valygrl

Just saw this (amazing pix, by the way)... there is no shorter route, it is point to point, but if you decide to do this please let me know, so I can make plans to ride with you again, either on the TBP or otherwise.

You probably know, you already rode a section of it, but in the other direction, Minturn to Copper.

Heathpack 

I'm kind of torn on this one. I'd really like to get some riding in at altitude in late August 2017 and am trying to make that work for a Breck/Aspen combo vacation, 7-10 days. But if I can't get the Aspen timeshare booked, then it would like be the Sierras for the vacation.


So doing (attempting?) the Triple Bypass would be a second trip to Colorado and the expense of all that (although at least my lodging would be free). And I am so terrible at altitude that I'm not too sure I'd even be able to finish this ride.


But it would be fun. And a good training stimulus, right? I have to think about it....

sarals 

Hellyer today, advanced session. Legs were lousy, tired. The bike fit is getting very close. I've gone to a 120mm stem, made some saddle adjustments, and installed my 35mm 3T Scatto pursuit bars. I like them! Cool bike. So so rider.

Eh.... It's November.

revchuck 

This isn't really training, but it doesn't belong in the race reports either, so I'll put it here anyway. This was my two-century weekend.

Saturday's ride was pretty awesome. Beautiful weather with mild temperatures and little wind and a surprisingly compatible group of riders who mostly didn't know each other. We formed into a double paceline within a mile and kept a mostly low-20s pace. There was some attrition as the ride wore on, and there was the usual proportion of folks hanging on and not pulling. It was one of those things where you finish your pull and drift back along the paceline and see a gap magically open for you about halfway back. Still, I felt good doing my share of the work and ended up doing the last pull of the ride at the same speed and power as the rest of them. It was my first sub-five hour century - 4:48.

Today's ride wasn't awesome. Some of the folks from yesterday's ride showed up, plus some who were just riding today. We started off at about the same pace as yesterday and soon shed about 2/3 of the paceline. One of the guys from yesterday decided to cut his ride short, and we were down to four riders from yesterday. One of the other guys felt really good and did a hero pull - 40 miles, starting at about mile 5. Then he blew up spectacularly, mushroom cloud and all. Another one of the guys should've cut his ride short but didn't, so there were two of us who could pull at the halfway point...and we had to slow down not to drop the other two. At about mile 75 we stopped at a SAG stop (where we had boudin and Bud Lite - gotta love south Louisiana!) and the other guy with legs decided he was tired of riding slowly and took off by himself. That left me to pull the other guys to the end. They were so beat my power had to stay in my recovery zone while I was pulling, otherwise I'd drop them. The only time it went above is when we turned into the wind. Still, we got back okay, and they were really appreciative. I'm glad I had a chance to pay back some of what others have helped me with.

My legs are pretty tired after this weekend. Recovery ride tomorrow, then for the next two weeks it's ride if/when I feel like it. I'm going to start a food diary and improve nutritional quality, reducing starches and generally trying to lose weight. My weight goal is 165 lbs by May (I'm 183 now). Coach wants to see what, if anything, the weight loss does to my power before we decide about trying to increase it.

Heathpack 

2revchuck, that is pretty bad ass, the two century weekend. Major props.

revchuck 

Thanks @Heathpack!

Rainy and windy this morning and my HTFU had disappeared somewhere. So for the first time since winter 2013, I set up the trainer in the carport. Of course, once I got on the trainer the wind died down and the rain stopped. I managed 31 minutes at recovery pace.

Hermes

@revchuck Congrats on the 4:48 century.

Heathpack 

Boo yah. Two ten min TT intervals today, I could not contain myself.

Then some cadence work, during which I got my first tubeless flat that did not seal. I had recently (as in 4 days ago) asked my soingieur to add sealant to all my tubeless wheels since the current stuff is six months old. During my ride home in the SAG wagon, I asked if the sealant had gotten replaced. He "would have to check" and let me know. Hmm.

You get what you pay for with the help, I guess.

sarals 

At least you get help!

Heathpack 

I know. I toy with the idea of trying to go to some of these TTs on my own and not drag poor soingieur to all of them.

But then I think of trying to get everything set up on my own, the trainer, the fan, etc. Registering, getting my number on, getting my warm up done, getting myself to my start on time. I realize it would add a huge layer of complexity.

