Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - The Metric Iron Chef

I understand chesisaac, the Iron Chef, completed his first metric century earlier today. Yo, Iron Chef, details please......

Congrats! I'm doing the Quad County Metric in Green Lane on May 12th.

I understand chesisaac, the Iron Chef, completed his first metric century earlier today. Yo, Iron Chef, details please......

I believe he did one last year and we did his first for this year last Friday(4/6). Today was to get some more mileage and to nail down some tweaks to our on ride hydration/nutrition before we tackle the century in Virginia Beach next month. There's talk of doing another one next weekend as well because my friend who is riding the century with us is coming up for the weekend.

Yes, I ended 2011 with a high of 62 miles on an organized ride. I would love to get a few centuries in this year and have been riding all winter to increase my saddle time and get ready. Broke away from the Delaware (Jims group) in hopes to gain more time and miles. Last week we nailed down a metric. Felt really tired, hydration was poor and nutrition was poor (did not eat enough as we rode). Wind was a challenge plus climbing almost put the nail in the coffin but I knew things would get easier as I increased the riding time. We finished that metric and I felt good.

Yesterdays metric was great. Will and Paisan came out and we started off with a great clip and never looked back. We started at Fort Mott State Park in Salem County, NJ. Amazing park and I was able to talk with the park ranger for a while before we left. Felt great all the way through and focused on more hydration and more proper nutrition throughout riding, which was key. This was big for me since before, I would just eat fruit and pb and j sandwiches if I needed to eat but this time, I still relied on those but also during the ride had Shot Blocks and Cliff bars as well. Not 100% sold on the cliff shots. They taste great but are just plain sugar. The cliff bars offered better nutrition all around. I did have GU with me but never tried it.

Paisan is right, I am looking for a century I hope next month in Virginia Beach. Need to check work calender and see if I can get Friday off for travel. Not 100% sold on if I am ready but I felt pretty darn good on yesterdays metric. A few things I need to tweak and a lot of it is upper back pain as the miles increase. I had a lot of of on last weeks metric but todays it started at mile 50 or so. Took the bike in on Friday for a fit and the fitter had no real recommendations. Not good since he was one of the best fitters in the state. We did order wider bars for the bike. I hope that helps out.

Congrats. A good flat century in VA that's not as far away as Virginia Beach is the Capital-2-Capital ride that goes from Richmond to Williamsburg and back (you can start at either end.) Lots of riders and great support:

http://virginiacapitaltrail.org/Cap2Cap2012/Cap2Cap2012.aspx

Jim: Thanks for the suggestion. This first one will be with Paisan and Troy and hopefully Will. Its just not the ride support, it is nice to ride with people I know and can help if needed. Its a big jump for a 64 mile ride to a 100 mile ride even though, I think if I nail down nutrition and hydration and pace, I should be good.

Yes, I ended 2011 with a high of 62 miles on an organized ride. I would love to get a few centuries in this year and have been riding all winter to increase my saddle time and get ready. Broke away from the Delaware (Jims group) in hopes to gain more time and miles. Last week we nailed down a metric. Felt really tired, hydration was poor and nutrition was poor (did not eat enough as we rode). Wind was a challenge plus climbing almost put the nail in the coffin but I knew things would get easier as I increased the riding time. We finished that metric and I felt good.

Yesterdays metric was great. Will and Paisan came out and we started off with a great clip and never looked back. We started at Fort Mott State Park in Salem County, NJ. Amazing park and I was able to talk with the park ranger for a while before we left. Felt great all the way through and focused on more hydration and more proper nutrition throughout riding, which was key. This was big for me since before, I would just eat fruit and pb and j sandwiches if I needed to eat but this time, I still relied on those but also during the ride had Shot Blocks and Cliff bars as well. Not 100% sold on the cliff shots. They taste great but are just plain sugar. The cliff bars offered better nutrition all around. I did have GU with me but never tried it.

