Speedplays were not meant to be pedaled barefoot (My Tour of Bahamas report)
01-25-10, 08:51 PM
#1
pan y agua
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Speedplays were not meant to be pedaled barefoot (My Tour of Bahamas report)
Went into the Tour of Bahamas with low expectations, looking to just get some hard training and hopefully not dropped.
Registered for Masters 50 hoping to improve my chances of hanging. When they ran 3/4's, Masters 40, Masters 50, and Women Pro, 1-4 all together, that thwarted that.
The Circuit race started off well for me, and I was feeling good, couple of laps in I solo biridged to a break (which immediately folded).
3 laps in I was thinking I could win. 4th lap I took the sprint for a two second time bonus.
Final lap, I marked the other 2 masters 50 guys who were up fornt, and took them in the sprint, thinking I won the stage.
Tunrs out there was a guy who originally registered Master 40 (and therefore had a Masters 40 series number) and swtiched his registeration to Masters 50, who I was not aware of and did not mark, who got by me. So I was second on the stage with 6 second time bonuses.
I sucked in the TT and dropped to third on GC, more than 30 seconds down on the guy who took the Circuit race. But I'm still happy.
Disaster struck in the RR. I had noticed earlier my cleats were lose, and I tgihtened them. On the way to the RR, my right cleat exploded. I picked up the pieces ( at this point down to 2 screws) and reassembled the cleat, but the threads in the shoe itself appear corroded, and won't fully tighten.
3/4ths of the way into the first lap, my cleat is down to one screw, and my foot pulls out. So I drop off the lead group, thinking I'm done. A few minutes later I hook up with a chase group and relaize that I'm still 3rd on the road, and riding with the guys who are behind me on GC. So I hang in. A few miles later the cleat is completely off, and I fugure I'm done. I stop to pick up the pieces, then I try to pedal, and the shoe just slides off the pedal.
Then I decide to take my shoe off and pedal barefoot, so I can clinch the pedal with my foot. This actually works, and I chase back on to the group I was with.
I ride a lap like this. But after approximately 20 miles of barefoot, I decide I shouldn' try to do another35-40 miles that way.
So 2 miles before the Start finish, I attack on a hill, get a gap on the group with the vain hope of getting to the start finish and finding someone to lend me a shoe with enough time to jump back on.
Unfortunately there were no shoes with speedplay cleats to be found, and I decided to abandon before I f'd up my foot.
And yes I know I am one major dumbass for not checking my equipment, and not having all the parts for every contingency.
Travelogue to follow
Registered for Masters 50 hoping to improve my chances of hanging. When they ran 3/4's, Masters 40, Masters 50, and Women Pro, 1-4 all together, that thwarted that.
The Circuit race started off well for me, and I was feeling good, couple of laps in I solo biridged to a break (which immediately folded).
3 laps in I was thinking I could win. 4th lap I took the sprint for a two second time bonus.
Final lap, I marked the other 2 masters 50 guys who were up fornt, and took them in the sprint, thinking I won the stage.
Tunrs out there was a guy who originally registered Master 40 (and therefore had a Masters 40 series number) and swtiched his registeration to Masters 50, who I was not aware of and did not mark, who got by me. So I was second on the stage with 6 second time bonuses.
I sucked in the TT and dropped to third on GC, more than 30 seconds down on the guy who took the Circuit race. But I'm still happy.
Disaster struck in the RR. I had noticed earlier my cleats were lose, and I tgihtened them. On the way to the RR, my right cleat exploded. I picked up the pieces ( at this point down to 2 screws) and reassembled the cleat, but the threads in the shoe itself appear corroded, and won't fully tighten.
3/4ths of the way into the first lap, my cleat is down to one screw, and my foot pulls out. So I drop off the lead group, thinking I'm done. A few minutes later I hook up with a chase group and relaize that I'm still 3rd on the road, and riding with the guys who are behind me on GC. So I hang in. A few miles later the cleat is completely off, and I fugure I'm done. I stop to pick up the pieces, then I try to pedal, and the shoe just slides off the pedal.
Then I decide to take my shoe off and pedal barefoot, so I can clinch the pedal with my foot. This actually works, and I chase back on to the group I was with.
I ride a lap like this. But after approximately 20 miles of barefoot, I decide I shouldn' try to do another35-40 miles that way.
So 2 miles before the Start finish, I attack on a hill, get a gap on the group with the vain hope of getting to the start finish and finding someone to lend me a shoe with enough time to jump back on.
Unfortunately there were no shoes with speedplay cleats to be found, and I decided to abandon before I f'd up my foot.
And yes I know I am one major dumbass for not checking my equipment, and not having all the parts for every contingency.
Travelogue to follow
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
01-25-10, 08:53 PM
#2
pan y agua
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__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
01-25-10, 08:56 PM
#3
Elite Fred
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01-25-10, 08:57 PM
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so how was the sand?
