Southeast - Charlotte NC area riders

Vega You have a good handle on the situation. Training miles should be increase in 10 % per week increments at best. You truly have the mentality for riding from your previous biking experiences years ago, now it's just a matter of your fitness level matching your expectation level. My only argument against your riding schedule would be the TT part of it. TT is the most uncomfortable of the riding disciplines. Even after racing Crits and RR's for several years, I was shocked by the strain on my body after a few hard 40K TT's. I could do the Southern Pines RR, Donaldson Center series, or Belle Chere RR, and feel pretty good afterward, but one 40K TT and I was wiped out for three days.

BUT, you seem to like them, and that carries a lot of weight in your decision.
Does this mean you feel my riding schedule is not appropriate for TT training? Or that you think, projecting your own feelings about it perhaps, that TT should not be my current training goal? <curious Vega look>

The LMS TT is a short TT, just 10 miles. As yet, I've never experienced being wiped out from it. Well, except when approaching the finish line. :rolleyes: But that fatigue goes away quickly, and the euphoria that sets in, even if I haven't quite reached my goal, is quite a rush. :)

I do want to do RR's. Unfortunately, I'm dealing with some legal/financial issues that have prevented me from feeling I can take the time to adequately train for and race in the events so far this season, especially those that would require an overnight trip. But I hope to have a considerable number of things behind me in the next month that will make my situation more conducive to serious training and, when/if ready, racing. In the meantime, the TT series is practically in my backyard, and I feel I'm able to put in the training miles necessary to be somewhat competitive there by the end of the season....

I welcome your thoughts, Serotta -- here, or via PM/email. :)

Sunday I think I did a circle in the company of a tandem, and a Litespeed, up Rehobeth, then over to JAARs, then into Mineral Springs, out past the Methodist Camp Grounds. I was riding the Serotta Ti, with Red decals. Of course, that might have been Monday, they all run together......

McCray's store, would that be across from the Dairy-O on Landsford? Is the Dairy-O still open?

That's McCray's and the Dairy-O is still open on Wednesday through Sunday. I don't think I saw you on Friday through Monday. I was riding alone and did a loop down Landsford - Shiloh Unity- Legend-Potter- Cane Creek - Providence- Simpson- 200- Tirzah- Waxhaw Creek- Waxhaw- Mineral Springs- ?- Rocky River- Prospect- Plyler Mill- Trinity Church. Good riding except several of my preferred roads have been asphalted and graveled. Not good for the sew-ups on my vintage bike. I've tried to start a list of bad road surfaces at the Bolt Brothers forum.

Dammit. Understand that my hills are just "hills," whereas yourn are farkin' MOUNTAINS! :mad: :p

Where'sWaldo, are you talking about Walkup Ave? <curious Vega look> I seem to recall a looooong series of grades there.

I need to start scoutin' some routes out in Union County so I'll have a place to ride whenever I stay over at my folks' house. I'm quite sure that some of they places I used to ride 20 years aren't so safe anymore. Could not believe the traffic on Roosevelt, and the extent to which crazy Charlotte driving has invaded Monroe! :eek:

I believe Walkup Rd merges into Waxhaw Creek Rd. Shortly thereafter is a hill which someone has decorated by painting "OUCH" at about the spot where I want to go into my "track stand." I refer to this as "Mt. Rehobeth" :D If you follow the road into Waxhaw there are some nice downhill S's. Lots of good riding in southern Union County.

Yeah I was going down Rehobeth Sunday afternoon, toward Waxhaw. That was about mile 85 of my ride. I just got a second wind about then and was able to pick up my pace just a bit. Walkup wasn't as bad as I remembered it being the first time I climbed it last year.

I try to be back home by noon on Sundays for my in-law's family dinner. I think I might have seen you earlier on the THC route, I intersect with and follow it several times on a ride. Congratulations, I haven't done a century since the vintage bike I was riding was practically new. My wife gets ansy if I stay away on my bike for more than 3 or 4 hours. Might have something to do with the three days I spent in the neurosurgical ward during one Sunday morning ride a few years back. ;)

COR, Serotta, WW: you guys have great routes, and right in my home county (originally from Monroe). I wanna ride with you sometime! :cry: But only if you're willing to tell me the route so I can find my way when I start fadin'.... I don't mind being dropped, as it makes me work harder to try to catch up. Just like to know where I need to point my bike. :D

I missed that race, deciding to focus on TT training instead. I like to think I made a good decision.

