How fer did you ride today?!
#6226
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went out for a weekday 30-35, unanticipated thunderstorm rolled in, with wind and heavy rain, so I made a dash for home along the main road. Flatted the rear tire - probably hit some unseen gravel on the ratty litter-strewn shoulder. Put in the spare tube at the roadside in the downpour. A young guy in a small SUV pulled over and offered a lift, but like idiot, I responded " appreciate it, but I can't get any wetter and the tire's almost fixed" - bad move. About a 1/4 mile down the road I blow the rear tire again, but this time no spare tube. Faced with rolling home on the flat, and likely chewing up the rim, or ruining an almost new pair of cleats, I make the Call of Shame to my daughter. Made it 27 miles @ 18 mph av. I actually like cycling in the rain, but the thunder and lightning prompted the dash home - next time, stay off the main road, though.
Last edited by 13ollocks; 05-07-24 at 10:35 AM.
#6227
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Location: Jacksonville, FL
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I just select reply or last and all is good.
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#6228
Commuter
Join Date: Jun 2022
Location: SE Wisconsin, USA
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Bikes: Main Bikes: 2023 Trek Domane AL3, 2022 Aventon Level.2 eBike, 1972 Schwinn Varsity, 2024 Priority Apollo 11
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Got in 64 today with 38 miles of 18 mph headwinds, but made for a quicker return, but man did it get hot and humid for the last 45 mins, the clouds went away and the sun started to bake me and the earth pretty good. I unfortunately did not realize that the road I opted to return back on was being torn up, it was not that way 3 weeks ago, so I did about 8 miles on the sidewalk versus the potential of being nailed by a side mirror. I also believe after today's ride, I have confirmed my thoughts to unload some bikes as I have found that the CheckPoint is just fulfilling my road and gravel needs all too well and I just don't need the others. So I am going see about finding new homes for my Domane and Emonda. Might build up a mountain bike with the proceeds.
If it were me, I would miss having a light, fast-rolling bike.
I start to think that way after a couple rides on my gravel bike, then I get on my Domane and realize how much easier it is at speeds over 15 mph. On the Domane,cruising at 20 mph with a tailwind is nearly effortless, but keeping at that speed on the gravel bike is not.
I suggest taking a nice road ride three days in a row:
1) on the CheckPoint
2) on the Domane
3) on the Emonda
Same route each time.
You don't want to go overboard selling bikes and realize you made a hole later just because you were in a phase.
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#6229
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Whoa, careful there. I can maybe understand it replacing the Domane, if it's as comfortable, but I doubt it will be as fast or light as the Emonda.
If it were me, I would miss having a light, fast-rolling bike.
I start to think that way after a couple rides on my gravel bike, then I get on my Domane and realize how much easier it is at speeds over 15 mph. On the Domane,cruising at 20 mph with a tailwind is nearly effortless, but keeping at that speed on the gravel bike is not.
I suggest taking a nice road ride three days in a row:
1) on the CheckPoint
2) on the Domane
3) on the Emonda
Same route each time.
You don't want to go overboard selling bikes and realize you made a hole later just because you were in a phase.
If it were me, I would miss having a light, fast-rolling bike.
I start to think that way after a couple rides on my gravel bike, then I get on my Domane and realize how much easier it is at speeds over 15 mph. On the Domane,cruising at 20 mph with a tailwind is nearly effortless, but keeping at that speed on the gravel bike is not.
I suggest taking a nice road ride three days in a row:
1) on the CheckPoint
2) on the Domane
3) on the Emonda
Same route each time.
You don't want to go overboard selling bikes and realize you made a hole later just because you were in a phase.
#6230
Senior Member
Today I rode 25 miles.
#6231
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Location: SE Wisconsin, USA
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25 miles for me as well
https://strava.app.link/CjrFcYahqJb
It was thunderstorming on and off all day today. When I left work, it was just finishing and then the sun came out and it was beautiful for a few hours until dark. I took full advantage of that and snuck in a 25 mile ride on my gravel bike, I’m sure glad it had fenders.
my legs are kind of sore now; I rode yesterday too. I hope I didn’t ruin myself for leading the group ride tomorrow…
The bike was covered with stuck-on limestone slime. I was so glad it is a belt drive bike; I just hosed it off and toweled it off when I got home and it looks as good as new.
You can see the soup further on down the trail.
