Free Speed

Posted In: , , . By Komo

About 3 weeks ago a rare anomaly took place, hell froze over.  Unfortunately for me, I promised 8 months earlier that when this unlikely event occurred, I would remove the P3C out of its cryogenic resting place and show it some loving it's been missing.
And with that, I've now been out on the beast for 5 rides in the past 3 weeks and I must say, I've enjoyed every minute of it, apart from the gooch which is not at all happy as I type after spending 300kms riding on the pointy end of the saddle between yesterday and today.
It is certainly taking some getting used to again as the riding style compared to the Pina is rather different.  My TT legs are slowly coming back but I definitely notice the difference with regards to the leg muscles that fire and the first point of fatigue between the 2 different setups.  I tend to find my VMO's take a battering in the TT position but on the roadie, my glutes and hamstrings feel the pain more.
There is one thing that is a given with the P3C and it is that feeling of free speed.  When the wind starts blowing or the course is flat, the effort required to propel the machine at 40kph+ seems much easier compared to the Pina.  It is a very different story when gravity takes hold and the parcours becomes gripy.  That's when the road bike comes into its own and is the preferred weapon of choice.
My current plan is to train on the roadie midweek and pull out the TT for some free speed on the weekends.  I'm enjoying both and it is a good mix.

 
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Reality Bites

Posted In: . By Komo

In designing my new workshop (aka Bike Room) for the 'Taj', I decided that if the design is to succeed, then the bike room MUST LOOK LIKE THIS http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2009/07/the-ultimate-bike-room/

So, with that thought in mind, I sent the link to the MOF to which her reply was...

"oh it will be much better than that :-) - but I don't think there will be four bikes in there though :-( Well it will if you include mine and the girls but I'm sure that's not what you had in mind???"

A little background; as it currently stands, my study is my bike room which holds a TT bike, a road bike, a road frame, 4 sets of wheels, wife's bike, Zara's bike, Mia's bike, Sienna's tricycle, Mia's balance bike, Zara's razor scooter and 2 additional 3 wheeled scooters. OUT OF CONTROL! Plus a raft of other parts including but not limited to a mag trainer and a set of rollers. So you can see the need for a purpose build bike room.

It was time to remind the MOF that I am no longer a triathlete but a roadie so my requirements have changed somewhat. I compiled a list and forwarded it on.

Didn't you know.

1. A triathlete accepts a TT bike, period. Tick - my Cervelo P3C.
2. A roadie needs a training bike, aka my current Pina FP2. Tick
3. A roadie needs his bling bling RACING bike, aka my new Pina Dogma. :0
4. A roadie needs his training wheels. Tick
5. A roadie needs his light weight racing wheels for hilly terrain.
6. A roadie needs his light weight aero wheels for crits and flattish road races.
7. A roadie needs his Aero disc and deep dish front for the odd TT - tick! Disc and 808 already in current stable.
8. Then a spare set of each of the above wheel set in case of flats in the club championships, no time to change a flat.

I wasn't sure of the response that this would illicit but here it is:

9. A roadie needs to get a grip on reality and remember he has a wife and 3.5 kiddies
10. A roadie needs to be allowed to dream when he is overwhelmed by no 9
he he he

Mmm, picture a big red "DECLINED" stamp that has been placed on your purchase order from the Dept. of Finance.

A case of subterfuge is now required on my part to procure 3, 5, 6 and 8.

 
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The Hooker's Handbag

Posted In: . By Komo

Out riding with Gaffer this morning to Mornington in what has become the normal weather pattern in recent times, loads of wind - Northerly too and once again, rain.


That is not the point of this wee rant though. As we got close to Blackrock on the return journey and 2 flats later (too many bogans throwing bottles from their Toranas in between Mordi and Frangers), we were passed by No. 3 riding an Orbea.

As he passed us, we thought, WTF is that smell? He smelt like a hooker's handbag. He had that much after shave on it was rather sickening. I must say, it is not something that I am used to when out on the bike. It just seems plain wrong when someone passes you smelling like the ground floor Bourke St fragrance department at Myer Melbourne.

Not sure what was worst, the stench of this fella as we were down wind of him or the fact that he passed us wearing a t-shirt with a 3 on his back smelling that way. Given he wasn't wet or dirty we both figured he just got on his rig at that point. We did make sure that we put the hammer down and passed him, we just could not cope with the brunt of Old Spice infiltrating our nasal passage.

So lads and lassies, leave the Eau de Parfum for the post ride post shower. Nothing wrong with the smell of sweat, tears and dirty Lycra on the bike.

Komo

 
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Drop The Heel...How does $@#% off sound?

Posted In: , . By Komo

Sick and tired of would be coaches trying to tell you, you need to drop the heel more when pedaling, especially when climbing? Well I am. So how does *#@$ OFF SOUND! I ride with my heel in its natural position, it is what it is.

Watching the TdF and observing the host of different pedalling techniques from the sprinters to the rouleurs to the climbers, they are clearly NOT the same, in fact they all have their subtle differences. Just because Alberto may do it or Carlos may do it does not mean that it is right for you.

We are NOT created equal and do not all have the same flexibility and muscle make up.
Jacques Anquetil - Toes down
Eddy Merckx - Horizontal foot
Greg LeMond - Heal down

All different but all champions. Who is right, who is wrong? None of the above. It was their natural action.

An excerpt from an article on climbing from a publication titled "Climbing for Roadies" by Coach Fred Matheny.

"If you try to change your natural foot angle to look like your favourite pro, you're likely to get injured. For example, intentionally dropping the heel during the power phase of the pedal stroke can lead to Achilles tendon injuries and calf soreness. The most efficient foot angle, and the one least likely to create injuries, is the one that you employ naturally after your cleats are correctly positioned."

