Arrrrgh! You guys are killing me. I doubt I’ve done 100 road miles this year. Snow, ice, freezing temps. The fat bike has been out but on Saturday my ride totalled one mile! The snow was just too deep then my seat post snapped. End of ride. Trying to ride the trainer at least a couple of times a week . . .
Bummer that I’m missing the Frosty Bear fat bike ride in Laona, WI this weekend. 30 miles on groomed trails in the Nicolet forest.
I’m a year-round Zwifter so a bit extra in winter doesn’t make a lot of difference.
Having said that, last Saturday I was all kitted up and ready to go to Herne Hill (outdoor velodrome) for training but it was iced off. Sunday was worse and as Teocalli knows, I have good reason to be scared of ice.
That was the weekend my coach decided to up the volume so I had six hours of indoor riding.
I’m really enjoying using smart rollers though (Elite Nero). Much better than a stationary trainer.
The only thing I can’t manage are all out sprints. I can do a seated sprint effort of 700 ish watts but a flat out maximum or something like a ramp test just requires too much concentration.
I’m doing Freezing Saddles again this year which motivates me to ride outside as much as possible over the winter. As I type, I’ve logged 367 road miles since January 1st (I had more miles the first two weeks of January than I did in either December or November). But I’m also going to try some indoor training. I have a friend who does Zwift a lot and I’ve done the first two stages of Tour de Zwift with him. It’s fun and different, but don’t think I need to be worried about being seduced by the Dark Side. My… Read more »
If that is your indoor setup it looks like you are well on the way to being seduced by the dark side. I’m at 324 miles for the year (but who’s counting!) and way too many of those have been indoors. Roll on Spring but I fear we have not had Winter yet in the UK.
Nice out today for a Winter Bike run for cake and coffee.
Some great Hinault footage and a very young Patrick Lefevre pops up too! (I also love the tradition of the podium girls getting a flower from the winner’s bouquet – bring it back!)
First ride in the Great Outdoors this year, 80 Km not too cold, or wet, but last few Km were not too easy. Need to work hard to get back in shape! At least that’s 1% of this year’s target rolled off.
Very Best Wishes to all for the New Year. Currently doing most (all) of my miles on Rollers. Need to get out before I start suffering from agoraphobia! Fortunately my buddy is dragging me out on Thursday. I’m pretty out of shape figuratively and metaphorically. Hmm that could be interpreted at least 4 ways – but I do seem to have picked up half a stone from somewhere. I’ll leave the non Brits to figure that out. Bit short on the annual target this year but with fitness issues in the early part of the year and 2 sets of… Read more »
Merry Christmas and Very Best Wishes for the New Year.
I must get the events calendar sorted for 2020 and get the countdown timer going for the start of the Spring Classics. At least all the building and redecorating work is done on the house and I can get back to bike related stuff – and start getting fit again!
True but it’s also a measure of sorts of how I will feel on a 100 Km ride with my buddy – and it does not bode well at the moment.
Interesting that he also says that cold therapy was scientifically proven. I was under the impression that it had been somewhat scientifically debunked. Now I’ll have to go and try to check that……
BLOODY HELL! I was washing my Kwaremont beer glass and it slipped out of my hands. Broke in the sink. Didn’t shatter. Clean break of the stem right where the rider is. Must’ve hit “just right.” No one to blame except myself. F*ck me!
I don’t think it’s salvageable. It’s in three pieces. Even if I could blue it back together, wouldn’t really be usable as a glass for drinking. It’s in with the rest of the glass recycling. I will just have to well enough next year in the OTR League to win another one! Or I can always just buy one. Even with shipping to US, not too extravagent. I just can’t believe I dropped it and it broke. Am really kicking myself about that.
I was thinking of making them 3rd prize again next season. Could have the amusing result of folk playing for 3rd place!
Folk, sorry for being a bit absent on the articles front lately but have had a building project on the go to get this house up for sale. Should be about done this weekend and have a bit more spare time around here. I have a couple of pieces in progress but always looking for other contributions.
