This... except I'm too impatient, so my bike will suffer through these lovely springtime New England rides.

Post-ride pics of carnage...

 

Everything I have read, both here and on other forums, says that SRAM shifts like utter poo.

 

uhhh, I'm thinking formal traiining is going to make cycling less fun than it is now... unless you're idea of fun=crushing others.


how long have you been riding semi-seriously?

 

I guess I really started pedaling with the goal of running at the front of the pack since ~August through November. My pace is pretty weak compared to the front of the pack. Last night I got on the power rotation at 19.7mph avg over 25 miles, this group will average 22-23.5 next week.

 

Because CAAD, current pic of my franken-build roadie:
'94 R800 frame
Kestrel EMS carbon 1" threadless fork
Dura-ace 7700 shifters, rd, cass.
Ultegra 6500 crank
105 1055 brakes and fd
Neuvation M28x aero wheelset




I got to sneak out a couple times in this little heat wave the last couple days, felt good to pedal again after the hibernation.

 

I approve of vintage CAAD.

 

I'd say just keep riding for fun... you haven't been riding so long that you've plateau'd at your current rate- you're still building base fitness. Do whatever you're doing now for a full year, and if you still want to get faster- then get a real training plan going. It's really easy (for me) to burn out on riding when you "have to" go ride because of training plan.


The last 2 1/2 years I started commuting and riding a lot more XC type stuff, and I've made huge endurance gains without a serious plan, and it seems to still be improving. I ride more/faster now, but I don't really ever have a training schedule, just ride what/when I feel like it.

 

Discuss.

 

It is easy to get fast just riding a lot when you first get started. Just don't ride when you're tired and crush it when you feel good. Getting fit is a series of peaks and valleys, but the bottom of every successive valley is higher than the previous.

The other thing that makes you faster is racing. You will be amazed how fast a Cat5 field can be, at least here in CA.

BTW SRAM shifting can be great. I have used it for 5 years without a mechanical. I am not sure where the anti-SRAM stuff comes from but it works great. I have put a lot of abuse through my bikes and SRAM shifts down at 1600w, just as well as it shifts up at 500w. However, Shimano electronic is even better.

 

They have events where people can ride their bikes around MRLS in the evenings. It is not a race, just for fun.

Sea Otter is a race that happens on part of MRLS, I haven't done it because Sea Otter is a pain in the *** and usually schedules the races to be the least convenient for everyone.

 

They have more bicycle racing/riding at NHMS (the track 40 minutes from my house) than they do car racing I swear. Multiple days a week.

 

I wish this kind of thing happened around here.
Mid Ohio did one 5k last year, it seems the new owners would be more willing. Maybe I have an email to draft...

 

Thanks for the advice, all. I'm staying out of racing for now because cycling is about fun. Cars became too competitive and it wasn't fun anymore.

So, how do I learn how far to lean over the bicycle and not lose any skin? I don't really know if my body weight needs to be on the top side of the tire or the bottom side in a corner. We went through some stuff yesterday faster than I've gone that require me to lean the bike over. If I weren't stuck in the pack, I would have braked, lol. However I assumed that the guys in front of me know what was up so I kept going.

 

Here's a low quality pic of our bikes. I always loved the Klein Mantra when I was younger and it was ridiculous pricewise but found it for sale in college at a more reasonable price... Then took a 8 hour road trip to go pay for it in cash when the guy couldn't accept payment with PayPal. LOL! 7" of rear travel with a 80mm front that I am scared to replace with more in fear of rackings; doesn't make a lot of sense, oh well.


Also stacked up are my wife's Jamis Dakar (probably what I should also have) and a Hercules circa 1960

 

The more you get off the bike, the more upright the bike stays through the corner. So better contact patch on the road.

(Ex-sportbike guy making a big oversimplification)

 

1. Keep it fun.
2. Ride alone sometimes, and set your own pace.
3. Nothing beats intervals (short and long), except interval repeats.
4. Always follow days with as many rest days as needed to be fully recovered.
5. Rest days mean nothing or riding REALLY SLOWLY.

Leaning:
You can stay in line with the bike, or you can over-lean the bike, doesn't really matter. By over-lean, I mean lean the bike under you so your body is more upright than the bike. If there is no debris or oil or water, then a bike quality tire will hold 1 G, or a 45 degree lean, which is a lot. Trick is to be smooth. This assumes no banking of road surface.

Fear is your enemy. If you freeze, you will run wide and off the road. My thought is that, if I go in too hot, I'd rather turn too much and slide into a tree feet first than turn too little and run straight into it.

Look ahead at where you want to go, not close in, except for short glances to look for debris to miss (and miss gently).

Yes, follow others. If they make it, so will you if you follow their line.

Contrary to popular belief, you can brake in a turn. Just be aware that braking has a righting effect, so it slows you, but tends to make you take a larger radius turn, so can be counter productive.

 

Thanks. A lot of this crosses over from a car but the part about leaning the bike over to <=45* and 1G helps. Whenever I ask this question to cyclists they give non-answers. It it possible to drift the front or back wheel a bit, or is that when I'm into the danger zone and need to back out since there is no trophy? Earlier this week I felt some g-loading I guess, just a little compression and it was surprising and reassuring.

 

No drifting the limit. On the narrow patch, if truly at the limit, it will fully let go. That being said I have drifted an under inflated rear tire without consequence before. Not a normal situation.

If not at the limit, running over a stick or single pebble will step a tire out and it will re-grip.

Compression, yes, that's a good word, and yes it is a good feeling.

 

get that foot out!






Seriously- no drifting road bikes :(