Training Log Archive: veinbusterIn the 31 days ending Jul 31, 2021:
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Saturday Jul 31, 2021 #
8 AM
flexibility 43:00 [1]
10 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 1:32:59 44.23 km (2:06 / km) +37m 2:06 / km
ahr:139 max:171 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
In the US next year there will be a recumbent division in senior time trials. 5, 10, 20 & 40km.
I thought it would be fun to take a shot at a good 5km time. I thought there was a close to 5km stretch of Canal Road that might be suitable so went to set a baseline. Interval 4 I tried to maintain 200 watts for the distance. Only one bit of a slowdown when a car was backing a trailer into a driveway, not much impact. 8:09 seemed like a decent time for only getting my heart rate up to 171 for an instant. From time to time I’ll add 5-10 watts to see what the speed/power curve looks like.
Then I finished off by trying some 30 second sprints at 400+ watts. It took 450 watts to get up to 45km/hr on the flat. Flight thinks I should target a sub 7 minute 5km, so that’s about the speed I would need. I wonder what power it will take to hold it.
I thought it would be fun to take a shot at a good 5km time. I thought there was a close to 5km stretch of Canal Road that might be suitable so went to set a baseline. Interval 4 I tried to maintain 200 watts for the distance. Only one bit of a slowdown when a car was backing a trailer into a driveway, not much impact. 8:09 seemed like a decent time for only getting my heart rate up to 171 for an instant. From time to time I’ll add 5-10 watts to see what the speed/power curve looks like.
Then I finished off by trying some 30 second sprints at 400+ watts. It took 450 watts to get up to 45km/hr on the flat. Flight thinks I should target a sub 7 minute 5km, so that’s about the speed I would need. I wonder what power it will take to hold it.
Friday Jul 30, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 44:00 [1]
8 AM
weight training 37:00 [2]
Day 3 soloflex
Really good dips today. A bit of residual stress in my right shoulder, but mostly near normal.
Really good dips today. A bit of residual stress in my right shoulder, but mostly near normal.
12 PM
Mountain bike (Vinnie) 1:07:05 17.59 km (3:49 / km) +41m 3:46 / km
ahr:123 max:148 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Too windy to drone the marsh so I just took a toddler along the river. It looks like much of the population has deserted town for the long weekend. Pretty light traffic on the trail.
Huge wind channeling along the river.
Huge wind channeling along the river.
Thursday Jul 29, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 45:00 [1]
8 AM
weight training 44:00 [2]
Day 2 soloflex and free weights
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 34:00 [1]
Shortened a bit to get 100km in before noonish rain.
8 AM
Road cycle (Basso ) 3:54:55 103.81 km (2:16 / km) +586m 2:12 / km
ahr:139 max:174 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
I wanted to try a new route to Lake Simcoe that would give me a 100km ride candidate for the Ride to Conquer Cancer next month.
I thought a pace of 12 minute intervals (5km) should be manageable on an emprty stomach. I knew I would lose time on the first two intervals, getting through town. I pushed the third intervals bit to see how the legs felt on open road, then settled into my endurance pace.
20km of moderate hills to get to the lake, then 30km along the shore. Bathrooms with water are finally open at the swimming areas. I paused for a drink and half of an energy bar before turning back south.
There was a good 300m of climbing to get back home. I chose to be conservative with my energy and took the flattest road for most of the stretch south - also the least traffic.
When I got back to Vivian, it looked like my distance might be a bit short, so I poppedceast to Kennedy to fill it out. This would give me some good climbs to finish out the ride. I pushed my heart rate on the western leg and finished out the last interval of the 100 with my highest power of the day.
Great ride with lots of wildlife including fox, turtle, otter along with the usual subjects.
Nutrition: 1 bonk breaker, 2/3 tailwind.
Oops, alomost forgot
Age ride 36
I thought a pace of 12 minute intervals (5km) should be manageable on an emprty stomach. I knew I would lose time on the first two intervals, getting through town. I pushed the third intervals bit to see how the legs felt on open road, then settled into my endurance pace.
20km of moderate hills to get to the lake, then 30km along the shore. Bathrooms with water are finally open at the swimming areas. I paused for a drink and half of an energy bar before turning back south.
There was a good 300m of climbing to get back home. I chose to be conservative with my energy and took the flattest road for most of the stretch south - also the least traffic.
