I ride a kilometer to school every day, and sometimes have to make several trips, but I have not been out riding for fun in about three weeks. Before then it was a month or two. My road bike broke last week when the rear derailleur got caught in the spokes. It tore off the derailleur hanger and at first I thought it had cracked the frame and I would get a new one from Trek like last year, but it turns out I only need a new derailleur hanger, two deraillers, a chain, and a rebuilt rear wheel. I decided to throw in a bearing overhaul while I was at it, and it came to $400. Nice. I should get it back on Thursday or Friday. In the meantime I am riding the mountain bike I am borrowing from a friend while he is out of the country, and it is running well so far.

Yeah, been out a few times now. I'm not riding with the group these days. I have been going out 'in the country' where there are some moderate hills to practice on. Even still, I have difficulty breathing in the colder air, so I've been on the trainer and at the gym doing the elliptical trainer and the rowing machines. Beeh having that hankering to run again too.

It is staying lighter longer, T!

Dre - dude. Man, sorry about your bike.

Glad you got it fixed, anyway.

I'm thinkin' the days are getting longer and Troy is a'gettin' happier.

Good GRIEF. I rode 27 on Sunday, 20 today... a wee bit hilly, but not at all tough, and I was dead. D.E.D. Dead. It's amazing how quickly ya lose it over the winter, despite a handful of spin classes.

But April 2nd.... BOOM! Daylight savings, baby! Cycling all week! WOOT!

I rode 35 miles Sunday, the farthest I have been since the end of July, and I felt surprisingly good. I did have a bit of a hard time keeping up with some folks in the group, and they were all a good bit older than I am, so maybe I am not going that fast. It was pretty hilly, and I found I was moving pretty easily on the hills, which I don't really understand because I am bigger than most everyone, but it is all good. On one of the downhills I had dropped back a hundred feet or so and was trying to catch back up, so I went hard for a bit and then got in a big tuck, and soon I was back up to the group. Later I looked at my computer and it said I hit 67 kph, which is about 42 mph, and I think the second fastest speed I have ever gone. Maybe third. It was exciting, and I am looking forward to getting back out on this long weekend away from school.

Nice! Good to be back out there, huh?

And, eh... 42. That's movin.' My car barely goes that fast.

I was just a-wonderin' if I'd be able to spin 40 on Saturday and again on Sunday this weekend since its supposed to be so BEAUTIFUL! I haven't ridden since just after New Year's. Eeek! I've been at the gym and such, but its just not the same. I also just lost 2 months of training for the LAF ride this year (in Portland), because they moved it to July 30 from September 25. Yikes! T, can I borrow some hills?

And forget the group rides. I've had it with the club click here. No more Saturday snob rides for me. I'll ride alone on Saturdays. Sundays I'll do the Heathen ride with the people I like. I really don't need to put myself through that Saturday cr*p again.

Indeed. Do you ever do group rides on the weekends? When I picked up my bike from Ultimate Bicycle in Pineville they told me about a ride that goes every Saturday from there at 8 am. That is a bit early for me, but if someone I know will be there I might be up for it.

The crazy thing about the 42 mph was that I had stopped pedaling when I hit that speed. The hills (at least that one) are steeper here than in Columbia. Funny, because it did not seem particularly steep. Maybe it was just my freshly repacked bearings.

Julie, I would send you some hills if I could.

I've ridden that ride from Ultimate Pineville. When I went, it was about 60 people (more probably) and it ended up splitting into fast and slow groups... then the fast group split again into 35 milers and 50-60 milers. It was a good ride. The start is shaky because it's a LOT of people riding through Pineville... but within a few minutes it's back roads and a good time.

I'm not riding this Saturday because I have class... but I'd definitely be into meeting you there if you're up for it some other weekend. There's also a ride from the Ultimate shop on the other side of Charlotte ("Matthews" area) that meets at 9am (I think 9am....) on Sundays. That's a smaller ride, but I've heard it's good. Close to my house as well, so we could have coffee first and breakfast after.

Talk to ya
Troy

Troy, I would be up for the Saturday ride sometime. Sunday I am usually at church, but maybe I could skip sometime. Do you know of any Sunday afternoon rides? The ride I did last Sunday started at 1 in Fort Mill, at the YMCA right off 77 at exit 85. I could come up to Charlotte, but probably could not make it up there before 1:30 or 2.

