cool breeze - august 19th

Nina (and Alex):

I know with those beautiful C50's, the shop felt a double would look best. And there is nothing wrong in a double. Take my friend Wayne for instance. He's 45 soon to be 46. He can climb hills like Newport Coast in his middle gears. Even mountain biking he seldon hits the granny chainring BUT, a double suits his style of riding. He is extremely strong, has that strength to weight ratio thing going, can ride in a high cadence even in the tall gears and he hasn't yet blown out his knees (although with all this singlespeed riding that may be coming!).

A triple doesn't mean you are weak, or old, or incapable... it just suits another style of riding. I ride in a comfortable candence most of the time usually around 85 - 90. When I hit a hill, I may drop to 60 - 70 which is still fairly high for a hill. I get into a nice rythem and just climb. If it weren't for the triple I would have to drop my cadence below 60 and most likely stand and power up most hills (I still do this for short hills like freeway overpasses but certainly can't do it for Newport Coast). Great way to blow out the knees and exhaust my energy. With my triple I can ride and ride and ride... Got up some incredible hills in Utah which I wouldn't be able to do (and still complete 80+ miles a day) without my triple.

That said, no shame in a triple - we want you guys to keep up on the hills!!!! And Record does have a beautiful triple...

And yes, Newport Coast is the hill Tracey, Audrey and Mike did...

Yeah Pam, I want to be able to do Cool Breeze and a triple it is!! I am much more comfortable in a higher cadence, especially on hills where I feel if my cadence is too slow, I am going to fall off. I am also going to make a real effort to ride during the week after work and on hills. When it comes to hills, I know there is no substitute for the real thing!!

WORD!!!!! ;)

Although I hate hills, I do hills because they are my enemy and I must conquer them!!!

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Originally Posted by bcipam

WORD!!!!! ;)

Although I hate hills, I do hills because they are my enemy and I must conquer them!!!

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http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/117.gif

We did it! Our longest training ride and our first significant climbing!!!!! It's all in my blog :) 51 miles and 2500+ feet of climbing!

Okay Brandy and Tiffanie (actually, and Caligurl too)

It should be illegal to look that good in spandex... you guys SUCK!!! :p

T~

ps. GREAT Job today ladies! (just reading the blog)

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Originally Posted by Brandy

We did it! Our longest training ride and our first significant climbing!!!!! It's all in my blog :) 51 miles and 2500+ feet of climbing!

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It was such a great ride!!!

okay, I guess I'm going to have to get serious now about my training... now that Brandy and Tiff have graduated from the white knuckle club, I'm in BIG trouble!!!

Trac'

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Originally Posted by tprevost

Okay Brandy and Tiffanie (actually, and Caligurl too)

It should be illegal to look that good in spandex... you guys SUCK!!! :p

T~

ps. GREAT Job today ladies! (just reading the blog)

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It's the shorts, I tell ya!! :p The Pearl Izumi Sugar Short. I love them. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/yes2.gif

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Originally Posted by tprevost

okay, I guess I'm going to have to get serious now about my training... now that Brandy and Tiff have graduated from the white knuckle club, I'm in BIG trouble!!!

Trac'

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Tracy, Brandy and I had put off going down ANY hill until yesterday. We finally "conquered" (lol) Edwards hill here by my house. It's a very short but steep hill. Rode up at the start of the ride and down at the end of the ride. It was so fun!

So today, we couldn't wait to hit downhill. It was truly exhilarating and we wanted more! more! more! :D

.... like I said... I'm in BIG trouble! :rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tprevost

Okay Brandy and Tiffanie (actually, and Caligurl too)

It should be illegal to look that good in spandex... you guys SUCK!!! :p

T~

ps. GREAT Job today ladies! (just reading the blog)

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oh please... look who's talking???????????????? sheesh!

and i've actually got 5 pounds that i'm lugging around that i don't need (in-n-out.... tommy's..... coldstone..... pat and oscars... http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/174.gif) so "I" certainly don't think i look so great!


as for graduating from the white knuckle club... way to go! http://www.smileycons.com/img/emotions/202.gif

Brandy and Tiff - great ride! You won't have any problems on Cool Breeze especially if you eat at the sag stops. Just an FYI - for next time, there is a park at University and Jamboree that would probably be a better starting point. At least there's a bathroom. Guess I need to really get out and start doing longer rides. My longest since last November has been 50 miles. Need to start pushing up the mileage on the weekends.