So I’m coming up the back of our local hill yesterday. I wasn’t pushing hard but I was at better than cruise when this person cruises by on a shopper style e-bike and says a cheery “Hi”!
I think she must have turned it up to max to catch and pass me as about 25 metres up the road she slowed to about the same pace as me.
Ideas needed – My wife’s Nr.1 rear mech/shifter issue. Shifts up and down the gears just lovely, until you put it in the biggest sprocket, and then it wont shift out again. As you press the shifter there’s no click. You can get it to move by pressing the shifter and manually pulling the cable through at the downtube, after which it shifts fine again until you move it to the biggest sprocket. One idea I had was that the top jockey was fouling on the biggest sprocket and causing a jam – but it’s not that. There is plenty… Read more »
1. Check the shifter by disconnecting the cables and check that the shifter clicks right through the range. If it does not spray in some teflon spray lube, dry it and check again. 2. With the cables disconnected push the rear mech through its full range (by hand) and check that it springs back easily. Lube the spring and pivots. 3. While you have the cable disconnected from the mech, put the shifter in highest gear (smallest cog), then push the cable back through the shifter to expose about 10 cm of wire (at the shifter end). Check for no… Read more »
I have to share this because it’s f*ing hilarious. https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a29021035/does-cycling-apparel-matter/ Style matters. In fact, many of us want to look good almost more than we want to go fast, and I can’t think of an activity or sport in which worrying about your looks while exercising matters just as much—or more—as doing the actual activity. Here is an example: If your friend drops you on a climb, you’ll settle into thinking that you are alone on a mountain looking as good as Fausto Coppi, and that will make up for the humiliation of being dropped by that same friend, who… Read more »
That is quite funny – not sure I ever thought I was Coppi but there was a time when I used to think, when someone passed me and distanced me “Yeah, but I bet he/she has not done / is not doing as many Km as me”.
Now I get passed more often so I think “Yeah, but I bet he/she is not as old as me”!
Thumthing thtung me on the lipth. I’ve always had an irrational (?) fear of swallowing a wasp/bee and getting stung in the mouth/throat. Given the number of flies that seem to have a death wish of flying straight down my throat I’m not so sure that it is totally irrational. Anyway, it was emphasised today when I got stung on the lip. Looking on the upside, I guess I should be grateful that said beastie dug its anchor into my lip in a desperate, last ditch attempt (successful!) not to end up going down my throat. On balance though, I’d… Read more »
Arrrrgh! You guys are killing me. I doubt I’ve done 100 road miles this year. Snow, ice, freezing temps. The fat bike has been out but on Saturday my ride totalled one mile! The snow was just too deep then my seat post snapped. End of ride. Trying to ride the trainer at least a couple of times a week . . .
Bummer that I’m missing the Frosty Bear fat bike ride in Laona, WI this weekend. 30 miles on groomed trails in the Nicolet forest.
I’m a year-round Zwifter so a bit extra in winter doesn’t make a lot of difference.
Having said that, last Saturday I was all kitted up and ready to go to Herne Hill (outdoor velodrome) for training but it was iced off. Sunday was worse and as Teocalli knows, I have good reason to be scared of ice.
That was the weekend my coach decided to up the volume so I had six hours of indoor riding.
I’m really enjoying using smart rollers though (Elite Nero). Much better than a stationary trainer.
Yup, that’s why I not longer ride on frosty days. Still makes my guts churn!
Hmm interesting re the Elite Nero. I was toying with a smart turbo but prefer rollers, might have to consider those if I decide to go the smart route.
They’re great. I do 95% of my Zwifting on them.
The only thing I can’t manage are all out sprints. I can do a seated sprint effort of 700 ish watts but a flat out maximum or something like a ramp test just requires too much concentration.