When I got back to Vivian, it looked like my distance might be a bit short, so I poppedceast to Kennedy to fill it out. This would give me some good climbs to finish out the ride. I pushed my heart rate on the western leg and finished out the last interval of the 100 with my highest power of the day.
Great ride with lots of wildlife including fox, turtle, otter along with the usual subjects.
Nutrition: 1 bonk breaker, 2/3 tailwind.
Oops, alomost forgot
Age ride 36
Tuesday Jul 27, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 44:00 [1]
8 AM
Mountain bike (Vinnie) 11:13 3.03 km (3:42 / km) +24m 3:34 / km
ahr:121 max:147 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Probably wouldn’t have logged this if it wasn’t automatic.
Weather channel showed rain coming from the north east after 9, so I thought I could sneak in a bit of a ride. Sky looked good out the back as I got ready. When I got to the front to put on shoes and helmet it looked almost like night.
Still, I was ready so grabbed the bike. Thunder before I got to the end of the driveway...but maybe it was a cement truck. Let’s see what happens. More thunder as I made it to the path, so I did the little 400m loop to see what developed. An instant death lightening bolt as I made the turn west. I tried one more lap and the wind was blowing off tree parts, so I high tailed it home. Soaked in 30 seconds.
Weather channel showed rain coming from the north east after 9, so I thought I could sneak in a bit of a ride. Sky looked good out the back as I got ready. When I got to the front to put on shoes and helmet it looked almost like night.
Still, I was ready so grabbed the bike. Thunder before I got to the end of the driveway...but maybe it was a cement truck. Let’s see what happens. More thunder as I made it to the path, so I did the little 400m loop to see what developed. An instant death lightening bolt as I made the turn west. I tried one more lap and the wind was blowing off tree parts, so I high tailed it home. Soaked in 30 seconds.
Monday Jul 26, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 42:00 [1]
8 AM
weight training 45:00 [2]
Day 1 soloflex and free weights
8 PM
Note
rhr:46
Sunday Jul 25, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 37:00 [1]
Saturday Jul 24, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 35:00 [1]
CBC Gem seems to be the best choice for watching Olympics. Watch your sport whenever you want, no hint of spoilers. Nice men’s road race this morning.
11 AM
weight training 46:00 [2]
Day 3 soloflex
Friday Jul 23, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 45:00 [1]
And then Mrs skin scan: baseline for detection of future issues.
9 AM
Mountain bike (Stumpjumper) 1:28:07 22.44 km (3:56 / km) +146m 3:48 / km
ahr:115 max:153 shoes: Specialized Comp mountain
I took the drone done to the south end of the backyard trail. I have some nice clips for a future video. I tested tracking in the trees a couple of times, which worked better than I expected.
A four year old with his grandmother was fascinated with the drone, so I spent some time chatting with him. He held the drone and the beacon (turned off). He was exited by the video clip he was in, but could operate his grandmother’s phone, or communicate to her that we needed her phone number to send the video. She only spoke Chinese.
Nice day for a ride.
A four year old with his grandmother was fascinated with the drone, so I spent some time chatting with him. He held the drone and the beacon (turned off). He was exited by the video clip he was in, but could operate his grandmother’s phone, or communicate to her that we needed her phone number to send the video. She only spoke Chinese.
Nice day for a ride.
Thursday Jul 22, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 45:00 [1]
8 AM
weight training 39:00 [2]
Day 2 soloflex and free weights
1 PM
Road cycle (Basso) 1:07:55 32.68 km (2:05 / km) +29m 2:04 / km
ahr:145 max:174 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
I needed to get some level 5 intensity in so stole the Purr de France sprint program for the day.
I set out to do 10 sprints at 300+ watts for 300-500m. I came short power wise on one where a car got too close on a bed in the road, otherwise the numbers came out pretty good. Really happy with the heart rate recovery.
A welcome change from fixating on getting a distance done before mid morning.
I set out to do 10 sprints at 300+ watts for 300-500m. I came short power wise on one where a car got too close on a bed in the road, otherwise the numbers came out pretty good. Really happy with the heart rate recovery.
A welcome change from fixating on getting a distance done before mid morning.
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 38:00 [1]
8 AM
weight training 38:00 [2]
Day 1 soloflex and free weights
Oops....getting Mrs ready for the first mom visit in too long.
