H-Bear

It was an absolutely beautiful weekend to ride, except for a nasty headwind. After 148.5 miles, a couple of beers, some advil, and an epsom salt bath, only a little sore this morning.

Good times.

PurpleFender

Echoing H-bear's setiment. It was an awesome ride in Fayetteville. I loved the tailwind + downhill to the finish. I love going 30+ mph on that stuff.

I'll be doing all the CoP rides. Look for a guy with usually a capo kit and a soul faith in black & white (it'll be the only one you see out there, I promise)

Also doing the Tour de Houston 70 miler on Sunday.

Teeleton

Definately nice weather this weekend. Had a blast rat racing with you PF.

Teeleton

aggarcia

PurpleFender - I am the Trek rider with the Soul S4.0 wheels riding with Team Shell. We talked before the start. The Soul Faith really looks awesome. You do not have to work about seeing the same bike everywhere. How does it compare?

Yes, the tail wind on that last stretch helped - 24-26 mph on the flats and much faster on those last two big climbs.

PurpleFender

Heh, what are the odds I run into two forum members on the same day?

Tactics. All tactics. That was fun

Hey, you gotta let me know how those rims work in 25+ mph speeds, that'd be the reason I'd get them.

The Faith? It's a rockin bike. I love how stiff & fast it is when I sprint on it, ask Teeleton about it
It's really nice over crappy pavement too, much nicer than I would have expected an AL frame to be. I used to have a trek 5000 TCT and it wasn't quite so smooth, for whatever reason. I have a Giant Defy that rides like a truck by comparison. Anyone wanna buy my Defy2? It's a tough bike, only 2200 miles on it

aggarcia

The S4.0 have been the best money spent on a upgrade. In the head winds I am 2-4 mph faster and cruising it much less work. Acceleration and climbing are I have descents of 35-36 mph that were rock solid.

In the tailwinds on Sat I was 24-26 mph on the flat. I slowed down because of the big speed differential between slower riders. I was flying by most of the other riders like they were standing still. I did not want to scare them when passing.

One of my riding buddies mentioned he had seen a Faith on a ride a few weeks back in Willis. Good to hear about the Faiths excellent ride quality. Soul seems to have really developed some different products. They seem to be great values on their markets. Carbon is great, but it really is expensive.

So Teeleton - how was the Sprint?

PurpleFender - what speed group do you leave with on the CP rides?

PurpleFender

I was curious if they'd make maintaining a fast pace a touch easier, since it's all aero that's slowing you down after a certain point. I've been riding the Faith since early february, so I could have been me in Wallis (willis?)

I usually in the 17-19 pace depending on terrain, I'll slow it down if the distance is longer, since I usually ride on Sundays as well. I usually ride with Ryan's ILC at bicycle world & fitness or with the bike barn guys in Katy. I've been tempted to ride with the 21+ guys just so I can get some decent, long lasting pacelining for a ride.

aggarcia

It was the CP ride a few weeks ago north of Conroe. My riding buddy knew I had ordered the Soul wheels back in Jan and then saw a Faith at one of the rest stops.

Yes, it takes much less effort to maintain the same pace. If I run the same pace as my old wheels, I go faster.

I start with the 17-19 group, but my buddies are monsters and about half the time I get dropped. They averaged 20 mph on the last ride on sat. The best plan is to create your own paceline if you get a couple of riders who ride at the same pace.

I also started riding Sundays since mid Feb. many friends whom have ridden the MS150 told me day two is the hard one. Any people do not train with two back to back days. I am doing everything I can to be prepared for this ride.

Teeleton

I dunno.. He got out of my draft and went around me when I sat up, so I got back in it and gave chase. My fitness is well off the pace this season due to all of the traveling I've had to do. Fayetteville was only my 2nd full ride this season. Going to get three more in before the Big Ride, and lot of trainer time if I can swing it. I ususally avg in the 17-18 range, but this past weekend was only 15.5. I think my max this past weekend was a 35.

Teeleton

johnybutts

If people are considering an upgrade... get a fit.
Unfortunately, usually a fit isn't a tangible thing and people really try to avoid spending money on hobbies unless there's something tangible. That said; a fit will make everything you do on a bike much more comfortable, and much more efficient. I posted this in the other thread, but the first time I was fit for my bike, I felt like a machine - every movement was one small part of a machine-like rhythm.

I just got fit by Tad Hughes - tadhughescustom.com - and would highly recommend him (and he has a ms150 special). The bike barn custom fit studio is also very good - bikebarn.com. Those are the two places I have experience with.

