Location: Philly on one side, Pittsburgh on another, the Green Between...
Posts: 5,857
I went farther, faster than I have ever gone. Normal ride is about 25-30 miles at about 15-16 mph. Last night I upped it to the B ride to see what I was made of. I ate pretty well throughout the day, but could have used a few more long-term carbs in my system, I think.
Anyway, I get to the meeting place and all the groups are gearing up. We have a healthy biking community in the Harrisburg area, and about 100-150 people show up for these rides. My group was about 15 guys and women. Anyway, we get rolling and the pace is fine. We're doing about 16 mph in a double pace line. About half-way through, I'm still feeling good, though a coulle people are feeling it. I hang back to pull for one of the riders (the fact that she was cute had absolutely NO impact on that decision)...
After a boatload of hills, at about mile 20, we regroup. I'm still feeling fine, and in fact am doing a little better after the hills than some of the more experienced guys.
We enter another hilly section that separates the group into three subgroups. I am caught in the back group and decide to make a move to the second subgroup. Uphill. The burn is incredible, but when I crest the hill I see them about 250 yards ahead. I throw hit into the big gear and roll, catching them pretty quickly. My lungs are on fire, but I tuck it in and draft in the group to catch my wind. It works.
I look up ahead and see the front group about 400 yards ahead. I make the jump and one guy goes with me. We ride like the hounds of Hades are at our heels, but we catch them. Which is good, because my vision had been reduced to asingle pinpoint of light, through which I could see red lycra up ahead. It became my point of focus. Again, i tuck in and catch my breath. There are six of us in the front group.
We enter a section that is traditionally a fast-run area. They start pulling and we go into a single paceline. I look down at my computer. We are doing 20 mph and gaining speed. The front guy peels off. The second guy goes front. I loo at my computer again. 25 mph. We are hauling at this point. It's my turn at the front next, and I'm a little nervous.
The front guy peels off and the wind hits me in the chest like a brick. I hold the front for about 20 seconds until we come to a stop sign. We take a look back for the Peloton, but they are not to be seen, so we continue forward. Again, these guys kick it into a gear that is at the top of my ability, but I make up my mind to stay with them.
Again we go single file paceline. These guys are strong. Each spends about 90 to 120 seconds at the front of the line. My turn at the front again. I last about 30 seconds. As I peel off, I realize I am losing too much speed too quickly. They pass by me and I have to pedal like hell just to catch the back wheel of the last guy in the line. At this point, we are hitting about 27 mph, with peaks of about 30. I am suffering, but I am finishing.
Finally, the end comes. It is merciful, and sweet, like redemption in spring. We do a cool down and coast into the parking lot, all of us feeling pretty good about the ride, but no one feeling better about it, I suspect, than I.
Distance: 36.5 miles
Average: 18.04 mph
Max: 37.8 mph
Terrain: Hills
Weather: Windy, warm high 60s-low 70s
Location: Philly on one side, Pittsburgh on another, the Green Between...
Posts: 5,857
Epilogue:
I came into the parking lot and was putting my bike on the car. This guy comes up next to me that started riding the same time I did. I recognized him and we struck up a conversation. He said he didn't see me in his group and I said I went with a different group.
He asked, "Which one?"
I told him and he was impressed. "Wow, looks like you graduated," he said.
Sweet! Thanks for the report - makes me want to get back on the road today just a little - fuckin' Womble, all I want to do is mtb ride now. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
ODB moves on the flats - and he only uses half his pedal stroke with no clips. Crazy. Joe, you need to get some clips man. On the way back to the car, we had to hit paved roads and I'm easily pedaling 20-21 mph on JPs full suspension rig. Gotta wonder if the calibration is different than my cycloputer because I am working hard to maintain 21-23 on flats here on my road bike, which is at least 5 lbs lighter. And the mtb speed was after a long ride on singletrack.
Originally posted by Kaiser: Sweet! Thanks for the report - makes me want to get back on the road today just a little - fuckin' Womble, all I want to do is mtb ride now. [img]tongue.gif[/img]
ODB moves on the flats - and he only uses half his pedal stroke with no clips. Crazy. Joe, you need to get some clips man.
You got me looking at Frogs on Ebay, damn you!
__________________
***
Today's mighty oak was once just some nut who held his ground!
Linear Mode