Paisan is right, I am looking for a century I hope next month in Virginia Beach. Need to check work calender and see if I can get Friday off for travel. Not 100% sold on if I am ready but I felt pretty darn good on yesterdays metric. A few things I need to tweak and a lot of it is upper back pain as the miles increase. I had a lot of of on last weeks metric but todays it started at mile 50 or so. Took the bike in on Friday for a fit and the fitter had no real recommendations. Not good since he was one of the best fitters in the state. We did order wider bars for the bike. I hope that helps out.

Could it be "too soon, too fast?" Its April and already you are a mileage monster. You might be pushing your body faster than it can adapt to what you are demanding of it. Paisan, your thoughts?

BTW, please don't kill Will. He's the closest Bike Forums poster to me. :-)

Could it be "too soon, too fast?" Its April and already you are a mileage monster. You might be pushing your body faster than it can adapt to what you are demanding of it. Paisan, your thoughts?

BTW, please don't kill Will. He's the closest Bike Forums poster to me. :-)

I think the century is within Isaac's grasp. There was a marked improvement in his pedal stroke and posture towards the end of this ride compared to last week's. I think the biggest adaptation for him has been getting used to a different style of tempo while riding. The stops are fewer and shorter than he was used to with his last group because I don't want anyone getting too stiff with a stop that's longer than necessary.

As i said before, a few of the things we've been discussing is hydration and nutrition from the start of a ride and not wait until stops or until it gets too late. We've also discussed ensuring that everyone has a teamwork mentality on the rides. Everyone splits the work and the lead riders job(among many) is to make sure the pace is steady so that the group has a chance to recover. I don't allow any on bike D!$% measuring contests. That means slowing the group after turns and hills to allow everyone a chance to get back on before the speed is brought back up, and if necessary slowing the pace if it gets to be too much for a rider. The group will start together, work together, and finish together(that's the military in me). Then there's the most important rule, lots of joking around and having fun. That's what makes the miles tick away. As long as we stick to those principles we'll finish fine. We're meeting a friend of mine whose also a clyde and a steady dependable rider, between the 4 of us and anyone we might pick up on the road it will be a good time.

The century listed above is a really good one, but we will be doing the Knotts Island Century (http://www.tbarides.org/events?eventId=412059&EventViewMode=EventDetails) which is a great first century to tackle. It's as flat as can be, very well organized and because there is a ferry ride across the Currituck Sound at mile 30'ish the ride is technically a 30 mile ride followed by a 70 miler with a good chance to recover between the two.

The biggest key for Isaac will be that he will need to taper down his commute the week before the century and possibly a few days afterwards.

I promise not to kill Will, he's one of my favorite riding partners.

aww thanks guys, I was feeling pretty dead at the end of the ride yesterday, but it's motivation to get my butt in gear.

Congrats! I'm doing the Quad County Metric in Green Lane on May 12th.

Nice ride. Done it numerous times. Camped at the start last year and woke up to the realization that I had forgot to pack my bibs.

Rolled a 65 miler yesterday in Chester, Lancaster and Berks Counties. 5,400' of climbing. Not bad for only my 5th extended ride of the year. This is a great time of year to ride in Lancaster County. The Amish and Mennonites are out working the fields with horse-drawn plows, and you don't have the hot sun beating down on you.

Jim: Thanks for the suggestion. This first one will be with Paisan and Troy and hopefully Will. Its just not the ride support, it is nice to ride with people I know and can help if needed. Its a big jump for a 64 mile ride to a 100 mile ride even though, I think if I nail down nutrition and hydration and pace, I should be good.

BTW...Sex on the Beach the Saturday before Memorial Day. There will be C and B groups. 60 and 67 miles respectively. The C leader is a nice guy. Rides a tandem with his wife. The B leader is awesome. Check the BCP calendar for details.

Indy,
I'm down in South Chester County near Cochranville/Oxford. I've got a nice little 40 mile loop that has about 3200' of climbing if you ever looking for someplace new to ride.

