushed it to 135. The folks at therapy never saw an order for 135 on a 59 year old but the doc knows I want to be active. After Friday’s session I asked the therapist if she ever worked at gitmo.

[Aegletes]

I guess those therapists have to be ruthless. Any luck getting some sleep at least?

[dadmo]

Sleep is getting easier to come. I have no joint pain at all it's just the constant pulled quad muscles that beginning to wear me down. Now when I wake up I seem to have restless leg syndrome. This too shall pass. I really can't wait to get into shape, I've been given a golden opportunity with these new legs. For years I was unable to lift because of the pressure the weights would put on my legs, now I'll be able to look like a proper 60ish old fool.

[Aegletes]

Check out the bodybuilding.com web site for some inspiration: there are some really built 60+ guys there. Who says life can't begin anew at 60?

[dadmo]

Who says life can't begin anew at 60

That's better than the one I'm used to "at 60 the great thinning of the heard begins "

[TCLEFT]

Just a thought, there is a cycling machine that utilizes arms rather than legs. If nothing else, it should help maintain cardio conditioning.

[dadmo]

Funny you should mention the arm bike. I planned on starting that this week.

[dadmo]

It may not seem like much to the able bodied crowd but I'm allowed to walk 1/4 mile on the days I don't have therapy. This atrophy phase should be over in 5 weeks and then it's hammer time on the bicycle. My road bike has new gearing which will make the hills easier and my hybred is being fitted with front and rear saddlebags so Nancy and I can head out for week long rides. I can't wait.

[Scott]

My first ride of 2010 was a 30-mile loop with two friends. It's a beautiful day for a ride here in New Hampshire, about 40°F when we started at 9:00 a.m. and 50°F when we finished.

I was waffling between the 70- and 100-mile routes in Philly this year, but after this morning's ride, I'm committing to the full century.

[Jay68442]

Good for you Scott. You have plenty of time to get ready for the 100. Just make sure you add plenty of hills to your training.

I'm off for a ride in a few. I will ride a short 16 mile loop but this time of year I'm sure it will not feel short.

[Already Bald]

You guys are doing great getting a jump on the season, and enjoying the weather.
Well done! And please be safe.

[Jay68442]

Enjoyed my ride but it was not so easy. 15 miles, 1003 feet of climbing. Ran into another cyclist enjoying the weather.

[Jay68442]

Ready or not the new season is here. Saturday starts my group rides and although I know I'm not ready I'm so looking forward to going. The first ride is usually an easy one at 25 flat miles but that changes quickly and the hills are added not long after. Today I will get out for a ride, probably a hilly 15 miles. This past Sunday I went mountain biking solo. I have to tell you I really enjoy being in the woods alone with my bike. It’s very peaceful.

Now everyone get out and ride. Good luck in the new season.

[dadmo]

I was able to ride a very tiny bit today. It felt great to go that wonderful 1/4 mile with "The Cape" by Guy Clark playing on my ipod. Today was a great day for me.

[Paul54]

Tough winter for roads here. New Rhode Island Bike Lane sign.

[Smartie]

Tough winter for roads here. New Rhode Island Bike Lane sign.

Love it!

Maybe you could add it here!

[Paul54]

Another one.

[Jay68442]

22 degrees this morning as we rolled out at 8am for the first group ride of the season. My fingers were numb for the first 7 miles but once the blood got flowing I was good for the rest of the ride. Overall a great ride but a little warmer would have been nice. 22 miles in total, one mile for each degree. I thank there were 21- 23 other not so bright people there.

[dadmo]

It's not much but today I went about a 1/2 mile.

[Scott]

It's not much but today I went about a 1/2 mile.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." You're on your way!

[dadmo]

Nancy's in a 3 hour Pediatric Cancer fund raising spin class. The longest spin I ever did was 1 1/2 hours, she's gonna have the family record on this event for a very long, maybe forever, time. She really kicks butt, this time I'm glad it's not mine. I have proper refreshments ready for when she gets home.

[Jay68442]

Wow a 3 hour spin class, Go Nancy! That is one record I wish to never have.
Bill you keep up the good work too. It won't be long before you're racking up the miles.

[dadmo]

2 miles. It's a start.

[Jay68442]

Only a few days ago you did a 1/2 mile. Keep up the good work.

[Rune]

Long time, no post

Nice to see you've all started the cycling season. Wishes for a speedy recovery, Bill. Hopefully, you'll be racking up the miles on the bike soon

I went on my first 16 mile mountainbike ride of the year with a group of friends on Thursday. Despite the rain and hail, I had a great time! It's feels really good to be riding outside again after endless spin classes during winter.

[Scott]

Good to hear from you, Rune! I got in a quick 15-mile ride this afternoon before doing yard work. What a beautiful day it is here!

