Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Athena journey so far

Here is me last summer just after purchasing my Trek FX 7.2 WSD. This picture was taken in July 2011

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Meandmy72FXWSD-SanGabrielRiverTrailinSealBeach7-10-11.jpg

Here I am this past March 3 2012 in Seal Beach CA with the FX

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Meandmy72FXWSDinSealBeachwithCatalinaoffindistance.jpg

And here is me again in Seal Beach with my new baby (2012 Trek 3.1 Madone with SRAM Apex)

http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w53/conattila/Apr212012-MeandTrek31MadoneApex.jpg

Yesterday I rode the furthest ever for me: 32.8 miles with my highest avg speed to date as well (13.9 mph).

Ooh, shiny bike! Congratulations on your 32 miler, looks like you're having a ball. Are you hitting one of the river trails? It looks like some of those are on the beach path.

Way to go! That's a respectable average for that distance imho. Your pics clearly show your progress. :)

Ooh, shiny bike! Congratulations on your 32 miler, looks like you're having a ball. Are you hitting one of the river trails? It looks like some of those are on the beach path.

The last two pics are taken at the end of the San Gabriel River Trail. They have a nice area there to take pictures, use the restroom, get water...there is even a restaurant (Rivers End Cafe)...

My ride yesterday was this:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/170838740

I rode to the LBS in Huntington Beach to get a refund on the difference in price as they had my bike on sale this weekend for about $70 less than I paid. Nice excuse for a long ride.

Here are some pics from my ride yesterday:

246172246173246174246175

Good job! Did you feel beat to hell or fresh as a daisy after 32 miles? Keep adding miles, but don't push too hard or you'll burn yourself out.

Nice going! That a touch faster than my own usual average.

I actually felt pretty good - not exhausted but not like I left a ton of gas in the tank. Doing a 31 mile ride on May 5 (Tour of Long Beach) and am planning on signing up for a Metric Century in June.

In that case, add around 5 miles a week to your long ride and keep riding a few miles every day or two during the week (10 a ride would be good). You're ready for the 31 mile ride, but you need to get some miles in your legs for the metric century so you can finish strong. You could probably finish it now, but you may not want to ever ride a bike again if you tried it now.

Nice job! It looks like you have beautiful areas to ride.

Thought I recognized it - I've been to that little water fountain a few times but never peeked over to see what the restaurant looked like. even though it's only 20 feet away :lol:.

That newly repaved section is niiiiiiiiiice. Here's my bike relaxing at that water fountain, with the shadow of my noggin:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/silverdog/2012-04-07082957.jpg

Thought I recognized it - I've been to that little water fountain a few times but never peeked over to see what the restaurant looked like. even though it's only 20 feet away :lol:.



They did a really nice job with redoing the area including the SGRT. I have yet to try the cafe (keep telling my husband to ride with me by telling him "there's beer at the end"...but it hasn't worked...yet).

That newly repaved section is niiiiiiiiiice. Here's my bike relaxing at that water fountain, with the shadow of my noggin:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v433/silverdog/2012-04-07082957.jpg

Nice shot of your bike. Good spot for a pic too. May have to do one like it next time!

Way to go! That's a respectable average for that distance imho. Your pics clearly show your progress. :)

Thanks...I wasn't sure if I had made visible progress yet.

I just noticed you are from Ellensburg. I was just up that way visiting family in Selah/Yakima area. I graduated HS in Selah. Had a great visit with my dad. Every time I saw a bike lane on the street, I was wishing I had my bike.

Your progress is easily seen in the photos. Though you don't look much different at a glance, closer inspection -Don't mention it; it was my pleasure:)- reveals far better muscle and skin tone.

You're looking great and doing great. We're happy for you. Keep it up.

