excuse me - i'm not even a cyclist or fan of the sport. but Lance Armstrong has to be one of the biggest studs on the face of the planet. 7 straight tour de france championships? and you can't do any better than going out on top. for years to come the winners will know that they won, "but they never beat lance."

you left out ... and he did it all with only one testicle.

my friend's dad who trains and races, etc. told me something about how Lance has higher oxygen saturation than 99 % of the population, whicha llows his muscles and lungs to perform more ideally, blah blah blah...in other words, no matter how good you are or how hard yo utrain, you'll never beat Lance because he's a Freak.

hmmmm, i wonder if i can get a gov't grant to study the correlation between nut removal and higher oxygen content?

You might draw that connection, but truth be told, Lance's lactate threshold and VO2 max level were beyond that of the average human even before he got cancer. His therapy somehow improved it.

Some news report I saw said his heart was 20-30% bigger than a normal human heart before he started, and with training he got it up to 50%. No report on how big other cylists got on the same scale, though.

Birthday Ride
 

Having never envisioned living this long, I felt free to ride a little bit loosey goosey today. I almost paid dearly. We went up to Shidagin Hollow where conditions are dry and fast right now. We had to ride over a lot of logs which actually went very well today. Unfortunately after clearing one on a slight uphill I felt the need for speed and topped a rise moving pretty good but cheating to the left edge of the single track. I basicly took a jousting pole to the left breast. I saw it happening at the last instant and twisted away from the broken branch making it a glancing blow rather than a rib cracking hit. I then had to choose where and how to hit the ground. The safest spot was closest so I locked the front brake flipped over the bar and landed comfortably on my back. Nice. :) I'm gonna have a nice bruise.

Son, you're younger than me, but that's still too old to be flipping through the forest and impaling on branches.
Happy Birthday! Cheers! Pass the ice pack. :)

Sorry for the late reply Skunks - still finding my way around all of this site. Your bike looks remarkably similar to my Raleigh Record Sprint (pics on website via profile - try cyclefrance2005 calais page for best shot) - campag brakes & gears, Reynolds 501 frame, 700 cm wheels. Mine cost me £70/$130-ish six years ago and have since spent probably five times that uprating it for touring, although have tried to keep to original parts wherever/whenever possible. Have thought occasionally about changing it but like the ride too much and is now family!

Pete and I did the MS150 Figer Lakes Tour this weekend. They moved the base of operations to Canandagua, so we road some new roads. As always, the volunteers took great care of us. Lisa Peck had a very inspirational message for everyone. She and a teammate from Rochester (I think it was Tiffany Pezzulo) rode with us or I should say greeted us as they blew our doors off! Thats one way to meet everyone, pass them all. :) They broke up the ride differently this year doing either 90 or 45 miles on Saturday followed by 60 or 30 on Sunday. We did the 90 mile loop Saturday that included 6100 feet of climbing. One of the guys had a onboard computer that could give a printout of the ride profile based on altitude. Apparently they run a tour called the Highlander out there every year that is 100 miles with 10000 feet of climbing. Petes got the bug now so expect her to train for that one next year. It was raining in the morning for day 2 and I didn't trust that my eczema was done so we waited for the sun and did the short loop. Riding the short loop was pretty impressive because many folks on that ride suffer from MS and really made me feel like a pussy for whining about my skin condition.

Canandagua is a really lovely lake and if you like to see big neat farms and wineries its worth the trip.

After 2 years of yearning, I finally got a bike! I had been pretty religious to attending indoor cycling classes at my gym and really wanted a bike because riding outside is nothing like riding inside... so I saved up all of my graduation money and bought a bike yesterday. It's a 2004 Trek 1000 and I really think it's a good starter bike. I really wanted a Cannondale r1000, but I didn't have $2000 and the sales guy at that shop kept pushing me to finance the bike - no thanks.

I took it out yesterday for a five mile spin... just to get a feel of it. Today, I'm going to take it out a bit farther and possibly participate in an organized ride this evening. The weather is so nice today - it's going to take a lot to keep me off of the bike.

I might do another organized ride this weekend... not sure at the moment.

I love my bike... what can i say.

congrats! I hope the enthusiasm lasts!

Make sure you get a good saddle - otherwise you'll have short romance with your bike and elsewhere...!! This one's off a UK web site but it gives you an idea...

that may be the wrong... geometry for melidasaur. i'm just sayin'.

Of course if you're a lady....

The little stars make the woman's seat so much cooler, don't you think?

That will work, but this has proven to be more popular from what i hear.

Remind me never to offer to share my tandem with you....

that isn't the right equipment for me, i prefer and inny, not an outty. that being said - i don't cycle anywhere but in the gym.

Well, that's a relief....!

Did you get out?