Oops....getting Mrs ready for the first mom visit in too long.
Tuesday Jul 20, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 42:00 [1]
11 AM
Road cycle (Giro) 1:04:09 24.34 km (2:38 / km) +11m 2:38 / km
ahr:129 max:149 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Marsh drone session 9
The air wasn’t great today. It didn’t feel quite as harsh on my throat, nose and eyes as yesterday, but I was working a bit harder.
I tried to keep my heart around 130 and really only missed that on one turn into the wind. Temperature made it to 30C so I took the shortest possible route to get the footage I wanted.
The air wasn’t great today. It didn’t feel quite as harsh on my throat, nose and eyes as yesterday, but I was working a bit harder.
I tried to keep my heart around 130 and really only missed that on one turn into the wind. Temperature made it to 30C so I took the shortest possible route to get the footage I wanted.
Monday Jul 19, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 40:00 [1]
8 AM
weight training 43:00 [3]
Day 1 soloflex and free weights
Sunday Jul 18, 2021 #
7 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 2:30:17 69.2 km (2:10 / km) +156m 2:09 / km
ahr:123 max:140 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 21
This one should have been longer, but putting my phone on a charger while I got other things together resulted in it being left behind. That meant no live track for Mrs, which meant adding an extra hour would just mean more worry.
Traffic was light, except at the parks. A couple of hundred people had claimed their beach spot before 9 am and the Sibald Point gate was backed up almost to the road.
I was surprised how many solo cyclists opted to ride in the middle of the road, a couple even well over the unmarked center line.
Age ride 35
This one should have been longer, but putting my phone on a charger while I got other things together resulted in it being left behind. That meant no live track for Mrs, which meant adding an extra hour would just mean more worry.
Traffic was light, except at the parks. A couple of hundred people had claimed their beach spot before 9 am and the Sibald Point gate was backed up almost to the road.
I was surprised how many solo cyclists opted to ride in the middle of the road, a couple even well over the unmarked center line.
Age ride 35
7 PM
flexibility 24:00 [1]
Saturday Jul 17, 2021 #
8 AM
flexibility 40:00 [1]
Took the extra sleep time this morning expecting rain to start. While doing a much needed full stretch, radar showed rain close by...but didn’t actually appear before the latter parts of today’s stage in France.
12 PM
Mountain bike (Vinnie) 59:35 17.37 km (3:26 / km) +39m 3:24 / km
ahr:112 max:125 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Tour de Pierre stage 20
Weather channel said it was raining, but it didn’t look like it to me so I popped out on the ancient one to tour the local pathway. There was light drizzle, but not enough to make puddles.
The path was quieter than it’s been in since Covid. I guess everyone is back to malls, gyms, movies. At least 80% of the people had their phones up in front of their face. There must be a new treasure hunt or something.
Weather channel said it was raining, but it didn’t look like it to me so I popped out on the ancient one to tour the local pathway. There was light drizzle, but not enough to make puddles.
The path was quieter than it’s been in since Covid. I guess everyone is back to malls, gyms, movies. At least 80% of the people had their phones up in front of their face. There must be a new treasure hunt or something.
Friday Jul 16, 2021 #
7 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 3:02:29 85.51 km (2:08 / km) +35m 2:08 / km
ahr:130 max:146 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 19
I was a bit late getting out this morning so figured I had 3 hours to ride without missing the end of the French race. The legs are starting to feel a bit tired, so I just tried to race a good endurance pace.
My go to route for churning out unobstructed distance was under construction, so I had to adjust to a route with more full stops, more left turns and more bumpy road. Traffic wasn’t terrible, but the ride didn’t have the same flow. Wind picked up at 25km so it turned out to be a good day to be a bit lazy.
The one little stretch I pushed hard on didn’t have a Strava segment (I expected it too, but don’t generally check) so I don’t know if I managed to hold a 38km/hr average on it. It was fun to race beside weekend traffic on th3 400 anyway.
Just barely made it back for the end of the race.
Age ride 34
I was a bit late getting out this morning so figured I had 3 hours to ride without missing the end of the French race. The legs are starting to feel a bit tired, so I just tried to race a good endurance pace.
