Sunday Cruise

Route and Ride Data Links:

Strava - Today's Route

Ride Metrics:

Distance (mile): 33
Speed (mph): 18
Cadence (rpm): 70
Time Moving: 1:49:27
Time Total: 1:49:27
Work (kj): 833
Normal Power: 141
Average Power: 127
Max Power: 449
VI: 1.11
TSS: 102.6
IF: 0.752

Goal:

Build Endurance

Ride Description:

Easy going out and back spin

Weather:

Temperature Start (F): 82

Temperature Finish (F): 82

Wind: SSE 11 mph

Sky: Partly cloudy

Nutrition Intake During and Immediately After:

Bottle #1 24oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops
Post Ride: 30 gram protein drink

Gear:

 Felt  B10 

Brewery Solo 100 - Barely

Route and Ride Data Links:

Strava - Today's Route

Ride Metrics:

Distance (mile): 102
Speed (mph): 16
Cadence (rpm): 68
Time Moving: 6:22:22
Time Total: 6:36:08
Work (kj): 2773
Normal Power: 143
Average Power: 121
Max Power: 465
VI: 1.19
TSS: 367.9
IF: 0.763

Goal:

Ride!!

Ride Description:

Sooner or later this day was coming. A day when it all comes unraveled or so it felt. I could blame it on the sustained headwinds, but it was more than that. Some of it not being acclimated to the heat just yet and some of it just plain ole fatigue from decent intervals during the week. At the 50 mile mark I realized this should have been about a 50 mile day. Unfortunately I had one choice and that was to spin those cranks and get back. 

This may be my last 100 mile ride until late fall when the weather cools back down.

Update: After my ride today (Sunday) I found out that my front brake caliper is really loose and the front wheel was not spinning freely. There was no noise and the friction was low, but that may have played a small role yesterday in the struggle. Although I was struggling physically with fatigue before this ride.

Weather:

Temperature Start (F): 66

Temperature Finish (F): 85

Wind: SE 9mph

Sky: Sunny

Nutrition Intake During and Immediately After:

Bottle #1 24oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops (finished at 75)
Bottle #2 10oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops
Bottle #3 24oz. Water (finished at 100)
GU gel at mile 24
Clif Bar at mile 65
GU gel at mile 75
Post Ride: 30 gram protein drink

Gear:

 Felt  B10 

Brewery Solo 100

Route and Ride Data Links:

Strava - Today's Route

Ride Metrics:

Distance (mile): 100.3
Speed (mph): 18
Cadence (rpm): 68
Time Moving: 5:32:07
Time Total: 5:43:21
Work (kj): 2657
Normal Power: 153
Average Power: 133
Max Power: 454
VI: 1.14
TSS: 361.4
IF: 0.812

Elevation Gain: 3037 ft

Goal:

Build Endurance and enjoy the ride

Ride Description:

Out and Back Spin on my usual Saturday route. Many would probably get bored with it, but I love being down in aero spinning up and back at a brisk pace.

Weather:

Temperature Start (F): 65

Temperature Finish (F): 80

Wind: SSW 7 mph

Sky: Cloudy to Sunny

Nutrition Intake During and Immediately After:

Bottle #1 24oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops (finished mile 76)
Bottle #2 12oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops
Bottle #3 6oz. Water
GU gel at mile 24
Clif Bar at mile 65
Post Ride: 30 gram protein drink

Gear:

 Felt  B10 

Brewery Solo 100

Route and Ride Data Links:

Strava - Today's Route

Ride Metrics:

Distance (mile): 102.7
Speed (mph): 17
Cadence (rpm): 69
Time Moving: 6:02:41 
Time Total: 6:19:02
Work (kj): 2668 
Normal Power: 143
Average Power: 123
Max Power: 428
VI: 1.17
TSS: 346.8
IF: 0.761

Goal:

Just ride

Ride Description:

I took it kind of easy today being that on Wednesday I tweaked my knee during indoor intervals when the Kickr decided to randomly lock down the resistance as does at times. There was an audible and physical pop and it was too tender to train on Thursday. Today I experienced some discomfort at times during the ride and was careful not to have any abrupt changes in intensity. I will just watch it for the next few days and see if it something that may heal on its own.

