The AV gang does a brevet

[maillotpois]

Ummmmm...I fail to see what ALTITUDE has to do with DISTANCE and BUTT CONDITIONING.

What.
Ever.

I don't really want to hear about the condition of your butt.

[aka_kim]

I just found this thread! I'm only, hmm, over a week late.

Congrats you guys. You all rock. (And some of you are animals.)

How do you all find the time to train? Looking at my stats for the past few years, I average only a little over 6 hours per week on the bike (or trainer), rarely more than 10 hours, and never more than 15. Ed & Fred over at RoadBikeRider are putting in 20 hours a week now, for their base training! Do I need a new job? No job?!!! Better time managment skills? How do you do it?

[jobob]

I'm up right now, if that gives you a clue

[maillotpois]

yeah, the balance is tough. I can't generally ride outside during the week, so it's either up at 5 for spinervals or a ride in the dark. the GP has been away this week, but I am hoping to get some outdoor early morning riding when he returns. this is something I wished I had done before the 600, because being comfortable riding in the dark is a skill like any other.

it is tough to get the training in. but I can get by on 2 - 3 hours during the week just to maintain fitness between long rides. you don't need 20 hrs a week, and your weekly training sounds just fine to do longer rides.

I am pretty dull at evening functions, though, since my bedtime is about 9!

[jobob]

this is something I wished I had done before the 600, because being comfortable riding in the dark is a skill like any other.

Tell me about it. I tend to feel so, disoriented(?) riding in the dark. I went out this morning well before sunrise to test the light setup on Dusty.

Kim, I've been doing a lot of hills, and that helps a lot.

[SadieKate]

OMG, Kim, How can you ask that? You've seen my house.

I'm working under the household pact of (throwing out) "one box a day." Unfortunately, it seems that I am the only one who is doing any throwing. Hey, my knitting is resurfacing.

[maillotpois]

Jo - do as much riding in the dark as possible. I had really never ridden in the dark - even the doubles I started before dawn were always twilighty - and it's comforting knowing the sun will be up soon. I had a lot of anxiety the first day of the 600 in anticipation of riding at night. it turned out to be okay, but I could have saved myself a lot of stress by practicing it.

riding at night (or 2 am) is peaceful in a way. there was a long somewhat technical descent I had to do and it was so much easier than I expected - like diving into a pool of water - hard to describe.

you'll be glad you did rides like you did today. I am hoping to do one tomorrow. daylight savings is good - dark mornings are perfect for this!

[Velobambina]

Dang, I should kept my name in the running for that assignment in San Francisco so I could ride w/you guys!

Riding at night is great, by the way. Just make sure you have a good headlamp, tail light and blinkies.