Did you ride today?

Got out Tuesday night... needed a time trial effort to test the legs. This Sunday is "Ride the Hurricane" where they close the road to traffic up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. Its 4500' of climbing in 18 short miles. A real gut-bust if you choose, though it is a "recreational ride" so most folks go at their own pace, stop, rest, enjoy the views. Tour riders cover a couple of these category 1 climbs in a single day in the mountains, at 14-16 mph. Then they top it off with a "beyond category" climb to the finish. Ugh!

I did the climb a couple years ago and it took me a little over two hours. This year I want to get in under 2, hence my Tuesday night time trial effort. 33 miles, 1650' verticle is my standard loop. I topped my previous personal best by .1 mph for 18.4. I think I could have made it 18.5 or 18.6 but I slowed a couple times for the fellow riding with me.

I've decided to enter a sanctioned USCF time trial the following weekend. Classic 25 mile course, almost flat (only 300' vertical), typical out-and-back. On the flats I'm rolling 21-23, but can maybe up the pace knowing its only a wee bit more than an hour effort. Should be a good test of this almost 56 years old heart and legs.
 
Good luck Bob. 4500' in 18 miles...no thank you sir! It's always nice to get a new personal best no matter how much you beat it by. You just need to do that every once in a while to feel like you can take back aging a little bit.

Kick some ass on Sunday!!!
 
Well, I did it! I got up that bloody mountain without stopping. I didn't make my goal of under 2 hours (2:07) but not stopping on the way up was a big deal for me. Perfect day, clear skies, temps in upper 50's / low 60's.

At the last minute on Saturday, just before heading off to catch the ferry across the sound, I decided to swap out my carbon fiber wheels for my aluminum rims. Both wheel sets weigh about the same, but I had a moment of hesitation thinking about the decent on my carbon clinchers. I've heard some stories, though I think they are mostly urban legends, regarding carbon clinchers and steep descents with lots of breaking. At it turned out I would have been just fine as my descending/cornering skills are better than ever and I was hardly on the breaks at all. But... I forgot to add a wheel magnet so while my time was accurate grade and distance were computed by the Garmin. Maximum grade 11.8%, average grade 8.3%, distance 18 miles. Average heart rate 157, or about 87% of max for a 56 years old guy.

The other worry with the deeper carbon rims was if there was a cross wind on the descent. The shallower aluminum rims would be less affected, and at 40-50mph getting pushed around by a cross wind would not have been fun. I will say the 18miles downhill is a well earned reward.

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Bob, big congrats on the tough ride, well done! When I went up the mountain Acadia, my avg heart rate was 172, or around 90% of max, avg grade of around 5-6%, max grade IIRC was <9%. Like I said, I'm a hill slug! You put up great numbers, my friend!:woot:

Call my a nervous nilly, but I'd be worried of the carbon clinchers on downhills. There's a thread on roadbikereview.com dedicated to this topic and there was post not too long ago.

Great job, again, Bob!!!
 
Nicely done Bob! One thing about getting old that stinks is that we worry about the "what ifs" and lose that "throw caution to the wind" attitude of our younger years. I sure wouldn't have put on the carbon wheels either.

I hope you celebrated with a few ice cold "recovery drinks"!
 
Bobvin said:
Well, I did it! I got up that bloody mountain without stopping. I didn't make my goal of under 2 hours (2:07) but not stopping on the way up was a big deal for me. Perfect day, clear skies, temps in upper 50's / low 60's.

At the last minute on Saturday, just before heading off to catch the ferry across the sound, I decided to swap out my carbon fiber wheels for my aluminum rims. Both wheel sets weigh about the same, but I had a moment of hesitation thinking about the decent on my carbon clinchers. I've heard some stories, though I think they are mostly urban legends, regarding carbon clinchers and steep descents with lots of breaking. At it turned out I would have been just fine as my descending/cornering skills are better than ever and I was hardly on the breaks at all. But... I forgot to add a wheel magnet so while my time was accurate grade and distance were computed by the Garmin. Maximum grade 11.8%, average grade 8.3%, distance 18 miles. Average heart rate 157, or about 87% of max for a 56 years old guy.

The other worry with the deeper carbon rims was if there was a cross wind on the descent. The shallower aluminum rims would be less affected, and at 40-50mph getting pushed around by a cross wind would not have been fun. I will say the 18miles downhill is a well earned reward.

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Looks like a gorgeous spot Bob! Congrats on making it! That is a real accomplishment and a well deserved reward.
 
