Fifty Plus (50+) - Aww crap. I was doing it wrong.

I was out for a quick 70k ride this morning and was climbing up the Niagra Escarpment. The lead up to it is a series of rollers but an average 5% up hill gradient. The road tips up to 26% for a couple hundred meters, tapers off to 7% for 50 meters then up again at 31% for a couple hundred more.

It was during the last steep segment that a van pulls up beside me and an old Dutch fellow yells something at me. I couldn't hear what he said so he pulls up closer at yells "Do you know vut bishycles are for?

I looked at him and panted out "no. what?"

"Bishycles are for goingk down zgee hills!"

I just about had to dismount I was laughing so hard.

Then he says " Your legs are bulging. Your heart is pounding. You are breathing hard and you are schweating. All signs you are doing it wrong!"

We both chuckled and off he went.

I think I was grinning for about 10 minutes. Sometimes our random encounters with drivers are funny.

Whereabouts did you climb it, jdon? Because of where I live, pretty much every ride I do begins with an escarpment climb. Some are really long, others really short and steep. Hint: Oskee Wee Wee....

Great story, it also makes my day to have a pleasant encounter - for a change - with a vehicle driver.

My dad is an old Dutch fella and lives in your neck of the woods. Then again there are all kinds of old Dutch fellas in your neck of the woods.

[quote=jdon;11387791]aww crap. I was doing it wrong.

Oh. Now that's a surprise.


(Actually, it's a cute story.:D)

I'll give you 10 to 1 he would have traded places with you in a New York minute.

My dad is an old Dutch fella and lives in your neck of the woods. Then again there are all kinds of old Dutch fellas in your neck of the woods.

Want a paper bag with eye holes to go with that avatar?

That's a great story. I'll remember it. A number of times I've had guys see me starting up a big hill and tell me "You can't possibly be thinking of riding up this hill, are you?"

The whole Niagara area is just beautiful.

A. Quick. 70. k.

70k takes me about 2 hours and 20 minutes on the stupid flats I call home roads. A quick ride is like down to the liquor store and back. 10-15 minutes 1.5k.

Whereabouts did you climb it, jdon? Because of where I live, pretty much every ride I do begins with an escarpment climb. Some are really long, others really short and steep. Hint: Oskee Wee Wee....

Great story, it also makes my day to have a pleasant encounter - for a change - with a vehicle driver.

I normally ride from the Milton area down through Dundas as far as St Catherines. Lots of great little climbs in the area.

My dad is an old Dutch fella and lives in your neck of the woods. Then again there are all kinds of old Dutch fellas in your neck of the woods.
Does he live by Kelso? Maybe in his mid-late 80's?

[quote]

Oh. Now that's a surprise.


(Actually, it's a cute story.:D)
Hey Princess Blueberry! How was your harvest?

Here. Once again I saved you one..
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab143/jatodon/cupcake.jpg

A. Quick. 70. k.

70k takes me about 2 hours and 20 minutes on the stupid flats I call home roads. A quick ride is like down to the liquor store and back. 10-15 minutes 1.5k.

Quick is a relative term.:o It takes me about 1:55 so it isn't fast, its just not a long ride. Lots of hills though.

Quick is a relative term.:o It takes me about 1:55 so it isn't fast, its just not a long ride. Lots of hills though.

Thats over 21 mph. THATS FAST.

Thats over 21 mph. THATS FAST.

But it is when he is doing it right - going downhill - that really assists the total time.

Yeah, but the story involves what sounds to be a sustained climb.

When I was in my 30s I could rip off 70k in maybe the time he's talking about on a course like I imagine is described. Nowadays in the hills (assuming a loop and nothing too dramatic for the elevation)I'd be looking at around 2:40 or so. Clutching my chest and wheezing at bits of it. 26%, yeah, Myrtle, it's the big one!

Maybe next month I'll find the time to get back to the Blue Ridge. I'll let you know.

Hey, jdon. If you don't mind me asking a personal question, are you pretty skinny?

Yeah, but the story involves what sounds to be a sustained climb.

When I was in my 30s I could rip off 70k in maybe the time he's talking about on a course like I imagine is described. Nowadays in the hills (assuming a loop and nothing too dramatic for the elevation)I'd be looking at around 2:40 or so. Clutching my chest and wheezing at bits of it. 26%, yeah, Myrtle, it's the big one!

Maybe next month I'll find the time to get back to the Blue Ridge. I'll let you know.

Hey, jdon. If you don't mind me asking a personal question, are you pretty skinny?

Not skinny, but not heavy. At 5'9 1/2, I weigh in at 168 lbs pre-ride, 163 post.. I have always had good legs though. Lots of cycling and football (soccer) in my youth. I raced in my 20's and 30's but never made it out of Cat 3. I still ride 5-6 days per week and train hard. I like to say I ride with purpose.

I am also only just 50, well, until September.

Oh, man. That's my weight and I'm far north of that...

When I lived with elevation nearby it was easier to burn the calories.

Thanks for the story. You've at least inspired me.

Oh, man. That's my weight and I'm far north of that...

When I lived with elevation nearby it was easier to burn the calories.

Thanks for the story. You've at least inspired me.

Yeah, If I backed off the upper body training a little and said no to pie, I could get down there again but, life is short! :)

I do this hill 3 times a week on my rides. It looks worse with traffic.
http://www.veloomedia.com/2007_pages/2007_road/2007_Prov_RR_MA_Men_Flash.html

Doesn't like FireFox!

I was in Hamilton this past March on business (before the heat wave!). That whole area, the Golden Horseshoe, is so highly underrated. I was surprised by how green Hamilton was. You expect drab steeltown, but it's got the Royal Botanical Gardens occupying most of its northern border, and there are nice country roads not far away. I had the fixie with me; I put it in the rental car and drove to Niagara-on-the-Lake one weekend. Unfortunately, it was rainy and windy, and by the time I got to Niagara Falls, it was close to 0 Celsius and I could see the wind blowing the little raindrops across my Oakleys, so I rode back. But I'm glad I didn't go near Milton or St. Catharines; I wasn't ready for 26% grades. I did ride along the escarpment, but the grades were pretty gentle.

70km in 1h55 is race-pace! I would expect to do a hilly 70km in 2h55!

Luis

I may have misled you gents a bit. It isn't all hilly. The loop I did has about 45k of relatively flat riding. 25k in hilly areas but only two significant climbs. The video link I posted is Appleby Line up Rattlesnake Point. Lots of fun and it can be a grind. Far too many stupid drivers on it though. Luis, if you find yourself out this way again, PM me. I have no shortage of bikes (54/56) and would be happy to show you around.

[QUOTE=miss kenton;11388264]
Hey Princess Blueberry! How was your harvest?

Here. Once again I saved you one..
http://i858.photobucket.com/albums/ab143/jatodon/cupcake.jpg

We are at peak season throughout the state, but as far as my personal crop goes, I'm afraid I'd describe it as disappointing, at best. Naturally, Jersey blueberry growing is a science and an art; I am a student of the berry. Perhaps, next year's crop will be more, er, fruitful.

Regarding the cupcake, thank you jdon, it was a lovely gesture. It was kind of you to think of me. However, that cupcake looks familiar. I sincerely hope it isn't the same one you sent before. I imagine it would be rather stale by now. It reminds me of that undoubtably smelly bass that keeps getting passed around on Foo. On the other hand, if you have just baked it for me, kindly disregard aforementioned comments.

Thats over 21 mph. THATS FAST.

Well then at 10 mph I am only almost half-ast.Hee hee