First Road Ride

[hibiscus09]

I'm liking the riding more than the lifting anymore -- I love being outside. I weigh 118lbs and stopped lifting so heavy because I was starting to feel thick. My sister said I was starting to walk like a Dude.

[Veronica]

So you're one wicked strong stick! I hate you! I'll weigh 118 when I'm dead.

V.

[hibiscus09]

LOL! I'm only 5'3.5" tall -- I think the .5" is my hair. I've never felt skinny -- I'm have a pretty round bootie. LOL

Besides, you shouldn't feel like a wimp -- you'd leave me in your dust on a bike!!

[Veronica]

Round booties look better in swimsuits. Thom and I spent an afternoon in HI critiquing swim suit choices.

The worst was a gray and white one piece that looked like scales. It had no straps and the lady spent the afternoon hiking it up over her boobs.

The best was a very pregnant lady in a tiny two piece. The bottom sat right under her belly. She had some of the best legs I have seen on a chick. I wanted to ask her what she had done to stay in such great shape throughout her pregnancy.

Veronica

PS I apologize for hijacking the thread. We'll get back to talking about riding now.

[Tri'ing Hard]

After several rides, the more I ride on the road, the better I feel.

As far as downhill, I rode our race course today and there is a big hill, I just geared up and held on, I didn't start breaking until I was at the bottom of the hill and only because there was a stop sign.

My biggest problem is with cornering. I cannot go around a corner faster than 14mph. Any tips on that? I hate to slow down in a race, only to have to kick it back up.

[pedalfaster]

or "A picture is worth a thousand words"

Tri'ing hard: I was about to post all kinds of tips n tricks for cornering (countersteering, weighting the outside pedal, looking where you want to go etc etc) and then I realized the best answer: find the best cornerer in your bike club/community and follow her. It's the fastest way to learn to really rail those curves.

[ausgirl]

To Hibiscus09,

Wow, 215 pounds for a squat is really good! Are you a powerlifter or something? The most I've squatted would be about 65kg (143pounds). And a word of warning, I know of an elite male sprinter who really stuffed his knee up (is back on international circuit now) while leg pressing 600kg (1320pounds), which is a lot more than you, but he's probably way bigger than you too. So please be careful, don't stuff up your knees for cycling!

[hibiscus09]

Thanks ausgirl -- no I've never been a power lifter and there were a few ladies at my gym who could out squat me. It was just a lifting gym where a lot of bodybuilders lifted. Women actually have just as strong legs as men, it's the upper body where we have problems lifting as heavy. I don't lift nearly that much anymore -- I do half of what I used to do on leg lifts as I felt my legs were starting to get a little stockier.

Anyway, thanks. So far, no knee problems thank goodness. I have had an impinged shoulder before, however, and injuries are a hassle.

[caligurl]

Originally posted by Veronica
My personal highs are 59 on the tandem, 45 on a road bike.

uhm.... are you saying MPH???? egads!!! if so.. scared me just to read it!

[Veronica]

Yep - that is mph. Both of those were on long, straight downhills. On curvy stuff I'm slower.

I've worked at building up my skills and confidence on downhills. My afternoon training ride has a couple of nice downhills on it.

Veronica