So, it has been over a year after I started this thread, and I thought that it was good to thank the people that gave me advice about it, I've riding my SS as long as I can, and I've tried to find those hills near by that are possible (for me) to climb. I've followed all the pieces of advice that I received from several people when I first posted this thread...
Originally Posted by
FBinNY
So my advice is simple, go out and find the hills, find the steepest ones you can climb at all, and the longest ones you can get to the top of, and build them into a normal routine. When they get easier -- and they will -- look for steeper and longer.
and I have done it! of course I've found limitations, is harder than a geared bike (that's obvious) but the satisfaction is double, even greater when I have the chance to overpass a geared cyclist (in very rare occasions). The good thing about it is that you begin to learn the limits of your body. I'm almost 40, not 20 anymore, but I'm not intended to ride my bike for competition, for me is about fitness and fun, (I know it all sounds like a cliche, but it is completely truth)
Originally Posted by
TimothyH
Real road bike bars with proper brake hoods help tremendously. The droopy pista bars were the second thing I changed on my bike after the saddle.
Indeed, Actually I change my setup completely. The only thing remaining are the wheels, but everything else is different, here are some pictures:
https://goo.gl/photos/86NFcYAdzFYj1jNt7
Originally Posted by
The Octopus
Hey, y'all. Octopus here. Super-stoked to see people still chattering about riding big hills fixed, and that those old posts of mine are still useful to people. I just reread the advice one, and I stand by it. That stuff is tried and true.
-Paul
You can't imagine how many times I've read your post regarding SS/Fixed climbing! Indeed inspiring and motivating stuff.
So, here's the deal, there's an event where I live that's part of the Gran Fondo New York Series (GFNY), it'll be held in Colombia, March 18, 2018, and I think I can do it with my SS:
GranFondo by
Sergio Sicard, on Flickr
The event is divided in two, a Medio Fondo (100km) and a Gran Fondo (137 km an A LOT of climbing!!!). Of course I'm trying for the Medio Fondo, as you can see, there's not a long climb on the Medio Fondo route, just up and downs all the way down the route. The numbers and the arrows points the pitches that I've identified in the route:
I'm specially concerned about Number 3, 4 and 7
[IMG]
Screen Shot 2017-09-30 at 10.35.43 AM by
Sergio Sicard, on Flickr[/IMG]
The route is not far from home, but I haven't actually ride on it (hope to do a first recon in October), instead I'm doing my regular training route nearby home. What I've been trying to do is seeking routes that somehow help me to emulate the route of the event, according to the event's web site, the route is 100km with about 1400m of climbing, so my daily training is aprox 1/4 of it (28km, 370km climbing)
[IMG]
Screen Shot 2017-09-30 at 10.38.29 AM by
Sergio Sicard, on Flickr[/IMG]
Quite honestly, I'm not sure if I'm gona make it. I think is possible and I'll keep training properly and try to do it more seriously, but with two kids, a dog, and a day job sometimes it's not possible...
Anyway, once again just want to thank all the people that helped me when I asked advice here... I'll keep you posted!