Today’s ride

I only got in a short ride this morning for several reasons, I had commitments in the afternoon and I’m saving my legs for tomorrows ride. I’m planning my longest ride of the year tomorrow.

I went out with a couple buddies and as always, the pace is faster than we plan on. I gotta give props to my pal Ken, who brought out his fixed gear today and schooled us good. Your a good bud Ken, and I love riding with you. You have taught me many things about cycling and I always enjoy your perspective. Keep your momentum, your going to have a great season! Ken inspired me today and I decided to deny myself the small chainring, this proved to be a commitment indeed as I struggled through the bog in the big ring. Thanks Ken!

Earlier in the week I talked about the plateau’s involved in cycling, I been through them before and it seems they are a prerequisite to climbing up to the next level of fitness. For about a week now I’ve just had lead for legs and have been stagnant in my fitness. Ahh, the ups and downs of training…..

It seems putting 3 factors together for one ride are a rare occurance indeed. Legs, body, mind. It seems that I’ve always got one or two, but rarely 3 of these factors. My goal of course is to have them all present come race day. Usually, I’ll feel good physically but the legs are just not there. Or, I’ll feel good but the motivation is low, or (as in the case of today) I had really good legs, but the body felt tired? Go figure? Sometimes I’m without all three, those are the tough miles.

Trying to self coach myself is a constant learning process, do “A” and see what the body does. Do “B” and see what the body does. I’ve found that usually after a day or two off, my legs feel heavy that 1st ride. It’s usually the 2nd consecutive day of riding that the legs feel good. Which is why I always ride the day before a cross race. I don’t go hard, I just ride my bike. So, having taken yesterday off to rest from commuting all week, I expected to have heavy legs today. To my surprise (despite my fatigue from not much sleep) I had good legs today. Hmm, strange indeed. The other present I got today was a real “pump”. It’s rare I get the “pump” that is synonymous with weight lifting, more typically my legs fill up with lactic acid long before I get a “pump”. Got one today though, my legs felt like tree trunks for about a mile after the bog. I’m pretty excited about this in a masochistic kind of way, “pumps” mean muscle building and strength, and that is what I’m after!

I’m progressing in my spining, and after many years of being a “masher” this has been a fairly significant undertaking. I’m coming along nicely and forcing myself to spin when climbing. It’s working well and I like the smooth throttle that spining produces, this is going to help me in cross, smooth, constant throttle. I go faster when spining than I do mashing. Keep workin’ it Jim, learn to spin…

Miles ridden today, 26

Miles ridden 2008, 595

I’ve wanted a single speed for a few years now, to force me to learn to spin. I just haven’t found the right one……..