My go to route for churning out unobstructed distance was under construction, so I had to adjust to a route with more full stops, more left turns and more bumpy road. Traffic wasn’t terrible, but the ride didn’t have the same flow. Wind picked up at 25km so it turned out to be a good day to be a bit lazy.
The one little stretch I pushed hard on didn’t have a Strava segment (I expected it too, but don’t generally check) so I don’t know if I managed to hold a 38km/hr average on it. It was fun to race beside weekend traffic on th3 400 anyway.
Just barely made it back for the end of the race.
Age ride 34
6 PM
flexibility 17:00 [1]
Thursday Jul 15, 2021 #
6 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 2:30:11 66.1 km (2:16 / km) +403m 2:12 / km
ahr:126 max:159 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 18
Today I decided to punch up the biggest hill in each interval. Modest overall effort, but a 500 watt spike in each interval.
Age ride 33, so half way through the JR challenge about mid way through the season.
Today I decided to punch up the biggest hill in each interval. Modest overall effort, but a 500 watt spike in each interval.
Age ride 33, so half way through the JR challenge about mid way through the season.
2 PM
flexibility 34:00 [1]
Wednesday Jul 14, 2021 #
6 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 2:08:00 66.29 km (1:56 / km) +43m 1:55 / km
ahr:142 max:155 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 17
I had about 2:20 to finish in time to see the first summit in France, so planned to just chug away at the high end of my tempo pace: about 10 minute intervals on the Basso with minimal traffic.
I felt pretty good and moved along well early in the light wind. At about 18km, I was passed for the second time in the tour and the guy commented that I was setting a good pace. I pushed to stay close(ish) until he turned off a few kilometres later, having gapped me by most of 100m.
That effort hadn’t felt bad, so I decided to maintain the extra effort and see if I could shave a bit off of my 40 km time. I managed to gain 19 seconds, then eased off a touch to finish out the 65 for the day. The wind picked up for the last 40 minutes or so, but among the best riding conditions I’ve had for this year’s tour.
Age ride 32
I had about 2:20 to finish in time to see the first summit in France, so planned to just chug away at the high end of my tempo pace: about 10 minute intervals on the Basso with minimal traffic.
I felt pretty good and moved along well early in the light wind. At about 18km, I was passed for the second time in the tour and the guy commented that I was setting a good pace. I pushed to stay close(ish) until he turned off a few kilometres later, having gapped me by most of 100m.
That effort hadn’t felt bad, so I decided to maintain the extra effort and see if I could shave a bit off of my 40 km time. I managed to gain 19 seconds, then eased off a touch to finish out the 65 for the day. The wind picked up for the last 40 minutes or so, but among the best riding conditions I’ve had for this year’s tour.
Age ride 32
4 PM
Note
rhr:49
Pretty happy with this rate after a spirited 2 hour ride earlier today
6 PM
flexibility 31:00 [1]
Tuesday Jul 13, 2021 #
8 AM
flexibility 38:00 [1]
Another dry morning, but I think I’ll take a rest day and take my chances with rain Wednesday to Friday.
Monday Jul 12, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 41:00 [1]
8 AM
weight training 39:00 [2]
Day 3 soloflex
Shoulder felt pretty good on dips today. Strength there is down noticeably after about a month of skipping dips.
Shoulder felt pretty good on dips today. Strength there is down noticeably after about a month of skipping dips.
11 AM
Road cycle (Giro) 3:18:03 65.26 km (3:02 / km) +142m 3:00 / km
ahr:128 max:143 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Tour de Pierre stage 16
Rest day in France, but too much rain expected here this week to waste a rest day on nice weather. Without needing to coordinate with the French schedule, it was the perfect opportunity to go somewhere different, so I took a rail trail between Barrie and Orillia.
The surface was mostly fine loose gravel, not always the best grip. Once I got to Orillia I looped around a bit of the top end of Lake Simcoe. Time is a bit inflated since my Garmin spent most of the ride in my trunk on a charger. It was on the bars around Orillia so I could tell what road was coming next.
Apparently I had eaten most of the food stashed in the bike already - just one small bag of chews wasn’t quite enough to last this ride.
A couple of drone videos on the trail: for now just snippets on Facebook/Instagram.
Age ride 31
Rest day in France, but too much rain expected here this week to waste a rest day on nice weather. Without needing to coordinate with the French schedule, it was the perfect opportunity to go somewhere different, so I took a rail trail between Barrie and Orillia.
