Cleves July 30

Pretty uninspired ride at 22:43, 27.1 mph. Didn't have that drive in the legs or my mind to ride hard tonight. Think I left it all in Cleveland last week.

Training going forward

With the A races out of the way, we'll be looking at the local races like Cleves and Blue Streak to finish out the season. Started making some plans for future training for more of the 5k and 10k time trials with my coach. Might even add some to the local time trial schedule if there is interest. Spent some time yesterday reading a review of the power meters on the market with an interest in my part in the Stages crank arm. The guy reviewing the meters was using 3 at a time (Powertap, Quark, Stages) and comparing data. Seemed like they all had their issues. Having used Powertap for a decade or more have to say its been pretty reliable. The Stages on the tt bike would solve all of the wheel choice problems.

Nationals, Day 2

Rode the 5k today in 6:27 or 28.9 mph for another silver medal. Missed first by four seconds. Its a short ride but had HR near max the entire time. have to say it really hurt. Not sure I'd have the other four seconds in me. I do really like these short all out events. Much more interesting to me than a 40k. Good to know that I'm competitive in these events on a national level. The Senior Games brackets go on and on. They had a 95 year old in the time trials.

Nationals

Took the silver in the 10k time trial with a 13:36 or 28.23 mph avg. First was about 15 seconds faster. Thats pretty big so I don't feel like I could have beat that anyway. Had an avg of 28.4 at the turn and lost almost a mile per hour. had to get the power going on the way back to get the average back up.

Ohio State Time Trial Championship

Todays was the state tt championship held on our home course in Cleves, Ohio. The first rider went off at 8am and I was off at 8:16. The temps were in the 60's and he humidity was high so not a super fast day for me. I rode a 33:26 or about 27.2 mph, good enough for first in the 50-54, but as a warmup for nationals I was hoping to be about 20 seconds faster. Nothing but recovery and some endurance between now and Wednesday's 10k. Really think its going to take closer to 28 mph in both of the events to get on the podium.

Cleves Time Trial

After yesterdays 3x10's and todays start time temp of 93 degrees and lots of humidity I didn't expect much and didn't get much. Averaged 27 mph for a 22:46. Last big effort as we now taper for the weekend state tt and nationals next week.

Back at it

Did some easy indoor rides over the weekend that worked well with the trip to Cumberland for the bands performance at Burnside Marina. Today was 3x10 hill repeat power done on flat to rolling terrain. I used the course at Ault Park and held 361, 345 and 333. Really struggled on the last one. Maybe it was the first really hot and humid day? HR was the same on all with max around 94% of max. Does show that using up a lot of energy during a warmup is not advisable. Usually my first efforts on these longer ones is my best. Might be why I only like 10k and 5k time trials. Those 40k's just don't work for me. Cleves tomorrow night, state tt on Sunday and Nationals next Wednesday and Thursday.

last ride on this trip

Did an easy 40 miles up East Shore Drive then M37 to the lighthouse at Old Mission and then straight back the rolling M37 to Traverse. Ended up with 502 miles since arriving last Thursday afternoon. Truly could have done 100 every day and enjoyed it. Never did repeat a ride and only rode a few roads twice. This area is truly one of the great places to ride: wide shoulders, flat roads, hilly roads, bike trails, lakes, creeks, millions of cherry trees, vineyards, etc. Hate to wait a year to come back.

A little tempo

Rode 2:15 today, about 44 miles, with 40 minutes at 286 watts, HR around 135-140, for some tempo. Not as strong as last Thursday when I was at 300 for 46 minutes but I didn't have 460 miles in my legs like I do now. Last year on this trip I rode 479 miles. Should hit close to 500 after tomorrows ride.

Another 100

Rode my third century since last Thursday here in Michigan for a total of 416 miles in about 5 days. Todays route started with the Leelanau Trail from Traverse to Suttons Bay then to Northport, Glen Arbor, Mapleton, Cedar and back. Not as heavy on the hills but actually held a better average power at 211 watts. Didn't check until the end and wasn't really pushing it. Just curious.

More Michigan Miles

After the Friday 100 I did about 50 on Saturday before hitting the National Cherry Festival Parade and then the beach for the rest of the afternoon. Sunday was another 103 mile ride with a reverse course from Friday. I used route 616 to get to the dunes, rode Pierce Stocking Road again, then on to Glen Arbor. From there I went to Leeland, Suttons Bay, rode the TART trail and then finished with some miles around Traverse City. Todays ride was just 30 miles of recovery and for the most part in a downpour. Not much fun but tomorrow its back out for another century hopefully. The weather is forecast to be in the 80's, maybe a shower late in the day.

M22 Century

Headed out of Traverse City this morning at 8:30 and took M22 to Northport, about 28 miles away. From there it was south through Leeland (11 miles) and then into Glen Arbor (maybe 18 miles), the most beautiful place in America according to Good Morning America, to the Sleeping Bear Dunes where I took the Pierce Stocking Drive and then onto Empire (another 43 or so in total from Northport). This entire leg was into the wind for about 3 hours other than the climbs through the dunes. From Empire its another 25 or so to complete the 100 back to Traverse City. Nice hot day to ride. Total time riding just under 5:30. Took a break in Northport and Glen Arbor and along M72 with about 8 miles to go.

Tempo

Arrived in Traverse City this afternoon and rode the 40 mile round trip up and down the Old Mission Peninsula. Had a flat at 12 minutes in but then hit the tempo for 36 minutes at 300, took off 4 minutes and then did 12 minutes at 301. While at an overlook some guy came by so I finished my pictures and took off after him. He was definitely hammering. Took me a couple miles to catch him. I held a pretty steady 340 for a mile or two just for fun and dropped him. You can see the end of the graph has some higher power spikes.

Tempo in Traverse City, MI, Old Mission Peninsula

Cleves Time Trial, July 2

Wasn't feeling particularly motivated so I warmed up a little lighter than normal. Went off at a lower cadence pushing a little bigger gear and posted a 22:17 or 27.6 mph. Ready for a week of long rides in northern Michigan. Hope to do 3-4 century plus rides and the days between do some 50-70 mile rides. Weather forecast looks great with temps in the 70's and 80's for highs. Have the state tt (USAC) and then the two US Senior tt's after that.