As for watching cycling, how about team Quickstep? 3 of the first 5 stages in Paris-Nice with Tom Boonen, and the first 2 in Tirreno Adriatico with Paolo Bettini. Not bad. My CSC boys are hurting with crashes.

I spoke too soon. Bettini crashed out today.

Here, they call the Sunday morning ride the Heathen ride!

ok.... i want a bike. a good bike. any advice? i'm willing to eventually pay up to $600 or so, but not past $1000; no way in hell. i'd prefer full suspension since i like to be able to go anywhere i can, and i was pretty rough on bikes when i was 80 lbs lighter. street bikes appeal to me for the speed aspect, but mountain bikes seem better suited to me for, you know, all the treacherous terrain in central Florida.

i had been considering Trek, but the cheapest bike i saw that i liked was $990; the Fuel 70.

any advice? this won't be something i'll buy very soon. planning early seems to be a good idea for this sort of thing.

Daneel: no help man, I know zip about mountain bikes.

Dre: Saturday works, I have class every other Saturday... I'll shoot you a PM about the next ride I do on Sat. a.m. It'll be fun! I know of no afternoon Sunday rides... but I end up just going out with friends a lot, so it becomes a ride anyway, whenever.

Troy

Planning is an excellent idea.

What you should plan for depends on what you want to do with it. From your description above, you might want to consider a hybrid. They're lighter than mountain bikes, but they're more rugged than road bikes. If you're looking for distance riding, go with a road bike. If you want to eat some dirt, get a mountain bike. If you're tooling around doing a little of both, get a hybrid!

No matter what you do, the single most important piece of advice I can think to give you is GET A BIKE THAT FITS YOU! (Right, T? ). You should pick out a bike shop in the area and talk to the shop guys. Make sure they explain things to you fully about what's important. Tell them what you're looking for. Let them know what you're trying to spend. Be specific. Make sure you like what they say and how they deal with you so you can be comfortable they're shooting you totally straight. Get measured properly.

No short cuts on this! I had a friend I made this exact suggestion to, and he got fired up about price and bought a bike on eBay. Well, he got hurt because it wasn't properly fitted for his size. Now he has to sell it so he can get a properly fitted bike. Its destroyed his training for a triathlon.

Me? I'm partial to Cannondale. I have 2 of them now (one road, one hybrid). I started on a different Cannondale hybrid. I believe the fellas ride Trek. There are tons of great bikes out there. If you're in planning stages, look around a lot. Ride some. See how they feel.

Helpful or TMI?

Huh? My bike is perfect for me, Jules. It was set up wrong, but the frame size, etc., are spot-on. I found a guy who does old-school fittings (no measurements, all by eye) and I haven't touched a thing since. Happy as a clam.

Rode 27 today. It's a'comin' back.

Yeah, I know. But didn't we have a verrrry similar conversation about a year ago?

Couldn't ride today. Had to finish a paper. Sooooo riding tomorrow! I think a 40 will do nicely after two months!

Eh, maybe? But I think it was probably after I bought my bike since I wasn't talkin' much about cycling beforehand... so I don't really have a "bad fit" to to which to compare my bike.

Enjoy your ride tomorrow!

It was before you bought your bike. I'm sure the conversation is buried here in the thread somewhere.

I did manage my 40 today! Wooo! Man, my legs hurt. It was rather windy today too, but great to be out there. I did pretty well considering its been 2 months since I've been out there.

Most enjoyable.

Yep, its down there on pages 1 and 2.

BTW, you guys, I've got a friend I used to ride with who just moved to Charlotte. He's looking for folks to ride with. Can I pass along any info to him? He's a good guy. Pretty solid on the bike too.

Why don't you mention the ride(s) I was talking about a couple of posts up? Those are big ones and a great way to meet folks.

Did 45 yesterday. Quite hilly, overall (for what I'm used to anyway).

Two words: OW. It's gonna be a slow-moving day today.

()

Thanks, T. I'll pass along the info.

I actually feel pretty good today. I really thought I'd be hurting. I guess I didn't really push it too hard yesterday. I mean, I rode fairly solidly, but it wasn't an especially heavy workout. I was just happy to get the miles in. My legs were a little tight this morning, but other than that, I didn't really feel it.

