Half Century Training continues...
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Albany, Oregon
Posts: 12
Bikes: Trek 2.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Half Century Training continues...
(I hate the title "Newbie")...but for now I guess it's appropriate.
Todays ride was a nice and easy (well most of it) 14 miles round trip through the country around my house. Rolling hills. They came alittle easier today and I finished with energy to spare. I lost my flat tire "virginity" at the half way point. So it was time to pull out the spare tube, take the back tire off, (it just had to be the back one...) and replace it. I discovered that I don't care too much for the small pump I have on the bike..maybe I'm just using it wrong..but my trainer recommends carrying CO2 cartidges for a quick repair. I could only manage 50 psi in the tire.
Had a day off yesterday..probably accounted for the easy feel today. Tomorrow's ride will be with the group. My long ride this week will be a 30 miler (I did 20 last weekend),
Noticed that the chain was making some noise in certain gears that I am not acustomed to after I put the tire back on. Taking a closer look at the cassette and chain I see that they are starting to get grimy from the use. Only had it about 2 months and have put about 143 miles on it.
A question for the over 50 crowd... How often should I clean my bike and what's the order of priorities for cleaning..(chain..cassette...rear/front derailleurs..etc?
Todays ride was a nice and easy (well most of it) 14 miles round trip through the country around my house. Rolling hills. They came alittle easier today and I finished with energy to spare. I lost my flat tire "virginity" at the half way point. So it was time to pull out the spare tube, take the back tire off, (it just had to be the back one...) and replace it. I discovered that I don't care too much for the small pump I have on the bike..maybe I'm just using it wrong..but my trainer recommends carrying CO2 cartidges for a quick repair. I could only manage 50 psi in the tire.
Had a day off yesterday..probably accounted for the easy feel today. Tomorrow's ride will be with the group. My long ride this week will be a 30 miler (I did 20 last weekend),
Noticed that the chain was making some noise in certain gears that I am not acustomed to after I put the tire back on. Taking a closer look at the cassette and chain I see that they are starting to get grimy from the use. Only had it about 2 months and have put about 143 miles on it.
A question for the over 50 crowd... How often should I clean my bike and what's the order of priorities for cleaning..(chain..cassette...rear/front derailleurs..etc?
#2
Hills!
I generally just wet a shop towel with chain lube and run the chain through it after a ride to wipe it clean. About every 500-700 miles I'll put the bike up on the rack and use WD40 to clean the chain, let it dry for a couple of hours and then lube each link with my current fav - ProLink ProGold. I'll also run a shop towel through the cassette between the gears at that time.
Keeps my chain and cassette nice and pretty looking.
If you have chain noise, could be an adjustment is in order. Are the gears shifting normally? You may have some cable stretch issues at this point.
Keeps my chain and cassette nice and pretty looking.
If you have chain noise, could be an adjustment is in order. Are the gears shifting normally? You may have some cable stretch issues at this point.
#3
Senior Member ??
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Englewood,Ohio
Posts: 5,098
Bikes: 2007 Trek Madone 5.0 WSD - 2007 Trek 4300 WSD - 2008 Trek 520 - 2014 Catrike Trail
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
(I hate the title "Newbie")...but for now I guess it's appropriate.
. I lost my flat tire "virginity" at the half way point. So it was time to pull out the spare tube, take the back tire off, (it just had to be the back one...) and replace it. I discovered that I don't care too much for the small pump I have on the bike..maybe I'm just using it wrong..but my trainer recommends carrying CO2 cartidges for a quick repair. I could only manage 50 psi in the tire.
. I lost my flat tire "virginity" at the half way point. So it was time to pull out the spare tube, take the back tire off, (it just had to be the back one...) and replace it. I discovered that I don't care too much for the small pump I have on the bike..maybe I'm just using it wrong..but my trainer recommends carrying CO2 cartidges for a quick repair. I could only manage 50 psi in the tire.
I have a Topeak road morph pump and love it. It allows me to get very close to the recommended tire pressure. I also carry some CO2 but like the pump for those times when I don't have enough CO2 to handle all the flats (I once had 5 flats on one ride)
https://www.topeak.com/products/Mini-Pumps/RoadMorphG
__________________
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
=============================================================
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
-- Antonio Smith
#4
Galveston County Texas
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: In The Wind
Posts: 33,222
Bikes: 02 GTO, 2011 Magnum
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1350 Post(s)
Liked 1,245 Times
in
623 Posts
90% of flats are on the back tire. The front tire kicks the items to the back tire. Wet roads will give you more flats. Makes the items some what stickey.
