Monday, January 4, 2010

Riding in Quebec



I do have a line that I will not cross when it comes to riding in freezing temps. This past weekend we crossed it. Luckily on Friday one of our Team sponsors was able to hold a cycle event that would follow with chili and beer. The thought of hot chili was enough to motivate all 60 some cyclist to begin and finish the 63 mile route.



Sunday came around and we were not as lucky. It was freaking FREEZING! So when I received an invite to join our team coach for a CompuTrainer ride I jumped on it. Never having done this type of ride I thought it could not be that much different from riding my trainer at home. Was I wrong or what?! After getting set-up and warming up we set off for a 90 minute ride through Quebec. How cool it that? The route was seriously challenging and the efforts were dead on what I would have thought riding outdoors would have been. I could spit out of bunch of info on my threshold, heart rate, mph, cals. burned but let me just say that even today I am feeling it in my legs. LOVED IT!!!



Hoping that the Winter League ride resumes this next weekend since our team coach let us have this session for free. Even with my discount it still is not in my budget at the moment but it’s now added to my wish list.



I will say that I do continue to see small improvements in my riding. Our avg. pace for the 60-70 miles distance are staying closer to the 18mph avg. and I feel great. I have really been focusing on my pedal stroke and being more efficient with less upper body movement. I use to rock back and forth trying to pull the energy from my this…. now I realize that this wasted more energy that it created.



Running and weight training is still on target. My goal is to still do a half-marathon to reclaim the house record sometime this spring.



This is just how I wanted to start out the New Year!

Robin

11 comments:

Wes said...

I so need a new trainer. I'm too strong for the one I bought two years ago :-) Those Computrainers are nice!!

Dave said...

between my borther, you, Missy, and Shannon...I want to get me a bike....maybe someday....

teacherwoman said...

What an awesome way to start the new year....

Yesterday I saw someone riding bike downtown Fargo when I was leaving the gym... let me just tell you that it was -20 degrees! Geez... insane, i tell ya!

Mike Russell said...

18 mph over 60 miles is fantastic! Keep up the great work.

Mel-2nd Chances said...

ooooH! I got really excited when I saw the title of your post, thinking that you were planning a riding trip in Quebec for next spring/summer, was hoping I'd get a chance to meet you! Damn! Great riding though ;)

Bob said...

"Our avg. pace for the 60-70 miles distance are staying closer to the 18mph avg."

Wow, that is some good wattage!

Grey Beard said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Grey Beard said...

I rock my hips too. Old habit from my teenage racing days. Short legs and long torsos make that inviting. Was watching my form today to try to put an end to it.

Wish my bike group could do 18mph averages. They are a bunch of cafe` racers. Sprints and regroups. Worthless for training. OK, I like to ride alone too, so sue me! lol ;)

Did a short 20 mi route solo today and only dropped 0.1 mph off the last ride drafting 5 miles with a couple of fast riders. Nice! Fighting my way back into shape.

You gotta try the SpaceBlanket shoe covers Robin. Doesn't keep your feet from freezing, it keeps them WARM. Nice!

(deleted temporary inability to spell)

Stuart said...

Computrainer...sweet! A serious investment for a serious cyclist, but that's what you are!

18mph over that distance is awesome!

Tony said...

I like how you have a house record to beat. Pretty cool.

Lily on the Road said...

Now just imagine those hills for real. That's where I cycle, xc ski and run. Quebec is right across the river from where I live...I'm in Ontario.

I'll have pictures for you of Quebec after our ski tomorrow!!!

Good job on the trainer...