Anyway, no crying in cycling! Just get out there and get it done and enjoy the journey. That's what I did today. I just enjoyed spinning a few miles.

Weather:

Temperature Start (F): 68

Temperature Finish (F): 82

Wind: Variable SSE Breezy to sustained light headwind on the last 20 miles

Sky: Cloudy start, sunny end

Nutrition Intake During and Immediately After:

Bottle #1 24oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops (finished mile 80)
Bottle #2 15oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops
Bottle #3 6oz. Water
GU gel at mile 24
Clif Bar at mile 65
Post Ride: 30 gram protein drink

Gear:

 Felt  B10 

Sunday Solo Cruise

Route and Ride Data Links:

Strava - Today's Route

Ride Metrics:

Distance (mile): 40.4
Speed (mph): 19.5
Cadence (rpm): 72
Time Moving: 2:05:13
Time Total: 2:07:46
Work (kj): 1075
Normal Power: 155
Average Power: 143
Max Power: 510
VI: 1.09
TSS: 141.5
IF: 0.827

Goal:

Build Endurance

Ride Description:

Out and Back Spin. Nice to get out and spin a few miles. Even with a bit of fatigue from yesterday's ride things flowed well today. Had the foot traffic not been as heavy and some longer traffic stops, I think I might have set a new PR for the ride total. Fitness seems to be coming back, but I am still well under my best FTP and watts/kg of last year.

However, coming out of that illness with extensive aerobic training using longer duration intervals at a lower intensity seems to have been better for me and I feel better on the longer routes at holding that power. Some would be having a fit right now saying that training in "no man's land" is just pure junk miles. Hmm.....I am feeling pretty good with the 100 mile route and then hitting another frisky 40 TT type pace the next day. Well better than I was doing last year when I was fixated on trying to drive up my FTP using VO2Max short intervals, but was fading on the long routes.

Weather:

Temperature Start (F): 77
Temperature Finish (F): 77
Wind: Breezy S 8 mph (crosswind)
Sky: Sunny

Nutrition Intake During and Immediately After:

Bottle #1 24oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops
GU gel at mile 20
Post Ride: 30 gram protein drink

Gear:

 Felt  B10 

Brewery Solo 100

Nice flat sections, but it is not all flat

Route and Ride Data Links:

Strava - Today's Route

Ride Metrics:

Distance (mile): 100.4
Speed (mph): 17.7
Cadence (rpm): 69
Time Moving: 5:40:40
Time Total: 5:58:01
Work (kj): 2533
Normal Power: 145
Average Power: 124
Max Power: 437
VI: 1.16
TSS: 330.3
IF: 0.76

Elevation Gain:    3059 ft

Goal:

Build Endurance

Ride Description:

My usual route for an out and back spin. Last weekend I was in a summer kit and back to cool weather gear this morning. I suppose the extra weight slowed me down a little, but I struggled mostly with staying focused on the pace. Everything felt great and when I was focused I had no issues holding the tempo, but several times my mind went off somewhere and a few miles later I realized I dropped my pace. That dreaded ADD.

Anyway it was nice to get out and spin a few miles.

Weather:

Temperature Start (F): 38
Temperature Finish (F): 68
Wind: 8 mph NNW
Sky: Cloudy start, partly cloudy finish

Nutrition Intake During and Immediately After:

Bottle #1 24oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops (finished at mile 72)
Bottle #2 15oz. Water, BSN Amino X, Maltodextrin, Trace Mineral Drops
Bottle #3 0oz. Water
GU gel at mile 24
Clif Bar at mile 65
Post Ride: 30 gram protein drink

Gear:

 Felt  B10 

Sunday Cruise

Route and Ride Data Links:

Strava - Today's Route

Ride Metrics:

Distance (mile): 40.6
Speed Avg. (mph): 18.7
Cadence (rpm): 71
Time Moving: 2:10:33
Time Total: 2:13:47
Work (kj): 995
Normal Power: 143
Average Power: 127
Max Power: 465
VI: 1.13
TSS: 123
IF: 0.755

Goal:

Build Endurance

Ride Description:

Out and Back Spin. I went mostly easy and the first miles my legs were feeling the fatigue from yesterday's ride. By the end my legs were feeling better. 

