The Consequences of Fitness

[gobbla]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

I'm feeling really unconditioned. I feel like stepping it up a bit. Shorter rests in the gym. Tougher supersets. More sweat.

I wish I still believed in EPOC. It was comforting.

Bottom line, I felt better when I knew I could outsprint the people around me. I still can, but just once. I want to know I can do it over and over again, and leave them in the dust, crying or something. At least they should want to cry. Wimper? Sob?

Note: The mound in this workout is a steep hill in the middle of the park. It's like the mound they made in 'The Englishman Who Went Up A Hill And Came Down A Mountain.'. Maybe a bit taller.

wha?

[Lost Dog]

I feel a little better about things. On the ride back, I detoured through O'Neil Park and did an extra 5 miles or so of roads, fire roads, and switchbacks.

I the tail end, I was riding behind some cocky 30-ish dudes with swanky full suspension bikes (the 3-5 grand ones, with disks, the newer big wheels, and more!). There were fancy frames galore. These were like the equivalent of a raised truck mentality. Small penis syndrome in the bike world. One had a very special bike with a special frame, but try as I might, I can't phrase the joke well enough. The term for that frame is monocoque. Based on the sheer awesomeness of these guys and their bikes, I'm sure that's what they had. Collectively.

Anyhow, my 41 year old body and ancient mt bike smoked them up the hill. I took the long way, up switchbacks, while they took the paved road that's 1/4 mile shorter and I stil got the drinking fountain first. Yay me!

One coyote sighting. Not a good sign to see one at noon. It was a big and healthy looking one, too. Even weirder.

I called the Ranger and warned off the dog walkers until he got up there.

[Phaedrus49er]

<--- Not a fan of full suspension bikes. Rear suspension makes the ride spongy and IMHO a little less than in-control. But that's just me.

[UConnJulie]

Originally Posted by Phaedrus49er

<--- Not a fan of full suspension bikes. Rear suspension makes the ride spongy and IMHO a little less than in-control. But that's just me.

Me neither ... I love my ancient hard-tail. I have a Paramount (bought in 1993) with XTR components, Grip-Shift (from back when it was new), and a Manatou front fork (like v2.0). The whole thing is like circe 1995. I love love love mountain biking, but haven't done much in the past like 10 years. Now it's hooked up to my wind trainer for indoor cardio in the winter.

I also have a Giant hybrid that I take riding with the girls (towing them). It has a suspension gizmo in the seat stem.

And Roland, I told you ... you're my twin, separated at birth by a year and 2000 miles (or whatever it is)!!!

[Phaedrus49er]

I still don't have a bicycle

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by Phaedrus49er

<--- Not a fan of full suspension bikes. Rear suspension makes the ride spongy and IMHO a little less than in-control. But that's just me.

I've never had one. I've ridden one once. It was nice, and I could climb up rocky terrain super fast. I'm not a jumper or downhiller, so I thing it's overkill for me. Also, it was pretty heavy and robbed power (e.g., a euphemism for "it was too expensive" ).

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Me neither ... I love my ancient hard-tail. I have a Paramount (bought in 1993) with XTR components, Grip-Shift (from back when it was new), and a Manatou front fork (like v2.0). The whole thing is like circe 1995. I love love love mountain biking, but haven't done much in the past like 10 years. Now it's hooked up to my wind trainer for indoor cardio in the winter.

And Roland, I told you ... you're my twin, separated at birth by a year and 2000 miles (or whatever it is)!!!

I made my bike. Picked the frame out, the Manitou fork, and all the other components and assembled it from scratch. 1991 or 1992. It's pretty old.

I have another one with slicks, gripshift, and a fancier manitou fork. I set it up for just riding around town, but it's not as comfortable. Plus, with the slicks, I can't take detours.

[UConnJulie]

I made mine too ... well, it came with a low end groupo, and I traded out everything on it ... including rims and tires.

