The effort was a bit odd. Got a decent warm up (10min) but HR was wicked low to start off with and then I pegged the speed at where I've been trying to hold it (this old unit has more resistance than the newer ones it seems, which is good for a CX bike and the shorter gearing). But I'd have to borrow a powertap to be certain or to at least calibrate this unit. Plenty of Fluid2 power curves are online but not for this one.
Either way about 5 min into the 20 min effort I was completely drenched with sweat. Yeah yeah doing a trainer interval outside when it is 75 F is maybe kind of insane, but, well I wanted to do it on the CX bike and I only have one set of wheels with the firecrest width and braking track angle. HR stayed low, until about 5 to go, then the blood started pumping. I guess maybe I need more than 10 min in the morning unless I have more coffee and sleep to get the HR up from the start. Either way the legs were torched and I couldn't have gone any faster.
Every 5-8 minutes I would stand up to boost the speed and change the muscle recruitment, and then with 1:30 to go I stood up to just use ever last mg of glycogen in the legs (and the rest of me, i was wicked dizzy and twitchy when finished).
Pop 19:58 on the interval and the bike got wiggly. The rear weld there let go. I tried to soft pedal to cool down but after 2 min of holding onto the table to keep everything steady I gave up and headed to the showers. Taking the bike off well, that was a problem. Unclamping busted the other side off. Oops.
At least it waited until I was finished with that interval. It is an old system but the fluid unit is still working *knocking on wood* and has more resistance than the newer ones. And it is paid for. Maybe I can get it welded up for a bottle of Sailor Jerry. If not? Well, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.
It got me thinking about warm ups and what maybe the best approach will be for this weekend. The almost three laps I managed to sneak in before the noon race were great, really hard openers on the course following and catching people. I got the HR up but not too much and got a good feel for the awesome course. Vermont. What will Vermont bring.
The 1pm start time on Saturday will feel a lot like Quad, and hopefully getting there with time to get Burke ready to race will afford me a good pacing for both seeing the course and also warming up. The problem with the length of the typical/historical course is that you can't get very many laps in between races. Maybe one sometimes. That isn't a big deal on a familiar course and with a 40 min race going off before the 45+ dudes there should be time to get two laps in. We'll see what happens though. But based on this morning 10 min spinning on the trainer just isn't enough. 10 min futzing around followed by 15 min of hitting the course at speed actually should be about right. Trainer? Who needs a stinking trainer. Other than to do intervals and warm up under the tent if it is raining.
And the weather is looking okay for the weekend (right now). Maybe a bit warm. But hell I was sweating on Sunday but nothing like this morning. I can survive another hot weekend, maybe. Surviving a night at the compound? I should practice sleeping with ear plugs in...
Cyclocross season, underway. Oh and Geo had a killer observation about me and the flat tire:
"There was no cloud of negativity for which the flat might become a lighting rod"
Truth. I was having a blast. Oh well. And the thought wasn't 'oh that is going to suck too much to run to the pit with 2 to go." it was "No way I want to screwup someone else's race, this was good enough."
To be honest I'm contemplating putting the HRM on the bike for CX if just to try it out and see if it helps me push harder at all, keep focus and what not. Definitely need to start more aggressively than I did on sunday. Tail-gunning for 1/2 a lap is a sure fire way of slipping a few spots at the finish. The argument has been made in the past that you will finish where you finish no matter the start position and if you start slow you have more for later. Back and forth on that a bit still. I can see the logic on both sides. I guess the goal is to go hard enough to get to where you are comfortably killing yourself but not so hard you destroy any last lap power. Seems pretty mater of fact put like that. And not really a razor sharp edge. Pretty broad.
Can't wait for this weekend.
heddwch
G
7 comments:
I have a Minoura frame you can have if you want to try to mount your fluid pod. The mag unit came off. I was too aggravated to look too closely and bought a Blackburn.
i just bought a fresh bottle of sailor jerry. should be able to weld it no prob, i think my power lead is long enough to get upstairs.
Starting: I think if you tail gun, you find yourself not riding in groups, and that is slower, and in the long run you trade three laps at the end with fresher legs, alone, for three laps in the beginning riding groups way faster. I never seem to recover from a slow start.
Find the nearest shop that has sold a bunch of whatever brand trainer you have and that has been around for a few years. Odds are good they have at least one frame floating around (probably using it for doing quick fittings) that they had to rob the resistance unit off of for a warranty. Most times they don't get an new head, just a credit.
Either that or skulking about after the cross races and scoop up the trainer that is almost always left.
I've scoured around for frames. No good. These actually were warrantied/recalled by Cycleops before they were purchased by Saris.
AKA known issue. this is a left over. The fluid unit doesn't bolt to many others.
And besides. How cool would it look all f'k'n welded up and shit. Bad ass balzy.
Fast start it is. I'm sure Jonny 'The Big Pussy' Bold would agree.
Yes, fast start. Go deep, deep, deep into the red the first time up the hill. Get off the smooth line and take the deep, bumpy grass. Use your size to chop your way back in. Don't give an inch at any point. If you can get over excited and start screaming at people, all the better. You will get to the top of the course in good position that way, and you'll only need to hang on for 42 more minutes. Solid.
I know a guy who can weld the shit out of anything if Jerry can't get to it. Drop me an email if needed.
it is all welded up - probably won't test it till Wed again.
Kind of have to bump it up to 2x20 instead of the lame'o 1x20 though. Welds look beefy enough...
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