Neil:

I am not sure if it is too early per say. I have been riding all winter, racking up around 1500 miles thus fat year to date. Paisan is right, the last group I rode with in Delaware, the stops were often and the miles were short. So I would do great between 20-40 miles but after that, it was somewhat new territory, especially in regards to what my body needs as far as nutrition and hydration. But these past two metric centuries have taught me a lot about riding and my body. So I think I will tackle it. At the end of the day, there is always the SAG I can use but I think I will be ready. I weigh less, work hard on riding during the week with a heavier mtn with panniers and ride a lot on the weekends.

The one thing I am concerned with is my upper back but I did order wider bars for the road bike and I will also install gel under the wrap too. All improvements really. I do plan on a couple more metric centuries (or more miles) before the century. This will be good for me. Provides me with a lot of learning opportunities about riding and about my body.

My concern might be different if I didnt ride all winter long but my belief is that I am pretty ready. Will I finish it? I hope! And I have all the tools and support needed to do it. Now it is up to my body and mind to work together.

Neil:

I am not sure if it is too early per say. I have been riding all winter, racking up around 1500 miles thus fat year to date. Paisan is right, the last group I rode with in Delaware, the stops were often and the miles were short. So I would do great between 20-40 miles but after that, it was somewhat new territory, especially in regards to what my body needs as far as nutrition and hydration. But these past two metric centuries have taught me a lot about riding and my body. So I think I will tackle it. At the end of the day, there is always the SAG I can use but I think I will be ready. I weigh less, work hard on riding during the week with a heavier mtn with panniers and ride a lot on the weekends.

The one thing I am concerned with is my upper back but I did order wider bars for the road bike and I will also install gel under the wrap too. All improvements really. I do plan on a couple more metric centuries (or more miles) before the century. This will be good for me. Provides me with a lot of learning opportunities about riding and about my body.

My concern might be different if I didnt ride all winter long but my belief is that I am pretty ready. Will I finish it? I hope! And I have all the tools and support needed to do it. Now it is up to my body and mind to work together.

I'm sure you can do it. But please, don't kill Wfournier.

I'm sure you can do it. But please, don't kill Wfournier.

Isaac, basically you are free to die and let the vultures we saw yesterday eat your carcass off of the tarmac as long as Will survives the journey.

HAHAHAHA

Isaac, basically you are free to die and let the vultures we saw yesterday eat your carcass off of the tarmac as long as Will survives the journey.

HAHAHAHA

I need someone to ride with as part of my recovery. Will lives closest to me.

Iron Chef is going to ride with me at some point. It will be like the first time I rode with him, except he's going to be the awesome super-cyclist and I'll be the fat, out of shape, insecure guy. I'm not sure I like that role, but it's what I'm stuck with.

I need someone to ride with as part of my recovery. Will lives closest to me.

Iron Chef is going to ride with me at some point. It will be like the first time I rode with him, except he's going to be the awesome super-cyclist and I'll be the fat, out of shape, insecure guy. I'm not sure I like that role, but it's what I'm stuck with.

Who cares who's in what role as long as you're on your bike and riding again.

I will take one of the team. Vultures can get me... I am "Russian and like Vodka and Peanut Butter". :)

I will take one of the team. Vultures can get me... I am "Russian and like Vodka and Peanut Butter". :)

Where can I get some of that "hammer and sickle" gel?

lol

Let me ask russian friend.

Congrats! I'm doing the Quad County Metric in Green Lane on May 12th.

I did this last year and had a blast. Did the 65 miler and the ICU(Intensive Climbing Unit). The finishing sprint out Upper Ridge Road back to the park was a lot of fun (I guess it was just a friendly group of riders at the same spot as the same time that made it fun). The group that puts it on is a class act as well with some good eats at the end. Was thinking about doing it again but will be in Cape May the week before and not sure I can get up to that area on time for the start. Have fun!

I'm in for next metric per Big Machine's request. I shall behave :)

I'm in for next metric per Big Machine's request. I shall behave :)

:thumb::thumb: two thumbs up!

cat: Please keep your line straight and no running into anything! :)

Please, already beat you to it today, I will let you all admire my vicious road rash come sunday. In the meantime, I will get it all outta my system as much as possible and still make it in one piece..or taping myself together.

