Out of the saddle drills. Tempo, 5 minutes sitting, 5 minutes in the drops, 5 minutes standing. 30 minutes, 45 minutes, 1 hour. Whichever works, and work up to long intervals.

I used to do light weights. 10lb dumbbells. curls, upright rows, lateral lifts, shoulder presses.
I've switched to hitting the parallel bars and pullup bar. Dips and leg lifts and pullups. I should probably mix in a day a week of light weights, but I never get around to it.

There is definitely a genetic component involved when lifting. When weight training in high school we were grouped for wrestling according to our body weight but for lifting according to our max lifting weight. I tend to gain mass faster than max lifting ability. There were lighter guys who increased their max bench press without gaining much body weight. One guy in particular was lifting nearly as much as the heavyweights and he was around 175# iirc.

I haven't done any lifting in way too long and now that I don't work my arms and upper body are pretty weak. I gave away my bench and all my weights when we moved 5 years ago.

I do no wwights except body weight. And very little of that anymore. I would like to keep the planks going for awhile. And riding the flats, of course. You guys that have hills are the lucky ones. I was just thinking about that yesterday, at the end of thirty miles of pedaling the flats. It gets old.

Did you tire of shifting?

Oh, most definitely - I'm just saying that, even if you're gifted, it takes work for gains. Nobody has 10lbs of muscle sneak up on them.

True. I remember when Greg Lemond complained about gaining 5 pounds of upper body weight by cross country skiing and said it slowed him on the bike. Maybe it did.

My ex wife and I did light lifting together which I think helped her on the mountain bike, especially when we lived in the mountains and did a lot of riding on rough trails.
What really helped her was the heavy bag. I was skeptical when she asked for one but a guy I know designed a routine for her and she would come home from work and punch that bag for a while and it put her in a better mood.

The downside was she learned to throw a punch.:(

After we split up I gave the bag to another guy who's wife had asked for one.

where I'm going, I don't need bread.:bday:

yes, when you have massive guads and can crank out huge wattage.
Where I'm going I don't need a bailout gear.

Note: I'm going nowhere.
#OnTheRoadToNowhere
#NowhereMan

What's for lunch today?

weren't you on the SS?

I’ve been lifting my butt off the past 2 weeks. Nothing else to do in Texas. According to the scales I’ve gained 8 pounds. Solid muscle, maybe, I hope.

same as it ever was.

2 Mustard pickle sandwiches on wheat English muffin with a thin slice of processed ham.

That's it? No chips, drink?

Nope

Maybe you could spend time brandishing weapons at Chipotle or when grocery shopping?

When I rode BITD my gearing was 53/42 and 13-21. I cannot believe I churned up 12%+ grades in that, but I sure am grateful for compact cranks now.

;)

Sometimes when we lift the muscles gain water weight in the short term. I suppose it's possible you gained 4 pounds per week, time will tell.

I thought about it, but everyone else looks more committed than I ever could be.

I'm trying to lose massive poundage so of course no chips. My liquid refreshment was a diet soda. I have cut back on soft drinks and now drink water instead throughout the day. Maybe at our next meet up I won't be a fat bastid. I'll just be a bastid.

Looks more committed or looks like they need to be committed?

In my 40 years living in Texas, I've never seen anyone "brandishing" a weapon. Not to say it never happens though.

One never knows who is packing.

Maybe.