Road Bike Thread

[Valdez Telehead]

Headed up to Fairbanks for a few days of cycling, concentrating mainly in two time trial. The first one was a hill climb in pouring rain, 6 miles up a 5% grade and a head wind on the Parks Highway just east of Fairbanks. I always do poorly time-wise on steep hills, but always finish feeling fine. The next day was the criterium which I avoid having no experience in crowd riding and would be a hazard. On Saturday's TT, I did 20 miles of rolling terrain out and back @ averaging barely above 20 mph. I was really happy about that as I've been at this for a few years and 20mph has been a goal. Bu this was a pretty short tt, as I prefer a 50 miler and requires a bit more endurance. If I had averaged a mph faster I would not have come in last in the 40+Masters. (I'm 57). I had never ridden any part of the course. 3 more TT in the state this summer staggered a month apart.

The criterium was held on a tarhead track in redneck NorthPole, which was really ironic at least to me….."burn calories, not fuel."

While I enjoy some time on my mountain bike in winter, its all about speed once the snow melts around here. Worked hard putting in 100 mile weeks to prepare for this event The Fairbanks riders were all very solid. The Steese Highway venue for the time trial was great on a paved two lane highway winding through soft hills and pretty much no traffic.

Here's a short video of the Tour Of Fairbanks. Check out the "vette" of Bad Bob Baker. He's a 56yo legend in cycling in Alaska and even more so on a mountain bike in winter.

[chamonix]

nice video..what camera are you using? I don't see the barrel distortion of a Go Pro..
A lot of Quebec cyclists come down here to ride in Northern Vermont on weekends (we have better roads) . I often surreptitiously try to tag onto the tail end of a pack to let the peleton draft me along. Saves a lot of energy, for a solo cyclist..

[freeheelwilly]

A lot of Quebec cyclists come down here to ride in Northern Vermont on weekends (we have better roads) .

That's frightening. Why do socialist countries like Canada and Vermont ignore road maintenance?

[Valdez Telehead]

It's a Canon SX 160IS. It does take good video, but lousy photos, as per reviews. I use a much better Canon when skiing.
Easy ride today of 30 miles to the top of the pass and back to 10 mile.

[SkaredShtles]

Every time someone rides road... God kills a kitten.

[freeheelwilly]

Every time someone rides road... God kills a kitten.

If you don't ride both, you're sort of a douche.

[SkaredShtles]

If you don't ride both, you're sort of a douche.

[3PinGrin]

If you don't ride both, you're sort of a douche.

Shaving man legs is just wrong, there, I said it.

[RobRoyMeans]

Shaving man legs is just wrong, there, I said it.

Oops, too late now. Thanks for the belated warning

[freeheelwilly]

Oops, too late now. Thanks for the belated warning

Is that what allows you to ride 250 miles/day with enough pep at the end to out sprint an entire cycling team?

[Valdez Telehead]

I didn't know one could shave their legs. I'll try that next TT.

[Sugarloafer]

That WAS a classic !

Is that what allows you to ride 250 miles/day with enough pep at the end to out sprint an entire cycling team?

[RobRoyMeans]

Laugh, fume, sputter, laugh...

No guys, I'd have to say it was chiefly the weasles that made me speedy.

[Matt J]

If you don't ride both, you're sort of a douche.

Finally something we can agree on.

The only acceptable argument for shaving your legs is to "fit in." This is one of the few times that's pretty legitimate. If you're racing you've gotta have help to finish high. Rob, you come from a racing background, yes?

I shaved mine when I competed, but only before the first race up until the last one. Didn't mind it really, but my wife now wouldn't be too keen.

[MattB]

I like the road as a distraction from riding dirt or an alternative when trail conditions aren't very good. It can but a lot of fun and good for fitness but the occasional jerk or a driver makes me want to stick to dirt more. We also have a lot more dirt options here than roads. I don't shave my legs and just try to make or point of not crashing the road bike. So far that's worked pretty well.