June 6: TT at LMS. Who else is gonna be there? Warrenl, are you ridin' this time? I know that wolfpack is sittin' this one out while healing from injuries. I think polara426sh is gonna ride, but will stop if it's hurtin' his shoulder. Anyone else? Bigskymacadam? CM? FU? Zimbo? Substructure? Any other CLT area lurkers?

Not me, not this time. I did the three Fayetteville Masters 4/5 races over the long weekend (1st, 6th, 2nd) and then did three consecutive hard days T-Th (44, 50, and 100 miles respectively). I think you would have liked the Sunday TT course, btw.

Now it's taper time for me until Mount Mitchell on the 11th. I'll be in Utah for most of the summer and then target trying to do the LMS TT in Sept or Oct or both.

--Steve

Not me, not this time. I did the three Fayetteville Masters 4/5 races over the long weekend (1st, 6th, 2nd) and then did three consecutive hard days T-Th (44, 50, and 100 miles respectively). I think you would have liked the Sunday TT course, btw.

Now it's taper time for me until Mount Mitchell on the 11th. I'll be in Utah for most of the summer and then target trying to do the LMS TT in Sept or Oct or both.

--Steve
Wow. You have been hammering. :eek:

Good luck on MM! :beer:

Have fun in Utah, and be sure to look me up when you come to CLT for TT! I am pretty easy to spot, as you now know. :)

I'm supposed to be good cop? Where's the fun in that?

Seriously, I kid Vega because:

(1) It's fun, and

(2) Being almost three years removed from my cycling rebirth, I've largely forgotten that it does take a while build up one's distance.

It sounds like VV has a pretty sensible approach here, though I do think she's capable of doing more than she is admitting. I also think if she works on climbing more, it will help all the way around, including TT.

Keep up the good work, VV--I'll see you on the slopes in July. ;)

COR, Serotta, WW: you guys have great routes, and right in my home county (originally from Monroe). I wanna ride with you sometime! :cry: But only if you're willing to tell me the route so I can find my way when I start fadin'.... I don't mind being dropped, as it makes me work harder to try to catch up. Just like to know where I need to point my bike. :D

Anytime you'd like to join me you'd be welcome. I don't usually ride in groups but think I would enjoy riding with any of you guys. Since it is a rare social event when I do ride with others, I don't drop anyone... don't know if I COULD anyway. I have been dropped though, and didn't mind it :D

Anytime you'd like to join me you'd be welcome. I don't usually ride in groups but think I would enjoy riding with any of you guys. Since it is a rare social event when I do ride with others, I don't drop anyone... don't know if I COULD anyway. I have been dropped though, and didn't mind it :D

+1, especially the dropped part!!!!!:D

When I started back riding a road bike I suffered mightily on the hills. The problem was that I had no choice, that's all I have to ride around here. I went from starting out to riding the entire length of the BRP in 9 months. That tour was a carrot to train for and I acheived my goal. I'm not fast and never will be. There are several groups in town I just can't hang with. I've tried, been dropped every time. I guess I just don't have the genetic capacity to to ride that way. Everyone is different and I seem to be on the slow end of the bell curve. I have very low one minute power. It's all relative though. I can ride 22 mph for an hour solo. Some of those guys I wish I could hang with are cat 1 and 2. All are much younger than I. That doesn't make it any easier when you get left.

I've used a coach for the past three years to try to improve my riding. I have gotten faster, my power has improved and my endurance is way better. Lately though I've hit a power plateau that I can't seem to push through. Maybe it is time to take a short break from structured riding and then find a new coach. It's time for a change anyway.

Vega, all I want to say here is to enjoy the process of training. Don't get too caught up in micro goals, keep the big picture in sight. Just remember to have fun. I've seen too many athletes burn out because they forgot it was supposed to be fun.

BikeWNC, I totally agree. TT is an outgrowth of my riding, not the other way around. I could stop TT altogether, but I still must ride my bike. Yet, I do enjoy working hard on the road to see if I can improve my TT times.