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01-25-10, 09:40 PM
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not your fault. i have "checked" my speedplays before, only to have them 'splode during a ride. i am having serious considerations for a more reliable system. we'll see.
01-25-10, 11:04 PM
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ewwww people doin it in the pool
01-26-10, 10:34 AM
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Hi,
You flew from FL to the Bahamas to race? If so, pretty cool. Sorry to hear about the shoes though.
You flew from FL to the Bahamas to race? If so, pretty cool. Sorry to hear about the shoes though.
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Thanks.
Cleave
"Real men still wear pink."
Visit my blog at https://cleavesblant.wordpress.com/
Lightning Velo Cycling Club: https://www.lightningvelo.org/
Learn about our Green Dream Home at https://www.lawville.org/
01-26-10, 10:38 AM
#10
pan y agua
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Yes, One hour flight from Orlando, so not a difficult trip.
Me, shamelessly wheel sucking in the final lap of the Circuit race:
Me, shamelessly wheel sucking in the final lap of the Circuit race:
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
01-26-10, 10:53 AM
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Bummer on the shoe/cleat failure, but it's a war story for sitting around the bar that's for sure.
I hope you spent your time thinking about what could have been by the water.
I hope you spent your time thinking about what could have been by the water.
01-26-10, 11:25 AM
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Garmin still on a 7800 bike?
Curious to see floyd in a rock kit and not on the rock bike, old cervelo slc w/campy 10 instead.
Curious to see floyd in a rock kit and not on the rock bike, old cervelo slc w/campy 10 instead.
01-26-10, 11:28 AM
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01-26-10, 11:28 AM
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I believe that's the devo team, which would explain the equipment.
01-26-10, 11:29 AM
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Went into the Tour of Bahamas with low expectations, looking to just get some hard training and hopefully not dropped.
Registered for Masters 50 hoping to improve my chances of hanging. When they ran 3/4's, Masters 40, Masters 50, and Women Pro, 1-4 all together, that thwarted that.
The Circuit race started off well for me, and I was feeling good, couple of laps in I solo biridged to a break (which immediately folded).
3 laps in I was thinking I could win. 4th lap I took the sprint for a two second time bonus.
Final lap, I marked the other 2 masters 50 guys who were up fornt, and took them in the sprint, thinking I won the stage.
Tunrs out there was a guy who originally registered Master 40 (and therefore had a Masters 40 series number) and swtiched his registeration to Masters 50, who I was not aware of and did not mark, who got by me. So I was second on the stage with 6 second time bonuses.
I sucked in the TT and dropped to third on GC, more than 30 seconds down on the guy who took the Circuit race. But I'm still happy.
Disaster struck in the RR. I had noticed earlier my cleats were lose, and I tgihtened them. On the way to the RR, my right cleat exploded. I picked up the pieces ( at this point down to 2 screws) and reassembled the cleat, but the threads in the shoe itself appear corroded, and won't fully tighten.
3/4ths of the way into the first lap, my cleat is down to one screw, and my foot pulls out. So I drop off the lead group, thinking I'm done. A few minutes later I hook up with a chase group and relaize that I'm still 3rd on the road, and riding with the guys who are behind me on GC. So I hang in. A few miles later the cleat is completely off, and I fugure I'm done. I stop to pick up the pieces, then I try to pedal, and the shoe just slides off the pedal.
Then I decide to take my shoe off and pedal barefoot, so I can clinch the pedal with my foot. This actually works, and I chase back on to the group I was with.
I ride a lap like this. But after approximately 20 miles of barefoot, I decide I shouldn' try to do another35-40 miles that way.
So 2 miles before the Start finish, I attack on a hill, get a gap on the group with the vain hope of getting to the start finish and finding someone to lend me a shoe with enough time to jump back on.
Unfortunately there were no shoes with speedplay cleats to be found, and I decided to abandon before I f'd up my foot.
And yes I know I am one major dumbass for not checking my equipment, and not having all the parts for every contingency.
Travelogue to follow
Registered for Masters 50 hoping to improve my chances of hanging. When they ran 3/4's, Masters 40, Masters 50, and Women Pro, 1-4 all together, that thwarted that.
The Circuit race started off well for me, and I was feeling good, couple of laps in I solo biridged to a break (which immediately folded).
3 laps in I was thinking I could win. 4th lap I took the sprint for a two second time bonus.
Final lap, I marked the other 2 masters 50 guys who were up fornt, and took them in the sprint, thinking I won the stage.
Tunrs out there was a guy who originally registered Master 40 (and therefore had a Masters 40 series number) and swtiched his registeration to Masters 50, who I was not aware of and did not mark, who got by me. So I was second on the stage with 6 second time bonuses.
I sucked in the TT and dropped to third on GC, more than 30 seconds down on the guy who took the Circuit race. But I'm still happy.
