Cycling / Running - Logs, Stories, & Pictures (any fellow cyclists or runners here?)

[Tex]

Congrats!! It'll be a sweet ride!

 

[Tex]

Visited the Texas hill country over Christmas holidays! Here's a couple of videos. I'll post more later.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/254368279

This is a very challenging climb in Canyon Lake, Texas. The beginning of the climb hits 22%, then drops a bit for just over 300 feet of climbing. This particular ride covered 70 miles and 4,767 feet of climbing.

 

[80mileshigh]

You found some hills!

I did a 'Skyline' climb yesterday. In my case the climb is so named as it ends when a 'Skyline Road' intersects the road you actually climb on - but still a neat coincidence.

Despite my hilly surrounds this was only my second category 3 climb. Here's a description of the climb:

http://theclimbingcyclist.com/climbs/yarra-valley/skyline-road/

And here's a picture of my Roubaix at rest, after descending down the other side.

 

[Tex]

You found some hills!

I did a 'Skyline' climb yesterday. In my case the climb is so named as it ends when a 'Skyline Road' intersects the road you actually climb on - but still a neat coincidence.

Despite my hilly surrounds this was only my second category 3 climb. Here's a description of the climb:

http://theclimbingcyclist.com/climbs/yarra-valley/skyline-road/

And here's a picture of my Roubaix at rest, after descending down the other side.

That's sweet! Very nice looking ride!! :thumbup:

 

[Tex]

Year In Review:

http://blakesenduranceblog.com/2012/12/27/year-in-review/

 

[FADEC]

2012 is coming to a close and (shock & horror) the world didn’t come to an end

:lol:

 

[Izack]

You won't see me cycling or running any time soon, as it is January, and this is Canada.

I went outside today. It was -30 Celsius accounting for wind. The expression says it all.

 

[80mileshigh]

I went outside today. It was -30 Celsius accounting for wind. The expression says it all.

Well, you look well equipped for a speedy mountain descent!

At the other end of the spectrum, Australia just experienced its hottest average national temperature on record: 40.33 Celsius (104.6f). In some regions it is expected to exceed 50c (122f) this week.

Over the last weekend the Jayco Herald Sun Tour covered some of the area I ride in. Check this video, you'll see how dry it has become here:

http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/video/13757507931/jayco-herald-sun-tour-stage-2-highlights

There are fires all across the south east now - some of these were photographed from the ISS:

http://www.universetoday.com/99332/astronaut-captures-incredible-images-of-australian-bush-fires/

 

[Tex]

A look at my racing schedule for this year:

http://blakesenduranceblog.com/events/

Since I only did one race last year, I'm still a category 5 racer. I need 9 more starts to move up to category 4. I plan to get those done early in the year as things are smoother in cat 4+ vs cat5 crash fest. First up is Tour of New Braunfels in which I'm already registered to do 4 races that weekend alone.

 

[80mileshigh]

A look at my racing schedule for this year:

Awesome! Stay upright!


Having not looked into it too much, the following might be all wrong ...

... but, as far as I can tell, the Australian racing system is a bit of a mess. If you're over thirty you race in 'Masters'. Masters is divided into ten age groups (M1 - M10) from youngest to oldest. You pay to join the appropriate age group, but then you race according to a grade (A through D) which is assigned by a handicapper based on your declared ability irrespective of age. It's confusing enough to be off-putting to someone on the outside and there is no system for upgrading.

Here's an expat North American's take on it (from 2009 but I don't think anything has changed):
http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/12/australia-cycling-needs-a-grading-system/

One thing that is clear is that it's all run through the clubs. I'll join one soon enough and maybe that will help demystify the system. The number of serious road cyclists has surged here in recent years, hopefully this leads to some sensible changes.

 

[FADEC]

Well, it's 97 days now since my collarbone fracture, and 48 days since I took off the bandage. Seems I am one of the 12-weeks-guys. For about one week I feel almost healed. There is no pain anymore during daily routine. The only two temporary restrictions, due to pain, are that I can't put my right arm behind my back, and I can't yet fully stretch it out to the ceiling. But everything else works again.

I didn't go the hospital again, alhtough I had to on Jan. 3. But I don't really feel a necessity anymore, for now.

I started with real dumbbell training again a few days ago (not just holding it). But it's limited to only 6Kg for now. I don't want to stress my right arm too much yet. But the biceps finally looks normal again. So I'll use both arms for training again, next week.