VV, still not sure about July, but we'll see. I have a feelin' all us folks will know each other for quite a while, and will eventually have one big ol' ride up yonder. :)

COR, would love to meet you for a ride after TT on June 6. I'm always interested in meeting the local BF'ers, and learning a new route.

Serotta, glad you don't mind gettin' dropped, 'cause I'd try very hard to do so. ;) :D

................................
Serotta, glad you don't mind gettin' dropped, 'cause I'd try very hard to do so. ;) :D

Wouldn't be much of an accomplishment....... dropping a worn out, slow, fat, 60+ year old man. ;)

Shoot, I've got socks older than you!!!!!!!

Wouldn't be much of an accomplishment....... dropping a worn out, slow, fat, 60+ year old man. ;)

Shoot, I've got socks older than you!!!!!!!
Heh. I have a man's 42 tailor-made jacket older than you! ;)

Heh. I have a man's 42 tailor-made jacket older than you! ;)

Oh Gosh, I wear a 42 L, tell me it's not a Long, or at least tell me it's mauve or pink...... Last thing I had tailor-made was a pastrami sandwich from Leo's Deli, I'd be spoiled rotten thinking about tailor-made clothing!:cry:

Oh Gosh, I wear a 42 L, tell me it's not a Long, or at least tell me it's mauve or pink...... Last thing I had tailor-made was a pastrami sandwich from Leo's Deli, I'd be spoiled rotten thinking about tailor-made clothing!:cry:
It way predates Leo's, I promise. :cry: It predates you. Awgawd. *sob*

VV-

For whom are you grieving?:( I'm loving this rain, but rainy days can be hard, for a cyclist especially. <Cranky is uncertain what to say or do...>

COR, I'm feeling better today. So far. My husband died eight months ago this coming Wednesday. I've already had a bad couple of months since the six-month anniversary, but I was able to ride my bike every other day, which really helps keep me from feeling down as I continue to work through my bereavement. Missed my ride yesterday, spent the day working on estate settlement issues, and, well, had no outlet. Frankly, did not even feel like getting on my trainer. I sat up trying to figure out Mulholland Drive instead. :eek: :rolleyes:

Headed to visit my parents today. Family get-together to celebrate my sister's recent birthday. I hope I can get a ride in tomorrow. I'll probably spin a bit on my trainer this evening.

I'm glad we're finally getting some rain, too. We surely need it. In a way, I hope there's a storm Wednesday night so that TT is cancelled. Still planning to ride, even in the rain, though I'm not sure how I'll be feeling that day....

Thanks for your concern. :)

VV-
Missing loved ones is hard... not missing them would be worse IMHO. I can't imagine losing a spouse and I suppose the legal complications would be overwhelming, distracting, mind-numbing and painful all at once. I'm happy you've found ways to cope, as eight months is not a very long time in the scheme of things. :(

COR, thanks for the kind words. This far out, I had become a bit complacent, thinking the worst days/nights are behind me. Apparently not. I've given up trying to understand grief, and just roll with it. In any case, these valleys don't occur as frequently anymore, but they are still just as emotionally-intense as in the first few months when they do. But, after several days/nights of feeling really down and totally whipped, I'm slowly coming back out of my funk, just in time for TT, which, until last night late, I didn't particularly care to do.

So, am I the only one, besides polara426sh, who's ridin' TT here? :mad:



:p

VV We will all be there in spirit. (Which means we won't be in oxygen debt.) I'd really like to see a sub 29 posted Weds. evening. *Nice to see your upbeat attitude return.*

You might get some pointers watching the 7:59:30 start time, bib 458.
I've seen her flying down Crow Rd. in Mineral Springs. WOW!

Baybuh, I'm goin' for sub 27:30. :D




:eek:

What that another out-loud thought?! :eek: :o

I'll watch for her, assuming she's not a blur. Doesn't appear that she's ridden yet this year in the series. At least she's not racin' in my category. ;)

Just reading ... nothing much to say but I want to hook-into this post, I haven't remembered it all YET. I'm new to NC, coastal/southern. Charlotte is a MAJOR center for cycling; shops for sure are formidable. I read here and can see that many Charlotte cyclists are no joke. I'm from NYC, no surprise that it's an obvious place either but down here it's very serious and progressive. I'm planning a day-trip there to visit shops,I'm wierd I guess. I'm visiting Asheville as well, bike shops there, enormous culteral stuff too.