I tried out the DeSoto Sports Mobius bib shorts today. They share many of the same attributes as the 400-Mile bibs with some slight differences. The material has less compression compared to the Forza, but still more supportive compared to some other brands in my stash. Some may prefer the Mobius because it has less compression. I have a few friends that prefer a loose feeling material. Me? I like the supportive feel of the Forza material especially as the miles are extended and the fatigue starts to build (80 to 100+ miles). The Mobius will still be a nice addition to my collection and will be used in those short to medium length courses (40 to 60 mile routes).

Weather:

Temperature Start (F): 77
Temperature Finish (F): 81
Wind: Breezy
Sky: Sunny

Nutrition Intake During and Immediately After:

Bottle #1 24oz. Water, Xtend BCAA, Maltodextrin
Post Ride: 30 gram protein drink

Gear:

 Felt  B10 

Solo 100 and 2017 Desoto 400 Mile Bib

2017 DeSoto Sports 400 Mile Bib Short

The 400 Mile Bibs have been my go to short for a number of years. 

Route and Ride Data Links:

Strava - Today's Route

Ride Metrics:

Distance (mile): 100.4
Speed (mph): 18.2
Cadence (rpm): 71
Time Moving: 5:31:50
Time Total: 5:42:28
Work (kj): 2714
Normal Power: 155
Average Power: 136
Max Power: 434
VI: 1.14
TSS: 364.8
IF: 0.816

Goal:

Build Endurance

Ride Description:

Out and Back Spin. Once again headwinds on the way up and tailwinds on the way back. No complaints with that scenario and no complaints from the 2017 DeSoto 400 Mile bib shorts. 

I ordered and received the latest 400 Mile and Mobius bib shorts to add to my collection of DeSoto bibs and shorts. I had no fear of cutting the tags off and wearing a brand new pair on today's longer route. Anything over 50 to 60 miles I will be using the 400 mile pad. But to be honest I use these shorts and bibs for 95% of my rides and training, including shorter indoor intervals. 

One of my thoughts on purchasing cycling gear is that anything that melts into the background and is not noticed becomes my best gear. It is the stuff that distracts, disturbs and annoys during the ride that gets poor marks from me. Cycling for me is the focus on cycling and not focusing on gear during the ride. If I don't notice it and I have to think about it to give a review than it is likely functioning like I want as a consumer.

Once again Emilio has raised the bar on the 400 Mile Bib shorts and I didn't think that was possible. The new straps are very comfortable and very light feeling. I like the pad thickness and density for a longer route. I also like the Forza material that has a light compression feel. The side pockets are handy for stashing gels for those long self-supported rides and there is a larger pocket in the back that would hold a phone. I have never used the rear pocket, but it is there if you need one.

No issues during today's ride with comfort or other issues. The 2017 400 Mile bib short will be getting a lot more miles this year. You can find more information at DeSoto Sports. If you desire less compression in the material, thinner pad or all black with no white stitching just check out what they have at DeSoto's web page. They have a variety to pick from that suit different tastes and goals. Today's ride was on the Felt with most of time spent down in aero and using a Cobb V-flow plus saddle.

Weather:

Temperature Start (F): 52

Temperature Finish (F): 71

Wind: 7mph NNW

Sky: Partly cloudy

Nutrition Intake During and Immediately After:

Bottle #1 24oz. Water, Extend BCAA, Maltodextrin (finished mile 70)
Bottle #2 15oz. Water, Extend BCAA, Maltodextrin
Bottle #3 0oz. Water
GU gel at mile 24
Clif Bar at mile 60
Post Ride: 30 gram protein drink

Gear:

 Felt  B10 

Of course the main attraction for me is this pad, but all of it together makes a great short.

Very light bib straps do not cut in or pull. They are very comfortable.

Nice wide leg band from the Mobius material is very comfortable.