I love my bike. It just fits really well.

I have slicks too, but don't like to ride on the road with them ... they're just for the wind trainer.

My hybrid is for riding around town!!

[Phaedrus49er]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

I've never had one. I've ridden one once. It was nice, and I could climb up rocky terrain super fast. I'm not a jumper or downhiller, so I thing it's overkill for me. Also, it was pretty heavy and robbed power (e.g., a euphemism for "it was too expensive" ).

Yeah, kinda like buying an expensive pair of shoes when the feet inside are the issue (and would do better without the shoes in the first place). Cons outweigh pros of rear suspension.

[tkinsley]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

I the tail end, I was riding behind some cocky 30-ish dudes with swanky full suspension bikes (the 3-5 grand ones, with disks, the newer big wheels, and more!). There were fancy frames galore. These were like the equivalent of a raised truck mentality. Small penis syndrome in the bike world. One had a very special bike with a special frame, but try as I might, I can't phrase the joke well enough. The term for that frame is monocoque. Based on the sheer awesomeness of these guys and their bikes, I'm sure that's what they had. Collectively.

You're pretty fly for a white guy.

[RedLefty]

Originally Posted by Phaedrus49er

Rear suspension makes the ride spongy and IMHO a little less than in-control. But that's just me.

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Me neither ... I love my ancient hard-tail.

Originally Posted by Phaedrus49er

Cons outweigh pros of rear suspension.

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

The term for that frame is monocoque. Based on the sheer awesomeness of these guys and their bikes, I'm sure that's what they had. Collectively.

The dirty quote possibilities have taken a quantum leap in availability around here. Whenever I see a nice rear suspension I ask her to back that thang up.

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Roland, I told you ... you're my twin, separated at birth by a year and 2000 miles (or whatever it is)!!!

So who's older?

Roland nicely called me last Saturday to check on how we were doing after the evacuation from Houston. Unfortunately I could hardly hear him because there was a band playing loudly in the background. Dude should know we party hard on Saturdays.

So tonight I'm watching a Planet Earth episode on Blu-Ray. Serious partay.

[Lost Dog]

I'm confused, though. I think you said you were at your annual company picnic or something. You evacuated to a company picnic? In Kansas City? Sounds suspiciously like you were avoiding me.

and Julie is a year younger than Roland.

[gregl515]

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Me neither ... I love my ancient hard-tail. I have a Paramount (bought in 1993) with XTR components, Grip-Shift (from back when it was new), and a Manatou front fork (like v2.0). The whole thing is like circe 1995. I love love love mountain biking, but haven't done much in the past like 10 years. Now it's hooked up to my wind trainer for indoor cardio in the winter.

I also have a Giant hybrid that I take riding with the girls (towing them). It has a suspension gizmo in the seat stem.

And Roland, I told you ... you're my twin, separated at birth by a year and 2000 miles (or whatever it is)!!!

I have a one speed with a banana seat, raised handle bars and a sissy bar on the back somewhere! It might still have the baseball card hooked to the back wheel!

[Phaedrus49er]

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that Juan Pablo Montoya was DQ'd from his pole position in today's Sprint Cup race due to excessive gas pressure in his rear suspension. Bill, Nick, you're welcome.

[RedLefty]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

I'm confused, though. I think you said you were at your annual company picnic or something. You evacuated to a company picnic? In Kansas City? Sounds suspiciously like you were avoiding me.

and Julie is a year younger than Roland.

It was my dad's annual company picnic. He was so glad to get to show off his grandkids, and the entertainment/food were great. They had BBQ, kids' games, a caricature artist and a blues/rock band that wore mostly camo.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by RedLefty

It was my dad's annual company picnic. He was so glad to get to show off his grandkids, and the entertainment/food were great. They had BBQ, kids' games, a caricature artist and a blues/rock band that wore mostly camo.

Then why are you being so defensive?

And let's see the caricature!