Wow, OandN! :eek: I can't say that I've ever heard anyone from up yon' call us "progressive" diown heah! :p

I understand there's some cycling out your way, I assume Wilmington area? What do you ride?

Pfft. :rolleyes: Don't know how serious we are, but we sho' do like to tawkabout cyclin'. :)

Welcome, and whenever you're gonna be in CLT, let us know. Maybe we can organize not only a ride, but one of our infamous CLT Foo Lunches (chronicled in the forum "Foo" -- you can do a search and pull up at least two threads). Don't be afraid to fill out your profile a bit. We don't bite. We nibble sometimes, but we don't bite. :D

Helloooooo? <"Helloooooo" echoed back>

:(

"All by myself. Don't wanna be...all by myself anymore." Anyone else here? <tappin' on monitor>

In 3.5 hours, I should be either at the start, or just gettin' onto the track. Warrenl, noticed you're not registered. Assuming you got back into town, are ya plannin' to come out, and maybe register on-site? <curious Vega look> Polara, guess I'll see ya there at some point, probably when you lap me during my last lap and your first. :rolleyes:

<slinkin' off to nibble some black cherry Häagen-Dazs>

I'm here, I was just takin' a nap.:)

Just reading ... nothing much to say but I want to hook-into this post, I haven't remembered it all YET. I'm new to NC, coastal/southern. Charlotte is a MAJOR center for cycling; shops for sure are formidable. I read here and can see that many Charlotte cyclists are no joke. I'm from NYC, no surprise that it's an obvious place either but down here it's very serious and progressive. I'm planning a day-trip there to visit shops,I'm wierd I guess. I'm visiting Asheville as well, bike shops there, enormous culteral stuff too.
If you're planning on checking out shops in Charlotte make sure to get to Black Sheep Cycles. It's a seriously cool shop.

Helloooooo? <"Helloooooo" echoed back>

:(

"All by myself. Don't wanna be...all by myself anymore." Anyone else here? <tappin' on monitor>

In 3.5 hours, I should be either at the start, or just gettin' onto the track. Warrenl, noticed you're not registered. Assuming you got back into town, are ya plannin' to come out, and maybe register on-site? <curious Vega look> Polara, guess I'll see ya there at some point, probably when you lap me during my last lap and your first. :rolleyes:

<slinkin' off to nibble some black cherry Häagen-Dazs>
Eric Carmen, I have to unfortunately admit having seen him in concert. :o

Good luck in the TT this evening.

Eric Carmen, I have to unfortunately admit having seen him in concert. :o

Good luck in the TT this evening.
Heh. Gotta admit, I used to like me some Raspberries. :rolleyes:

*sigh*

Yeah, well, we'll see how it goes. So far, still sunny. I suspect any rain will come just before I start, to match my rather sunny, eboullient disposition. :o

eboullient
Ebullient, now that's an expensive word right there. :)

No rain in sight for tonight. You're not going to get off the hook so get out there and give it hell.

TT tonight? I'll check back later for a full report. Vega, don't forget your helmet cam.

Oh, I'll be out there. Almost hoping it rains while I'm riding, that's all. <shrug>

Good catch, Polara! :beer:

TT tonight? I'll check back later for a full report. Vega, don't forget your helmet cam.
That's so not aero, VV. :rolleyes: You'll just have to trust what I tell you. :eek: :p

Hey, what about TT reports? C'mon, it's 10 PM damn near my bedtime. In fact, truth be known, way past my bedtime.

They probably need to get their fill of some recovery beverages so they have the strength to post. :beer:

Perhaps they were riding so fast they just kept on going and did a 62 mile time trial.

They probably need to get their fill of some recovery beverages so they have the strength to post. :beer:
Heh. You frighten me with your amazing insight, baybuh.

Polara and I went to the local waterin' hole post-TT (no, we changed clothes first, though the thought of walkin' into a bar in full kit was kinda tempting), one of the few places still open for FOOD, and had a few beers (well, I had Jack, natch).

I got to TT about 45 minutes before my start time, having had to stop for gas. And there was bumper-to-bumper traffic on the way. WTF?! It's not as if there was a NASCAR race goin' on!