In the background, you can see the RecPlex, which is a huge indoor exercise facility. It has two full size swimming pools, weight training, running track and others things. There is a path around the lake, but it is usually too crowded with pedestrians to be considered for cycling, plus the pavement is bad. There is a beer garden and swimming beach off to the right, and folks can rent canoes or kayaks on which to cruise around the lake. No motorboats allowed, or even sailboats. (except maybe sailboards)
It was thunderstorming on and off all day today. When I left work, it was just finishing and then the sun came out and it was beautiful for a few hours until dark. I took full advantage of that and snuck in a 25 mile ride on my gravel bike, I’m sure glad it had fenders.
my legs are kind of sore now; I rode yesterday too. I hope I didn’t ruin myself for leading the group ride tomorrow…
The bike was covered with stuck-on limestone slime. I was so glad it is a belt drive bike; I just hosed it off and toweled it off when I got home and it looks as good as new.
You can see the soup further on down the trail.
In the background, you can see the RecPlex, which is a huge indoor exercise facility. It has two full size swimming pools, weight training, running track and others things. There is a path around the lake, but it is usually too crowded with pedestrians to be considered for cycling, plus the pavement is bad. There is a beer garden and swimming beach off to the right, and folks can rent canoes or kayaks on which to cruise around the lake. No motorboats allowed, or even sailboats. (except maybe sailboards)
Last edited by Smaug1; 05-08-24 at 07:47 AM. Reason: Added caption to 2nd photo
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#6233
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37 miles after the storms pushed on.
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#6234
Commuter
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Today so far:
I don't believe the biergarten near the finish of the ride is open weeknights yet; too bad. I may bring my stein just in case...
- 4 miles commuting on the eBike, Zone 1
- 10 miles downtown and back on the eBike, Zone 2
I don't believe the biergarten near the finish of the ride is open weeknights yet; too bad. I may bring my stein just in case...
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#6235
Grupetto Bob
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#6236
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I kept mine solidly in zone 2, averaged 250ish watts for the hour. My HRV had been suppressed a bit and my resting HR a bit elevated the last couple of days, but I'm back in racing form according to the stats this morning. Just in time for this year's penultimate Wednesday night XC tonight, feeling pretty confident about being on top of the box again this week.
#6237
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Got in a total of 36.6 miles and 2.2k climbing on Rouvy. Going to be 97 with strong winds out of the west and high humidity tomorrow, rain most of Friday, so I will probably be doing some more Rouvy miles in the AC with my 2 fans. Saturday looks to be wonderful, probably one of the last cold fronts to make it this far South for the spring, high near 80 with < 10 mph winds out of the NW and low humidity.
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#6238
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About 21ish miles on the MTB, but not all of it was racing...normalized power of 320 watts for about an hour. Anyway, 2nd place put in a couple of attacks...1 of them is on the first lap. He got a gap on the first one, but I didn't panic and slowly caught up over the course of several minutes. His last attack was on the last lap and I was able to cover it fairly well. As soon as I got back onto his wheel on the final climb, I counterattacked and ended up getting a surprisingly large gap(nearly a minute) over the final mile of racing...good enough for the win.
#6239
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Today so far:
I don't believe the biergarten near the finish of the ride is open weeknights yet; too bad. I may bring my stein just in case...
- 4 miles commuting on the eBike, Zone 1
- 10 miles downtown and back on the eBike, Zone 2
I don't believe the biergarten near the finish of the ride is open weeknights yet; too bad. I may bring my stein just in case...
Every time I do something like this, I gain a new respect for the pros who do these grand tours riding 70+ miles per day for 2-3 weeks, averaging over 25 mph each day, and often while climbing 7,000' or more per day. My local speed demons are happy when they go one night per week in a (illegal) peloton and get 25 mph for 25 miles. I consider them fast and strong, but the pros are an order of magnitude stronger.
I will almost certainly not ride today. It is supposed to rain all day, then I will drive to go spend time with my daughter in the evening. Maybe just eBike commuting tomorrow. I'm contemplating my first "gravel race" (I won't be "racing", just riding) Saturday up in northern WI. I need a new saddle. I have the one that came on my Domane on the gravel bike and it is too hard. The Selle X-2 on my Domane is outstanding, but it's too late to get another one new. I may have a local guy with one to give or sell to me.
