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  #101  
Old 06-04-2007, 12:26 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Yeesh, that sounds unpleasant.

I haven't actually joined the group ride yet. I went and talked with a guy at the bike shop and he strongly recommended that I have a road bike before I try it, lest I end up dragging down the group. (Apparently they're big on the "no newb left behind" policy). No, the ride today was just me and the roomie.

I think I could've gone twice as far, but the fact that there's something of a tough incline for a few blocks on the last leg of the return trip makes me cautious.
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  #102  
Old 06-04-2007, 04:39 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

A friend of mine and I are planning to ride up McKenzie pass Saturday. The road (OR 242) just opened to bike traffic, but cars aren’t allowed for a couple of weeks. It’s only about a 50 mile round trip (from where we’re starting), but is a 4000 foot climb, so I’ve been trying to get in shape for it by riding most days for the last week (we just decided to go last Monday, and less than two weeks isn’t the ideal conditioning period).

Also, my friend is a 140 pound runt who runs marathons in his spare time, and goes for 60 mile rides every weekend, so although I can keep up with him on the flats, I know he’ll blow me away on the 4000 foot climb. Actually, I just hope to make it up without any back injuries.
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  #103  
Old 06-05-2007, 12:26 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Just cycled home from work in a rainstorm, and forgot my gloves at work.

It's the first time in a couple of years that I've ridden without gloves, and I couldn't believe (i) how quickly my hands felt the pressure and (ii) how slippery the brake hoods are when they're wet! I have this whole new* appreciation for the wonderfulness that is cycling gloves.


*I already had a pretty major appreciation of them from a time last year when my bike went out from under me on a curve in the rain, and I skidded along the pavement on my ass and one palm. I had a pretty good raspberry along one thigh, but my cycling shorts weren't even ripped, and my hand was fine. (Yes, my skin -- under the shorts -- was torn up, but the flimsy lycra-looking shorts themselves were totally fine.) Buying good stuff can pay off!
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Last edited by Clutch Munny; 06-05-2007 at 03:17 AM.
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  #104  
Old 06-05-2007, 12:36 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Thanks for the tip. I've been wearing these weight-lifting gloves, but I suspect cycling gloves are better suited to cycling - odd though that might be.
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  #105  
Old 06-05-2007, 12:36 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

One problem with equipment is that you get used to it and then feel naked without it. I hate riding without my bike gloves now, too -- although I used to do it all the time. I'm starting to feel vulnerable without my helmet, too --although I never wore one until a couple of years ago.
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  #106  
Old 06-05-2007, 03:19 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Quote:
Originally Posted by viscousmemories View Post
Thanks for the tip. I've been wearing these weight-lifting gloves, but I suspect cycling gloves are better suited to cycling - odd though that might be.
They're probably pretty much the same, though the location and type of the padding may be a bit different. Mine have gel padding on the heel of the palm, and a terry-cloth "wipe patch" on the back. (Uh, and they're washable.)

Quote:
Originally Posted by BDS
One problem with equipment is that you get used to it and then feel naked without it.
I don't think it's a problem, especially when it's safety gear. In fact it's kind of reassuring that the equipment can quickly come to feel effortless and normal. Before I wore a helmet, I was sure that cycling would feel less pleasant if I wore one. But now I don't even notice the helmet, and feel wrong without it. Since the helmet makes me safer, that's a good thing.
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  #107  
Old 06-05-2007, 03:27 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Ah, yeah. Mine don't have any padding at all. They're just (faux) leather. I'll buy some cycling gloves this weekend. :yup:
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  #108  
Old 06-05-2007, 07:09 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

Speaking of equipment, does anyone know where I can get some steroids or EPO before my mountain ride on Saturday? I may need them.
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  #109  
Old 06-09-2007, 04:44 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

Just under 13 miles today, in 84:degrees: - "feels like" 89:degrees: - weather.

:sweat:

Gonna pick up some cycling gloves after brunch, and I'm up to $500 in my new bike savings account. :hyper:
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  #110  
Old 06-09-2007, 04:48 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

Good ride!

Drink lots, eh?

I'm thinking of trying a 100-miler tomorrow with a local charity ride. But I may chicken and do the 100 km instead. (Or compromise -- do the 100 km ride, but also ride to and from the ride site, which is about 20km from my house...)
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  #111  
Old 06-09-2007, 05:02 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

I bring a water bottle, but only stopped to take a swig a couple times. I'll work on that.