Nice job nice bike!:D

We ride the San Gabriel trail every once in a while but do Santa Ana trail most of the time. Give it a try, nicer, purtier.:D

Although the SGRT has been much improved over the last year.;)

Couple months ago on the SGRT to Seal Beach. Nice, 71 miles to Encanto Park (above the SF dam)

let me know when you are ready for your 1st music video:thumb:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLoiyQjeBnw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLoiyQjeBnw

The video was awesome. What do you use to film? Would love to make one of those eventually with my cycling group. What pace were you guys riding? Seemed pretty fast to me.

The video was awesome. What do you use to film? Would love to make one of those eventually with my cycling group. What pace were you guys riding? Seemed pretty fast to me.


Thanks! I use a Flip video recorder. I actually have 2 (one still new in the box as back up:D). Works well, easy operation, good sound but doesnt' have a shock resistance system so it can be a little shakey since I do it without a mount (freehand).

Battery pack allows recharge while plugged into port. Internal edit program, also wmmoviemaker 2011 compatible. But they did discontinue production from what I understand. I paid about $140 but last I saw a few months back were on sale for $69.

Nice steady mage with a tripod but on the bike, not possible.:D



http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2713/4392448019_b3b9aeb58f.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35885048@N06/4392448019/)
backflip (http://www.flickr.com/photos/35885048@N06/4392448019/) by mrbeanz1 (http://www.flickr.com/people/35885048@N06/), on Flickr

Pace on the ride 71 miles 17.0 average.

http://app.strava.com/rides/5547026

Flip in my right hand, digi-cam in my left.:p Small and easy to use

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/GMRnohands.jpg

Stupid question...what is GMR?

Not a stupid question. ;) I/we at times take it for granted that everybody knows our lingo. :D

GMR (Glendora Mountain Road). Ver popular ride in the cycling world. 210/57 fwy area Lone hill exit area of Glendora.

Mountain road that climbs the first 8 miles at a 6% grade. Many riders are happy with that. Some of the more determined riders go to the village (21 miles 5000 ft gain total over 42 miles).

I have pics of the road and a video. My wife has done the shack and 6 beyond about 20 times. Our Athena friend Alyce has done it aobut 15 times. She shocks me cause she does not talk the talk but walks the walk unlike many "serious" riders I know. ;) Let me tell you, if anybody has a serious disadvantage over other riders, it's Gina and Alyce but they ride up there without excuses.

Gina and Alyce on GMR
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/020512F.jpg

Alyce
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/020512B.jpg

Gina
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/100811F.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/100910C.jpg

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/gulpxtreme/012011G.jpg


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUjcz00CFTs

Beachgrad,

Keep it up! It can be done, I'm living proof!

Semper Fi

Congrats on the rides. Looks like things are progressing well with the distance/experience. Definitely faster than I usually ride at this point.

I want to check the GMR out!

Another question....no cars?

Another question....no cars?

On a weekend GMR ride, you might see 10 motorcycles (usually together) and 5 cars. On the way down you might only see 2 motorcycles and 1 car as descending speeds are much higher than ascending speeds.:D

Duirng the week, even fewer vehicles. Some weekends are a bit more crowded but not much.

GMR is referred to "GMR". If one says "The GMR", other riders will not understand what you are talking about .:p

BG, great accomplishments. Which June metric are you aiming for?

The one I'm thinking of is this one.

http://bigringcentury.com/

Ths is the route

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/64833248

I know once in a while, someone in the SoCal forum organizes a "beginners" ride up GMR (Is it OCRRick?). Anyway, they're experienced and want to help others catch the bug. I think it would be fun for you, TrojanHorse, me and whoever else join up and go conquer the beast together. You know Beanz and his Flip will show up. My only fear is the music video will be put to "Slow Ride" or "Knockin' on Heaven's Door".

There is a one mile killer climb on Lincoln/Knholl...some 10-14% grades. :eek:

My only fear is the music video will be put to "Slow Ride" or "Knockin' on Heaven's Door".

Well, for me those would probably be appropriate choices. :roflmao:

There is a one mile killer climb on Lincoln/Knholl...some 10-14% grades. :eek:

On GMR?