The surface was mostly fine loose gravel, not always the best grip. Once I got to Orillia I looped around a bit of the top end of Lake Simcoe. Time is a bit inflated since my Garmin spent most of the ride in my trunk on a charger. It was on the bars around Orillia so I could tell what road was coming next.
Apparently I had eaten most of the food stashed in the bike already - just one small bag of chews wasn’t quite enough to last this ride.
A couple of drone videos on the trail: for now just snippets on Facebook/Instagram.
Age ride 31
Sunday Jul 11, 2021 #
7 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 2:14:12 66.34 km (2:01 / km) +18m 2:01 / km
ahr:140 max:151 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 15
I wanted to watch Mike Woods on the last two climbs today in France, so just went for loops around the marsh. I forgot my phone, so no live track for Mrs if she got up before I finished.
A bit easier than Friday. I wanted to see what kind of power I could push while keeping my heart rate in the 140s. It looks like 150-160 watts is pretty sustainable.
A few drops of rain, but not enough to get anything wet.
Age ride 30
I wanted to watch Mike Woods on the last two climbs today in France, so just went for loops around the marsh. I forgot my phone, so no live track for Mrs if she got up before I finished.
A bit easier than Friday. I wanted to see what kind of power I could push while keeping my heart rate in the 140s. It looks like 150-160 watts is pretty sustainable.
A few drops of rain, but not enough to get anything wet.
Age ride 30
6 PM
flexibility 28:00 [1]
Saturday Jul 10, 2021 #
6 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 2:37:49 66.12 km (2:23 / km) +281m 2:20 / km
ahr:121 max:150 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 14
Cruise around Holland Landing. Most of the tree stripped by caterpillars are nicely creating a new set of leaves. Still some fat caterpillars dangling fromtres in random locations making it a bit unpleasant. The real problem with this area is the slick rubber patches squirted into cracks in the road. It doesn’t take much sun to make them soft enough that they don’t hold up a skinny tire. They are a disaster waiting t happen with any lean angle in a corner.
Age ride 29
Cruise around Holland Landing. Most of the tree stripped by caterpillars are nicely creating a new set of leaves. Still some fat caterpillars dangling fromtres in random locations making it a bit unpleasant. The real problem with this area is the slick rubber patches squirted into cracks in the road. It doesn’t take much sun to make them soft enough that they don’t hold up a skinny tire. They are a disaster waiting t happen with any lean angle in a corner.
Age ride 29
11 AM
flexibility 29:00 [1]
Friday Jul 9, 2021 #
6 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 2:11:30 66.33 km (1:59 / km) +30m 1:59 / km
ahr:148 max:160 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 13
A bit cool and wet but not raining to start. I thought it was fair to start out at a TT pace, so did that for the first half. I hit heavy mist in the NE corner so got wet from 18-23km. I felt good maintaining a 170+ watt effort with my heart comfortably in the 150s so took my chances doing the big loop again.
On the second loop, the mist made it down to the south west corner. I might have added a couple hundred metres to my bed hour - I’ll have to check my records. For the second hour, I eased the power a bit into the 160s and was happy to see my heart rate drop down to the 140s.
I got a couple of stretches of light rain, but not enough to want to stop and put on my rain jacket. A stretch of construction at 48km slowed my a bit so I had to push my heart rate up to get going on pace again. Repeated coming back at 62km.
The air dried up for the return into the wind on the third short loop and I dropped the power to 150 for the last full interval. Then cruised once I finished the 65km.
Garmin gave me a new VO2Max, rating my fitness age at 20 now. Also new 1&2 hour power levels.
Age ride 28
A bit cool and wet but not raining to start. I thought it was fair to start out at a TT pace, so did that for the first half. I hit heavy mist in the NE corner so got wet from 18-23km. I felt good maintaining a 170+ watt effort with my heart comfortably in the 150s so took my chances doing the big loop again.
On the second loop, the mist made it down to the south west corner. I might have added a couple hundred metres to my bed hour - I’ll have to check my records. For the second hour, I eased the power a bit into the 160s and was happy to see my heart rate drop down to the 140s.
I got a couple of stretches of light rain, but not enough to want to stop and put on my rain jacket. A stretch of construction at 48km slowed my a bit so I had to push my heart rate up to get going on pace again. Repeated coming back at 62km.
