Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Training Update #5
I was finally able to do the 100 km I've been trying for on Saturday. I rode with Shannon Marcus, who's also doing the full Sea to Sea ride, as well as a couple cyclist friends. The weather was good and we had a great ride. Now that I've done it once without any problems, I'm a little more confident that I'll be able to do it every day for the summer.
Monday, 27 May 2013
Training Update #4
A minor injury and some cold weather last week interfered with my training, but I'm back into it again doing another 50 km yesterday, which got me past the 500 km mark, and another 40 km today. The next goal in my training is to do 100 km in a single day. Since we'll be doing at least that much every day during the tour, I want to do it at least once or twice before I leave.
Saturday, 11 May 2013
The Rules
Since I'm pretty new to cycling, I did a little internet research to learn what it means to be a real cyclist. At one particular site I found a list of rules, a few of which I've listed below:
Rule #1 - Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp.
Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed.
Rule #2 - If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are awesome. Period.
Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club.
Rule #3 - Family does not come first. The bike does.
Sean Kelly, being interviewed after the ’84 Amstel Gold Race, spots his wife leaning against his Citroën AX. He interrupts the interview to tell her to get off the paintwork, to which she shrugs, “In your life the car comes first, then the bike, then me.” Instinctively, he snaps back, “You got the order wrong. The bike comes first.”
Rule #4 - The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.
Rule #5 - Know what to wear.
No baggy shorts and jerseys while riding the road bike. No spandex when riding the mountain bike.
Rule #6 - Shave your guns.
Legs are to be carefully shaved at all times. If, for some reason, your legs are to be left hairy, make sure you can dish out plenty of hurt to shaved riders.
Rule #7 - A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
If it’s preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run, it is not called a bike race, it is called a duathlon or a triathlon. Neither of which is a bike race. Also keep in mind that one should only swim in order to prevent drowning, and should only run if being chased. And even then, one should only run fast enough to prevent capture.
Rule #8 - Keep the rubber side down.
It is completely unacceptable to intentionally turn one’s steed upside down for any reason under any circumstances. The only reason a bicycle should ever be in an upside down position is during mid-rotation while crashing.
Rule #9 - Facial hair is to be carefully regulated.
No full beards, no moustaches. Goatees are permitted only if your head is intentionally or unintentionally bald. One may never shave on the morning of an important race, as it saps your virility, and you need that to win.
Rule #10 - Cornering confidence increases with time and experience.
This pattern continues steadily until it falls sharply and suddenly.
Rule #11 - Descend like a Pro.
All descents shall be undertaken at speeds commonly regarded as “ludicrous” or “insane” by those less talented. Brakes are generally not to be employed, but if absolutely necessary, only just prior to the corner. Also see Rule #10.
Rule #12 - The purpose of competing is to win.
End of discussion.
Rule #1 - Tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp.
Under no circumstances should one be rolling up their sleeves or shorts in an effort to somehow diminish one’s tan lines. Sleeveless jerseys are under no circumstances to be employed.
Rule #2 - If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are awesome. Period.
Fair-weather riding is a luxury reserved for Sunday afternoons and wide boulevards. Those who ride in foul weather – be it cold, wet, or inordinately hot – are members of a special club.
Rule #3 - Family does not come first. The bike does.
Sean Kelly, being interviewed after the ’84 Amstel Gold Race, spots his wife leaning against his Citroën AX. He interrupts the interview to tell her to get off the paintwork, to which she shrugs, “In your life the car comes first, then the bike, then me.” Instinctively, he snaps back, “You got the order wrong. The bike comes first.”
Rule #4 - The correct number of bikes to own is n+1.
While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.
Rule #5 - Know what to wear.
No baggy shorts and jerseys while riding the road bike. No spandex when riding the mountain bike.
Rule #6 - Shave your guns.
Legs are to be carefully shaved at all times. If, for some reason, your legs are to be left hairy, make sure you can dish out plenty of hurt to shaved riders.
Rule #7 - A bike race shall never be preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run.
If it’s preceded with a swim and/or followed by a run, it is not called a bike race, it is called a duathlon or a triathlon. Neither of which is a bike race. Also keep in mind that one should only swim in order to prevent drowning, and should only run if being chased. And even then, one should only run fast enough to prevent capture.
Rule #8 - Keep the rubber side down.
It is completely unacceptable to intentionally turn one’s steed upside down for any reason under any circumstances. The only reason a bicycle should ever be in an upside down position is during mid-rotation while crashing.
Rule #9 - Facial hair is to be carefully regulated.
No full beards, no moustaches. Goatees are permitted only if your head is intentionally or unintentionally bald. One may never shave on the morning of an important race, as it saps your virility, and you need that to win.
Rule #10 - Cornering confidence increases with time and experience.
This pattern continues steadily until it falls sharply and suddenly.
Rule #11 - Descend like a Pro.
All descents shall be undertaken at speeds commonly regarded as “ludicrous” or “insane” by those less talented. Brakes are generally not to be employed, but if absolutely necessary, only just prior to the corner. Also see Rule #10.
Rule #12 - The purpose of competing is to win.
End of discussion.
These rules were taken from Velominati.
Monday, 6 May 2013
Training Update #3
I did two back-to-back 50 km rides -- the first one on Sunday afternoon and the second today after work. The weather was great with very little wind, and I was able to complete each ride in just under two hours. There was a several kilometer stretch that was pretty rough, though, so I won't be riding this exact route again.
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Training Update #2
We finally got some nice weather this week. I did a 30 km ride on Monday night, a 40 km ride on Tuesday night, and I just finished a 50 km ride this afternoon. It was a beautiful day and I had a great ride! If the weather keeps up like this, I definitely won't have any problems being ready for this summer.
I've added a running total of the distance I've biked to the right panel.
Monday, 15 April 2013
Training Update #1
I took advantage of the warm weather today and hit the road for the first time. I did a route that was recommended to me by a cyclist friend which is almost 22 km long. According to my cycling computer, I averaged 27.5 km/h and had a max speed of 57.4 km/h (cycling downhill with the wind is awesome!) which seemed pretty good for a first ride. Hopefully we'll continue to have more nice weather so I'll be able to ride more often.
I wasn't idle before that, however -- I've put somewhere between 150 - 200 km on my trainer over the last few weeks. It's not nearly as much fun as riding on the road, though.
I wasn't idle before that, however -- I've put somewhere between 150 - 200 km on my trainer over the last few weeks. It's not nearly as much fun as riding on the road, though.
Wednesday, 10 April 2013
Almost There!
A cheque from my church from a collection taken a few weeks ago has come through and I've now passed 80% of my fund raising goal. Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far! When I first signed up, I was a little worried about reaching $10000, but I shouldn't have been -- I have a very supportive family, friends, and church community. Less than $2000 to go!
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