Disaster struck in the RR. I had noticed earlier my cleats were lose, and I tgihtened them. On the way to the RR, my right cleat exploded. I picked up the pieces ( at this point down to 2 screws) and reassembled the cleat, but the threads in the shoe itself appear corroded, and won't fully tighten.
3/4ths of the way into the first lap, my cleat is down to one screw, and my foot pulls out. So I drop off the lead group, thinking I'm done. A few minutes later I hook up with a chase group and relaize that I'm still 3rd on the road, and riding with the guys who are behind me on GC. So I hang in. A few miles later the cleat is completely off, and I fugure I'm done. I stop to pick up the pieces, then I try to pedal, and the shoe just slides off the pedal.
Then I decide to take my shoe off and pedal barefoot, so I can clinch the pedal with my foot. This actually works, and I chase back on to the group I was with.
I ride a lap like this. But after approximately 20 miles of barefoot, I decide I shouldn' try to do another35-40 miles that way.
So 2 miles before the Start finish, I attack on a hill, get a gap on the group with the vain hope of getting to the start finish and finding someone to lend me a shoe with enough time to jump back on.
Unfortunately there were no shoes with speedplay cleats to be found, and I decided to abandon before I f'd up my foot.
And yes I know I am one major dumbass for not checking my equipment, and not having all the parts for every contingency.
Travelogue to follow
01-26-10, 02:49 PM
#16
pan y agua
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As for the trip, it was an easy one hour flight from Orlando to Nassau, with a fare under $200. Unfortunately the bike fee was $79 each way.
The race hotel the Wyndham was $129 a night. The hotel has nice facilities, a casino, and a nice beach and pool area, but its abit dated. I believe BayAreawheeler and his team rented a villa for the same money and liked their accomadations better.
The course was not bad. Decent quality roads, and a sharp little climb in the RR, but not the most scenic part of the island. The race was well organized, and ran smoothly, other than some time/scoring discrepencies which eventually got cleared up.
The start finish was 13 miles from the hotel, which was bit problematic riding back and forth twice Saturday for two stages. If I do it again I think I'll rent a car.
The ride back and forth to the race was actually more scenic than the race, and it was kinda cool doing a big group ride with the Garmin U23 team towing the group back to the hotel.
The weather was nice with temps in the 80's. Only problems were a touch of rain Saturday morning, and high winds both days.
The pro level of competition was definitely down from 2008 when David Z and Christian Vandvelde were there along with a number of US based pro's, which made it less interesting from a fan persepctive, but it was still cool to see Floyd, and the Garmin under 23 team.
Met Bayarewheeler and his teammates. He rode strong in the Pro 1-2 race.
All in all a good time, good training and not terribly expensive.
The race hotel the Wyndham was $129 a night. The hotel has nice facilities, a casino, and a nice beach and pool area, but its abit dated. I believe BayAreawheeler and his team rented a villa for the same money and liked their accomadations better.
The course was not bad. Decent quality roads, and a sharp little climb in the RR, but not the most scenic part of the island. The race was well organized, and ran smoothly, other than some time/scoring discrepencies which eventually got cleared up.
The start finish was 13 miles from the hotel, which was bit problematic riding back and forth twice Saturday for two stages. If I do it again I think I'll rent a car.
The ride back and forth to the race was actually more scenic than the race, and it was kinda cool doing a big group ride with the Garmin U23 team towing the group back to the hotel.
The weather was nice with temps in the 80's. Only problems were a touch of rain Saturday morning, and high winds both days.
The pro level of competition was definitely down from 2008 when David Z and Christian Vandvelde were there along with a number of US based pro's, which made it less interesting from a fan persepctive, but it was still cool to see Floyd, and the Garmin under 23 team.
Met Bayarewheeler and his teammates. He rode strong in the Pro 1-2 race.
All in all a good time, good training and not terribly expensive.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
01-26-10, 02:58 PM
#17
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You had some bad luck equipment wise but it sounds like you are on your way to good form...besides you were in the Bahama's I have no sympathy for your speedplay woes 
01-26-10, 06:35 PM
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01-26-10, 07:33 PM
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Sounds like a good time. Wish I'd been able to go.
01-26-10, 08:07 PM
#21
pan y agua
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01-26-10, 08:08 PM
#22
pan y agua
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__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
01-27-10, 07:15 PM
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Great meeting you merlin, both my team-mates commented on how strong of a competitor you were, I am sorry a mechanical took you out of the GC
I had a GREAT time racing and just enjoying the island (liver needs a rest week)
Great way to start the season and we are already planning for next year.
wife took lots of pics so shoud have some more to share after she gets them off the camera
I had a GREAT time racing and just enjoying the island (liver needs a rest week)
Great way to start the season and we are already planning for next year.
wife took lots of pics so shoud have some more to share after she gets them off the camera