You know I'll go practice ahead of time. :D

On GMR?

No, on the metric century. Once you ride north on the Santa Ana River Trail , looks like you exit Lincoln and climb up the road as it turns into Nhol ranch road.

zoom in on the area, hit elevation on mapmyride and you will see the climb

OR run your cursor along the elevation graph (link you posted) and it will show you the climb at about mile 38


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/7111672947_27c073dfd8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/7111672947/)
LincolnNohlRanchRd (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/7111672947/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

No, on the metric century. Once you ride north on the Santa Ana River Trail , looks like you exit Lincoln and climb up the road as it turns into Nhol ranch road.

zoom in on the area, hit elevation on mapmyride and you will see the climb

OR run your cursor along the elevation graph (link you posted) and it will show you the climb at about mile 38


http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/7111672947_27c073dfd8.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/7111672947/)
LincolnNohlRanchRd (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/7111672947/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

According to the climb details this climb is an average of 4.3% grade. Either way it looks pretty tough. I plan on doing it tho.

Do you have a course on Garmin for GMR? I mapped one out using Garmin Connect.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/1077862

According to the climb details this climb is an average of 4.3% grade. Either way it looks pretty tough. I plan on doing it tho.

Do you have a course on Garmin for GMR? I mapped one out using Garmin Connect.

http://connect.garmin.com/course/1077862



That is the saem course we use, but on a "mostly" basis, we only ride to the shack or a little beyond since I ride with the wife. She has completed the ride to the village once but the shack and beyond about 20 times. Pretty much a pure climbing ride so the shack is good.:D


To the shack
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/152606549

To the shack and a little beyond to Peacock Saddle
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/170363150

According to the climb details this climb is an average of 4.3% grade. Either way it looks pretty tough. I plan on doing it tho.


The overall grade of the 4 miles is about 4% but broken down into the climb section alone, it is a pretty good grade for about 1/2 mile.

Overall vs .8 mile section....I broke it down into .8 as many say that the minmum to be somewhat accurate on Mapmyride, it should be atleast .8 of a mile.

About 1/2 mile section is tough. If you get the chance, you may want to ride SART to Lincoln, then give it a try ahead of time. From the coast (HB) to Lincoln and back is 32 miles. With Lincoln thrown in, maybe 38 (?). That would be a good training ride ;).

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/6967130310_74c6172259.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/6967130310/)
Lincoln (http://www.flickr.com/photos/40913998@N06/6967130310/) by gulpxtreme (http://www.flickr.com/people/40913998@N06/), on Flickr

The overall grade of the 4 miles is about 4% but broken down into the climb section alone, it is a pretty good grade for about 1/2 mile.

Overall vs .8 mile section....I broke it down into .8 as many say that the minmum to be somewhat accurate on Mapmyride, it should be atleast .8 of a mile.

About 1/2 mile section is tough. If you get the chance, you may want to ride SART to Lincoln, then give it a try ahead of time. From the coast (HB) to Lincoln and back is 32 miles. With Lincoln thrown in, maybe 38 (?). That would be a good training ride ;).



Thanks! Think I just might do that. I need to work on my hills for sure.

I threw out a ride on GMR to my group. So far no responses yay or nay. I want to give it a shot at some point tho. I don't want to just ride the same mostly flat routes. I won't get better that way.

Thanks! Think I just might do that. I need to work on my hills for sure.

I threw out a ride on GMR to my group. So far no responses yay or nay. I want to give it a shot at some point tho. I don't want to just ride the same mostly flat routes. I won't get better that way.


Hahahaha! Funny cause I kid, well sort of and sort of not. Whenever I send a PM or an email with "GMR" in the title, I usually won't get a response.:D

Many times a few days later saying "oh dude, I didn't get your message in time".:D

I've taken up quite a few first timers. I'd suggest that you try the 8 mile climb before the entire 21 mile climb. Pretty much if you can do the 8 miles you can do most of the rides/roads around.