Challenged myself yesterday... WA St Time Trial Championships. 40K on a mostly flat course, with a long stretch of 1% grade, and a couple short little hills, and some headwinds. Rough surface on about 16K was new chip seal, so it was a bumpy ride. Found out I have a ton of training to do if I want to get better at time trialing. Its been over 30 years since I did an "official" time trial, and I haven't seen where I stand in the ranking of guys over 50, but very likely DFL (dead f'ing last) with a time of 1:09:08. Still, for me, that is 21.57mph over 40K. And without doing any real training for the event, other than my hard and fast efforts this summer and spinning classes in the winter and spring.

Now the goal will be to see if I can't improve on that time even though I turn 56 in a month. I expect with some dedicated training towards improving I can get another couple miles per hour, but not without beaucoup hard work. And the 50+ category includes former pro, cat 1,2,3,4,5 riders, so I'm lumped in with guys who may have been extremely competitive in their day. And Ironman contestants. So no illusions of being at the top of that heap, but I'd sure like to finish in the top 10. (There were 23 in the old 'dude field on Sunday.)
 
That's a nice speed, Bob, and for 40K, too! Congrats! I find bumpy rides slow me down tremendously. I can do that speed but only for a few miles, not 40K.:P

I haven't been rising regularly the last month due to long hours at work and fairly busy weekends. Went for a 27mile ride y'day and had a tough time going up an 8% hill for 1/2 mile. Building up takes long, but decline is swift.:(. Can't wait to get back to my routine.
 
Bobvin said:
Challenged myself yesterday... WA St Time Trial Championships. 40K on a mostly flat course, with a long stretch of 1% grade, and a couple short little hills, and some headwinds. Rough surface on about 16K was new chip seal, so it was a bumpy ride. Found out I have a ton of training to do if I want to get better at time trialing. Its been over 30 years since I did an "official" time trial, and I haven't seen where I stand in the ranking of guys over 50, but very likely DFL (dead f'ing last) with a time of 1:09:08. Still, for me, that is 21.57mph over 40K. And without doing any real training for the event, other than my hard and fast efforts this summer and spinning classes in the winter and spring.

Now the goal will be to see if I can't improve on that time even though I turn 56 in a month. I expect with some dedicated training towards improving I can get another couple miles per hour, but not without beaucoup hard work. And the 50+ category includes former pro, cat 1,2,3,4,5 riders, so I'm lumped in with guys who may have been extremely competitive in their day. And Ironman contestants. So no illusions of being at the top of that heap, but I'd sure like to finish in the top 10. (There were 23 in the old 'dude field on Sunday.)
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Nice ride there Bob, 35 kph over 40k is nothing to be ashamed of. Always remember that when you DFL'd you did not DNF, also it turns out you are better than 99% of the general population so kudos to you.
 
RedSectorA said:
Nice ride there Bob, 35 kph over 40k is nothing to be ashamed of. Always remember that when you DFL'd you did not DNF, also it turns out you are better than 99% of the general population so kudos to you.
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Thanks for the kind words Dan, much appreciated. The fastest guy in the 50+ age category beat everyone in the 35-50 group, Cat 1,2,3,4,5. He was only bested by six riders all in the PRO, Cat 1, Cat 2 group. Which totally blows my mind... how the hell did he do that? Or, Who the hell is that guy? (Or, where does he get his performance enhancing drugs?) That guys time was 53:30 or 44.85kph. If I could get to a point where I can knock on the door of a 1 hour 40K that would please the hell out of me. But realistically, I also know the training effort that would be involved.

HOWEVER... my sweet wife is now interviewing for a position in Portland, OR. If it is in God's plan, we'll be finding a new home in the Portland area. Wifey says she really wants me to retire if she gets this position, so I would certainly have the opportunity to actually become more fit than when I was a college kid racing casually with a local club. I may have to find a part time gig in an audio store!

And, I wasn't DFL. Thank goodness.
 
Bobvin said:
Thanks for the kind words Dan, much appreciated. The fastest guy in the 50+ age category beat everyone in the 35-50 group, Cat 1,2,3,4,5. He was only bested by six riders all in the PRO, Cat 1, Cat 2 group. Which totally blows my mind... how the hell did he do that? Or, Who the hell is that guy? (Or, where does he get his performance enhancing drugs?) That guys time was 53:30 or 44.85kph. If I could get to a point where I can knock on the door of a 1 hour 40K that would please the hell out of me. But realistically, I also know the training effort that would be involved.

HOWEVER... my sweet wife is now interviewing for a position in Portland, OR. If it is in God's plan, we'll be finding a new home in the Portland area. Wifey says she really wants me to retire if she gets this position, so I would certainly have the opportunity to actually become more fit than when I was a college kid racing casually with a local club. I may have to find a part time gig in an audio store!