Thanks for the tip Pam. I'm sure that Ralph's would appreciate me not peeing in their parking lot again. :eek:

Thanks for the tip Pam. I'm sure that Ralph's would appreciate me not peeing in their parking lot again.


Brandy you are TOOOO funny! Tiff should'a snapped a picture of you peekin' out the bushes! ;)

Trac'

Hey...I HAD to go! At least I did it in the bushes. :D

well... when ya gotta go..... :p

I'm sure I could tell you quite a few interesting stories born out of desperation! ;)

You ladies did really well today! Congrats on a ride well done!

Trac'

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Originally Posted by Brandy

Hey...I HAD to go! At least I did it in the bushes. :D

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Originally Posted by tprevost

You ladies did really well today! Congrats on a ride well done!

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Thanks Tracy!! I think that you would have LOVED this ride, I kept telling Tiff that we need to plan this one as a TE ride for the fall when it cools down and it won't be a big deal if we have a later start.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tprevost

Thanks for the tip Pam. I'm sure that Ralph's would appreciate me not peeing in their parking lot again.


Brandy you are TOOOO funny! Tiff should'a snapped a picture of you peekin' out the bushes! ;)

Trac'

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She didn't inform me of her camera on her person until I had a mouth full of food otherwise I would have! :p

Good Job on the ride Brandy and Tiffanie!!!
BTW Brandy you write really well, your blog is great! :)

Karen

"I think that you would have LOVED this ride, I kept telling Tiff that we need to plan this one as a TE ride for the fall when it cools down and it won't be a big deal if we have a later start."

Heck, as long as its under 95 when I'm done I'm good ;) Maybe Caligurl and I should do it! Its a LOT hotter where she lives but I seem to be okay in relatively warm weather.

I went on routeslips.com and checked all my routes for elevation gain... my 40 miler actually has 3300+, my 51 miler has about 3100, and my 34 miler has about 2200+. The wine country loop is 25 miles 1155 of gain but I can do it twice and it becomes respectable.... NOW, I guess the thing to do is to actually do more riding than 'routeslipping' huh???

Oh boy, I am in big trouble ;) (Pam, I am NOT stressing, more like whining because I've got a little work to do!)


Hope ya'll are bringing tow ropes!

Trac'

Quote:

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Originally Posted by tprevost

"I think that you would have LOVED this ride, I kept telling Tiff that we need to plan this one as a TE ride for the fall when it cools down and it won't be a big deal if we have a later start."

Heck, as long as its under 95 when I'm done I'm good ;) Maybe Caligurl and I should do it! Its a LOT hotter where she lives but I seem to be okay in relatively warm weather.

I went on routeslips.com and checked all my routes for elevation gain... my 40 miler actually has 3300+, my 51 miler has about 3100, and my 34 miler has about 2200+. The wine country loop is 25 miles 1155 of gain but I can do it twice and it becomes respectable.... NOW, I guess the thing to do is to actually do more riding than 'routeslipping' huh???

Oh boy, I am in big trouble ;) (Pam, I am NOT stressing, more like whining because I've got a little work to do!)


Hope ya'll are bringing tow ropes!

Trac'

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Hey Trac,
I have dibs on the tow ropes...teehehe ;)
I can't wait for THREE HARBORS!!!

"I have dibs on the tow ropes...teehehe "

I called it first... neener neener neener!!! :p Okay, I'm a goober, I'm sitting here laughing!

Karen, I've either forgotten or I just don't know, which route are you doing at Cool Breeze???

T~

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Originally Posted by tprevost

"I have dibs on the tow ropes...teehehe "

I called it first... neener neener neener!!! :p Okay, I'm a goober, I'm sitting here laughing!

Karen, I've either forgotten or I just don't know, which route are you doing at Cool Breeze???

