August 5th Weekend Rides

[indysteel]

My riding position is FAR from aerodynamic, so I accepted long ago that I will never be speedy on the road compared with anyone else. I do much better than I once did, and as long as there isn't too strong a headwind it takes me far longer to fall off the end of the average club ride than it once did. Indeed I am no longer 45 minutes behind everyone else - which happened on a club ride at the end of July last year, and THIS year have been able to keep up with at least a section of the riders

I was perplexed by something on the ride this morning - a fast group passed me, and several people were using their aero bars (isn't this a no-no?) and one of the women had one of those aerodynamic fancy track helmets on. Perhaps something happened to her regular helmet and that was her only option, but it was a bit of a surprise. We must have had a tailwind, because I was actually pedaling 20mph at that minute & was able to sustain it for several minutes - and that has NEVER happened

Different riding patterns this year, my base hasn't broken 50 miles yet, but the metric isn't until October. Adding mountain biking to the mix appears to be changing how I do things this year. Having FAR too much fun to risk more over-use injuries!



Nick, if you are riding 10 miles on mountain bike trails then I am in awe of you I am just learning how to mountain bike and right now 3 miles on the trail is cause for celebration and great joy!

Aerobars in group riding are generally a no-no, but there are people in my cycling group who are so steady and experienced on them that it doesn't bother me when they use them at the front of the pack. So, I would say that it really depends on the group and the riders.

I've done 10 miles or so the last few times out at BCSP and, let me tell you, I'm positively spent by the end of the ride.