The air dried up for the return into the wind on the third short loop and I dropped the power to 150 for the last full interval. Then cruised once I finished the 65km.
Garmin gave me a new VO2Max, rating my fitness age at 20 now. Also new 1&2 hour power levels.
Age ride 28
6 PM
flexibility 20:00 [1]
Thursday Jul 8, 2021 #
6 AM
Note
It was dry out early, so I took a shot at the predicted 6:50 am start to rain would be delayed. Socks glued, IDs on, GPS setup, Basso out...I hit the pedals hard early pushing over 300 watts each pass of the little hill. And got 10 minutes in before the rain.
Not sure if there will be another opening.
Not sure if there will be another opening.
7 AM
flexibility 35:00 [1]
8 AM
weight training 39:00 [2]
Day 2 soloflex and free weights
3 PM
Road cycle (Basso/Giro) 50:50 20.45 km (2:29 / km) +42m 2:28 / km
ahr:132 max:152 shoes: Specialized S Works Mountain
Tour de Pierre stage 12
After 10 minutes of dry on the Basso, I got dressed again twice but it was pouring by the time I got outside so I went back to watching people ride in France.
Finally at about 3:30 the rain stayed light enough that I could get out again. I opted to do my second, and last, short stage - time should be a bit longer than the next TT in France.
I don’t think I’ve ever changed so many times in a day. Not even when trying on clothes in a store.
After 10 minutes of dry on the Basso, I got dressed again twice but it was pouring by the time I got outside so I went back to watching people ride in France.
Finally at about 3:30 the rain stayed light enough that I could get out again. I opted to do my second, and last, short stage - time should be a bit longer than the next TT in France.
I don’t think I’ve ever changed so many times in a day. Not even when trying on clothes in a store.
Wednesday Jul 7, 2021 #
6 AM
flexibility 42:00 [1]
7 AM
weight training 43:00 [2]
Day 1 soloflex and free weights
12 PM
Road cycle (Giro) 3:01:59 65.14 km (2:48 / km) +454m 2:42 / km
ahr:131 max:159 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Tour de Pierre stage 11
I was ready to get started between climbs in France, so I waited for it to finish and hoped to squeeze the distance in before the afternoon rain.
I should have paid more attention to the temperature, because it was colder than I planned on - one of those ‘the high for the day was at 2am things’. I put on my super light rain jacket when I parked and grumbled a bit about the wind. I momentarily pondered calling it a day.
I decided I would just push a high cadence over all the crests and milk the downhills for recovery. I started north since that was where radar said the rain was. Sure enough, there was rain in the NE corner, so I looped back south and toured there. I got to the point where I needed one big loop to finish, so started the outer loop again. Sure enough I hit rain again so turned south, landing to make up the distance deficits with hill repeats of the 404 overpass.
Job done, but it wasn’t pretty.
Age ride 27, (+5 indoors)
I was ready to get started between climbs in France, so I waited for it to finish and hoped to squeeze the distance in before the afternoon rain.
I should have paid more attention to the temperature, because it was colder than I planned on - one of those ‘the high for the day was at 2am things’. I put on my super light rain jacket when I parked and grumbled a bit about the wind. I momentarily pondered calling it a day.
I decided I would just push a high cadence over all the crests and milk the downhills for recovery. I started north since that was where radar said the rain was. Sure enough, there was rain in the NE corner, so I looped back south and toured there. I got to the point where I needed one big loop to finish, so started the outer loop again. Sure enough I hit rain again so turned south, landing to make up the distance deficits with hill repeats of the 404 overpass.
Job done, but it wasn’t pretty.
Age ride 27, (+5 indoors)
Tuesday Jul 6, 2021 #
6 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 2:25:26 69.56 km (2:05 / km) +138m 2:04 / km
ahr:130 max:146 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 10
I got up early hoping to get a dry stretch in the morning and lucked out. I had time for a change of scenery up at Lake Simcoe so cruised the whole of the south shore. The was lots of ponded water on the road and broken tree parts everywhere, so I had to keep my eyes sharp.
Wind was light for the west and south start. At the bottom of Cooks Bay I realized my eyes felt sandy because I had forgotten my sun glasses (3 pairs in the truck). As I made the turn back up the bay, I saw a nasty looking cloud. Luckily it broke up by the time I turned east. And got a bonus of the wind picking up which would give me a net 10km tailwind for the day.