Good luck with the ride tomorrow! I'm really looking forward to being able to do rides like that.
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  #112  
Old 06-10-2007, 12:14 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Okay, I got some styling cycling gloves today. Muy bueno.

Now, is there something I can do to minimize strangulation from the helmet strap?
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  #113  
Old 06-10-2007, 01:01 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Loosen it?

Not to be a smartass or anything. But what else could be the problem?
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  #114  
Old 06-10-2007, 01:40 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

I suppose I could loosen it, but I'm afraid if it's too loose it'll be less effective (ie. fall off).
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  #115  
Old 06-10-2007, 09:42 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

160 km = 100 miles! I did the long version of the charity ride.

Calm day, bright sun, 25 C... perfect for cycling. I feel better than I felt after doing the 100K in this ride last year, when it was chilly and bloody windy. Then again, I also made some important changes to how I rode:

- don't go hard like a maniac in the first 20K
- eat small amounts frequently while riding
- drink tons (8 or 9 litres)
- treat the long steep hills (of which there were many :shakefist:) with respect and climb them with patience.

Last year the only one of these I came close to practicing was the third, though I definitely drank more today. Anyhow, I feel good, and may, through the magic of ibuprofen, play hockey later tonight.
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  #116  
Old 06-10-2007, 09:54 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

Wow, that's brilliant. Congratulations Clutch!

You were right about the helmet strap. All I had to do was loosen it a bit and the experience was considerably better. We did another 12 mile jaunt today, though along a different route - had to break in the new gloves and cycling shorts I got yesterday.
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  #117  
Old 06-10-2007, 10:34 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

Gloves and cycling shorts? Rockin.
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  #118  
Old 06-10-2007, 11:13 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

Quote:
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Wow, that's brilliant. Congratulations Clutch!
Aaaand just in time to puncture my pride: 81 year-old plans to cycle 3200 Km in 16 days.

So, um, that'd be 200K/day, every day, for over two weeks. :eek:
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  #119  
Old 06-10-2007, 11:44 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

Congrats, Clutch! I am hoping to finish my first century this November--a few years ago, my mother and I semi-attempted this, but only got 55 miles into it (mostly because we probably hadn't ridden in months prior to it). This fall, I'm hoping to ride all over it.

vm, after a few rides, you probably won't be able to believe that you ever did without gloves and cycling shorts. It makes all the difference, or it did for me. (Now it takes a whole day of riding, if at all, to not be able to feel my fingers. haha)
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  #120  
Old 06-11-2007, 06:20 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

My McKenzie pass ride (50 miles round trip,, but 4000 vertical feet of climbing) was a piece of cake. The grade was perfect for a nice, steady pace. In fact, it was easy enough that we're thinking of going back this weekend and going up and over to the town of Sisters (and then back up and over) -- which would be about 70 miles and 6000 vertical feet (the climb is less on the eastern side). The road opens to cars after that.

Good job on the century, Clutch.
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  #121  
Old 06-11-2007, 06:38 PM
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Default Re: Cycling

Thanks. I played hockey afterwards and scored twice from the point (we lost, though). My teammates insist that a pre-game century is now mandatory prep for me.
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  #122  
Old 06-11-2007, 07:20 PM
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I'm more jealous about the hockey than about the riding. I can still ride a century -- but my hockey days are over. God I used to love hockey!

Power play goals? Or even strength? (I figure more than half the goals from the point are on the power play.)
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  #123  
Old 06-11-2007, 07:42 PM
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Even strength, both. The first was a seeing-eye slapper along the ice that went through about six pairs of skates and beat the goalie five-hole. The second was supposed to be the same, but it got away from me and went high. Apparently the goalie was surprised too -- it went off his shoulder and up under the bar. So, neither was a thing of beauty. But I take my mandate to be nothing more than hitting the net from the point![/derail]
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  #124  
Old 06-12-2007, 12:42 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Up on the top shelf where they keep the saltines. [/meeker]
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  #125  
Old 06-12-2007, 01:31 AM
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Default Re: Cycling

Stop it right there! Stop it right there! See? Went around Hammarstrom like a hoop around a barrel! Steve Shutt, just super!
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