I took Merlin mountain biking yesterday afternoon when we got back from our local pro road race, the Chris Thater Memorial. My trails are in good shape except for the multiflora rose on the lower section. I'm gonna get down there with a weed wacker today.

[quote=Griff]Did you get out?[quote]

yes, I did and it was GREAT! I did about a 15 mile ride last Tuesday and about 10 or so on Friday and about 25 on Saturday. I actually got in big trouble on Saturday. I have a county map from the bike shop and I parked at a park and then took my ride from there... I was gone for 3 hours, didn't call home to let Mr. Saur know that I was okay. I wasn't riding the whole time - I actually found two farms that had horses - one had miniture horses and the other had big Belgians... so I stopped and fed the horses. My mom yelled at me too... said I shouldn't be cycling alone out in the country. I didn't see many cars, but I guess I see their point - you know - girl alone, out in the country with just a bike.

It was a good ride though. It's getting dark early again, so I may just have to use my lunch hours and Saturday/Sunday mornings for my rides. Dang.

Tell your mom that you have a cellphone and have a friend that can advise you on the purchase of a small pistol ...

Congratulations on your bike! After many years of wanting a road bike, I bought one too. (see the earlier posts about my new Giant) I haven't had as much time on it as I'd like. In fact, I bought a trainer so that I could get my butt used to it over the winter, and my road bike is still attached to it in the basement. I ride it occasionally when watching TV, but this summer, my new mountain bike has gotten all the action towing my kid in her Burley. (10 mi this past Sat, she fell asleep for 40 min during the ride) You should really check out RAGBRAI, it sounds like you're definately in shape for it, and relatively close enough to do it.

Bear!
 

I just flushed a bear out of the woods mtn biking! Thankfully he beat feet er paws directly away from me. Somehow Merlin missed the whole thing. Anyway cool way to start the day.

Congrats to me!!! I survived a total hip replacement, last December (oh don't ask why) and got myself (with a little help from my spouse), a Trek Hybrid 7100, 2006 which is a great bike. It's a little treat for them that "enjoy" orthopaedic problems more than they should at any and especially, younger baby boomer, folks like me.

Congrats to you! :) Is there much discomfort when you ride?

No discomfort, it's just that I have to start slow and my legs are rather weak from sitting around a lot (about 10 months) before I was prepared to have the surgery done....

I expect in a few months I will be "up to speed" as they say. Thanks.....my hip is great absolutely a total success, praise be!!!

Not 12 years old anymore.
 

I am a lot more out of shape than I was at 12 or so....I gotta take it slowly, methinks, as I have been a sedentary sort for so long. Twenty minutes every other day will have to be sufficient for now.

That is exactly the right attitude. You have to build muscle tissue around your joints to protect them from injury. Once you do that you can choose the level of intensity you want.

Classes & rain started last week, so I made myself a fender.

(I also loaned my digital camera to a friend. Alas.)

Basically, I wasted $30 on a tire a few months ago, & then destroyed it in the process of being lazy and hasty about taking it on and off (23mm wide tires require far more finesse than I had at the time). So last night I cut it, then ziptied it to my frame and added bits of cut up spoke to shape it more practically. It stays basically centered and off the tire thanks to the easy-to-reshape metal wires that run through the whole thing.

Today's test ride to campus post-rain (with some water and puddles that I did my best to go through) left no visible water or grime on my ass, bag, or hoodie, and because it's entirely plastic/rubber, there aren't any screws to rattle or noticeable rubbing noises when it bumps the tire. (I figure that my front tire, also being 23mm, is not going to kick up a significant amount of water, and additionally will mostly be blocked by the frame, as I ride predominately in straight lines.)

Pardon me for busting in on your thread here guys. The recumbent bike theme has been of interest lately and when I saw this thought you might be able to give some additional info.

What type of 4 wheeler was that? About how much to they cost? There's one listed on the net for about 2k and another reeeeeaallly nice one for 8k.The fantasy of shit-spiking my automobile ( and all related perpetual costs and fees) is still running around in my head now that I'm planted here and spending some real money on something like this would be a possibility.

The problem is that I'm looking for something for transportation not just goofing around on the weekends. That's a toughie. Especially in winter.

Getting run the fuck over with a Rumpkies truck early in the morning doesnt sound too appealing either but I'm trying to build a fantasy here.

My father-in-law has a Vision recumbent which he is very high on. It is the two wheeled variety though. The position is very good for his back and although he denies it climbing hills is harder on a recumbent. Be careful though, you could easily slide into the "local character" compartment riding such a machine.

I don't think that's a major concern as he got that within two weeks of arrival.

Possibly sooner.

I finally broke down and bought lights for my mountain bike. Merlin and I had a fine time last night doing singletrack in the pitch dark. We didn't see a single mountain lion. :) Of course my spending on this has caused the snow storms to start lining up...