T~

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Hi!
I signed up for the metric, BUT it seems all of you guys are doing the century!
I have Saturday's Metric, then the Windmill, then I was planning on the July 30th ride (that Brandy suggested) so I will see how i do on those rides.
Going from a metric to a full century seems like such a BIG jump to me!!
I am so nervous to do a century, BUT with all you girls doing it, I may just go for it! :) :)

Well, I think you may want to try it. The theory is that you can go 3x your 'regular' distance if you fuel and hydrate properly. I will probably only do more than 50 miles 2-3 times at most before the century; then I will pace myself slowly for the first half to make sure I don't burn out.

I'm leaving here at 12 today to head up to Ventura so I'll see ya in the morning! :p

T~

redhot... what's your riding been like up to now? how many miles... how long riding... etc?

Here's my take and Cali can add about doing a century...

There are many ways to train and be prepared. There are those who set themselves up on a regular training routine and each week increase the intensity and length of their training rides culminating in doing something short of or a full century just prior to a century ride.

I have done a ton of centuries but have never ever been on a century training schedule. I do try to get out and ride and build a good base each week. Right now I'm riding 5 - 6 days a week, both mountain and road bikes. Not really long distances but getting in seat time and building strength and endurance.

I do plan on making Sundays my long road bike day. My plan is to do 40 - 60 miles each Sunday through July but if something else comes up I'll do what I can. Personally I know not much else is needed but... and this is a big but, I've been riding a long time and know what I and my body can do. I know when I can push and I know when I have to pace. I think I've gotten tne nutrition thing down.

For new riders and especially first time century riders its the fear of the unknown that's at issue. Just one word of caution - don't overtrain. Make sure you are tapering off the last 2 weeks before the ride. Work on the nutrition thing. For every ride over 30 miles you should be fueling on a regular basis to prevent bonking later on. Water and food - needs to be done. Getting bonky 40 miles into 50 isn't so bad, getting bonky 40 miles into 100+ is bad!!!!
There is this thought of taking it slow in the beginning in order to pace oneself. I do believe in a good warmup - at least 15 - 20 miles at a good, but easy pace. But if one feels good - then ride and ride hard if you feel like it. There will be plenty of chances to stop and rest, refuel and refurbish along the way. Just trust me on this... it's so much easier on the butt, feet, hands, body and psyche if you ride for 7 - 8 hours and not for 9 - 10 even if that means you have to push it at times. That's the real key for uber cyclists like Cali - she can ride past that 9 hour mark but it takes true grit and spirit ( and short term memory loss) to stay in the saddle so long.

RedHot - here's my suggestion. Ride with us all (or whoever depending when everyone statrts) until the second sag stop. At this point the metric riders turn back and the century riders continue on to the lunch stop. Make your choice then. The second half of the ride is so beautiful and keeps you going even if you get tired and... there is always the sag wagon. No shame in sagging, at least you tried.

My first century... started out as a 50 miler. It was the Tour de Tucson. My plan was to start with my friends who were doing the century but cut the ride short. Problem was I enjoyed myself too much, kept going and at the 80 mile mark realized I had only another 28 miles to the finish. Now had I known how difficult those 28 miles would be on my body (especially my feet), I may have packed it in but I kept pushing. Most riders will tell you this, after 80 miles your body will break down no matter how much you train or are prepared. Your feet will hurt. They just will. So stop and massage them. Your back, booty, neck everything will hurt. That's the whole thing about a century its a long ride like doing a running marathon - there is a wall. Prepare yourself to break through the wall. Just know you can do the ride and you will do the ride. Any self doubt, then I would stick to the metric.

PS - I did the Tour de Tucson in total time 8 hours, 15 minutes. I never felt like I was riding hard. I kept riding steady and pushed the downhills and pacelined when I could to save energy. I was really good about fueling at the sag stops and keeping hydrated. My only problem - my feet were killing me!!!! I just had to deal with them.

Karen,

Pam is right on. I did Cruisin' the Conejo with very little base and a lot of 'pacing' myself, along with making sure I ate and drank. I did just fine and I was not sore nor did I have any major issues after the ride (I did the 68). In fact, had I conserved a tad more energy I really think I could've done another 32 if I'd had to (it wouldn't have been pretty). Of course, I could NOT have done the 'actual' century route as the hills would have been too much. Once you have tomorrow's ride and Windmill under your belt, you'll probably feel more comfortable committing!

T~

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Originally Posted by bcipam

I have done a ton of centuries but have never ever been on a century training schedule.

