Dan333SP

My primary care doctor told me he rides at least a metric half-dime every morning. Yes, he actually finishes that distance BEFORE work, and has enough energy to get in a full day. I think that qualifies him as a pretty serious cyclist.

RPK79

I call bs. There is NO WAY someone in any sort of medical profession could get up in the morning and put in miles like that. Not even, say, a veterinarian.

Zuzus pedals

Riding on the hoods is usually more comfortable and results in a little more power. It's also easier to be aware of what's going on around you when you're sitting up, and you sure don't want to cross wheels whizzing along at 2 kph. You do encounter more aero drag when you're on the hoods, but that's only when you're out in front of the pack. Just wheelsuck a group of tall people and you can ride on the hoods with all the aero advantages of a moving wall in front of you!

Now they'll all be working hard to make that brutal time cutoff and avoid the SAG wagon, so they might get a little browned off if they realize you've never taken a pull. That's why it's important to get in that speedwork. You've got to eventually get used to hamering and recovering quickly so you can take multiple pulls or else your local Tuesday Night World Championships group won't want you riding with them.

silversx80

The best place to get that speed work is the MUP. Make sure it's crowded, so you have a chance to practice high-speed bike-handling skills around dogs and little girls. Also make sure you do not practice your speed work in a kit, or using clip less pedals, and ride with gym shorts and no shirt. This provides the best training benefits.

Oh, and be sure to start a new thread about all the "racers" in full kits that you dropped.

RPK79

I disagree. The MUP is for full kits and tri bikes. Put your head down and go as fast as possible. There are no cars so you don't have to pay much attention. Just blast some tunes on your earbuds and zone out.

silversx80

That is a very fair point. Then, would one best benefit from shirtless-sprint-training on city roads while trying to weave about traffic? And of course red lights do not apply to cyclists who are training for a metric-quarter.

RPK79

I like to do my shirtless sprint training in cutoff jeans going against traffic.

Bah Humbug

Heavy cream + Gatorade + Oreos into the blender. No need for the lid; just throw them all in, hit the button, go stretch, then pour the resulting mixture into your bidon.

Dan333SP

Guys, I was able to find a local club that is doing a training series to get ready for the metric quarter. It's the "metric quarter training team". Apparently it's normally a 6 month process but I'm late in the game. Should I still join? They said the plan includes nutrition and coaching. It's $350 but it also includes a custom bidon and a jersey-

superdex

RPK79

I'm thinking about getting on a 5 year plan to train for a Metric Kennedy.

Willbird

For a challenge, do it on a fat bike, but "load" the tires with glycol :-), and eat at least 3 dozen crispy creme donuts before taking off.

Dan333SP

Update: I finished a Metric Dime last weekend at a reasonable pace. My Metric Quarter is this Sunday. Wish me luck! Hopefully I finish before nightfall.

PepeM

Don't forget to carbo-load.

RPK79

I can't believe this is really happening! Do you have a gofundme page?

Dan333SP

It's really exciting! That's a good idea with the crowdfunding because I know the generous community here would support one of their own, but I actually got my company to sponsor me and donate a chase vehicle plus about $2,500 in food donations from other employees so that I can have sufficient nutrition during my effort.

It's going to be a bit bare-bones, I think I'll only have about 5 people in the follow-van and 3 or 4 stocked rest stops along my planned route, but I've really pushed myself these last couple months and I feel like I'm ready to take the next step.

Reynolds 

OP, you are overthinking this. What you need is just to HTFU!

Dan333SP

Spoken like someone who has never completed a metric quarter before

wphamilton

I'm pretty sure that some people hide in the bushes halfway or more on these long rides and sneak out when the road is clear. I'm not saying you should, but you don't want to risk an injury that your extreme cyclist doctor will laugh about ... and if you already have the jersey ... something to think about.

Reynolds 

Touché! But I'm working on it, just can't decide about the right saddle bag to use.

RPK79

Inspiration to us all. If I pm my email information will you send me a link to a Garmin LiveTrack so I can follow your progress?

Mike F

As long as you dial it up too 400W on your Cervelo wearing flip flops, try not to lose any baby bike bolts or were going to yell at you....

joejack951

Or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Car_Bomb -load.

Dan333SP

I don't have a garmin and I'm also not sure my iPhone 6 battery has enough juice to run GPS for this whole ride . This isn't a Dime we're talking about, and I had to invest in new wheels for this ride so I can't afford an iphone 7 yet.

I'll probably post a multi-page update to my cycling blog about the ride with pictures and v-logs taken throughout, stay tuned.

superdex

How'd you do?