2016 motivation for getting lighter and faster

[arendoog]

 

Just for the record...this is my cycling happy place...the beachfront on my hybrid with family...sometimes out with mates riding the mtb.

 

the rest is working towards improving my speed and power

You have noticed the sign ,s wording 

[eccc whippet]

I did a bit of research into base training...and spent the last 2 days trying to ride at a nice easy steady pace...27km/hr seems to be a nice easy speed which i can maintain without putting in much effort...did a couple loops around the circuit...tried to focused on pedal rotation...it is so tempting to bump the speed and wheel suck as everyone passes you.

 

Wish my piggy box would fill up ...so i can get an edge 520...i have thought about just getting fitbit or the like...but i am gona rather be patient and wait.

[Veebee]

take a long easy ride once a week to Ballito and back, at your own pace and just forget about chasing PR's or a high average speed. This will help build you base. I think this combined with your Cadence sessions will do you good.

[eccc whippet]

12 months ago I did my first mtb race...the Marriott freedom race from Inanda dam to sun coast...riding a giant revel with cleats for the first time...spent a lot of time walking.

 

Today I did the 40 km race...on the marshmallow...I even managed to cross both floating bridges [emoji3]

 

What a leka ride with perfect weather conditions.

[eccc whippet]

feeling a bit broken today...pushed some good mileage over the long weekend and the week after...managed to clock up around 500 km...my old fat body can feel it...not stretching has made it that much more difficult...feel like a stiff hunch back...my bad

 

108 kg today...no change in food type...just trying to eat less...my weight is now the key to achieving any goals in the future...got the bikes...the training...the will power.

 

2 things require improvement...stretching and weight...and a cool pair of carbon road bike shoes with bright colored socks...pedals...etc etc etc...just kidding.

[eccc whippet]

Did my first 45 km mtb race under 3 hours today...

 

there were a few challenges...I started right at the back of the last group...late entry...thought i would just take it easy and go with the flow...i did a 65 km ride yesterday so my legs where feeling the pain...but as i got going it just got easier.

 

frustration trying to pass people...getting stuck behind groups where there were a few bumps on the track...going slow down single tracks...eeeish having to brake all the time...getting stuck half way up a small hill...yeah i know we all have to start somewhere...i was one of those riders  just a couple of months ago...next time a note to myself...if you end up in the last group...make sure you are near the front at the start.

 

I felt bad at one point there was a person behind me...i got caught behind a slower person on a hill and had to slow right down...the person behind me took a tumble...i also had a few close shaves...came around a corner to find people stopped on a hill...on occassion the person in front of me stopped suddenly and got off the bike to push up the hill.

 

i did a bit of wheel hugging near the end...the rider in front slowed down and i took the lead but i just couldnt hold the pace.

 

i must say it was one of my most enjoyable rides...suffer zone was no were near it normally is on these 40 km races...for the first time i ran up and down the gears using the full range ...instead of from granny gear to small gear and back up to granny.

 

also made a point of not wasting time at the water hole...and for the first time...managed my liquid intake...used 2 litres of water and a 750 ml of electrolyte supplement.

 

I noticed the gears on the anthem were changing a lot smoother than other races...at half way i saw the clutch was off...turned it up and carried on...gears didnt change so sweet after that...maybe i need to adjust the clutch goodie...or just send the bike for a service and see how it goes after the service.

 

i must say the anthem is a really comfortable ride...on the road it sucks but when you get out on the trail...and head down a single track with hectic rocks and roots you name it...it just glides over everything...i dont know how i managed on the revel.

[eccc whippet]

Goal for 2015...to climb the M19...check...finally. not as bad as i expected.

 

Had a leka 80 km tour Durban training ride with ECCC yesterday...very friendly bunch as indicated on their website.

 

Today the 45 km...Compendium derby...thank goodness i had a hydration pack full of water...was going to pull out the race after the fall...decided to continue but had to stop a few times to sit up...lucky it is just bruising on my butt...fingers and elbow...gona feel it tomorrow.

 

I must say the camelbac bladder is strong...landing with my weight on rocks...my bananas where squashed flat so i didnt eat them...must be why i ran out of energy on the last hills out of giba ...well that is my excuse and i am sticking to it

[eccc whippet]

106 kg today...

 

Still eating the same food...just less

 

Increased my avg milage from 50 km per week to 230 km avg

 

Cadence has certainly paid off...did a relaxed 30 km session at an avg of 133 watt...avg speed 30 km...didnt even work up a sweat [emoji3] was not possible 2 months ago

 

Compendium result 2.45...under 3 hrs...very happy.

 

Hope to finish the tour durban under 4 hrs...first time [emoji3]

[Antoo]

........the journey of a thousand pedal strokes!

Got to love cycling

[plane^driver]

Great thread this! 

 

So for many years I trained in the gym, mainly heavy weights, but with deteriorating back problems it was getting worse and worse, this basically came to a dead end during the year last year! I kept going to gym to keep active, indoor bike, treadmill and lighter weights but felt I was not achieving anything and basically wasting time.