Out of town next weekend, so no riding. Soon soon though.

I am starting to get jealous, hearing all this talk.

Peer pressure! Gear pressure! Giro pressure!

I was gonna ride X miles today, and was about 3 in when my phone rang... friend of mine who got me into cycling, who now has a condition that paralyzed him for a month but from which he's now coming out of (Guilliam Barre -- spelling wrong). Anyway, he borrowed a tandem bike, and wanted a puller.

Oh. My. GOD. That was hard. 10 miles to him, 10 miles home... and the 'in between' was great fun and incredibly difficult (as much for balance/coordination as strength).

Try it! Great workout! Keep in mind my friend has no leg strength to speak of, and that he weighs 180 lbs on top of my 190.

I rode 13 or 14 miles Tuesday, and got a runny nose because it was chilly. I am thinking about entering one of the races here in Rock Hill at the end of the month, even though I am totally not prepared and could not prepare by then either. I have always talked about racing someday, but always made excuses for not doing it. I think I'm gonna just do it.

60 miles today. Lots of climbs. Farthest I've ever gone, hardest I've ever ridden.

Fun!

Way to go Troy! That is further than I have ever ridden too. Today I went 28 k, about 17 miles, but I set a personal record for speed, 76 kph, or about 47 mph. That was a rush.

47 mph. That's insane. Like, here: sa(dre)ne. You're in sane.

Thursday I did 30k or so, and had my fastest ever average. I don't know how, because there was bad wind, it was cold, and I have not been riding much lately. I credit Ultimate Bicycle of Pineville and their complete maintenance job, $179.95. My bike is a well-oiled machine, even if my body is not. I am signed up for the race Saturday, though, come what may.

Awesome, dre! Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

I rode the race, but barely. I was kind of late getting there, and I had to wear one of my pro team jerseys, because they are all I have (I ordered two plain jerseys this week, but one was too small and the other too big). I suspected that I would not be able to wear the trade team jersey, and I was right. I rode to the race (I don't like to drive to ride), and a friend brought the spare jersey just in case, but I could not find him before the start, so I had to turn mine inside out, and I barely got my number pinned on before the start, and I still had my wallet and keys in my back pocket, and my spare tube pouch under my saddle. I must have looked pretty silly.

The field was maxed out at 50, and it was strung out from the gun (it was actually a whistle), and I was among the stragglers, but I was going as hard as I could without blowing up. The guys at the back were not really keeping a steady pace, and I probably was not either, so we were not working together. My goal was not to get lapped, but the leaders lapped me twice, and then when they had three laps to go they told all the lapped riders to pull off the course. I did not feel too bad about that, because I met a guy at the bike shop Thursday who said he got lapped three times his first time out, and I talked to him afterwards today, and he said he finished behind about six guys. I learned some good things, and did not crash or cause any crashes, and those were my other two goals. Once I started I decided I wanted to do the 12 miles in less than 35 minutes, but I did not get to finish. I did finish 11 laps in about 27 minutes (I forgot to start my computer until halfway through the first lap), so I don't think I would have made 15 laps in 35 minutes.
Regardless of the fact that I was behind about 45 of the 50 guys, I averaged 32.7 kph (20.3 mph), which is my fastest ever ride longer than 2 or 3 miles. It was fun, but I think I will train more before I enter another race.

That's amazing, Dre. Not sure I want to ride with you tho'... sounds like you really go for it.

I have to say that the idea of racing scares the hell outta me. Don't think I'll ever do it.

I DID however ride a whopping (sit down, this is gonna be huge) 20 miles tonight at (sit down again, once you've regained your strength) approx. 14 MPH. But that's because I ran yesterday... not far at all, but I made up for THAT by running really, really slowly.

Trying to get into the fray again,
Troy

Dre, that's awesome! Sounds like quite an experience! Stick with it, and you'll rock in no time.

I soooooooo wanted to ride last weekend, but between work and school, I never made it out there. I'm doing it this weekend, and I think I figured out how I can ride a couple nights per week from work and squeeze in 20-25 or so.

T, I'm determined to start and stick with running this time. Seriously. My semester is over as soon as I can get my final done this weekend. Its available Friday, so I plan to be done by Saturday night. Then, its 5 weeks off! Woooo! The LAF ride this year includes a 5K or 10K. I really want to do the 10K. I've only run 5K once. Oh, and I'd like to, you know, run all of it in less than 3 days. Tips? Training suggestions? Anything helpful?