Stopped by the truck for dark glasses to finish up the east end of the shore then looped back through Sutton to make sure I got the full distance in. I thought of doing this week’s long ride while it was dry, but decided to go home and watch the Tour I broke down and paid good money to watch.
Age ride 26
I got up early hoping to get a dry stretch in the morning and lucked out. I had time for a change of scenery up at Lake Simcoe so cruised the whole of the south shore. The was lots of ponded water on the road and broken tree parts everywhere, so I had to keep my eyes sharp.
Wind was light for the west and south start. At the bottom of Cooks Bay I realized my eyes felt sandy because I had forgotten my sun glasses (3 pairs in the truck). As I made the turn back up the bay, I saw a nasty looking cloud. Luckily it broke up by the time I turned east. And got a bonus of the wind picking up which would give me a net 10km tailwind for the day.
Stopped by the truck for dark glasses to finish up the east end of the shore then looped back through Sutton to make sure I got the full distance in. I thought of doing this week’s long ride while it was dry, but decided to go home and watch the Tour I broke down and paid good money to watch.
Age ride 26
3 PM
flexibility 35:00 [1]
Monday Jul 5, 2021 #
6 AM
flexibility 40:00 [1]
7 AM
Road cycle (Giro) 3:05:33 67.23 km (2:46 / km) +211m 2:43 / km
ahr:131 max:157 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Tour de Pierre stage 9
Along with Holland Marsh drone session 8
It looked like the best day in a while to get a drone session of the marsh so I packed it up and road out to do my filming. Some fields are now on their second crop. It’s amazing how much of the work here is still done my hand.
It was getting near the wind limit for the drone as I finished up. The gusts were making it work hard to maintain its distance.
Finished up via the Rogers Reservoir trail and was surprised how few people were in the Holland Landing end of it - probably fewer than I’ve seen since 2019.
Age ride 25
Along with Holland Marsh drone session 8
It looked like the best day in a while to get a drone session of the marsh so I packed it up and road out to do my filming. Some fields are now on their second crop. It’s amazing how much of the work here is still done my hand.
It was getting near the wind limit for the drone as I finished up. The gusts were making it work hard to maintain its distance.
Finished up via the Rogers Reservoir trail and was surprised how few people were in the Holland Landing end of it - probably fewer than I’ve seen since 2019.
Age ride 25
Sunday Jul 4, 2021 #
7 AM
flexibility 40:00 [1]
10 AM
weight training 32:00 [2]
Day 3 soloflex
During Tour descents
Tried a few dips again, not great, but they didn’t feel like they were damaging anything
During Tour descents
Tried a few dips again, not great, but they didn’t feel like they were damaging anything
5 PM
Note
rhr:47
I expected a higher resting heart rate after 8 days of riding. I guess I must be fully recovered.
Saturday Jul 3, 2021 #
6 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 2:15:34 66.33 km (2:03 / km) +24m 2:02 / km
ahr:136 max:146 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 8
Since I had done mountain elevation earlier this week, I opted for a quick flat stage today to get me finished in time to watch the big climbs in France today.
I wanted to try and maintain 150 watt intervals for two hours to see if my heart rate would stay steady. It seems to. I eased off a bit for interval 13, except for sprinting the last 300m. Even that didn’t put my heart into the 150s.
When I finished, Garmin recalculated by fitness age as 24. That doesn’t strike me as especially credible, but there is no denying that a lower number must be a positive.
Age ride 24
Since I had done mountain elevation earlier this week, I opted for a quick flat stage today to get me finished in time to watch the big climbs in France today.
I wanted to try and maintain 150 watt intervals for two hours to see if my heart rate would stay steady. It seems to. I eased off a bit for interval 13, except for sprinting the last 300m. Even that didn’t put my heart into the 150s.
When I finished, Garmin recalculated by fitness age as 24. That doesn’t strike me as especially credible, but there is no denying that a lower number must be a positive.
Age ride 24
6 PM
flexibility 29:00 [1]
Friday Jul 2, 2021 #
6 AM
Road cycle (Giro) 1:05:50 21.84 km (3:01 / km) +199m 2:53 / km
ahr:120 max:143 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Forecast said rain should come at 10, but the radar looked more like 9. I headed north hoping to get a decent distance in ahead of the wet.
