Velo Vol 

wut

Bah Humbug

Enjoy it while it lasts…

datlas 

Saved Latigo for next time. Did not want to ride PCH yet again, twice was enough.

With daughter here I am sure we will be back.

LesterOfPuppets

Bathwater.

Lake Temperature 93.0 F

big john

If you let me pick you up I can drive us up the road to a safe start location. Lots of great roads in them thar hills.

Velo Vol 

Nice.

datlas 

Sounds good. Gives me a reason to come back.

I did ride up Mandeville today and set a PR. But it’s only 5 miles long. Too short to qualify as an epic climb.

Velo Vol 

I got passed by a backhoe loader earlier today.

It almost made me wish for an eBike.

datlas 

So it’s been much discussed how inaccurate Strava Power is. My impression is that if riding solo and fairly calm winds, it is reasonably accurate (within 10%) for me. On today’s 5 mile climb, done solo, I purposefully tried to ride consistently right around my FTP. I checked the Strava power for the whole climb, as well as some of the shorter segments of the climb, and I do believe it was within 10%. Maybe even closer.

Should I make a thread about how you don’t need a fancy power meter?

big john

It's really not a far drive to Baldy from where you were. That's a 25 mile climb unless you continue to the ski lift area, then it's a 29 mile climb. I'm ok with skipping the ski lift.
Of course the stars will have to align.

Velo Vol 

When I upload an activity, the average power number Strava gives seems pretty weak.

IT MUST BE WRONG.

datlas 

I did four club/group rides with LaGrange club here in LA. Their rides are open (membership not needed). Compared to my club, two major differences stand out:

First, the number of riders is HUGE. Sunday’s ride had about 70 riders. The other rides had around 20-30 riders. My club typically has 6-15 cyclists on a ride. If more than 15 it’s almost a given that they will split into two groups.

Second, these men and women really know how to ride safely. Pretty much everyone was steady and stable and held their lines. I did not see a single wobbly/squirrelly rider. In my club, despite our best efforts to correct or weed out bad behavior, there is almost always a few riders who are either inexperienced and/or oblivious which, to be honest, makes me a little nervous riding near them. It was a non-issue here. I must find out their secret.

datlas 

I’m in!

datlas 

I am simply going by my n of 1. I believe my current FTP is roughly 190w. Strava power had me at 204w for 23 minutes. I think that’s a reasonable estimate.

datlas 

BTW I weigh 65 Kg, so my FTP is 2.9 w/Kg which I think is typical for an “enthusiast” cyclist but even a mediocre Cat 4/5 would eat me for lunch.

indyfabz

I got dropped by an Amish buggy loaded with folks going to meeting one Sunday morning. In my defense, I was fully loaded and going up hill first thing in the morning.

genejockey 

I used to look at the Estimated Power and think, "It's so spiky! It can't possibly be real." Then I got a Smart Trainer with built in power meter and damned if the power trace isn't all spiky. The Scientist in my says I should get a power meter so I can see what the power is measured more directly than passing through the whole drivetrain, the wheel, the tire/roller interface, and whatever internals in the trainer before power is measured. But that jut brings back the question of how to deal with 8 bikes.

datlas 

Pedal based PM?

Mojo31

It starts Jan 1 and ends Dec 31.

Mojo31

Cancellation coverage usually only kicks in if the event is cancelled, not if a participant decides not to attend.

genejockey 

Swap pedals every time I swap bikes? Hell, it's enough of a chore swapping saddlebag, Varia, rear light, head unit, and pump! Now you want me to swap pedals?

No thanks. Too much like work.

Mojo31

Driving into Telluride today, I was surprised by the number of roadies climbing mountains. Crazy the slope and distances steadily climbed. It's more humbling than the girl passing me on the flat.

genejockey 

Mrs. GeneJockey told me last week that when she was a kid, and her Dad came home from work, she'd beg him to play with her, but he'd say, "Nah. That's too much like work!"

I not only found this heartbreaking, but also it led me to wonder what he did for work, that it was so much like playing with his own children....

Velo Vol 

See post #5199

Eric F 

70 is a good-size group, but some of the BIG groups in the So Cal area will typically be well north of 100 riders. Those rides are all FAST. Fast does a good job of filtering out the squirrels.

I've ridden with and raced against La Grange club members for years. Everyone I've come across has been good people and good riders.