I've got 5 weeks off then I'm back to school/work/no life balance again. I need to develop a great habit in the next 5 weeks. Oh, and did I mention heller allergies?

10K training? Just go run as often as you can... it's not a race that you have to fuel during, or even drink water during. Just make sure you're running 7+ miles more than once a week before then.

Not a pro (but a great novice)
Troy

I don't normally go for it like that; closed streets with no stop signs can work wonders for the average speed.

Racing has always scared me, too, especially criterium racing. I don't like the all-out intense effort, nor all the corners in a big pack. There were 3 or 4 crashes in 30 minutes just in my race. One guy bit it really hard over his handlebars right in front of me--landed in some lady's lap. It was kind of freaky, but he walked away.

NEVER underestimate the power of The Dre

Underestimate my power all you want, but let's hope Tom Boonen underestimates the power of George Hincapie today in Paris-Roubaix. Make sure you watch, 6-8 tonight on OLN! Frankly, I think it is near impossible to overestimate the power of Tom Boonen, so I will be surprised if George can do it, but I think he is as good as ever these days, after seeing him last week in Tour of Flanders. He also did well in Gent-Wevelgem Wednesday.

Big George ROCKS no matter what. Can't ever take away Pla D'adet.

Did anyone else watch it? That was really crazy what happened to George. I felt bad for Discovery Channel all around. But there was unprecedented one-day glory for CSC! Probably one of the craziest races I have seen, with the whole train stopping the race with 6 miles to go and all.
As for me, I did 30 miles today, kind of hard, felt like the wind was in my face the whole way, and my legs felt like noodles. I still averaged over 18 mph, so I guess it is not bad. I am back in Columbia for a few days for Spring Break.

The wind WAS in your face all day!

Man, poor George. Geez. I nearly cried. What a tough day for Discovery.

I was absolutely cheering CSC today though. Awesome ride. Boonen must be kicking himself today for letting that break go.

30 today, 50-60 tomorrow. Something or another Saturday... 60 Sunday.

Good weekend ahead!

Addendum: 8:15 am, and the IT bands are a weeeeeee bit *tight.* Should be an interesting day.... riding at 10 am!

Talk about really going for it! That is a lot of miles, Troy. Have fun! Maybe I will see you on the road sometime.

Rolled out about 9 for 40 this morning. I now rather resemble a lobster. It was pretty slow going today as the first 15 miles were dead into the wind. All in all felt pretty good though. Nice to be back out there.

Dude! You have to let me know where/when you're riding, it'd be fun. I'm pretty slow at this point, but I'm starting to get the miles back in (110 in the last three days, and 40+ tomorrow). Let me know!

Wow--that is a lot of miles, from both of you. I rode 95 or 100 this past week, and that is about as much as I've ever done in a week. I tried to catch the group from Pineville yesterday, but I was late, and rode 35 on my own. The wind was awful, and my chain was skipping all over the place (I think my cassette is worn out), and it was quite frustrating.

I can't figure out my speed. I did 32.7 kph in that race a few weeks ago, which is my fastest ever ride, and since then I have been doing in the 29s. On Thursday, I rode to the bank and the pharmacy and the post office in sneakers and baggy shorts, and averaged 32.5 (in short spurts, but still added up to 10 k or so). Then yesterday, (I guess with all the wind and stoplights), I did 28. It seems like the more I ride, the slower I go.

Maybe you like the kph measurement? Or do you know if your computer allows you to switch to mph? Most do...

And yeah, the wind sucked yesterday. Much work. All training though.

I don't know why I do kilometers, maybe because the numbers are higher so it feels faster? Maybe so I can compare myself to pros and feel slower? I don't know. I could switch to miles, but I prefer kilometers. I am going on 10,000 km since I last reset my computer (when the battery last wore out).

Did anyone else watch the Amstel Gold? CSC is really dominating. I hope they can keep it up in the Grand Tours, but it would be nice to see Alejandro Valverde do something too, and maybe the Americans.

For my girlfriend's b-day, I just bought her new wheels, new tires, and am replacing her cassette and chain with something lighter as well....

She's gonna be stoked.

EDIT: oh! And brake pads, of course... new wheels = new pads.