So I showed up in a pretty negative frame of mind, in spite of my outward appearance. But I think the anger/frustration pent up inside from this past week is what really helped me on this night.

As for me: 27:06.06 for prelim result. That jibes with the 27:12 on my Garmin, which I didn't turn off 'til nearly at the chip-collection station. mmkay. I'll save ya the calculation: 22.14mph average. :D

That's 1.86mph faster than the last TT. I suspect the aerobars netted me about 1mph more. Perhaps my hard work since the last TT netted me 0.3mph. The rest of the gain, without doubt, is due to removing my empty CF bottle cage, resulting in a huge aerodynamic improvement. :rolleyes: Heh. :p

My number one nemesis was actually slower than last time, averaging "only" 25.4mph (vs 26.07mph last time). I like to think, delusional as I am, that she may just be startin' to look over her shoulder....

Not. :(

Polara posted a good time given that he couldn't ride at all for about six weeks since he had that nasty threesome with that gate and the asphalt. And he only got in a few rides to work, and a couple of other rides, I think, prior to this TT. I can't remember what his time was, but I'm sure he'll share it. I was impressed that he could be off the bike that long, and still post that good of a time! The man's in shape, I tell ya! :eek: If it'd been me, I'd be finishing in over half an hour. No kiddin'. <serious Vega look>

Serotta, we showed up to the start to see #458 take off. Never did see her. Possibly, she started a little before we got there. The actual start times at that point in the evening can be somewhat off, depending on how many pre-registered people show up, and I had neglected to take this into account. I heard there were about 470 cyclists out there tonight! :eek: :D

VV. <shakin' head> Ohhh, VV.... :rolleyes: Just " :rolleyes: ."

Warrenl, I saw Roy, and he said you might have shown up, but I didn't see you. Were you there? <curious Vega look>

That's 1.86mph faster than the last TT. Heh. :beer:

I heard there were about 470 cyclists out there tonight!
I'm not sure we even have that many cyclists in Knoxville. :eek:

Any truth the the rumor that Polara is converting you to the fixed gear? I'll take that Scott off your hands if you don't need it any more. ;)

I suspect that only about 75% are from the greater Charlotte area. There are a number of license plates from SC, and some from TN and VA. And I know some of the riders are associated with clubs from the mountain and coastal areas of NC. Still, though, it's an impressive event, with an equally-impressive local turnout. If you, or any other of that spectacular mountain climbin' group up yon' way, ever wants to come down to the flatlands to try a TT, I can put you up. I have a spare room. :)

You think I'm crazy enough to go fixie on the road?! :eek: Egad! No. He'd like to see everyone on a fixie, I'm sure, but it'll be a while before I swing that way. My next cycling procurement will be a TT bike. :)

And, yes, you may ride my 56cm Scott. But understand that I loves me my bike, and someone will have to pry it from my cold, dead hands before I'll give it up. And even then, it's already promised to a local friend. Sorry. :o

Congratulations! That sounds like a fine accomplishment indeed, and a fitting reward for your hard training.

S.

Thanks, Strack! ! :)

I'm lookin' to knock off 46 seconds three weeks from now to get my average speed up to 22.5mph. Not so easy at this point, since the major increase this time was due to the aerobars.... Guess I need to break down and get a TT helmet. And, most importantly, continue to train just as intensively.

I would never have believed you could knock that much off your time. Amazing! I was once told that the difficulty multipler after 22 MPH increases by one for each mile per hour. (23, twice as hard as 22; 24, three times as hard as 23; etc.) It will be interesting to get your opinion of such an unscientific theory as you progress up through 29 MPH and beyond.

I assume by "Jack", you mean nothing because of your extensive training schedule..... hummm Jack, reminds me of an old song. Jack Daniels, you ain't no friend of mine, *and then some descriptive references to women he's introduced him to*....

I'll have to check 458's time. I think it was her first TT this year, if she showed up.

Polara and a fixie, good man, the purest form of riding. Silent but deadly. oops, wrong reference!

Hi Vega,

I was a no show. Had a random drug test and had to go to Gastonia to take. So left work early and decided after test that I did not want to drive all the way back to Charlotte to fight the masses. I think I might just do the one coming up. I have a trip the week before the next TT, so will have to work extremely hard the next few weeks. Got to make sure I can survive/pace myself for 30 minutes on the bike. We have a small group that is planning 62 to 70 miles on Saturday, that should help a little.