Just one word of caution - don't overtrain.

That's the real key for uber cyclists like Cali - she can ride past that 9 hour mark but it takes true grit and spirit ( and short term memory loss) to stay in the saddle so long.

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ditto.... i never had a tru century training for my first... or any subsequent centuries! hubby did build me up when first started riding.... i had my first 20 mile ride... my first 25 miles ride... first 40.... first metric... etc!

on thing that works for me... i NEVER ride the day before a big ride (ok... i think i had one or two exceptions to that, at most! but you get my gist!) it works FOR ME!

the taper thing is good advice... i've read it before... i've never been able to live by that (especially when having centuries or other long rides each weekend! UGH! plus i have the added "stess" of figuring out morning workouts so as to not have sore legs on saturday... but we won't go there!

oh pam... you are too kind... i don't consider myself an uber cyclists! but i do agree it takes grit to remain in the saddle so many hours (and if i were faster... i could get off the saddle sooner!!!!!!!!!!)

soooooooo that said.... i just want to say EAT at the rest stops... don't worry about calories (if that's your thing... to count and not eat too many!)... just EAT! and DRINK! even if it's just water (my first was done on just water.....) i didn't start drinking gatorade til i started doing more hill climbs! and even then.... i, personally only drink it in the beginning of the ride... and continue the rest of the day/ride with just water! but again.. that is ME! do what works for you!

ok... i'm rambling! lol!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!
I love the encouragement of this group!!
I'm in!!! :)

I will be doing at least 3 metrics in July, then my normal mid week rides of 18-20 miles twice a week (if possible)

Thanks so much girls!!!


Tracy, See you tomorrow ...7 am!!!!!

oh! i get to meet redhot!!!!!!!!!!!!

(i STILL don't know what i'm wearing! i have it narrowed down to 3 outfits: pink.... white..... lt and dark blue!)

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Originally Posted by caligurl

oh! i get to meet redhot!!!!!!!!!!!!

(i STILL don't know what i'm wearing! i have it narrowed down to 3 outfits: pink.... white..... lt and dark blue!)

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Hey Caligurl!!!
I will be a wearing a bright yellow jersey!! And I have long red hair and lots of freckles, can't miss me!!
I will be at the check in table at 7 am!!
Looking forward to meeting you!!
Karen :)

Okay, after today's ride.... I am planning to ride Cool Breeze at an average pace of 12, yes... 12 mph!!!

I rode three harbors today (report/pics coming later) and while on the flats we were riding anywhere from 14-16ish and I still had a 12.7mph average over the 55 miles. There were a few grades, nothing major and I did wait while peddling very slowly (I will be stopping from now on :p ) for another woman to get up the grades; HOWEVER, there is NO way I will evening be thinking of anything more as an average.... sorry, party pooper here :rolleyes:

just giving everyone a 'head's up' ;)

t~

Tracy,

I think that will be similar to what I'll be riding. Our average for the 52 mile ride the other day was 13 mph and I can only imagine that adding more climbing and another 50 miles will slow me down even more. I'll be right there with ya babe! :D

tracy..... i rarely plan on a certain average for a ride... and NEVER plan on one for a brand new ride (i have looked at my average before a ride i've done.... and yes... make that a goal... but that doesn' always work!) just ride and enjoy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/images/hearye.gifI have a formal announcement to make...

Tiffanie has a dilemma. It's Cool Breeze vs. the Tim McGraw concert. To me the choice is clear, but she's not decided yet. Come on ladies...help me convince her that Cool Breeze is the right choice!

oh i LOVE that smilie!!!!!!!!!!!!!

uhm.... ya.... i've seen tim in concert... and even had excellent seats... you still don't see that much.... definitely COOL BREEZE! lol!

Maybe if we promise to serenade her with Tim McGraw songs during the ride, she'll choose us over him. Or maybe not. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/i...ughinghard.gif

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Originally Posted by Brandy

Maybe if we promise to serenade her with Tim McGraw songs during the ride, she'll choose us over him. Or maybe not. http://www.tinklebelle.com/Smilies/i...ughinghard.gif

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hmmmmmmm not sure which way would be the best to approach that one... sing???? not sing???? hmmmmmmmmmmmm