So I keep the soingieur. And admire the rest of you for getting it done solo. And double-admire @Hermes for getting it done for two people. Worth appreciating what you have, for sure.

sarals 

I've always been solo, I've never really known any other way. The Tall Russian used to come to races with me, but he'd never help (he didn't know what to do), and he'd get bored (racing is about the last thing he's interested in), so I decided to not bother him any more about it. I've always been a self-sufficient sort, anyway. Having a helper would interrupt my OCD, Creature of Habit approach and throw me for a loop at this point in the game.

sarals 

That doesn't mean that I'm not appreciative or jealous of you having the soingieur you have! He's pretty terrific!

Hermes

Thanks for the kudos.

Racer Ex 

Help you can rely on is never a bad thing. When I was racing Moto GP I was in the paddock at Daytona with my van, me, and a small box of parts wrenching on my bike to get ready for qualifying. A giant transporter showed up with "HONDA" emblazoned on the side. A crew of guys jumped out to set up awnings while another crew pulled out 9 bikes (three by three with the same number) and commenced to work. When the awning crew was done with the pop ups they set out a breakfast table.

An hour later I had my bike mostly together when a limo pulled up and three of my competitors got out. They sat in the shade, gave the mechanics directions, and signed autographs.

I wiped my hands on a dirty towel and filled the bike up with fuel, and went and bought a hot dog for breakfast.

It struck me that I was at somewhat of a disadvantage.

Heathpack 

<But I but you still won.>

Hermes

Last night was a leg workout at the gym and today was a tempo endurance ride along PCH. Beautiful day to ride the coast. I stopped at a Del Mar Starbuck's and got an espresso and bio break (only 5 minutes) and then headed back.

My day started with a garage flat on the rear. The tire had marginal wear left so I replaced the tire and tube. Inspecting the old tire, I found the shard of glass that caused the puncture and other pieces that were small but embedded in the tire.

Racer Ex 

18th of 132 entrants. Motor blew during qualifying on the banking, coasted across the line for the 42nd spot of 80 on the grid. Unfortunately they started in two waves of 40 which meant I spotted 40 guys 30 seconds. Not great in a World Cup level field.

I was going to get my ass handed to me by the factory guys in any case. Eddie Lawson (Kawasaki), who went on to become a 2 time 500cc world champ and two other factory guys lapped me. Their bikes were so fast that when they passed me one the banking I couldn't even draft them, and I was going 145-150 MPH.

Like bringing a unicycle to Fiesta and having Tony Martin show up. Talent and equipment usually beats out...well pretty much everything but dumb luck.

Heathpack 

Well next time let me know you need some help & I will lend you mine.

echappist

psh, what happened to the Gary Cooper embodiment of the true American spirit, the strong and silent type, you know? Ain't need no help*


-----

in other news, i went around a 0.5 mile long circle ~40 times. At least it allows me to do some steady work and not worry about traffic


*I jest, of course.

Heathpack 

I've been having issues with focus of late and today's task was a 20 min don't-look-at-the-power-meter max effort followed by some intervals. For various reasons, I didn't feel like doing any max effort this morning, but I went out anyway. Decent enough (although not "max") and I felt better after it.

Because of my focus issues, I've been using a mediation app that Ex recommended. It's called Headspace and I came home from my ride & plugged into that for 10 minutes. Mostly those are just guided meditations but sometimes there's a little animation at the beginning that explains some concept. Today's animation was about the concept of the mind being like a beautiful expansive blue sky- just an infinite & serene thing. Sometimes a puffy cloud or two. But sometimes full of nothing but clouds and you are just awaiting the storm.

The animation reminded you that above & beyond those clouds, the blue sky & serene infinitiness is still there. Yes, the storm is coming but it will end eventually.

So apt for me right now. I've alluded to some difficult personal things and the biggest of those is some health problems with my Mom which necessitate a pretty high risk surgery. She could die, it could be the beginning of the end for her, or she could breeze through it. All compounded by some work stuff that makes it really difficult for me to be away right now (she is in NY and has no one else). Yesterday the surgery date was set: Dec 13. I exactly have that feeling of the impending storm. Worth remembering that past all this will be some place of blue sky again at some point.

I'm grateful for the bike & those of you here that can relate to its importance.

valygrl

Sorry to hear this heathpack. I'm rooting for your mom. I bet your medical training is both a blessing and a curse right now.

i hope headspace and the bike help you through this tough time.

echappist

Best of wishes, heathpack

Heathpack 

Thanks @valygrl and @echappist


I think it definitely helps to be in a medical field. I am on the surgeon's side of the fence a lot, forced into a surgery that I know could go very wrong. You develop a sense for them and warn people. But still when it all starts to unravel, it stinks big time.

revchuck 

@Heathpack, I hope everything turns out for the best with your Mom.

sarals 

@Heathpack, here's to good news for your mom. And love to you!