Who cares who's in what role as long as you're on your bike and riding again.

This is one heck of a comeback. I'm used to being awesome, not riding two miles and being worn out. I thought I paid my beginner's dues in 2007. And I paid forward every thing I learned as I could to every novice rider I met.... I'm not used to being on the receiving end, that's all.

Well you're obviously not going to be able to compare your first few rides back to where you were before the surgery. You'll just have to enjoy the fact that you'll be cycling pain free and know that in time you will be back to where you were.

Beginner's Blues? Did you suddenly forget everything you learned in cycling? No, you just lost your pre-surgery fitness levels which will come back with time and effort. Be patient, stay consistent and remember "some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield"

Lets let Cat lead and if she runs into anyway, we do not follow! :)

And heads up on weather. At this point, it looks grim but that could change.

Lets let Cat lead and if she runs into anyway, we do not follow! :)

And heads up on weather. At this point, it looks grim but that could change.

I haven't had a chance to look yet. What's grim? Does Saturday look better?

I've ridden plenty with Cat, she's pretty steady speed wise and won't do 23mph up a hill **cough** Will(WFournier) **cough**
she's just got a thing for closed gates on the SRT.

Well you're obviously not going to be able to compare your first few rides back to where you were before the surgery. You'll just have to enjoy the fact that you'll be cycling pain free and know that in time you will be back to where you were.

Beginner's Blues? Did you suddenly forget everything you learned in cycling? No, you just lost your pre-surgery fitness levels which will come back with time and effort. Be patient, stay consistent and remember "some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield"

Yes, but I fear riding with the Iron Chef might be a "bug" day for me. He was hard to keep up with when I was riding metrics and he was riding short rides.

For the record, I wipeout when I'm feeling ballsy and bombing through sketchy sections of road/trail. You guys will never let me live the gate thing down lol. Let's just say I ride 100% with heart if not head :D

Neil, most pain goes away eventually, believe me I take my share. Work on the emotional issues of getting back to it, I had same prob bouncing back from said gate crash.

Weather is tentatively showers during the morning but clearing.

I think the century is within Isaac's grasp. There was a marked improvement in his pedal stroke and posture towards the end of this ride compared to last week's. I think the biggest adaptation for him has been getting used to a different style of tempo while riding. The stops are fewer and shorter than he was used to with his last group because I don't want anyone getting too stiff with a stop that's longer than necessary.

As i said before, a few of the things we've been discussing is hydration and nutrition from the start of a ride and not wait until stops or until it gets too late. We've also discussed ensuring that everyone has a teamwork mentality on the rides. Everyone splits the work and the lead riders job(among many) is to make sure the pace is steady so that the group has a chance to recover. I don't allow any on bike D!$% measuring contests. That means slowing the group after turns and hills to allow everyone a chance to get back on before the speed is brought back up, and if necessary slowing the pace if it gets to be too much for a rider. The group will start together, work together, and finish together(that's the military in me). Then there's the most important rule, lots of joking around and having fun. That's what makes the miles tick away. As long as we stick to those principles we'll finish fine. We're meeting a friend of mine whose also a clyde and a steady dependable rider, between the 4 of us and anyone we might pick up on the road it will be a good time.

The century listed above is a really good one, but we will be doing the Knotts Island Century (http://www.tbarides.org/events?eventId=412059&EventViewMode=EventDetails) which is a great first century to tackle. It's as flat as can be, very well organized and because there is a ferry ride across the Currituck Sound at mile 30'ish the ride is technically a 30 mile ride followed by a 70 miler with a good chance to recover between the two.

The biggest key for Isaac will be that he will need to taper down his commute the week before the century and possibly a few days afterwards.

I promise not to kill Will, he's one of my favorite riding partners.

Sounds like a great leader and a group I'd enjoy riding with.

Chef - congrats and 100 isn't that much further than 67. Three bottles of water and a couple Cliff bars. Don't forget the Whey after the rides.