And, I wasn't DFL. Thank goodness.
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Got your answer right there about your "fasters guys" performance, you get the results based on the effort you put in. This is not discounting genetics and PED's. I have DFL in the past and not ashame of it although I would have like to do better. For me it's a race against my prior best effort and nothing else.

Be nice to be a stay at home train till you drop "pool guy" ;) for your wife!
 
I was able to get out and put in a 22 mile ride tonight first time in a few weeks it hasn't rained after work.
 
Well, it looks like I will soon have opportunity to learn a bunch of new routes. Wifey accepted a new position in Portland, OR so we are on our way south this morning to begin the search for a new home. Ugh! This might be happening really fast too as her company, it seems, is willing to pay market price for our current home. Audio room accommodation is high on the list of any place we buy.
 
Bobvin said:
...
HOWEVER... my sweet wife is now interviewing for a position in Portland, OR. If it is in God's plan, we'll be finding a new home in the Portland area. Wifey says she really wants me to retire if she gets this position, so I would certainly have the opportunity to actually become more fit than when I was a college kid racing casually with a local club. I may have to find a part time gig in an audio store!

...
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Bob, you are one lucky man! She sounds like a very special lady.:cool:


Bobvin said:
Well, it looks like I will soon have opportunity to learn a bunch of new routes. Wifey accepted a new position in Portland, OR so we are on our way south this morning to begin the search for a new home. Ugh! This might be happening really fast too as her company, it seems, is willing to pay market price for our current home. Audio room accommodation is high on the list of any place we buy.
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You have your priorities on right, good sir!

My wife and I were thinking where we would like to retire when we get to that point. Portland is definitely on the list. Feels like it has a great vibe about it. A lot of great music comes out of that area. I'm sure you will love it!;)
 
socfan12 said:
Bob, you are one lucky man! She sounds like a very special lady.:cool:

You have your priorities on right, good sir!

My wife and I were thinking where we would like to retire when we get to that point. Portland is definitely on the list. Feels like it has a great vibe about it. A lot of great music comes out of that area. I'm sure you will love it!;)
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Thanks for the kind words. I am blessed to have the love of a wonderful woman, blessed far more than I deserve!

We traveled to Portland for the weekend, driving around to get a feel for the lay of the land. Unfortunately my wife's career will have her smack in the center of downtown, so the commute will be a huge factor in finding a home. We are blessed currently to live on the edge of the suburbs, and her commute to the office is ~30 minutes normally. But that is a commute into Bellevue, WA, not into downtown Seattle, so she's spoiled in that regard. We have a great Craftsman style home on 1.5 acres, with 3 other homes in our little cul-de-sac. The development is 8 acres so we have room between the houses. I'm not much of a city guy, and my wife really isn't either. We like the quiet and peaceful nature of our home. We've been here 13.5 years. I proposed on top of the water feature in our backyard.

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So driving around Portland, and learning the commute is one of the most unpredictable in the country, we came away a bit discouraged. We've also been blessed with "resources" so we can stretch economically on a home, but there is a point where it doesn't make sense for just 2 people. And builders, of course, are crazy in that they'll put 4000+ sq ft. homes right next to each other. And we're accustomed to a certain level of "nice" and you don't tend to find that in a smaller place. (Plus, the audio room accommodation is not a trivial requirement. Currently I can listen @90+ db and my sweetie can be downstairs watching TV without being disturbed. I don't think we want to give that up.)

Northwest of Portland is not the way the development has gone. Instead, of course, mostly south along the Interstate 5 corridor. So to the NW you get pretty rural within 20 miles. This is more to my liking, away from the madness but still with a nice, modern home, and reasonable drive time. And we just might get a small condo in the city for those times the wife needs to work late or get in early. Or, if she needs to dash off somewhere for a quick wardrobe change.

So, while we were feeling a lot of anxiety about the collision of commute time vs home location, we do both like the area. Not too much different from the Seattle area, but just a wee bit warmer summers, just a few more sunny days. Bike riding is very popular, and we ran into a couple teams out training while were were checking out homes. I did a "ride with GPS" route from one of the homes for sale, and made a quick 20 mile loop. The elevation gain over the route was a brutal 3000'. My time trialing should get better if I can click that loop off in a hurry!
 
Good luck with the house hunting Bob. All you can do is keep looking and hopefully the right one will present itself to you. :)
 
I've been averaging about 60 miles a week over the summer. It's really helped having someone to ride with and make you get out on those days when you could easily talk yourself into staying home or doing something else. Unfortunately my riding partner moved to Bend last week so I'll be out grinding the gravel roads by myself again. I'm amazed at how quickly the rides go when there's someone else there to push you along.
 
Best of luck in Portland Bob. The waterfall will be hard to leave behind, have a hanky ready for the wife. Don't go short on the audio room.
 
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