I’m doing Freezing Saddles again this year which motivates me to ride outside as much as possible over the winter. As I type, I’ve logged 367 road miles since January 1st (I had more miles the first two weeks of January than I did in either December or November). But I’m also going to try some indoor training. I have a friend who does Zwift a lot and I’ve done the first two stages of Tour de Zwift with him. It’s fun and different, but don’t think I need to be worried about being seduced by the Dark Side. My… Read more »
If that is your indoor setup it looks like you are well on the way to being seduced by the dark side. I’m at 324 miles for the year (but who’s counting!) and way too many of those have been indoors. Roll on Spring but I fear we have not had Winter yet in the UK.
Nice out today for a Winter Bike run for cake and coffee.
If any of you have some free time these long winter night, give this a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lxVTy0paw8&t=52s
Some great Hinault footage and a very young Patrick Lefevre pops up too! (I also love the tradition of the podium girls getting a flower from the winner’s bouquet – bring it back!)
Happy New Year OTR’s!
Looks a touch warmer and dryer than here at the moment. The Winter Bike is certainly earning its keep at the moment.
First ride in the Great Outdoors this year, 80 Km not too cold, or wet, but last few Km were not too easy. Need to work hard to get back in shape! At least that’s 1% of this year’s target rolled off.
Very Best Wishes to all for the New Year. Currently doing most (all) of my miles on Rollers. Need to get out before I start suffering from agoraphobia! Fortunately my buddy is dragging me out on Thursday. I’m pretty out of shape figuratively and metaphorically. Hmm that could be interpreted at least 4 ways – but I do seem to have picked up half a stone from somewhere. I’ll leave the non Brits to figure that out. Bit short on the annual target this year but with fitness issues in the early part of the year and 2 sets of… Read more »
The rest of Advent … 22, 23, and 24.
Merry Christmas and Very Best Wishes for the New Year.
I must get the events calendar sorted for 2020 and get the countdown timer going for the start of the Spring Classics. At least all the building and redecorating work is done on the house and I can get back to bike related stuff – and start getting fit again!
From me and my family to all of y’all and y’all’s families … MERRY CHRISTMAS! And greetings from the entire PEZ crew too! https://www.pezcyclingnews.com/features/seasons-greetings-from-the-pez-crew-christmas-2019/
I’m a day behind posting … #21
Yesterday’s Advent beer … #20
Catching up. #18 is the Belgian blonde and #19 is the lager.
17 = Irish Stout
Number 16
Advent day 15 beer (Belgian white ale) plus a Christmas present from my best riding buddy.
Well, that’s the extension painted. Back on the Rollers try to regain lost fitness. Down 2 mph average over an hour. Ugh.
At least things continue to be positive on the health front but way, way down on my Spring 2018 fitness level.
‘Appen I’m also getting old.
Heed the words of Phil Gaimon: https://www.bicycling.com/culture/a29817434/phil-gaimon-being-fast-is-pointless/
True but it’s also a measure of sorts of how I will feel on a 100 Km ride with my buddy – and it does not bode well at the moment.
Interesting that he also says that cold therapy was scientifically proven. I was under the impression that it had been somewhat scientifically debunked. Now I’ll have to go and try to check that……
Seems opinion is still mixed on icing. Though here is one that seems to be based on scientific research vs fad……..https://share.upmc.com/2016/02/using-ice-exercise/
Lunch today was a sub from the Italian Store and my No. 14 Advent beer … a double IPA.
I think maybe it was some sort of omen that I dropped and broke my Kwaremont beer glass. Here’s my Friday the 13th Advent beer sans the glass.
BLOODY HELL! I was washing my Kwaremont beer glass and it slipped out of my hands. Broke in the sink. Didn’t shatter. Clean break of the stem right where the rider is. Must’ve hit “just right.” No one to blame except myself. F*ck me!
Nooooooo. I keep getting adverts for some new UV activated glue that is meant to be able to repair glass. Will try to find it……
Quick Google search shows quite a few options that might be worth trying.