Tighten your rear dérailleur cable. They stretch for a time.
Count the number of times it take to pump up the tire to pressure.
My small pump takes 150 pumps to reach 120 psi.
Tighten your rear dérailleur cable. They stretch for a time.
Count the number of times it take to pump up the tire to pressure.
My small pump takes 150 pumps to reach 120 psi.
__________________
Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
#5
el padre
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: South East Kansas
Posts: 1,490
Bikes: Rans Stratus, ICE TRike, other assorted
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Congrats on getting closer to your goal...more miles. hang in there, and have fun.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 254
Bikes: Co-Motion Speedster, Giant FCR2, Surly LHT, Surly Crosscheck
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
+1 on the Topeak road morph. I carry it along with an inflator.
I wipe the chain after every ride. That substantially reduces the need for yicky deep cleaning.
Cheers!
I wipe the chain after every ride. That substantially reduces the need for yicky deep cleaning.
Cheers!
__________________
2008 Red Co-Motion Speedster Co-pilot (Redster)
2009 Surly LHT (captain's commuter)
2009 Surly Crosscheck (stoker's road bike)
2007 Giant FCR2W (stoker's commuter)
1980's NOS Legnano (stoker's toy)
1970's Stella rebuilt as fixed-gear (captain's toy)
2008 Red Co-Motion Speedster Co-pilot (Redster)
2009 Surly LHT (captain's commuter)
2009 Surly Crosscheck (stoker's road bike)
2007 Giant FCR2W (stoker's commuter)
1980's NOS Legnano (stoker's toy)
1970's Stella rebuilt as fixed-gear (captain's toy)
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 254
Bikes: Co-Motion Speedster, Giant FCR2, Surly LHT, Surly Crosscheck
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
...oh and I think you can change that Newbie name by either posting lots and lots, OR going to the User Control Panel and clicking on Edit Profile.
Cheers!
Cheers!
__________________
2008 Red Co-Motion Speedster Co-pilot (Redster)
2009 Surly LHT (captain's commuter)
2009 Surly Crosscheck (stoker's road bike)
2007 Giant FCR2W (stoker's commuter)
1980's NOS Legnano (stoker's toy)
1970's Stella rebuilt as fixed-gear (captain's toy)
2008 Red Co-Motion Speedster Co-pilot (Redster)
2009 Surly LHT (captain's commuter)
2009 Surly Crosscheck (stoker's road bike)
2007 Giant FCR2W (stoker's commuter)
1980's NOS Legnano (stoker's toy)
1970's Stella rebuilt as fixed-gear (captain's toy)
#8
Senior Member
There was a thread here a few weeks ago on chain cleaning (you might find it via the search clinic).
As I recall, about half of the 50+ crowd confessed they never clean their chains at all...maybe a simple wipe, and then replace 'em when they wear out. The other half employ a range of methods from using a chain cleaning tool (that's what I do) to taking off the chain and soaking it in degreaser when it needs it.
As I recall, about half of the 50+ crowd confessed they never clean their chains at all...maybe a simple wipe, and then replace 'em when they wear out. The other half employ a range of methods from using a chain cleaning tool (that's what I do) to taking off the chain and soaking it in degreaser when it needs it.
#9
Time for a change.
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: 6 miles inland from the coast of Sussex, in the South East of England
Posts: 19,913
Bikes: Dale MT2000. Bianchi FS920 Kona Explosif. Giant TCR C. Boreas Ignis. Pinarello Fp Uno.
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
4 Posts
Topeak mini morph
Putting the curse on now- but mostly get flats on the front
Tip from my LBS- wipe the tyres clean after each ride and look for the thorn- Flint or glass that is on the tyre- prise it out before it penetrates the rubber and the tube.
Noise in some gears is probably some adjustment necessary due to cable stretch---Unless you are crosschaining (Haven't heard from him lately Either)
And cleaning the chain- I use a chain cleaning device and about every 100 miles or so- I clean the chain. After every ride I wipe the chain with a cloth aswell and I use a "Dry" chain oil- Unless its raining and then I clean the chain after every wet ride.