FWIW, wheels are fun, but the $/speed (or #/Watt) ratio is very low compared to just about every other upgrade you can get. There is a tangible effect with aero wheels and I will be riding mine this weekend, but if I had to choose one thing to get it'd be a good fit on my bike.

PurpleFender

Preaching to the choir here. A proper fit is all the difference. I got my Soul fit to me by Ryan at bicycle world & fitness on memorial & dairy ashford. He did a great job and I'm super-comfortable on my bike. Best money I ever spent

aggarcia

When I upgraded my wheels I got went the aero route ( Soul S4.0) and dropped also a pound. Tad convinced me to switch from SPD to road pedals and shoes. I serious considered a Tad fit, but need to wait until my doctor can work out my back issue ( not bike related, but does appear my long rides ).

Teeleton - A lot of riders are not at their previous fitness levels or behind where they would like to be. The cold winter and life got in the way. Just keep pedaling.

chevy42083

Question for you Soul S4.0 (or other aero) wheel guys. Hows the cross-winds on these wide open charity type rides?
That is my main concern. I don't want to be blown over (ok... issue #2... I weigh 125-130lbs).
Not too worried about weight (would be using a heavier wheel... not Souls)... I climb like a billy goat... and will just look forward to lighter wheels some day.

psshh,... what kind of person does THAT.


Also... Now that the weather is a little nicer in the mornings, I should start hitting up the Bicycle World rides again instead of waiting for warm afternoons.

aggarcia

In some of the rides with 15-20 mph the S4.0 have been excellent. I have noticed a slight more movement in cross winds, but nothing uncontrollable. The speed into head winds and/or climbing is awesome. Those winds have much less effect on my speed and the pedaling effort is less. I have been very happy with my wheel upgrade. Now if I could afford it a set of C4.0 or C5.0 would even be better - less weight.

Teeleton

LOL.. I was talking with PF today before lunch and told him about the time when you did the exact same thing coming off the fred hartman.

aggarcia: Oh I know I'll be ready. I'm really not terribly off the pace, but it is annoying. I also went vegetarian for lent with my wife to help her diet, so I'm pretty sure that is playing a role as well.

Pretty sure the cat spring ride tomorrow is gonna be a wash (70% chance of thunderstorm at 10am, yeah, cancelled), so I'll be spinning the wheel in front of the TV again tomorrow.

Teeleton

aggarcia

The weather is not looking good for Cat Springs. As a backup we are thinking on riding with the Pearland Cycling Club. They are not expecting rain till 1 pm. At 5 am tomorrow I have to make the call about which ride we are going to try and make. What's a little water?

A

Underground

I'll be out on the 150 running my Trek 1.5. Ever see anyone running a FG out there?

CranesInTexas

I've seen a fixed gear and every year there is a unicycle out there too. I can't imagine the hills on either.

This weekend should be nice. CP training is heading up to Brenham and I intend on doing the long route (64?) come hell or high water.

Look for a dude wearing a white UCLA jersey and riding a red Trek 1200. Say hi Crane and i'll understand where you know me from.

PurpleFender

Who else here is doing the bluebonnet express on Sunday? I'll be there. Can't decide on milage though... Last year's chappell hill ride was a killer for me (badly geared heavy bike and allergic to gu's, and had a whole jersey full of them)

aggarcia

Chappell Hill should be a good ride. i will also ride the 64 route. I start with the 17-19 group. I had wanted to ride the Bluebonnet express, but had my plans changed on me. The weather should be excellent for riding this weekend. who else from BF is riding Chappell Hill on Sat?

Underground

I was thinking about it. However since I haven't done much mileage due to being sick this year, I may just ride with Bike Barn Katy this weekend. I have one more day to decide. How is parking out there for the CH ride?

johnybutts

I will be at Bluebonnet Express as a SAG driver. So if you see a grey mazda SAG truck come say hi. I'm supposed to be helping for a section of the long route. Who's doing the long route?

Sushi Boy

I'll be out the for the long route Johnny, I'll keep an eye out for you.

I'm looking for a 60+ mile ride on April 3rd, but don't feel like driving out to Burton for the Camp For All ride.

Anyone know of a ride closer to Houston that day?

txags92

I will be doing the 63 mile route in Chappell Hill. The reason last year's ride sucked so bad was it was cold and VERY windy. This year the weather looks better although we have a slight chance of showers and it might be a little breezy.

I will be wearing a white, blue and yellow "Band Against MS" jersey and riding a silver Marin Argenta.

PurpleFender

Signed up for the 57 bluebonnet, 63 chappell hill.

I'll be on the Soul Faith and a capo kit, blue, orange and white or black & white.

See you guys out there Teeleton, you going?