Training Log Archive: tommyturbo

Lake Sammamish Loop: Been a while since I had a six-pack. As in six straight riding days (nine of last ten), with four hard MTB rides and two easy road rides. Somewhat surprisingly, I don't feel like a zombie. I take that as a sign as good fitness for this time of the year.

Grand Ridge RT-Duthie-Soaring Eagle: Yellow light is flashing. Message: proceed with caution into the over-confidence zone. I've been riding a ton, and feel like I am riding really well. When it seems like riding the mountain bike can't possibly be this much fun, and that I am hitting my lines within a millimeter, I know it might be prudent to back off and reassess. The timing is right for that anyway: five straight riding days, with four hard MTB rides. Last seven days: 16.5 hours/17,689' of climbing.

Grand Ridge RT-Duthie-Soaring Eagle: New saddle, how I do love thee, let me count the ways. Smoother=faster=more control=safer=more confidence that I actually know WTF I am doing. Easier to move fore and aft=increased ability to weight/unweight front tire for more cornering grip or to keep front wheel down on steep climbs/easier to lift front and/or rear wheels over roots, logs, etc/easy to shift weight distribution between corner entry and exit for more grip. Faster climbing: rear of the saddle is a solid platform to push against/inside of legs don't rub sides of saddle at all. More comfort: very firm like all of my saddles, but this one is the most comfortable. Better feel for trail grip: my imagination? My average ride speeds have increased about 5% since I installed the Specialized Power saddle.

Lake Sammamish Loop: First "group" ride in a year. Other than a few rides with Tracy, I've been riding solo. It was great to see Gary and fun riding in our group of two. I couldn't talk him into a stop at Krispy Kreme for a vaccination donut, but I picked one up. Actual MHR 131.

Grand Ridge RT-Duthie-Soaring Eagle: Could have used this trick back in the day. I knew I would be tired from yesterday's hard ride, but I wanted to have decent energy today. I took 50mg of caffeine right as I left on my ride, and it enabled me to ignore any fatigue and ride well. Never once on the 350 HOWC rides I led did I ever take caffeine before the ride. It would have come in handy, especially on those rides where (despite my best efforts) the ride went hard right out of the gate. I only use caffeine on the bike, and a little goes a long ways! Another ride with zero stops.

Grand Ridge: Saddle Power! The carbon rails broke on this bike's saddle during my last ride on Friday. I figured I'd throw on an old saddle while I contemplate my next move. I stopped by Center Cycle yesterday to say hi to Dave, and I just couldn't resist! I loved my new Specialized Power Expert saddle immediately, and I feel more at ease with the titanium rails. No more carbon rails on mountain bikes for me. A new saddle doesn't yield the same buzz as a new bike, but I don't want a new bike.