I got a BIKE!

I've been patiently staking out the local pawnshops, and this one came at about a $300 discount from the MSRP. In addition, it has been fitted out with a lot of little extras, like front and rear lights, toe clips, a pump, mirrors, "slime special" tires, etc. I'm stoked! and the bike is already sized to close to my size--big and tall. I'll give it a tune up fit-wise in the daylight, but I've already had a short nighttime in-city ride already. I love it!

I have a good helmet, lock, and motivation. I can see I'll need some wind protection, especially gloves. The wind chill at city speeds tonight was very cold. It would not be pleasant or safe to ride with hands that cold. Also, no kickstand. Waaaa.

Going for a ride around Greenlake , Seattle's most popular park, early tomorrow. After I ride to school with SonofV. :)

That's great! But, um, sweetie, you DO know it's winter, right?

Nice bike! Of course Bri is right it's cc ski season in Grifftopia now.

Until a coworker informed me a few days ago, I had no idea Seattle does not get snow during the winter. Who knew.

If it's just cold, by all means, get out there and pedal, BV! But don't forget to bundle up.

I went for a spin around central park Sunday ... on my way home, I was turning the corner at a crosswalk and ran into a huge block of snow. Toppled right over, much to the delight of two girls sitting in the nearby cafe. In any case, my injuries (shoulder, wrist and knee) still hurt three days later - is this a sign I am getting old?

Yes, it is quite cold. It took me ten minutes to clear the frost from MrsV's windshield this morning. But it is not winter, it is still the luxurious fall, remember? And frankly, I believe there is no such things as too cold, too wet, too dark, too rainy, etc, only inadequate preparation.

If you enjoy being active outdoors, and I do, and you live in this region, and I do, you have to choose an attitude like mine or brush up on your scrabble game, web surfing or couch potato skillz. The window of opportunity to play outside in unflawed weather conditions is extremely narrow. And there's fun to be had in all seasons.

But you're right. 'scold outside! SonofV remarked with surprise that his tires were covered with snow! (frost) as we pulled out this morning on the way to school. There never was any mention of not riding and pleading with me to take him in the car. Indeed, the playground was closed to the children where they normally play kickball, basketball, foursquare, tag, tetherball, etc, etc, because the pavement was iced over. It was treacherous to walk on. We even took the scenic route to school, maybe 50% longer just for the ride. It was great.

Here's a pic I snapped from my front door after I read your posts. No snow :( but white roofs, hoods, windows, bushes and so on. It'll burn off, but it's pretty (and slick) now.

I just got in from cc skiing. The snow conditions are ideal, except where I thought I'd zip below the pond and picked up ice. It's 13 F but quite still out there with a good moon. nice

The new neighbors, who we allow horseback riding up here, put feelers out about snow mobiles... I try to be nice but there is a limit to my generosity. They bumped into it. :headshake

Nah, measure the pain in months and years then you're an oldster. friggin shoulder

Monday, holiday.

Tuesday, rode with SonofV to school and carried on to make circuit of Greenlake. About 5 miles total. Coming home I face two killer hills. First gear in your car hills. As a challenge to myself, I strove to make the hill straight up, not switchbacking, nonstop. I made it. I took my pulse at the top, but there were some technical difficulties. I was searching for my carotid pulse (I know where it normally is, seriously) and found only an angry buzz. I persisted and could eventually discern indivdual beats and counted 54 for 15 seconds. 214 bpm. I make one funny looking hummingbird, I gotta tell ya. Well above my recommended maximum. I thought I was gonna pop. A minute later, it was a more human 154 bpm. Whew.

Wednesday, school but the follow on ride took me to a different park, Golden Gardens. Same mileage, same altitude gain, much easier slope.

Both rides were 50-60 minutes, and I did work up a sweat but I took today off--really raining and I wasn't digging the rain. I don't have a good gear answer to riding in the rain yet. I did get some good gloves, Yorktown something something. Really good. Coat, ok, but no good pants or shoes and they get really wet. Not that fun.

More details after Monday, cause I'm going snow camping this weekend with SonofV! Seeya!

Cool V.

ACME Bike

http://www.highlandercycletour.com/2...e%202scale.gif

This is the ride profile of my big goal this summer. Pete and I have proven that you can ride an out of shape century, so this year we're taking it up a notch to enforce fitness. You are looking at 10,000 feet of climbing :thepain3: over a 100 mile course. I'll post links etc... when the 2006 page is up. Live long and prosper.

Oh.
My.
Goodness.

My quads just cramped looking at that. That very last climb to CR12 SAG is going to be a bitch. You go, guys! When/where is it?