Rain started 8km north and I looped back putting on my rain jacket at 9km. It rained most of the way back south before stopping. I took a shot at going south but found more rain so decided to park and watch today’s Tour climbs live.
This might be an early rest day for my tour.
Rain started 8km north and I looped back putting on my rain jacket at 9km. It rained most of the way back south before stopping. I took a shot at going south but found more rain so decided to park and watch today’s Tour climbs live.
This might be an early rest day for my tour.
8 AM
flexibility 28:00 [1]
11 AM
weight training 40:00 [2]
Day 2 soloflex and free weights
A bit of arms while it rains. Perhaps questionable as a rest day.
A bit of arms while it rains. Perhaps questionable as a rest day.
2 PM
Road cycle (Basso) 57:40 28.33 km (2:02 / km) +125m 1:59 / km
ahr:147 max:198 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 7 part 2
The sun came out, so I took a shot at getting the stage in. The weather channel gave me close to an hour before the rain, which is almost exactly what I got. Unlike this morning, it came down hard and fast but I was 50m from the driveway so pulled right in.
My heart rate showed artificially high from about 13-18km. The timecshown at intensity 5 is about right.
I’ll finish off on the Giro when the thunder passes. I’m too close to 65km to not collect it.
The sun came out, so I took a shot at getting the stage in. The weather channel gave me close to an hour before the rain, which is almost exactly what I got. Unlike this morning, it came down hard and fast but I was 50m from the driveway so pulled right in.
My heart rate showed artificially high from about 13-18km. The timecshown at intensity 5 is about right.
I’ll finish off on the Giro when the thunder passes. I’m too close to 65km to not collect it.
3 PM
Road cycle (Giro) 40:31 15.35 km (2:38 / km) +82m 2:34 / km
ahr:131 max:142 shoes: D2 2D yellow mountain
Tour de Pierre stage 7 part 3
I knew this last bit would be wet. The ne t batch of rain held off until 7km and then got progressively hard until I finished off the stage.
Age ride 23
I knew this last bit would be wet. The ne t batch of rain held off until 7km and then got progressively hard until I finished off the stage.
Age ride 23
Thursday Jul 1, 2021 #
6 AM
Road cycle (Basso) 3:34:11 100.6 km (2:08 / km) +42m 2:07 / km
ahr:131 max:145 shoes: D2 2D action blue road
Tour de Pierre stage 6
The forecast last night suggested rain might start at 10, so I went out early again, hoping to fit in the long stage distance since Friday is threatening to be a washout. As I drove to the marsh, the news said there was rain at the airport, but it didn’t look bad up here.
I got a quick start until the farm vehicles came out at a bit over 10km and continued to position themselves for the next hour - I didn’t really mind the forced breaks waiting for pass opportunities. Speaking of passes, I got passed for the first time in this year’s tour by another cyclist.
By 45km, the lake bound traffic going north on the 400 was looking less than optimal. At about 55km, I started to see fuzzy shadows as the cloud thinned and by 65km the sky was mostly clear. I paused for 5 minutes to take on a few calories, since the weather was clearly going to let me get 100km in. That let me add a bit more power to finish another day with a nice low heart rate for the effort.
Age ride 22 (+5 indoors) puts me at 1/3 of the challenge. Right on track if I lived 800km south, but a bit behind for Canada.
The forecast last night suggested rain might start at 10, so I went out early again, hoping to fit in the long stage distance since Friday is threatening to be a washout. As I drove to the marsh, the news said there was rain at the airport, but it didn’t look bad up here.
I got a quick start until the farm vehicles came out at a bit over 10km and continued to position themselves for the next hour - I didn’t really mind the forced breaks waiting for pass opportunities. Speaking of passes, I got passed for the first time in this year’s tour by another cyclist.
By 45km, the lake bound traffic going north on the 400 was looking less than optimal. At about 55km, I started to see fuzzy shadows as the cloud thinned and by 65km the sky was mostly clear. I paused for 5 minutes to take on a few calories, since the weather was clearly going to let me get 100km in. That let me add a bit more power to finish another day with a nice low heart rate for the effort.
Age ride 22 (+5 indoors) puts me at 1/3 of the challenge. Right on track if I lived 800km south, but a bit behind for Canada.
3 PM
flexibility 31:00 [1]