Congrats. A good flat century in VA that's not as far away as Virginia Beach is the Capital-2-Capital ride that goes from Richmond to Williamsburg and back (you can start at either end.) Lots of riders and great support:

http://virginiacapitaltrail.org/Cap2Cap2012/Cap2Cap2012.aspx

Wish Richmond wasn't 3 hrs from me. I've got Centuries lined up for May 19th and August 11th. I'd like to find ones for June and July.

Sounds like a great leader and a group I'd enjoy riding with.

Chef - congrats and 100 isn't that much further than 67. Three bottles of water and a couple Cliff bars. Don't forget the Whey after the rides.

You're always welcome to come up and meet with us. We have another Metric scheduled for this weekend, and I'm fairly certain that we will try to get in an 80 miler between now and the full century (May 12th) just as another small stepping stone to overcome any small lingering doubts, even though I already know that they can all finish it.

Yes, but I fear riding with the Iron Chef might be a "bug" day for me. He was hard to keep up with when I was riding metrics and he was riding short rides.

So what? Everyone has those days where we play "bug". It's playing "bug" that makes the few days where we get to be the "windshield" that much more fun.

Wish Richmond wasn't 3 hrs from me. I've got Centuries lined up for May 19th and August 11th. I'd like to find ones for June and July.

If you find something let me know. I'd be down for coming your way for some riding, I might even be able to talk Will, Isaac, Cat and my friend Troy to join in.

23mph up a hill **cough** Will(WFournier) **cough**


I paid for that in the second half lol.


If you find something let me know. I'd be down for coming your way for some riding, I might even be able to talk Will, Isaac, Cat and my friend Troy to join in.

Yeah let me know, It looks like May 12th is going to be out for me I'll be visiting family (really want to do that ride though lol). I'm game for other centuries though, just need to get a few more miles in first.

just need to get a few more miles in first.

You coming Sunday?

You coming Sunday?

I'm planning on it, do you have a location?

I'm pretty certain the plan is to do the same course.

Wish Richmond wasn't 3 hrs from me. I've got Centuries lined up for May 19th and August 11th. I'd like to find ones for June and July.

May 19th I'm doing the CASA ride in Shepherdstown. Is that the one? I did it last year, and it was fun. If you're up for some climbing in your neighborhood in June there's always the Garrett County Grand Fondo (http://www.winthefight.org/granfondo/index.htm) on June 23rd. That one is not flat though :) I'd give it a shot, but it's the same weekend as Bike Virginia.

I haven't had a chance to look yet. What's grim? Does Saturday look better?

I've ridden plenty with Cat, she's pretty steady speed wise and won't do 23mph up a hill **cough** Will(WFournier) **cough**
she's just got a thing for closed gates on the SRT.

Saturday high of 77 degrees with 20% precip. (Sun with some clouds)
Sunday: High of 57 degrees, 70% precip (dark clouds and rain)

Do you know if schedules are flexible? Saturday might be a better day to be frank.

Same location. How is everyones schedule.... is their flexibility? Looking at the weather, I am thinking Saturday might be better since only 20% chance of precip.

I can do either Saturday or Sunday (although wife gave me pass for only Sunday... might have to put my big boy pants on and tell her Saturday).

lol

If need be I'll move some things but flexi. We won't melt though :P

Cat: I was worried about my hair frizzing out. :)

I know some do not like to ride in the rain so if flexible, Saturday looks best but will depend on when Troy is coming up and what Will and Chris have planned on Saturday.

I've got pomade for that!

I'm thinking Chris+Troy are relaxing on saturday all day if not working on a project together. Will will weigh in soon

Sounds good Cat. You all healed up?

Depends on which wound we're talking about lol, everyone knows I've got a catalog. New roadrash has a 6 inch section of my forearm tore up deep along with minor scrapes on bicep/hip. It'll be a few weeks before the tegaderm comes off. I'm good to ride. thanks for asking.

gonna get you pads to ride with.