I got head and tail lights for my mountain bike for Christmas so that I can pull rugrat in her trailer this spring. I really missed being able to do a quick ride when we got home at night this fall. Been using my road bike on it's trainer in the basement once in awhile. Glad I got it.

Thanks! It'll be this fall out in the Western Finger Lakes NYS. It is supposed to be the toughest century in the East. Out West they have some more brutal events. I'll post more when I know more. The bike lights are cool when conditions allow. I xc skied and then hit my trainer for NFL pregame today. It is time to shed some weight. I'd like to be 165lbs or less for cycling this summer so I've got to keep chipping away at my holiday excess. Watching my Dad laid up from his accident is making me realize how much I value easy movement.

I rode mtn bike with burning lungs today... now we're approaching 3" of fresh snow. weird

Another couple of rides this week. Today I did the loop trail at Discovery Park, Seattle's largest and wildest park. I will take the camera next time. Very beautiful (if you like green, lots and lots of green). A long ride for me, about 3.5 hours, including stops at the Locks and at the bike shop (just looking).

I did some window shopping, they tuned my bike for me for height, leg length, etc. I got the lowdown on a new seat, a bell, Ortleib bags, computer, heart rate monitor, front fender, ... maybe I better get a job. ;)

On the loop trail, I defeated one hill--very steep, for me. But on two others, I ran out of traction a little bit before I ran out of power. I actually spun the rear tire for one power stroke, WOOF! and momentum dropped to zero. Time to walk. Oh well. Something to shoot for next time. Attaaaaaack!!

The locks were awesome! Did I mention it's been raining a lot here lately? 27 straight days, 13+ inches, then Sunday, a break, then rain mon, tues, wed... whatever. Well, 4 of 5 spillways were open, from 10 percent to 50 percent and the area downstream of the spillway was boiling! Very very cool. The whole ladder save the highest 4 or 5 steps was entirely underwater. I saw a commorant swimming in the fish ladder about one third the way up and he had plenty of room to paddle higher. Rested through a couple of lock cycles and pedalled home.

I'm learning that I live on a hill relative to my local geography and everything is downhill from home, meaning there's guaranteed to be a punishing finish UPhill.

Hey! I found the online copy of the City of Seattle bike map (warning, 1.5 MB pdf). We live at about D3 and from there you can see the trips I've made to Greenlake (east), to Carkeek (north), To Golden Gardens (west) and to Discovery Park (south). I noticed that all of them are water destinations. I don't know where I'll go next, all the other big/water parks are pretty far away for a morning ride. I'm sure I'll be repeating these four many times. They are some nice rides.

Griff, I thought of you during today's loop trail at Discovery Park. I really will bring the camera next time and take some pics. You'd love the ride.

I must see it man!

new trainer
 

We were talking trainers here a while back and I think I suggested a mag type since that's what I *had*. Pete and I have been hitting it hard this winter and the bell inside the mag housing warped from the heat. Long story short we just took delivery of a Kurt Kinetic fluid trainer. Yes you can watch Bob Roll ride this trainer in the nude on that site. :eek: We got very good turn around time from 1 up usa and the best price they're allowed to give without voiding the warranty. This was a snap decision so we'll see if we get screwed but the machine itself appears to be very well put together and much quieter than our old one. It is in the high forties here ride now so I'm going to get some actual saddle time this morning.

First the tease
 

Pretty, yes?

Yes. How many days of rain in a row is it for you guys now? Very green. I rode saturday and Sunday and had a snow day today. very very odd

Equinox tomorrow, clocks on next weekend here, and light mornings and evenings on English roads means cycling can start in earnest for 2006. Time also to let the old Raleigh Record Sprint have a well-earned rest, so have bought another bike - a Trek 7.1 FX - initially for training, but might just take it to the Somme. Will take some pics at the weekend and post.

BigV, that is absolutely awesome!!!! I am totally jealous. The view from my bike is our TV :lol: I doubt I'll ever burn out a trainer, but did get my treadmill replaced (and upgraded) a few weeks ago. I enjoy seeing where you guys spend your outdoor time, when I get to get out, I'll bring the camera and try to get some decent shots. Won't be nearly as cool as the mossy one though...

I'm thinking about doing Border Raiders Tour -- 8 days from Lawrence, KS up into NE over to IA and then back thru Mizzery. A historic tour of 'Bleeding Kansas' and Underground Railroad sites leading up to the Civil War in the plains. Any other takers?

I'm afraid I'll be taking classes this summer. :( This sounds like one to put on the eventually list though.

Here come dee bike! - Broom handle eezi-stand was an optional extra. As soon as I'm back from travels at the end of the week, serious riding of the new beestie begins - need a name though - any suggestions (keep it clean,guys!)

Just a couple more - that extra gear clinched the deal!

.