Training Log Archive: veinbuster

Cruzbike TT Challenge week 18

I gambled on the wind today because it looked more unpleasant for most of the week. Forecast was light headwind starting out, then shifting to a stronger headwind for the return.

I had moved the power pedals onto the Basso, so tried to manage the early power to low 160s to keep some reserves for the headwind finish. I did have to fit in a couple of tractor passes, but still managed to build a modest gain over last week.

I had a couple of slow corners at the turn and had to push to get my pace back. The low sun made it near impossible to see my Garmin so my pace/power management in the 3rd interval suffered a bit. Half of the 4th interval was north, so I could see my computer and got back into the groove of a consistent pace and power - no headwind also contributed.

I had a brain fart finishing and eased off when I ticked over 20km, forgetting my course is slightly longer, and sacrificed a few seconds. Or saved them for next week, depending on your perspective.

The Canadian track champions in the west are recommending some behaviour modifications leading up to the finale, so we’ll see how that goes.

39:05
Past times
39:20
40:05
below on Giro
41:46
42:02
42:32
43:04
43:30
43:43
44:01
44:20
44:40
45:00
45:20
45:50
46:50
47:55
48:16 (middle chainring)

C • Another record! 5

Out with Mrs while it was cool enough for her to wear a light hoodie instead of sun screen

Day 3 soloflex

Virtual Ride to Conquer Cancer bonus ride.

I had already done the full ride distance on the original dates, and the Hammer distance earlier in the week, but I had this Ambassador jersey so thought I should put it to use.

I didn’t want to do another 100km in today’s weather so drove part way up the Lake Simcoe route and took the bike backwards along the route to try and get some video of other riders.

I got a fair number riding south on Warden while everyone else was going north. When I thought I had reached the tail end, I looked back north to the lake, planning to take a short cut and catch them while they came back west. A little group went by while I was talking to an official, so I gave chase to try and pull back the 250m or so I had spotted them. It would have been much easier on the Basso, and if I hadn’t slowed to catch a couple more videos.

By the time I reached the lake, I was meeting people looping back, so kept the lake run short and took another short cut back to the Warden aid station. I loitered there briefly, until I saw an opportunity to race a group up the meanest hill and get video of them cresting it.

Mostly an easy ride with a couple of chase bursts. I just beat the heavy rain.

But...when I got home, I couldn’t find my Garmin. I must have missed my pocket when I took it off the bike. Luckily it was still lying in the parking lot when I drove back up.

C • Big week of riding! 2

Day 2 soloflex and free weights
Slow motion

Not an intentional rest day, but it might be due.

Early start getting J to the office to get a proper work from home computer and clean up her former work space.

Then some other errands and suddenly it was dinner time.

First day completely off this year.

C • First day off this year 2

Virtual Ride to Conquer Cancer: The Hammer

It felt pretty real to me. I did it today, because the nominal ride day of Saturday may have remnants of a hurricane.

I signed up to do a century, so went up to Lake Simcoe so some of it would be flat. I parked somewhere central, but there aren’t many services up there because they don’t want a flood of people bringing them a nasty disease.

I arrived to find the Garmin I had charged yesterday must have been running all night, so had no chance of recording the ride. Luckily I had brought a portable power store, and charged it in my back pack over my first 40km. Turns out I didn’t really need the stats in front of me all the time.

First I did the south shore of the lake. I took photos along the way - we’ll see if anyone on Facebook or Instagram really care about such things. The Ride did share a few of my photos in their Instagram story for the day. Then a stop for breakfast.

Next I went south to get some elevation on the south face of the moraine. Mrs caught up to me on the way back to my base camp and shared some lunch.

After lunch, I did another pass of my favourite parts of the lake, and took a run into Sibald Point, which seem to be the only place open to non residents AND got to use a restroom with running water - after putting on a face mask I had in my pack. Interestingly, no one else using the restrooms put on a mask. I guess the felt the instructions on the door only applied to some people.

From there, it was an easy finish to cover the required 100 miles of The Hammer. I felt pretty good throughout. The D2 shoes are incredibly comfortable for a long ride.

Time is overstated slightly for a couple of photo stops while the Garmin was charging in my pack. I stopped it when was thinking about the right shot, but not when I just grabbed a quick one.

C • Congratulations! :) 2

Day 1 soloflex and free weights

I had put the power pedals on the Greenspeed to check the power curve on the longest climb in the area on the weekend, but didn’t get out.

So I did it today before moving the pedals to the Basso for a Virtual Ride to Conquer Cancer century tomorrow. The nominal date for the virtual ride is Saturday, but at 70% chance of rain, that doesn’t seem like the best choice for a long ride.

I’ll be taking spare pedals and shoes as a hedge. And a spare helmet in case I don’t like the feel of my new gold helmet (reward for doing the Ride 5 times). I did the ride distance on the actual ride weekend, so don’t feel compelled to conform to the virtual ride...but I will make an honest effort for the century.