If you want to follow me on Strava, here's a link to my profile: https://www.strava.com/athletes/120040584
If you do, drop me a message there saying you're from here so I know who you are and where I met you.
Last edited by Smaug1; 05-09-24 at 08:17 AM.
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#6240
Commuter
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About 21ish miles on the MTB, but not all of it was racing...normalized power of 320 watts for about an hour. Anyway, 2nd place put in a couple of attacks...1 of them is on the first lap. He got a gap on the first one, but I didn't panic and slowly caught up over the course of several minutes. His last attack was on the last lap and I was able to cover it fairly well. As soon as I got back onto his wheel on the final climb, I counterattacked and ended up getting a surprisingly large gap(nearly a minute) over the final mile of racing...good enough for the win.
I chalk it up to the endurance you've built up over all the road rides, including a lot of climbing.
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#6242
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Did 49 miles and 5400' of gravel at an easy pace. My legs were feeling a bit tired today, so I didn't want to build up too much fatigue by the end of the week. Did some of my favorite local gravel/fire roads. Saw a bear and her cub, they weren't too interested in me...unfortunately I didn't have time to grab a pic of them, but I see at least several bears a year, so I'll get another chance. Perfect spring day up in the mountains today, averaged around 70.
Last edited by Sierra_rider; 05-09-24 at 08:21 PM.
#6243
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Did 49 miles and 5400' of gravel at an easy pace. My legs were feeling a bit tired today, so I didn't want to build up too much fatigue by the end of the week. Did some of my favorite local gravel/fire roads. Saw a bear and her cub, they were too interested in me...unfortunately I didn't have time to grab a pic of them, but I see at least several bears a year, so I'll get another chance. Perfect spring day up in the mountains today, averaged around 70.
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#6245
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Yesterday was a rest day.
Today, I will have 4 miles on the eBike commuting.
Then, I will pack the car and drive up to the northwoods for the Hungry Bear gravel race: https://hungrybeargravel.com/information
I waited too long to register, wanting to be sure of the weather before I drive 4+ hours each way, so they sold out. I emailed the director and he replied simply: "If you show up, we can figure something out."
I booked a hotel and will pack and leave after lunch.
Note that I won't be "racing". I'm slow and so's my bike, I just thought it would be fun to do a gravel ride up in the northwoods.
Today, I will have 4 miles on the eBike commuting.
Then, I will pack the car and drive up to the northwoods for the Hungry Bear gravel race: https://hungrybeargravel.com/information
I waited too long to register, wanting to be sure of the weather before I drive 4+ hours each way, so they sold out. I emailed the director and he replied simply: "If you show up, we can figure something out."
I booked a hotel and will pack and leave after lunch.
Note that I won't be "racing". I'm slow and so's my bike, I just thought it would be fun to do a gravel ride up in the northwoods.
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#6246
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107 miles. Decided to take a mostly unpaved route back to avoid sharp debris that has been more evident than usual on the cycling "friendly" roads. Kinda pooped & need to clean everything up.
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#6247
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Today I rode 26 miles. Almost to my 100 mile per week goal.
#6248
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54 miles and 6300' of climbing today. My legs didn't feel the greatest at the start of the day, as I did some gym work last night, but they quickly warmed up. Managed to set a PR on the main climb of the day, a measly 13 seconds faster than last week over a 5+mile climb.
The last time I did this exact loop was over 3 years ago. I managed to do it 22 minutes faster today, with an average HR 4 beats lower, yet with an average power of 15ish watts higher.
The last time I did this exact loop was over 3 years ago. I managed to do it 22 minutes faster today, with an average HR 4 beats lower, yet with an average power of 15ish watts higher.
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#6249
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Got in 24 miles and 1220 ft of Rouvy, was out of power most of the day due to some heavy storms that rolled through this morning and I tree limb down the road took out a powerline. Now I get to play catch up on the work I needed to do today. However, tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day, calls for wind < 10, but it is still blowing pretty hard here, 25+, so thinking the < 10 is a lie, but will see.
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#6250
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Got in 24 miles and 1220 ft of Rouvy, was out of power most of the day due to some heavy storms that rolled through this morning and I tree limb down the road took out a powerline. Now I get to play catch up on the work I needed to do today. However, tomorrow is supposed to be a nice day, calls for wind < 10, but it is still blowing pretty hard here, 25+, so thinking the < 10 is a lie, but will see.
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