Complete Reworking For Spring
03-10-21, 02:00 PM
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Complete Reworking For Spring
First ride on the Criterium Series yesterday. This 10mi Strava segment is a good breakout ride to see how the winter riding stacked up. Had the 2nd best “first ride” in 10 seasons of riding this route as a season first. Ok hooruh. What made the difference? Staying in shape on the mountain bike snow rides is always a help but not the key difference. Losing 10% body fat was huge. I’m down to 171# since January. The immediate difference was riding the 3.5mi “flat” section holding 19-22mph, numbers typically not seen until late June. God willing, this season will be interesting in terms of PRs and such, maybe doing a route I have too long put off.
The effects of weight loss on riding performance...and especially comfort...are immediately measureable.
The effects of weight loss on riding performance...and especially comfort...are immediately measureable.
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03-10-21, 07:35 PM
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I wish I could say I lost weight over the winter but at least I've stayed in the saddle the entire time so getting out for long rides in the spring will not be painful, thanks to Zwift and the odd short rides in a mild winter.
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03-11-21, 01:33 PM
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I'm starting my 'season' at a lower weight 190, but the fewest Winter miles ever.
Hiking and helping babysit a toddler at times, made for a good time.
Longer days as much as the warmth, this far North, make for pleasurable riding.
Hiking and helping babysit a toddler at times, made for a good time.
Longer days as much as the warmth, this far North, make for pleasurable riding.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
03-11-21, 04:09 PM
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03-12-21, 12:22 PM
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171? Skinny guy! 
Lucky to be in Calif. Started my Spring training a few months ago. My 40 mile ride ends with a flat section 0% according to Strava with a 7 mile segment on which I like to test myself occasionally. Couple months back I hit 22.2 average speed for the 7 miles. 22.9 5 years ago but haven't tried to top it. This was just pushing hard on the entire ride and don't know if I could top it anyway. All solo efforts.
I laugh at 171 because I am a good 60-70 pounds heavier than you and my ride buddy. But only 58 so that is like taking off a few pounds.
I've made it a point to ride more and I guess it has been showing. This was from one of my faster cycling partners. Just got this on FB on Monday.
Guess my Spring training is going good so far.
Lucky to be in Calif. Started my Spring training a few months ago. My 40 mile ride ends with a flat section 0% according to Strava with a 7 mile segment on which I like to test myself occasionally. Couple months back I hit 22.2 average speed for the 7 miles. 22.9 5 years ago but haven't tried to top it. This was just pushing hard on the entire ride and don't know if I could top it anyway. All solo efforts.
I laugh at 171 because I am a good 60-70 pounds heavier than you and my ride buddy. But only 58 so that is like taking off a few pounds.
I've made it a point to ride more and I guess it has been showing. This was from one of my faster cycling partners. Just got this on FB on Monday.
Guess my Spring training is going good so far.
Check this out:
https://www.bicycling.com/training/g...g-performance/
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03-12-21, 05:21 PM
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Yeah, I have dropped 30-40 pounds prepping for timed climbing events. I got down to 220 but skin and bones. Too hard to keep it off. I didn't eat butter, salad dressing or any fats for 6 months to get to that weight. But I finished at 123 out of 400 on a 10,000 ft 100 mile ride. Pretty good considering all serious climbers and seems most those guys are 160 pounds.
My father passed away 2 years ago. Cancer, skin and bone and he was 220 pounds. I doubt I'll ever get to less than that. I met a guy from the forums, great climber. Same height, 6'1. He said he is 180 and that I should get down to 180. We met in person and he said, oh no! My shoulders and upper arms are bigger than his thighs. I'll never get below 220 which I use as competition weight. Then I look at water and gain a pound.
One of my last rides was 23 miles with 4,000+ ft of gain so I am working on trying to get the climbing legs back. And I took 6 minutes off a local 8 mile climb with 2300 ft.
My father passed away 2 years ago. Cancer, skin and bone and he was 220 pounds. I doubt I'll ever get to less than that. I met a guy from the forums, great climber. Same height, 6'1. He said he is 180 and that I should get down to 180. We met in person and he said, oh no! My shoulders and upper arms are bigger than his thighs. I'll never get below 220 which I use as competition weight. Then I look at water and gain a pound.
One of my last rides was 23 miles with 4,000+ ft of gain so I am working on trying to get the climbing legs back. And I took 6 minutes off a local 8 mile climb with 2300 ft.
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