And, I can cycle again obviously It works without any pain. But I took only a few short routes for now to try it out. Last night I did a short 4Km trip @-5°C. Works very well with my clothes.

But I need better gloves in order to start real cycling again during this winter. Any suggestions regarding materials/brands?

 

[80mileshigh]

But I need better gloves in order to start real cycling again during this winter. Any suggestions regarding materials/brands?

Check out the range of Assos (Swiss) and Rapha (British):

http://www.assos.com/de/55/home-page.aspx
http://www.rapha.cc/

Both make high quality winter (and summer) wear. Both are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. I'm wearing Assos uno bib-shorts nowdays and they really feel very nice.

 

[FADEC]

Check out the range of Assos (Swiss) and Rapha (British):

http://www.assos.com/de/55/home-page.aspx
http://www.rapha.cc/

Both make high quality winter (and summer) wear. Both are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. I'm wearing Assos uno bib-shorts nowdays and they really feel very nice.

Thanks. I'll have a look.

I also consider to buy a stormcap. I found one which got quite good reviews. It's made of neoprene and people report that even at -5°C it's still "too warm". It costs only 20€/27USD:

And I think I'll also buy a pair of protective socks.

 

[Kyle]

So, I've been running every day a average of about 2 miles. I must say, it's a pain to do, but when I'm done, I feel like I can move mountains! I highly recommend anyone here who doesn't go on daily runs to start, it really helps your life in general.

Cranked out a two mile today at somewhere around 16 minutes!

 

[80mileshigh]

So, I've been running every day a average of about 2 miles.

I admire your effort. I tried running properly for the first time in years recently ...

I figured I'd built up my bike fitness to be pretty good, so running should be fine. But I hurt so much afterwards that it kept me off the bike for two days.

Turns out running and cycling utilise muscles in two very different ways. Running causes 'eccentric' contractions where the muscle lengthens under tension, and cycling causes 'concentric' contractions where the muscle shortens under tension. So the fitness you build doing one may not translate completely to the other.

In my case I had plenty left in the tank aerobically, but my legs were killing me. I now have a heightened respect for runners and triathletes!

See:
[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_contraction"]Muscle contraction - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
http://www.cyclingtips.com.au/2009/01/running-to-supplement-your-cycling-training/

I might try it again when I know the weather is going to be bad on the subsequent days, so I don't lose time on the bike unnecessarily ...

 

[80mileshigh]

The first UCI Pro Tour race starts today - The Tour Down Under, held in Adelaide, South Australia:

http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/event/santos-tour-down-under-2013

They're going to venture out into the hills a bit more this year which should be interesting. Here's a climb which will feature tomorrow: http://app.strava.com/segments/2660322

The tour is a bit of cash cow for the South Australian state government. I wish the race covered more of the country. There are some really beautiful cycling routes here. Check these videos out:

http://www.rapha.cc/the-snowys

http://www.rapha.cc/van-diemens-land

 

[Tex]

I really want to find my run again. I wasn't that bad when I got down to low 7 minute miles. This year I have a lot of bike racing on the schedule though. My girlfriend has talked me into doing the Houston marathon with her next year (she did it this year and qualified for Boston!), so I plan to start running again toward the end of summer.

A little cross training with running can be good for the bike, but not too much. If you go overboard it can actually hamper your performance on the bike, at least if your main goal is bike racing. Triathletes are machines! I hope to just finish a half Ironman one day.

 

[FADEC]

As mentioned earlier, running is not my department at all. But I'm glad to read that other orbinauts don't hesitate to make their feet glow, i.e. do sports :thumbup:

I will start cycling next week again, finally. Subfreezing temperatures shouldn't be an issue with proper clothing. This is one of the best winters we had for many years. A lot of snow (my flat is completely covered). I wish it was like this almost the entire year. I just love cold weather and empty trees. Can't wait to take a ride (next week I will get my stormcap, neoprene protection for my shoes etc.).

Since this is mostly related to sports, I didn't just want to post it in the video thread:

Awesome.

 

[80mileshigh]

Awesome.

You might have seen this one already, but I reckon this is pretty awesome:

This is the same Pinarello Dogma raced by Team Sky at the TDF.

 

[RGClark]

Well, you look well equipped for a speedy mountain descent!

At the other end of the spectrum, Australia just experienced its hottest average national temperature on record: 40.33 Celsius (104.6f). In some regions it is expected to exceed 50c (122f) this week...

Hmmm. Not to start an argument but the U.S. also had the highest average temperature, but for the year.


Bob Clark