Itty

I thought about that after I posted. But I figured most people don't care enough to make that distinction so I didn't fix it. The distinction is only really important if you clarify that you are talking about percentage of threshold.

To hustler, honestly I don't recommend messing with power until you are really serious about training, like 20hrs a week serious. It tends to suck the fun out of rides when you are constantly trying to hit numbers.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Strongly disagree. I won state and national titles on 10-12 hrs a week. Hour/week do not necessarily correspond to dedication and motivation. If you want to improve, focused specific training is always better than the opposite.

Itty

Well, hustler stated his goals are to be a Cat 3 within 5 years. You certainly don't need a power meter to reach those goals, and if you were really serious about training, I would expect much more aggressive goals anyway.

No offense to you, but it looks like you've been competitive in masters categories. The guys winning elite are all putting in 15 hrs/week or more, unless they are superhumans (doping).

I totally agree though, about focused training being much more effective for improvement. A power meter isn't necessarily required for focused training, but it makes your training "knife" that much sharper.

I didn't get a power meter and a coach until I was Cat 2 in both CX and road. Now I can barely ride bikes since my hip surgery and I have 3 power meters, haha.

Itty

Actually, based on your results, it looks like you are a bit of a sand-bagger. Why not race in a more competitive field?

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Who is "you"?

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I appreciate the concern, but post like this one:
...take the fun out of races and rides. You know, the posts where you tell me how I'm not committed, lol. I assure you, I'm fueled by posts like these when I do "another hill loop" or add another 20w to the interval.

Itty

The Official Website - USA Cycling


Hustler, I didn't tell you that you weren't committed. I said your goals aren't very aggressive. Not trying to bring negativity or anything, just some realism. If you are serious about this though, I recommend getting a coach as well.

As far as sucking the fun out of it, I still stand by that. When I was forced to quit riding, I realized how stressed out all the training was making me. Training is fun in the addictive, constant improvement sense, but hill repeats will never compare to a group ride with friends.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Sand bagging?

I presume you mean I am somehow obligated to get my *** kicked by elites that are 20 years younger than me and don't have day jobs as opposed to racing the best guys in the region/country that are my age and have full time jobs?

I'm 52 years old you dumbass.

I am going to guess that either

A) You are a masters rider that is good enough to regularly beat the local pros and assume every other master should too.

B) You are a masters racer that regularly gets your butt kicked by better masters and resents it.

Now when a former or current rider with a UCI pro license with UCI elite points enters 35+ at nationals or regional events, I'm with you.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Yeah, you're totally bringing negativity.

Here's the deal. I did no cardio between age 14-32, smoked 13-pack-years up until age 32 when I bought the road bike; now I'm racing with friends in cat-4 and enjoying it, riding/training 15 hours per week with four structured work-outs per week. I'm never going to train more than that because I'm not going to ruin this hobby the way I ruined cars. I'm going to use power meter data to train because it works, as Emilio stated.

Considering my shitty choices in my 20s, I'll be lucky to make it to cat-3 by age 40, it's a realistic goal and a stepping-stone to the next. I don't think you realize how poor my fitness really is. The goal is safe, competitive racing like a rapscallion bastard, probably rolling-in with the groupetto taking pride in a job well done.

I felt a little pride finishing #10 in the CX 4/5 local series and I know that's probably pathetic slow to everyone here but there were 20-40 dudes behind me every night. CX is totally different, I want to kill, go to state-champ, etc.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Itty,
What region of the country did you race in? I've traveled a bit, ride with a few Cali bros. I looked a lot stronger when I was in OKC than when I'm home in DFW.

Itty

No need to throw insults, I saw your age on the link I posted.

You are 1st or 2nd on the majority of races that are reported to USAC. I'm sure you could hang in the non-masters category.

I am not a masters racer. I'm a 25 year old cat 2 that always upgraded when I had enough points and has struggled in every race I've entered. I started racing 3-4 years ago. I find it more fun to be challenged than to walk away with wins. BTW I also have a full time job and raced against all the domestic pros and ex-pros around here.

Maybe I'll understand when I'm older.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

No, you'll never understand because you're a 25-year old cat-2. I race on a team with a ton of juniors and collegiate bros, with 8 mid-30s bros. Progress on a bicycle takes time when you're out of your 20s, it's kind of depressing. I see these kids your age get so fast, so fast, it does not happen when you're my age. I'm sure you'll see it in guys like me and you'll continue asking, "why is this 35-year old dude still so slow, why are his goals so reserved?" The reason is, my body is dying, I have a gastroenterologist, scheduling a vasectomy in the off-season next year. lol

Emilio, dude is a ******* warrior, runs a business, crushed on bicycles. he races in masters because he's old enough and that category exists for a reason. My goal is to enter masters racing as a 3 so I can race with some dignity instead of drop.

Itty

Fair enough.

In any case, I don't think I'll be fast when I'm older because I don't know if my granny-hips will allow me to ride as much as I'd like.

3rdCarMX5

iTrader: (1)

Well that escalated quickly.

The giro empires are great shoes. I have a pair of the regulars and the slxs. They run a little small but stretch a little. I don't see changing unless my team gives me shoes I have to wear. I have had almost every high end shoe out there and like these best. I went through 5 pairs of s works before I switched.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I bought the white SLX, rode yesterday and they were good. For the first time my feet didn't go numb, they also look great with mint-green, purple, orange, yellow, red, and blue socks, lol. These shoes are ******* nice.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Team sock game is on point:

Bro in the middle is working on it.

EErockMiata

This is an important point. Staying healthy in life is like an endurance race. Keeping your body (aches, pains, injuries) healthy enough to average 10-15 training hours per week, is an art. Emilio is quite good at finding 100% and not hurting the car.

Any way... Giro shoes. I wear Giro Privateer mtb shoes. The fit is honestly so-so for my feet. For some reason shimano road shoes fit me way better than their mtb shoes do. I hate buying new bike shoes. It's impossible to try them on and really know how they are going to feel on the bike. At least for my dumb feet.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Just bought a new TT bike. First actual TT bike I have ever owned. Last "TT" bike about 12 years ago was just and old round tube road bike with a hodge podge of parts. Excited to get back into it with a slick modern TT frame and all the goodies. TT's and a few selected Stage Races/Omniums.

Pictured is the stock bike, 2016 Fuji Norcom Straight 2.1. It's Ultegra 11s 6800 (mechanical). I'm converting the bike to 6870 Di2, swapping cranks to Dura Ace 180mm and building wheels for it. Planning the Di2 is a bit ofa headache with all the hidden cables but I will have.. hidden cables. No brakes or cables in the wind is so sexy. Building a wheel set for it. Might try tubeless or Specialized S-Works turbo clinchers 24c front, 26c rear. These are the 88mm clincher rims. Building up with some BikeHubStore alloy hubs, J bend CX-Rays, 20h radial front, heads out, 24h rear laced 8h 0x ND, 16h 2x D. Bolt and skewers. Rear will get a Wheelbuilder.com aerojacket for less windy TT's.

I'll post pics when it's built in a few weeks.

TurboTim

iTrader: (9)

Beautiful!!

Let me know if you're interested in selling the Ultegra 11sp group. I'm planning on building a bike over the winter with 11sp 105 but if you're selling ultegra, maybe I'm buying ultegra?

I just finished 2 hours on Zwift on my second try, and i was feeling like poopoo and exhausted before hand. I love my bike, it's like a runner's high but more betterer. Now for a big glass of chocolate milk and a loooong shower.

EDIT: Besides 949 kit, there should also be orange 949 hubs in this world.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Very smexy