I don’t think it’s salvageable. It’s in three pieces. Even if I could blue it back together, wouldn’t really be usable as a glass for drinking. It’s in with the rest of the glass recycling. I will just have to well enough next year in the OTR League to win another one! Or I can always just buy one. Even with shipping to US, not too extravagent. I just can’t believe I dropped it and it broke. Am really kicking myself about that.
I was thinking of making them 3rd prize again next season. Could have the amusing result of folk playing for 3rd place!
Folk, sorry for being a bit absent on the articles front lately but have had a building project on the go to get this house up for sale. Should be about done this weekend and have a bit more spare time around here. I have a couple of pieces in progress but always looking for other contributions.
If you do, we’ll all be sandbagging to place third!
Nine was a Belgian amber ale for my Belgian Kwaremont beer glass.
Ten was a Belgian blonde
Chronicling Advent with my Kwaremont beer glass. Let Advent-ing begin!
Day 2
Third day of Advent
This is shaping up to be a great collection!
Today’s beer is a Belgian white, which is appropos for my Kwaremont glass!
Fourth day of Advent
Catching up … Day 5. I’m not the biggest fan of wheat beer, but this was good. Plus … beer.
Sixth day of Advent is an IPA … my fave.
Seventh day of Advent … only 18 more to go!
Hic!
Day 8
A day late posting eleven … a malty Irish stout.
Twelve is a Bock beer
So I’m coming up the back of our local hill yesterday. I wasn’t pushing hard but I was at better than cruise when this person cruises by on a shopper style e-bike and says a cheery “Hi”!
I think she must have turned it up to max to catch and pass me as about 25 metres up the road she slowed to about the same pace as me.
But on a SHOPPER?!
Ideas needed – My wife’s Nr.1 rear mech/shifter issue. Shifts up and down the gears just lovely, until you put it in the biggest sprocket, and then it wont shift out again. As you press the shifter there’s no click. You can get it to move by pressing the shifter and manually pulling the cable through at the downtube, after which it shifts fine again until you move it to the biggest sprocket. One idea I had was that the top jockey was fouling on the biggest sprocket and causing a jam – but it’s not that. There is plenty… Read more »
1. Check the shifter by disconnecting the cables and check that the shifter clicks right through the range. If it does not spray in some teflon spray lube, dry it and check again. 2. With the cables disconnected push the rear mech through its full range (by hand) and check that it springs back easily. Lube the spring and pivots. 3. While you have the cable disconnected from the mech, put the shifter in highest gear (smallest cog), then push the cable back through the shifter to expose about 10 cm of wire (at the shifter end). Check for no… Read more »
Or just turn it into a fixie!
I have to share this because it’s f*ing hilarious. https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a29021035/does-cycling-apparel-matter/ Style matters. In fact, many of us want to look good almost more than we want to go fast, and I can’t think of an activity or sport in which worrying about your looks while exercising matters just as much—or more—as doing the actual activity. Here is an example: If your friend drops you on a climb, you’ll settle into thinking that you are alone on a mountain looking as good as Fausto Coppi, and that will make up for the humiliation of being dropped by that same friend, who… Read more »
That is quite funny – not sure I ever thought I was Coppi but there was a time when I used to think, when someone passed me and distanced me “Yeah, but I bet he/she has not done / is not doing as many Km as me”.
Now I get passed more often so I think “Yeah, but I bet he/she is not as old as me”!
Not withstanding I have had a decent excuse recently per https://ontherivet.net/rediscovering-the-hum/
Thumthing thtung me on the lipth. I’ve always had an irrational (?) fear of swallowing a wasp/bee and getting stung in the mouth/throat. Given the number of flies that seem to have a death wish of flying straight down my throat I’m not so sure that it is totally irrational. Anyway, it was emphasised today when I got stung on the lip. Looking on the upside, I guess I should be grateful that said beastie dug its anchor into my lip in a desperate, last ditch attempt (successful!) not to end up going down my throat. On balance though, I’d… Read more »