I took this forum member up couple years ago. He didn't make it to the 8 mile point. He got sick, heart meds and other issues. But he got close (6 miles) I think he could have made it myself but it's a tough ride and after some vomit, I don't blame him for heading back. I think part of the problem was that he was trying to keep pace with my wife (she is slow but his pride got to him).

A year later he made it to the top (21 miles-5,000 ft gain) and he beat my wife up the climb! :tumb:

This was the first time completing the entire 42 miles 5000 ft for Tom and my wife Gina.

in the video, members Hillbasher, HerbM, TomBunn and my wife Gina.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GQ40U-cqwE

I don't intend to do the whole route the first go. But I figure why not map out the whole thing to the village now.

I have mapped out a ride from Jax in HB (my LBS that also sponsors my group...so I can park at their lot for my training ride I would hope) to SART and north to Lincoln..do the climb and turn around and head back. Mapped out about 42 miles from the store on Main.

Sorry to hijack for a moment. I debated between hijacking this or TrojanHorse's compact/standard discussion over in SoCal. I thought others may want to know as it pertains to GMR, so...here I am.

My new bike is coming with 50/34 and 12/25. Is that gearing going to kill a newer rider on GMR? Do I need be planning on buying a 11/28?

My 3.1 has a compact Crank 50/34 and my cassette is 11-32. Guess that has enough granny gearing?

Mapped out about 42 miles from the store on Main.

Nice! :thumb:

Sorry to hijack for a moment. I debated between hijacking this or TrojanHorse's compact/standard discussion over in SoCal. I thought others may want to know as it pertains to GMR, so...here I am.

My new bike is coming with 50/34 and 12/25. Is that gearing going to kill a newer rider on GMR? Do I need be planning on buying a 11/28?

If you do any kind of riding at all and are a decent rider, the 34/25 should be good. I know some first timers that didn't do much climbing but were sweating it thinking they needed a 28. I talked them out of it and they did fine with the compact /25. Depending on how you have recovered I'd say the 25 is good. The 28 might be a little better but for a big difference, Id say a 32. Myself, not worth the money and effort to go for 3 more teeth. But again, depending on your recovery......




My 3.1 has a compact Crank 50/34 and my cassette is 11-32. Guess that has enough granny gearing?

I'd say YEAH!:D.....and you are only going to get better from here.:thumb:

Nice! :thumb:

That 42 is the round trip

Thanks Beanz. I was worried about not having a hamstring, but we have 42 miles logged in the past two weeks, and I honestly don' t miss it. I'd rather not spend the money on 3 teeth if I can help it. 25 it is!

Did back to back long (for me) rides this past weekend.

First ride was 24.5 miles - testing a route my cycling group is doing on Mothers Day as part of Cyclofemme.

http://app.strava.com/rides/8006838

This ride was the next day, part of the Tour of Long Beach / BikeFest LB 2012. I forgot to turn on my Garmin until was about 1.2 miles in so total mileage was more like 29.5.

http://app.strava.com/rides/8006841

Enjoyed the beer garden afterward and got to taste some really good microbrews. I haven't been drinking so it felt kind of weird to be drinking beer but figured it was earned. :beer:

Me post ride.

249082

50 miles in one weekend! :thumb:

A periodic beer is a nice treat, I have to agree with you there.

Rock it!

Awesome!!!!

Anyone here able to put my pictures from my first one of me last summer in the burgundy T-shirt and the last one at the BikeFest Event in a combined before/after picture? I don't have the skill or programs but curious what I look like side by side.

Anyone here able to put my pictures from my first one of me last summer in the burgundy T-shirt and the last one at the BikeFest Event in a combined before/after picture? I don't have the skill or programs but curious what I look like side by side.

Gladly.

http://i798.photobucket.com/albums/yy269/SuttonFam4/Web%20Stuff/BeforeandCurrent.jpg


......in a combined before/current picture?

FIFY! :D We're all on a journey! And you're doing great on yours!