Congrads on the improved time. Roy's time on the tandem was 23'45", he had a fill in stoker.

As for me: 27:06.06 for prelim result. That jibes with the 27:12 on my Garmin, which I didn't turn off 'til nearly at the chip-collection station. mmkay. I'll save ya the calculation: 22.14mph average. :D

That's 1.86mph faster than the last TT. I suspect the aerobars netted me about 1mph more. Perhaps my hard work since the last TT netted me 0.3mph. The rest of the gain, without doubt, is due to removing my empty CF bottle cage, resulting in a huge aerodynamic improvement. :rolleyes: Heh. :p

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!!!!! I'm so proud of you for representin' like you have.

I hope to be well enough to do the 6/27 TT and just hope that I don't lose time:rolleyes:

Aerobars?? Wow, I'll have to stick to the normal setup as I can't get much right now for all the $$ I'm spending getting the knee fixed. I wish I had me one of those electrical stimulation thingys, then I wouldn't be going to see no PT. Oh well.

Again - great job, you wanted to increase by 1.5-1.7mph from last time, and you succeeded! Maybe by the end of the series you will be nipping on our nemesis's heels.

I posted my slowest time ever. 28:14.:( I've got a lot of catching up to do, I want to be in the 25's by the end of the season. I really need to bust my hump to get myself faster than Vega in three weeks.:D

Serotta, if what you say is true, then I should be able to hit 22.5mph with the same effort used to hit 22mph. ;) If I can knock about 26 seconds off my time, I'll hit that mark. That's not quite 4 seconds per lap. Perhaps doable in three weeks. We shall see. And, no. Jack doesn't mean "nothing." ;)

Warrenl, I really do hope to see you out there. I really do think you'll surprise yourself. I think you'd be really good at TT. Be sure to do some "slingshot" ridin' with Butch and Roy. Droppin' each other back and forth really helps to increase the stamina for fast riding. I was amazed that I actually stayed in a single gear from mid-second lap through the finish: 53-15. And it felt good, as though I'd hit a sweet spot. Last TT, I was only able to push 53-17 max, and only on the backside (though I think I did go up to 53-15 or 53-14 approaching the finish -- not very smart, in hindsight).

wolfpack, gf, you need to know that I trash-talked on your behalf, so the word is out that you're gonna be kickin' some butt in our age category. :D ;) Stay well, train smart, and I look forward to seein' you healthy and ready to leave the pavement smokin' on 6/27! :beer: Re aerobars, I think Performance may still have some on sale for as little as $30. I borrowed polara's Forte (one-piece) aerobars just to try. Do look into getting some. They will give you about 1mph more on your average speed. Heh. Only way I'll be nippin' at our nemesis' heels is if she's walkin' her bike through the parkin' lot! :D

Hey, polara, as I said, you did great to have been off the bike for six weeks. But, uh, try to ride like a woman on 6/27. Then you might just beat my time on 6/27. :D ;)

I didn't realize people came from so far and wide to do the TT. Must be quite an event.

Just doing a very rough estimate on the power calculator (http://www.kreuzotter.de/english/espeed.htm) (I don't know your exact dimensions) it looks like you need about a 10 watt increase to get to 22.5 mph. That's assuming no wind. (The wind factor alone could make a 45 second difference over that distance.)

Do you take water with you for this?

There are tandem riders at this event?

The prelim results are on the website (http://carolinatt.org). I heard wrong. Only 360 riders. :rolleyes: But it is an event with a wide draw, for sure.

I suspect if I can get my average cadence up by just 4-5rpms in the gear I was in, I'll achieve 22.5mph. Alternatively, I could go down one gear, and increase my average cadence by 7-8rpm, and probably hit my goal. We shall see.

I don't ride with water since it's less than half an hour of riding. I do hydrate well before the event, and drink about 10 ounces just before warmup, and another 10 ounces before I start. Then I drink another 20 afterward.

The open category includes tandems, fixed gear, and handcyclists, each in their own subcategories.

If I'm reading the results correctly, you beat the 84 year-old guy! :beer: