Bike Forums Group Ride: Morgan T & Diablo 12/29. Let's Get the Band Back Together!

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01-01-14, 06:40 PM

#76

UmneyDurak

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Lanceoldstrong

It was great occasionally holding your wheel for 500 meters or so. You are a strong young man.
Those darn cameras add 15 pounds. This fact is well known. It is why fashion models have to be so painfully thin.

Aww shaucks, thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cthenn

I think I remember reading a while ago about a sub 20-minute climb of OLH. For me that's been a number I could never quite eclipse, and was impressed reading that post.

I think it was someone else. I never timed myself on OLH.

freighttraininguphill great pics!

01-01-14, 08:43 PM

#77

lhbernhardt

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cthenn

Re: singlespeed/fixie riders, were you actually riding fixed, or singlespeed freewheel? Riding that many miles, and down that many hills on a fixed gear would put me in the hospital, LOL! Also, if one of the bikes was a 44x17, that's a pretty monster gear for Diablo:

So did you fly up there at 15+MPH in order to maintain a reasonable cadence, or did you have to mash like no one has mashed before?

I rode up SG to the junction *ONCE* on a singlespeed, 42x16 and it was hilarious. I was weaving all over the road, and I don't think my butt hit the saddle the whole ride (well maybe a bit through Rock City). My legs were shaking when I got the Jx. Major props to the crazies who get enjoyment out of this!!!

Yeah, that 44x17 is a fixed gear. It's slightly smaller than a 42x16. I'm thinking of going up to 47x18 (70.5"). On the Diablo descent, my computer showed me maxed at about 59 kmh (37 mph). Your saddle has to be at exactly the right height, and your pedaling has to be extremely relaxed and just ahead of the pedals ("floating") so you're not bouncing up and down. The upper body has to be extremely stable, especially the core. Climbing is ALL about technique. If you have good track technique, climbing is not a problem. Climbing technique on a fixie is the same as standing start technique on the track - the motion is forward and back, driving with the hips and pulling up with the back leg and with the arms. (If you do cross-country skiing, it's much easier to understand - no core motion is wasted!) Most people climb with a side-to-side motion, which I think is wasted energy, same as mountain bikers who bounce their upper bodies. Mike Walden always said to keep the bike as upright as possible. Rocking it side to side scrubs off speed as the tires deform. With the right technique out of the saddle, I'm actually resting on the climbs (up to about an 8- to 10% grade, where you need more than just body weight to drive the pedals). I climbed Haleakala earlier this year, stopping just a few times to take pictures, and I was tired at the top, but not exhausted.

Luis

01-01-14, 11:47 PM

#78

jyl

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Looking at a gear calculator, I see 44 x 17 would be equivalent to 39 x 15, i.e. to duplicate your climb I'd have had to ride four sprockets higher gearing than what I did use, 39 x 21. I'm speechless! but also going to try to learn from the technique you described.

01-02-14, 12:00 PM

#79

Midland

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Here are a few pics I got, most notably the famous Peete.

Attached Images

LO a.jpg (92.5 KB, 24 views)

PF.jpg (97.8 KB, 33 views)

1 fd.jpg (87.8 KB, 160 views)

AA 1.jpg (91.8 KB, 23 views)

Mid.jpg (94.6 KB, 26 views)

UD.jpg (94.7 KB, 27 views)

01-02-14, 12:33 PM

#80

Lanceoldstrong

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The Award for "Best No Handed iPhone Selfie" goes to:

01-03-14, 03:11 PM

#81

freighttraininguphill

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Thanks for the pics Midland and gw_12! I added them to my Facebook album.

Here's the rest of my pictures. These are all screen captures from my helmet-mounted GoPro.

Jay and UmneyDurak climbing Morgan Territory Road

Jay and UmneyDurak climbing Morgan Territory Road by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

gw_12 climbing Morgan Territory Road

gw_12 climbing Morgan Territory Road by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

gw_12 and JoelS climbing Morgan Territory Road

gw_12 and JoelS climbing Morgan Territory Road by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

gw_12 and JoelS climbing Morgan Territory Road by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

lhbernhardt climbing Morgan Territory Road on his 44x17 fixed gear

lhbernhardt climbing Morgan Territory Road with a 44x17 fixed gear by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

lhbernhardt climbing Morgan Territory Road with a 44x17 fixed gear by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

Matthew climbing Mt. Diablo

Matthew climbing Mt. Diablo by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

Matthew and Jay climbing Mt. Diablo

Matthew and Jay climbing Mt. Diablo by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

UmneyDurak climbing Mt. Diablo

UmneyDurak climbing Mt. Diablo by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

01-03-14, 03:11 PM

#82

freighttraininguphill

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Here's the rest of the pics.

JoelS and UmneyDurak climbing Mt. Diablo

JoelS and UmneyDurak climbing Mt. Diablo by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

lhbernhardt climbing Mt. Diablo with his 44x17 fixed gear

lhbernhardt climbing Mt. Diablo with a 44x17 fixed gear by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

lhbernhardt climbing Mt. Diablo with a 44x17 fixed gear by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

Hazy view from Summit Road, Mt. Diablo

view from Summit Road, Mt. Diablo by freighttraininguphill, on Flickr

01-04-14, 01:41 PM

#83

spdntrxi

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^… way to pick it up a little at the end there…

01-04-14, 02:18 PM

#84

Lanceoldstrong

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Quote:

Originally Posted by freighttraininguphill

... video of the Summit Wall climb, with DashWare data overlay of speed, percent grade, cadence, heart rate, distance, and altitude.

That video is excellent. 50 miles into the ride and Up Up UP you go. I love the overlays.

01-04-14, 03:54 PM

#85

DiabloScott

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Quote:

Originally Posted by freighttraininguphill

Her

That was some beautiful suffering.

01-04-14, 04:18 PM

#86

freighttraininguphill

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Thanks guys

You both have a way with words!

I really look forward to riding with you again. DiabloScott, I wish you could have been with us on this ride.

01-04-14, 11:24 PM

#87

hup

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That video is great. I applauded when you got to the top. I've only ever gone up Diablo once myself. After watching that I feel like I've now done it twice.

Cheers!
Henry

01-08-14, 04:58 PM

#88

dalameda

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I'm bummed I missed the ride but the flu kept me away. Looking at the video of freightraininguphill going up the last wall is humbling!! I've watched it over and over again, and keep getting blown away that you did that whole section sitting down! Awesome job!

01-08-14, 06:18 PM

#89

spdntrxi

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^ yeah I think I would just stand for something different every now and again.. I've been practicing Longview drive is Pleasanton.. my version on the wall..
~1m with 20% grades. My handlebar slipped on the downhill.. scared the Bejeebus out of me.

01-08-14, 07:55 PM

#90

gw_12

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spndtrxi - 1m??? Does that mean 1 mile? I like to use Longview Drive for steep training too, but it's only 3/10 of a mile from Foothill to the cul-de-sac at the top. Do you know a way to go beyond the gate at the top? I've always wanted to continue past the gate. (I have a general dislike for gated communities.) Or are you riding a mountain bike and continuing onto Longview Trail.?

01-08-14, 08:19 PM

#91

spdntrxi

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^.. your right my phat fingers and an iPhone… Do you know the deal with Santos Ranch Road ?.. I've seen the gates open occasionally but never when I am in the mood to slog up it.

01-08-14, 11:25 PM

#92

gw_12

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spdntrxi - I've never noticed the gates open but have always wanted to give it a shot. I just noticed that there is a segment for it on Strava, and it looks like 6 different cyclists did it last year (all on different dates). According to Strava it's 1 mile at 17% average grade, and ranges from 15% - 22% from the bottom to almost the summit. I'm going to keep my eye out for an open gate when I ride by from now on. Here's a link to the Strava segment:
https://app.strava.com/segments/5021066

Last edited by gw_12; 01-08-14 at 11:29 PM.