Col de Lystra

Well, I will be heading out shortly to get a new chain for the bike since that seems to be the problem. After I get the new chain, I'm heading out to Harris Lake to do a 40-50mi ride which will include Col de Lystra. Harris Lake is a nice starting point as it has bathrooms available for changing. There's a seriously hard hill near Jordan Lake on Lystra Road, the Col de Lystra as it has been called. It's one long hill that has a couple of flattish sections in it to make you think you've reached the crest. But no!! Just when you think you're done, it starts going back up again! I'll try to get some pictures as I ride today.

The ride turned into a 56mi ride cause I missed the Lystra Rd turn. It was a little windy on the ride to Lystra and I wasn't feeling great. Guess it had something to do with not eating much for supper last night. Duh! Stopped at a store for a Snickers and then off for the detour. Riding down the road, thinking, "man, this doesn't look quite right". Decided to turn around and yep, I missed my turn. On to the Col.

I made it up that climb, then took a rest at 15/501 before heading on. Once I got to Big Woods Road, I was doing fine till I realized the bike was making a "whomp, whomp" noise. I looked at rear tire and it was farkin' flat. So, I call the SU (spousal unit) and ask him to come get me as I don't have any stuff with me. I'm waiting on him to get there and another cyclist comes along and asks if I'm ok. Yes I'm ok, have called for support. He offers to fix the flat so I can finish the ride. Yay!

So, I head on after getting flat fixed. That road seemed to go on forever! Anyways, not much else to say about the ride except I would have gone on for 7 more miles to complete a metric, but was unsure if Harris Lake Park would be open. It's around 4:30pm by the time I get back, so I might not have had enough time.

Anyways, wolfpack is tired but happy that I did this ride. It was fun!!

New Old Bike Has Arrived!

Fedex delivered my bike from glenng today. It is, well, very well ridden to say the least. Lots of dings/scratches/some rust. I might have it repainted or get it sanded down and do it myself! I scored a partial Shimano 600EX Arabesque group off of ebay tonight to put on it. A few more parts and he'll be ready to ride!

Pics later....

Brrrrrr - Second Round

Well, I had everything at work to do a recovery ride today, but I wussied out. It was pretty windy and I looked at the current weather around 11am, which made my decision much easier. It was 39F with a windchill of 31/32F. Decided not to ride cause I felt like I would be freezing. Guilt abounds for that decision:(. But, I will ride tomorrow as the temps will be about 15 degrees warmer.

Intervals in Brief Snow

Today was Interval Day. 4x4min in L4. The warmup had me see a bit of snow/sleet for a very brief period (maybe 2-3minutes and then gone). Then it was over. Intervals went pretty well, but I did the first one too hard. The other three were in the correct range. The last one just about made me puke when I finished! I was pretty tired the rest of the afternoon. A salad doesn't seem to cut it very well, but I'm not very hungry after doing these intervals.

I'm going to be getting a beater bike from a BikeForums member tomorrow. He's sending it to me free of charge! I just have to find a crankset, bottom bracket, chain, cables, etc. Not too much I don't think. I'm looking for Shimano 600 Arabesque components on ebay. My SU (spousal unit) doesn't know I'm getting this. Boy is he going to be surprised. Maybe since it's free he won't be too upset.

Brrrrrr

Brrrrrr. Just came back inside from a very quick walk around the buildings here at work. Wind is picking up and it felt quite chilly!

Current Weather

I brought all of my cycling clothes and my bike with me to work today so that I could ride, but I think I'm gonna skip the ride and go look for a winter cycling jacket. I have a PI Gavia Jacket, but it's a Men's XL and is just too big on me since I've lost 25 pounds. And, the sleeves come all the way to the tip of my fingers. I need something more fitted & flattering to wear. So, I'll head to Performance at lunch to try stuff on and maybe get something.

Update....

Well, I decided to ride home from work since I went to Performance for a jacket. I got a Women's Barrier Jacket. It didn't work. It was too short in the back and my back was cold on the way home. Pretty much everything was cold on that ride. Traffic was horrible because I left too late too. I took the Barrier jacket back and will keep the Gavia Jacket.

Incomplete Sunday Ride/Bike Fit

Well, I attempted to do a 25-30 mile ride yesterday (Sunday, December 2), but unfortunately, I didn't dress properly for the conditions. It was around 43F and very slight wind. I wore my Wheaties Jersey, PI shorts & tights, arm warmers, toasties, Wheaties socks, PI Vagabond vest, polypro gloves & regular gloves. I thought that I might warm up slightly, but after 10-15minutes, I was still pretty cold. I made it to 30min and decided to go home.

I think the lack of the neck gaitor & something on my head was the real problem. My head & neck were really cold as were my feet. All I could think about was getting home and a hot shower. Oh well...live & learn...

I also went to see Bill Roberts in N. Raleigh to have him check my bike fit. I have been having some pain on the left side of my butt, in the pantyline. Thought it might be because I had switched saddles & not got it back in the right place. So, that's the reason for checking the fit. Pretty much, after I put the white Butterfly back on the bike, it was just about in the correct position. Bill watched me pedal, took all sorts of measurements and then told me that I looked good on the bike and that most likely I should look at the shorts! I have been wearing some PI Microsensor shorts and I don't think that these agree with me. Gonna go back to the Sugoi RS Flex Shorts. At least he didn't charge me the $125 for fitting. Bill also told me that I need to start stretching at least 15 minutes a day. Will start that this evening.

Gonna wear the Sugoi's tomorrow and the rest of the week (after washing of course). Might be able to use the other shorts I've got if I do shorter rides.

As for today - it is a no ride day. Resting up, then intervals tomorrow! Yay!

Zack Attack Ride From The Grocery Bag

Met some of my friends at the local meeting place for our rides. We had a total of 10 people for the ride - 2 of which were only going to do 20 miles and at a slower pace. The rest of us were going to do the Zack Attack route, which takes you to Pine Level and back to the Grocery Bag. This route is 42 miles and really pretty flat. About 6 miles into the ride, my friend Erica decides to turn around as she isn't feeling well.

The rest of us went on from there. The pace was fairly fast, but not so fast that we couldn't talk to each other occassionally or ride side by side. We also had the wind with us all the way to Pine Level. After a brief stop at the local gas/service station, we headed back out. Unfortunately, the wind was a headwind now:(. It really slowed the group down, but that was ok too. Nothing really interesting happened on the way back except that I started to fade pretty fast. Most likely cause I didn't eat enough. Finished up climbing Jordan-Narron, which has a hill that just goes on and on.

After we finish the ride, load our bikes up and change clothes, 5 of us go down to the Grocery Bag for something to eat. Man, they have the best hotdogs and cheeseburgers!! Ate a hotdog & cheeseburger washed down with some chocolate milk. Yummy.

Stats for my ride:
Distance=43 miles
Ride Time=2:37hr
Pace=16.3mph