Northern California - Tue & Thu Evening Winter training in SF

The Polo Field track in Golden Gate Park is a nice smooth asphalt loop that’s two thirds of a mile around. The turns are slightly banked and not too sharp, so you can go as fast as your legs and lungs will let you. No need to worry about cars, so it’s a great place to train with an iPod.

Just about every Tuesday & Thursday night for the past 2 winters I have been doing evening workouts there from about 6:00 to 7:30 PM. I have a light on my bike, which I’ll be needing starting next week, though when the moon is full I usually ride with it off.

On most winter nights I usually see 3 or 4 other cyclists out there, but sometimes on the cold or rainy nights I don’t see anyone (except the homeless guys in the arch ways).

I’ll be out there this winter too, though if the rain is heavy I may just spin indoors.

I can post more detailed workouts later, but for now through November it’s mostly just easy riding (18-20 mph) with 20-30 minutes of light tempo (22-24 mph), and maybe a few sprints.

Feel free to show up and join me, I’d really welcome the company.

Chris, aka Pizza Man

I've done that spin a few times myself. I don't get on my untill 7:00PM and it's dark out already so a light is a must. Maybe I'll see you next Tuesday night.

I've never been there before. maybe I'll check it out one day.

The Polo fields is where I got introduced into racing in the 1970's. Saw this bunch of guys in a paceline and they asked if I wanted to join in and the rest is history. Happy to hear it's still going on.

knotty

Chris, I'll see you out there next week. I'll be on a track bike, just looking to get seat time on it without having to worry too much about stopping. Definitely not hammer time for me.

Pelikan,

I look forward to seeing you there. We had 3 of us on Tuesday night, the more the merrier.

Next week I plan to start wearing my HR monitor agian.

Coach says nothing below 120 and keep most of it between 120 and 140.

I also need to start doing some intervals. 5 x 8 min at 150.

p.s. - My rain bike is a single speed Bianchi San Jose, so I'll be on that whenever it's wet.

Hey Chris and Greg,

Hope to see you guys tonight. I'll be there as soon as I get off work.

Russell

I'll be there at six -- see you then. Anyone else who likes riding around in circles for an hour or so, come join us!

Greg

I'll try and be there Thursday, but won't get there probably till 6:30PM. I think riding in circles will be a good change from riding in squares.

Good ride tonight guys! Thanks for joining me.

It really helps having company out there, especially in the dark.

For those interested, we started doing some "tempo" tonight.

5 x 8 minutes. I plan to do 4 x 10 minutes next time and eventually build it up to 8 x 10 minutes or 4 x 20 minutes.

Tonight's tempo was right about 24 mph. I plan to keep the speed the same as I build up the total time over the next couple months.

Was hoping to make it tonight, but was involved in a little incident (http://1618.org/coppermine/albums/userpics/10001/normal_DSCF1311.JPG) and stuck running for a little while longer.

Slept in today & brought my bike to work. See you out there. Not sure I can make it there before 6, but for sure before 6:30. Look forward to meeting youze.

6:30 is fine. I usually arrive between 6:00 and 6:15.
See you there!

Chris

BUMP!

After a 2 month hiatus due to holidays, vacations and bad weather, I’ll be back at the polo field track tonight and every Tuesday & Thursday night at 6PM for intervals as long as the roads are dry.

Lights are still necessary for another 5 weeks, then we're back to DST, yea! :D
Once we switch to DST the large race simulation group rides will begin.

Gotta get back in shape!