 

Outside of gym it was a monster year! We had our first child, opened up a franchise, sold our house, wife started a new job, and I was working full time and studying and then to top it off I went for a interview in December for my dream job which I did get offered and im just waiting on a start date! Every life goal I had set for myself, family and work wise all happened in 2015! 

 

One morning in 2016 I woke up, about 108kgs, no goals nothing to work towards and so in Feb I went and bought a bike! I entered my first race the Emperors Classic and now had a goal. Lots of training on the road in the gym on the wattbike I started the race below 100kgs, and its the first time in 13 years ive been below the 100kg mark. I had set myself a 3:30hr goal, but smashed that with a sub 3!

 

This morning im still below the 100kg mark and have just entered my next goal, The Jock Classic! I hope to get my weight down to somewhere between 90-95kgs by then! Hard work and lots of training ahead but ive fallen in love with the sport they call cycling!!! 

 

Keep up the hard work chaps! 

[Veebee]

106 kg today...

 

Still eating the same food...just less

 

Increased my avg milage from 50 km per week to 230 km avg

 

Cadence has certainly paid off...did a relaxed 30 km session at an avg of 133 watt...avg speed 30 km...didnt even work up a sweat [emoji3] was not possible 2 months ago

 

Compendium result 2.45...under 3 hrs...very happy.

 

Hope to finish the tour durban under 4 hrs...first time [emoji3]

 

Good Work, and goodluck for tomorrow. I am sure the cadence classes and mountain biking will help improve your road racing.

 

Sub4 for tomorrow should be easily doable.

[eccc whippet]

Tour durban 105 km ...3.45.

 

If wasnt for my goal to do it in under 4 hrs...i would have walked the last 5 km...it came down to a sip of water...2 pedal strokes...a sip of water...2 pedal strokes.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Respectable time, ise. Well done!

[eccc whippet]

Where to from here...

 

Tour Durban 105 km road race (first attempt)

 

official time 3.44.21

 

Group finish   73/370 not important 

 

age finish       134/192 very important (50-54 year old)

 

We all know that no matter how much i train and how many hours i spend in the saddle...it is not possible to beat a 25 year old who weighs 75/85 kg...

 

however 134 out of 192 in my age group...eeeish...lots of work.

 

what did i learn from this experience...

 

The most important factor...Weight loss...carrying an extra 20 kg up a hill is crazy...fat cyclist dont win races.

 

Recovery...should have allowed my body at least 2- 3 days recovery before the race...maybe even longer...my legs are not conditioned to ride 100 km never mind race 100km.

 

Pacing...Busting out the start..clocking over 40 km/hr at times...and then to go out in front along the concrete section to the M7 climb...as i felt the wind pushing against me...i realised what a mistake i had made...i should have slowed down and left people pass...I should have done what i know works for me in the mtb races...slow steady pace in the beginning then work my way forward so that by the time i reach the last 10 km...i still have legs to get me to the end...once the group started to pull away up the M7 i knew my race was over...the last 5 km of this race was the hardest 5 km i ever cycled...the sad part was my legs werent even cramping.

 

drafting...to save energy i would have to spend as much time in a bunch to benefit from the 30 + energy saving...once i got dropped up the M7...every group i drafted after that i got dropped...right near the end a mtb and road bike passed me the lady...called to me and offered a lift...said i should get behind them...but i was done...just didnt have the legs to keep up...when i saw the 5 km sign...i looked down and the clock had 3.30 ...i had to finish under 4 hrs...i went to an easy gear and just pushed one pedal down at a time...i am assuming i had  "bonked" ..out of energy...klaar...kaputs.

 

watering holes...another down fall...looking at strava flybys...every time you stop at  a watering hole the gap opens with the group which doesnt stop...to catch up is not possible...i need to plan my fluid and energy intake so that i dont have to stop.

 

bike...no issues...no punctures...no problem with loose spokes...comfortable to ride...gearing is right for me...i just need to choose a good tyre...but for now the 25mm  gatoskins will do the job...lastly I just need to find what is making the noise in the lever and i have the perfect bike.

[Escapee..]

Well done Isetech, you achieved your goal  .

 

Dont be so hard on yourself, this was your first attempt and from your post its clear to see that you learnt a lot.

Next time you will know where to push and where to hide in the bunch.

 

We have all had that happen to us, guys going for a sub 3, sub 4 and sub 5. Went to early, burnt too many matches up a climb, chasing down a group.

 

Limping home is never fun but the experience teaches you so much.

 

And remember that you are riding your bike because its a hellavu lot of fun!

 

 

 

 

 

[Veebee]

Well done on achieving your goal. I think what you should do is stop beating yourself up over all the stats, just too many numbers to look at and you start thinking about what you could have done to improve.

 

Remember there is always going to be someone faster, lighter, stronger. Ride to your own goals, challenge yourself each time you race and if you finish, and see improvements then you are a winner.

 

Use this as your benchmark and come back and smash it next year.