Putting the curse on now- but mostly get flats on the front
Tip from my LBS- wipe the tyres clean after each ride and look for the thorn- Flint or glass that is on the tyre- prise it out before it penetrates the rubber and the tube.
Noise in some gears is probably some adjustment necessary due to cable stretch---Unless you are crosschaining (Haven't heard from him lately Either)
And cleaning the chain- I use a chain cleaning device and about every 100 miles or so- I clean the chain. After every ride I wipe the chain with a cloth aswell and I use a "Dry" chain oil- Unless its raining and then I clean the chain after every wet ride.
__________________
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
How long was I in the army? Five foot seven.
Spike Milligan
#10
just keep riding
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
Posts: 13,560
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 173 Post(s)
Liked 33 Times
in
22 Posts
Every couple of weeks I apply a heavy coating of Pro-Link to the chain at night. The next morning I grasp the chain with a shop rag and turn the crank to pull the chain through the rag, removing the excess lube and much of the crud that had been accumulating on the chain. Usually I can go for months without a more thorough cleaning than that. If the chain needs more cleaning, I remove the chain and clean it in a plastic jug with degreaser.
I wipe the rest of the bike down once a week more or less with a dry rag, adding Bike Lust or 409 if something won't wipe off easily. I include the wheels in this wipe down. I start at the air valve and work my way around the rim and then wipe each spoke, especially on the rear wheel.
The mountain bike gets the same treatment but tends to need it more often and sometimes it has a lot more dirt to remove. When it is really caked in mud I may use a soapy rag to wash it and a clean rag to rinse, using a soapy water bucket and a rinse water bucket. I don't like to use a hose on my bikes. I make sure to dry and lube the chain after a wet wash.
Usually it only takes a few minutes to wipe down the whole bike if it is not especially dirty. In addition to having a clean bike, it also helps me notice anything that is not quite right with the bike, needing attention.
#11
www.ocrebels.com
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 6,186
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
I think it's funny to "train" for a half-century. I use centuries to train for double centuries, but a half-century is so short; just get out there and do it!
That said, I guess it's really a matter of where you're starting (and coming from) in terms of fitness and bicycling experience. So whatever works for you is good!
Thinking back, I rode my first "half century" over 50 years ago. Now I really feel old . . .
Rick / OCRR
That said, I guess it's really a matter of where you're starting (and coming from) in terms of fitness and bicycling experience. So whatever works for you is good!
Thinking back, I rode my first "half century" over 50 years ago. Now I really feel old . . .
Rick / OCRR
#12
Plays in traffic
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,971
Bikes: 1996 Litespeed Classic, 2006 Trek Portland, 2013 Ribble Winter/Audax, 2016 Giant Talon 4
Mentioned: 21 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 14 Times
in
9 Posts
It wasn't so long ago that I thought 50 miles was a long ride. Although I didn't "train" for them, my first 50-miler, metric and imperial centuries were all pretty easy. The 50 and imperial were unplanned even. The 50 happened just four months after I'd started riding. But by then I was doing 35-40 miles regularly.
Now what I am having to train for are hills. I have a century coming up in August with 6,800 feet of climbing between mile 20 and mile 50. Where I live it's pretty flat. Did 43 miles before work yesterday with a whopping 807 feet of climbing. Must find hills...
Now what I am having to train for are hills. I have a century coming up in August with 6,800 feet of climbing between mile 20 and mile 50. Where I live it's pretty flat. Did 43 miles before work yesterday with a whopping 807 feet of climbing. Must find hills...
#13
www.ocrebels.com
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles area
Posts: 6,186
Bikes: Several bikes, Road, Mountain, Commute, etc.
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 83 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
2 Posts
Plan a short vacation to SoCal. We've got plenty of mountains out here and one of our easy training rides has 5,000 feet of climbing in 44 miles, so that would be good for you!
Rick / OCRR
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Oregon coast
Posts: 408
Bikes: '06 Trek Pilot 5.2 SPA, '07 BikesDirect frame build, '10 GF Wahoo disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Mikey:
Supposed to be a fairly nice Saturday in our part of the world.