[Jay68442]

Great weather for cycling. Had a nice 25 mile group ride this morning and plan to get out on the mountain bike for a short ride tomorrow.

[dadmo]

When I get home from vacation I'm planning to give 12 miles a try. I need to break out of the funk I'm in and I think a good ride is the ticket I need. The shop that was upgrading my hybred has it ready with front and rear saddle bags. I have to get at least one over night ride in this season.

[Jay68442]

Went for a 16 mile ride during my lunch break yesterday. I decided to head for the hills, haven't spent much time climbing in the past few weeks. Man did those hills kick my ass. There are 4 hills I like to include in my ride when I'm feeling up to it. 3 of the hills are about a half mile long but the grade is 5-10%. The other is a little over a mile long with an avg grade of 4-5%. During the middle of the season I can do these hills in a pretty hard gear, yesterday had to drop to granny gear to make it. Boy do you lose it fast.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/30127552

[Aegletes]

That's a great average speed considering the terrain. I was hoping for a ride this weekend after several weeks of no riding but the forecast is for rain. Go figure.

[ukboyuk]

Does anyone here suffer from cysts/boils where your rear end meets the seat?

I've heard this is due to an ill-fitting seat although I do sweat quite profusely in this area when sitting down (even in a chair).

Problem is, I use the bike to get from A to B. Breathable cycling shorts when heading to the pub are not really an option

Any ideas for relief?

[dadmo]

This Saturday I'm planning on a 12 mile ride. I have my refurbished hybred ready to go.

[Aegletes]

Fantastic, Bill! I brought my bike to work today so that Nathan and I can go out for a ride in the Somerset hills right after work. Hopefully nothing will blow up here at work so we can sneak out early. It's been almost a month for me so I know I'm going to feel those hills.

[Jay68442]

I know you can do this Bill. Kick Ass!

[Jay68442]

While out riding the other day I had a huge boxer come after me. This dog was well built and muscular. Luckily I was just starting to head downhill so it was pretty easy to out run him but he still chased me for a while. Had I been headed uphill it would have been big problem. I had a flash back of my ride with Chris when he was attacked by a dog. Not pretty. I have since put the mace back on my bike. I love dogs but the next one that even comes close is going to get sprayed. Everyone be careful out there.

[Paul54]

I've only had one yappy little mutt chase me and I outran it easily. Someone told me that spraying a chaser with your water bottle is usually enough to confuse them and slow them down. If I get mace, I'll be too tempted to use it on drivers who pass too close, run stop signs right in front of me, etc. Seriously, though, mace as a backup is a good idea.

[ukboyuk]

Luckily, dogs are not a problem here. But I do have to deal with trams, taxi drivers, young guys on scooters and stoned tourists!

[dadmo]

22 miles this morning, it felt like 100. Tomorrow I'll do a short ride and take the day to recover. I guess this recovery will take the whole year.

[Paul54]

Bill,
I'm not sure what to say. Don't push it? Take your time? Not what you want to hear. I'm sure this is super frustrating. I'm still planning to do the 2013 ride with you. Hang in there.

[dadmo]

Paul:
I update 2013 information on Facebook. I've gotten free rooms arranged for about half the trip.

[Paul54]

I dedicated a long ride yesterday to a friend and colleague in our Dallas office who passed away this week at the age of 49. He had been battling colon cancer for almost 5 years, which is almost as long as I have known him. He enduring countless rounds of chemo, radiation and surgery, much worse than anything we have read about TC treatments. He was consider Clear a few times, only to have it pop up again.

He fought like few people can. He never lost his sense of humor. He insisted on working between treatments despite HR and many people telling him to take time off. There were times he looked like hell and anyone could tell he felt that way. But he pushed on because that's what he wanted to do. Period. End of discussion.

He and his wife did not have children so at least that level of sadness does not exist. He will be remembered.

[Scott]

I rode with over 100 cyclists on Saturday in the Granite State Quest, a ride to conquer childhood cancer that starts in my own home town. I rode the first 30-mile loop along the New Hampshire seacoast feeling strong. As the weather heated up, I finished the second 20-mile loop. Toward the end, my legs started to cramp up -- I probably wasn't diligent enough about staying hydrated.

I wanted to ride more, but seven miles into the third loop, a 50-miler, the skies opened up. On the plus side, it was much cooler and my legs actually felt pretty good. However, I still wasn't sure about a full century, especially through flooded roads, so I turned around and made it a metric century for the day, ending at 64 miles.

The Granite State Quest benefits pediatric oncology research at Massachusetts General Hospital, a terrific cause.

Anyway, I can tell how much more training I still need before heading to Philly next month! I'm almost half way to my fundraising goal for LIVESTRONG, and about $2,700 to go before qualifying for the Ride for the Roses Weekend in Austin.