So, ride your way, not someone else's way. Do what comes naturally.

What will make you ride faster up those hills:

1. A good engine so train hard
2. Ride hills more often than not
3. Lose the phat, it offers little use
4. Did I mention ride hills?

Off my high horse now,

Komo

 
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On The Road Again...

By Komo

In the words of Willie Nelson, On The Road Again, just can't wait to get on the road again.
A respite in the Tour awarded me the opportunity to hit the road mid week again. I think I needed the rest as much as those hard men of cycling who are burying themselves around France for 3 weeks.
As a die hard spectator that considers every minute essential viewing, my midweek road rides have taken a serious backward step and the rollers have been my midweek substitute in the 1st week of the Tour. But the rest day last night changed things temporarily and I managed to hit the sack well before midnight therefore allowing an early sub 5am rise and a nice 2h+ road ride before work. Sure it was cold and wet (the roads were damp from last nights rain) and the traffic a little crazy close to 7am, BUT, I was on the road again.
A great feeling - that cool crisp air sure beats the still and static nature of the MT or roller set. Stage 10 kicks off again tonight (without the race radios which should add an extra dimension to the racing) so it will be the rollers once more until Saturday and Sunday when I get out on the road again.
Here's hoping that the other teams conspire and try and add some spark to the 2nd week and derail the Astana train, as Cadel Evans said, "It would be logical if some teams would want to try to cooperate. If not, let's just give Astana the podium flowers now."
It is certainly shaping up that way.
Over and outski,
Komo

 
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Conquering the Rollers

By Komo

Finally, after many trials and tribulations, I have mastered the art of riding on the rollers. I managed 1.5h on them this morning and will ride another 1h on them tonight as bad weather forced my hand somewhat and I decided it was time to finally sort out how to ride these whacky contraptions once and for all.
It is NOT as easy as I had thought. My first attempt lasted 5 minutes and that was with thongs on and gripping the dining table with vice like strength. The rollers did not want a bar of me and kept wanting to spit me off the side. Mmm, time for some research, www.Youtube.com to the rescue as I searched for some vids of "how to" ride these things for the first time.
When attempting to ride on the rollers for the first time, I few things I found difficult to figure out:
1) How do I actually get on the bike?
2) How do I actually get on the bike with bike shoes and cleats?
3) How do I prevent myself for launching off into god knows what at escape velocity?
I have since managed to answer all of those questions with the key being to start riding in between a door frame making sure that I could push off the frame with my elbows to correct any sideways movement, much like pushing off another rider with your elbows when they get to close to you in a bunch. A few other things I have noticed which help make the ride smooth is to be relaxed, do not strangle the bars; keep a nice relaxed grip; pedal smoothly, very critical, choppy action is not good; engage the core, helps maintain stability. I think they are great for overall riding technique.
But one question still eludes me and that is :
1) How do I get to the bidon without falling? I still need to hang on to the door frame and then reach for it. Might need to go the camelbak option until further notice.....
So, what does this all mean?
It means that I can comfortably navigate my way around France in July 09 in the comfort of my home when the rest of the family is fast asleep! I plan on riding for approx. 2 to 2.5h per night on the rollers whilst watching the TdF stages and the rollers are quiet compared to the mag trainer.
The TdF impacts my ability to train as this is MUST WATCH VIEWING for me and I do no let anything get in the way of that. In the past, this has not been a big issue as it has been triathlon off season. But now the road racing season is in full swing and I do not want to lose any conditioning so I need to find another way to get the miles in (the weekday miles).
There is one added bonus, the Tour has in past years been a Festivus of Nutella, I'm not sure I will be skilled enough to jam down Nutella ladened sandwiches while navigating the rollers. It's a good thing too.
Well that's they way I roll,
Komo

 
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To The Victor Goes The Spoils

Posted In: , , . By Komo

After taking 2nd in the crit 2 weeks ago (was convinced I won it on the line but lost it on a photo), I have finally had the 1st win of my crit racing days, albeit C grade but you have to start somewhere. Whilst not taxed until the last 2mins, I hit a max HR of 179 in the straight on the final sprint and won by a bike length or thereabouts.

I decided to keep my cards close to my chest today and take the occasional turn on the front. At one point I upped the ante and rode a few laps setting a tempo that was somewhat faster than what we had been travelling at. With no one moving or taking any initiative, I decided to fall back towards the tail end and rest the legs for the finale. A few attacks came and went but the bunch quickly chased them down and it was a rather uneventful 50min of racing.

On the last lap, one lad attacked about 1km out and created a nice gap of about 50m. It was time to move into position. The guy that pipped me on the line 2 weeks ago started to bridge the gap so I just sat on his wheel and let him do all of the work. At the 2nd last corner, we closed the gap and I was sitting pretty at 5th wheel into the final straight.

As I cornered at full gas, my pedal scraped the road and I was lucky to survive and not come off. I then put the head down, was pushing a big gear and wound in the 4 in front and managed to gain clear ground with about 15m or so to go and take the win, no photo required this week. No, I did not go for any heroic victory salute, there was no way the hands were coming off the bars. (It does amaze me how the likes of Cavendish, Boonen, etc casually sit up and throw the arms out when going at full tilt).

There ends my time in C grade so I will no start riding the B grade crits and I am looking forward to the challenge. It will be interesting to see how much quicker the sprint to the line will be and how much cagier I'll have to be in order to get a win.

More time in the saddle and more learning to come.

Komo


 
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