Haul (or better yet, depending on where in the Albany area you live) ride over to Lebanon, ride out the the east end of Foster Lake and back, and you will probably have 50+ miles in.
Hopefully you checked out the course maps, so can print the 50 miler out and follow it along. It's pretty basic.
We both know it's FLAT from Albany to Lebanon, and there's just a few tiny hills the last few miles going out to Foster Lake. The BIG one is going up to the dam level from below it. Trust me, it will be easy. Just take your time, carry 2 water bottles, and some snacks. If you do this now, you'll be eyeing the 70 miler come June 14, since the 50 will be a cake-walk.
I (and the other forum memebers) expect a report come Sunday or Monday.
Good luck and have fun.
Supposed to be a fairly nice Saturday in our part of the world.
Haul (or better yet, depending on where in the Albany area you live) ride over to Lebanon, ride out the the east end of Foster Lake and back, and you will probably have 50+ miles in.
Hopefully you checked out the course maps, so can print the 50 miler out and follow it along. It's pretty basic.
We both know it's FLAT from Albany to Lebanon, and there's just a few tiny hills the last few miles going out to Foster Lake. The BIG one is going up to the dam level from below it. Trust me, it will be easy. Just take your time, carry 2 water bottles, and some snacks. If you do this now, you'll be eyeing the 70 miler come June 14, since the 50 will be a cake-walk.
I (and the other forum memebers) expect a report come Sunday or Monday.
Good luck and have fun.
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Albany, Oregon
Posts: 12
Bikes: Trek 2.3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
50 miles or 70 miles..that is the question
I have to admit that I am considering the 70 miler after all the comments I'm getting on "just get out there and do it". I'll be riding with my group (6 "newbies" all starting to get back into cycling) and our trainer. I did 20 miles twice this week already with no problem. On Sunday I had planned to do 30..but perhaps I'll do 40 just to see what it's like. If 40 isn't much of a deal...I'll do 50 a week before the century. If that isn't much of a deal...I'll go for 70 miles on the magic day.
Oh yes...I finally broke down and bought a pair of bike shorts this week. Soooo much better than the cotton gym shorts I was wearing.
Oh yes...I finally broke down and bought a pair of bike shorts this week. Soooo much better than the cotton gym shorts I was wearing.
#16
Violin guitar mandolin
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Friendsville, TN, USA
Posts: 1,171
Bikes: Wilier Thor, Fuji Professional, LeMond Wayzata
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Chain: Many opinions. I use one cassette, 2 chains with quick links. Pull dirty off, lightly wipe down cassette & rings, put dirty in plastic jar. When second one is quite grimy, pull it off and put in jar. Then really clean cassette & rings. Place mineral spirits and good lube in jar. Shake around (floats the links nicely). Drain, repeat, hang chains up to dry, install one. Seems to work very well. About the time the cassette gets sloppy worn the chains are stretched and I get a cassette and 2 new chains. Looks like the rings will go 2 or 3 cassettes.
Training: Make sure fit is good, then start throwing in "intervals." Doesn't have to be formal, just some real hard 2 to 5 minute bits at the end of every other ride or whatever. Will have a surprising effect on endurance.
Riding skill: Watch good riders and copy. Ride efficiently. Shift at the right spots, don't waste energy, figure out how to use your body and legs, learn to corner without losing speed. You'll use lots less energy. Simple hint - no need to push down on the pedals, that's automatic. Think about a little push at the top and pull at the bottom, very smooth. Nothing much, just a little. And unloading the rising pedal just a bit. Can really add substantial fluidity building efficiency and increasing range.
Have fun.
Training: Make sure fit is good, then start throwing in "intervals." Doesn't have to be formal, just some real hard 2 to 5 minute bits at the end of every other ride or whatever. Will have a surprising effect on endurance.
Riding skill: Watch good riders and copy. Ride efficiently. Shift at the right spots, don't waste energy, figure out how to use your body and legs, learn to corner without losing speed. You'll use lots less energy. Simple hint - no need to push down on the pedals, that's automatic. Think about a little push at the top and pull at the bottom, very smooth. Nothing much, just a little. And unloading the rising pedal just a bit. Can really add substantial fluidity building efficiency and increasing range.
Have fun.