Training Ride - March 24

Got some time on the trainer last night.  The log is below:

• Total time: 31 minutes
• Warm Up: 5 minutes
• 14 jump intervals: 21 minutes
• Cool Down: 5 minutes

First, let me explain what I call a "jump interval".  I begin at max output standing for 30 seconds, then max output sitting for 30 seconds (actually higher cadence than standing), then 30 seconds recovery.  Let me tell you, by then end of 14 of those, I could barely breath and thought I might lose my supper.  It actually took the whole 5 minutes of cool-down just to regain normal breathing.

 

I wouldn't have minded doing a little more time (no more intervals, please!), but since it was the first time I had used my trainer, I had to make some adjustments to it, and that ate into my time available.

 

18 Days and Counting!

Training Diary - March 22

Rode in the Katy Ram Challenge Saturday morning. Here is the log:
Distance: 44.1 miles
Average Speed: 15.9 mph
This was a little slower than I would have liked. I do think that my average speed was greatly affected by the start, also. It took at least 1.5 miles to get up to a normal riding pace.

Overall, the ride felt pretty good for the first 30+ miles. Then it started to hurt. But, hey, that's what training is all about, right!

On the plus side, when I was training three years ago, I only did 40 miles in this ride, and the MS150 that year wasn't bad at all. Now to keep on the saddle!

Ready to Ride (My Trainer)

Still haven't gotten the chance to ride on my trainer yet, but I was able to set it up and make sure my bike fits in it OK. You never know for sure since I ride a mountain bike frame with 26"x1" tires and a 50-tooth chain ring. Kind of a pieced-together ride.

I hope to be able to get a bit of work in on the trainer tonight after I put my daughter to bed. I will post afterwards!

26 days and counting!

Bought a Trainer

Just as an update, I bough a trainer today also. I ended up getting a magnetic trainer, as the price was far too good to pass up.

I haven't taken it out of the box yet, since I got to go for a ride this afternoon.

I will let you know when I get a chance to use it!

Training Diary - March 15

Got in a ride this afternoon. Here is the log:

Distance: 21.2 miles

Average Speed: 16.5 miles/hour

Note that the speed is an estimate, as I had a very weird occurence during the ride. I was stopped at a light waiting for it to change. I glanced down to see how far I had ridden, and then was flipping through the different display option. Then I realized that the spedometer said 70 mph. It continued to increase to 72.4 mph before I started riding again. Once I was under way again, the spedometer returned to working properly. I had no problems during the rest of the ride.

I guess there is another reason not to have a wireless cycle computer - apparently they can be affect by interference!

A Ray of Hope

I found some information yesterday that gave me a bit of hope for the MS 150 this year. The MS Society has created the oft rumored northern start.

This is the first year that the BP MS150 will have a starting point in Waller, TX. This is promising to me because (1) the start is two hours later (more sleep!), and (2) it makes the first day about 25 miles shorter. I might survive this thing after all!

(28 days and counting!)

What Kind of Trainer do I Want?

Well,  I am thinking that to successfully complete the MS150 in 30 days time, I am going to have to train during the week.  And that means riding in the dark.  The best way I think I can do this is to use a trainer.

 

I have an old trainer in my garage.  I think I bought it in 1996.  I haven't used it in probably 6 years.  It is an old friction trainer.  By that I mean that the axle of the trainer is a single machined bar.  One side has a small flywheel.  The other side has a similar ring with four slots in the perimeter.  In the slots are four fiber brake pads.  Around this ring, there is a fixed brake drum in which the brake pads rub.  The concept is that the faster the axle spins, the harder the pads press against the drum, and the more resistance to spinning is provided.  In actuality, the axle never turns freely and you always feel like the bike wheel is dragging a brake pad.  If you want to just burn out, it is a great trainer.  If you wanted to do intervals or something more varied, it isn't a good trainer.

 

So I have been looking, and I can't decide what I might like to purchase.  There are several inexpensive ($100) magnetic trainers that look somewhat appealing.  I even found one manufacturer that provides the resistance (power) curves for their magnetic trainers based upon speed and resistance selection.  Looks interesting.

 

Or will I find that I don't like the magnetic trainer any more than I like my friction trainer?  Should I just go ahead and spend the extra to get a fluid trainer (probably not the $1900 item I found on-line)?

 

I will let you know what I decide.  I hope to have something purchased by the weekend.  (I may try my old trainer in the mean time.)

 

30 days and counting!

Intro to the Blog

I wanted to post a quick introduction to this new blog. Let me start by explaining my situation and the root of this blog.

I am apparently (1) big-hearted, (2) a poor planner, and (3) crazy. I have committed to riding the BP MS150 bicycle ride. In case you don't know, this is a two day, 160 or 180 mile bike ride from Houston to Austin, Texas. The ride is a fund-raising event for the Lonestar Chapter of the National MS Society. This year, the ride is scheduled for April 12 and 13. Day one is basically 100 miles, starting flat and getting hilly near the finish. Day two offers the choice of 60 miles with some long, ginding hills, or 80 miles with lots of shorter, steep hills.

My specific situation is that I have to date done almost no training. This is not my first MS 150. In fact, I have completed the BP MS150 four times (2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005). Last year, I completed the Sam's Club MS150 in Dallas/Forth Worth, TX. I know what it takes. I just am behind schedule in training.

So far this calendar year, I have taken one bicycle ride that was about 15 miles.

I now have 31 days to get ready for the big ride. I will try to post regularly as I train. And I will try to send a few posts a day from the ride as I make the trip.

Enjoy the adventure along with me!