It's killing me but..........

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Sorry guys, haven't been around for a while.

Apologies to Warnerjh for not responding to your post. You seem to be going great guns and I suppose by now your FTP is approaching 300W! Maybe I missed it, but out of interest how old you? Keep us posted.


Hey Tyson, sorry, I haven't checked in lately, either. I'm 42, and now starting to slack a bit with the weight loss program (stuck at 172-174 for the last 2 months, intentionally). I did try a power test on the trainer about 3 weeks ago, but it coincided with a period that was, for me, decidedly marginal. My 20-min test was at 277 (IIRC), but I couldn't get a good 1-min test to save my soul. Oddly, my 5-min test was far better than anything I'd previously done. Go figure.

Anyway, I've now got a Polar CS600 power meter on my bike, so it has enabled a bit more data evaluation. I did my TT climb two days ago, and did it in 25:01; the CS600 shows average power over that time period to be 285 watts. I plugged the numbers into Kreuzotter.de, and given a 2mph wind, it came up with 284 watts. Looking back at my last effort (that had estimated 308w for my last PB), I see that I overestimated the wind by a few mph, which overestimated my power output (I hadn't ascertained the significant impact of the wind number in the calculation). Wind is a fickle entity, especially so when trying to accurately estimate it from no empirical data.

Interestingly, this 'hard' effort I did two days ago was solo, with no one to chase (or be chased by), compared to the 24:53 effort, in which I started in between two riding buddies (one to chase, one to be chased by). One of the primary things that my few rides with a PM has shown me is that I (we?) let up significantly on flatter sections of long climbs, allowing ourselves a touch of recovery. This time I was able to use the PM mostly to try to keep my power up on the flatter sections. At the end of this 25:01 effort I was only 8 seconds behind my PB, but felt ten times better both during and after the effort (compared to the PB effort). Recovery isn't always necessary.

I guess the point of this is that even with my 3 months of off-season training with a power meter in the basement (on the 300PT), I still learned a tremendous amount of valuable information in only my first 150 miles with a power meter actually on the bike. The input is invaluable for serious training, and Tyson I would strongly recommend that you finally make the leap, even if it is only with a 'lowly' Polar CS600, which many PowerTap users scoff at (or even an 'iBike', ~cough~).

Keep riding!

Best,

J\V

Hey Tyson, sorry, I haven't checked in lately, either. I'm 42, and now starting to slack a bit with the weight loss program (stuck at 172-174 for the last 2 months, intentionally). I did try a power test on the trainer about 3 weeks ago, but it coincided with a period that was, for me, decidedly marginal. My 20-min test was at 277 (IIRC), but I couldn't get a good 1-min test to save my soul. Oddly, my 5-min test was far better than anything I'd previously done. Go figure.

Anyway, I've now got a Polar CS600 power meter on my bike, so it has enabled a bit more data evaluation. I did my TT climb two days ago, and did it in 25:01; the CS600 shows average power over that time period to be 285 watts. I plugged the numbers into Kreuzotter.de, and given a 2mph wind, it came up with 284 watts. Looking back at my last effort (that had estimated 308w for my last PB), I see that I overestimated the wind by a few mph, which overestimated my power output (I hadn't ascertained the significant impact of the wind number in the calculation). Wind is a fickle entity, especially so when trying to accurately estimate it from no empirical data.

Interestingly, this 'hard' effort I did two days ago was solo, with no one to chase (or be chased by), compared to the 24:53 effort, in which I started in between two riding buddies (one to chase, one to be chased by). One of the primary things that my few rides with a PM has shown me is that I (we?) let up significantly on flatter sections of long climbs, allowing ourselves a touch of recovery. This time I was able to use the PM mostly to try to keep my power up on the flatter sections. At the end of this 25:01 effort I was only 8 seconds behind my PB, but felt ten times better both during and after the effort (compared to the PB effort). Recovery isn't always necessary.

I guess the point of this is that even with my 3 months of off-season training with a power meter in the basement (on the 300PT), I still learned a tremendous amount of valuable information in only my first 150 miles with a power meter actually on the bike. The input is invaluable for serious training, and Tyson I would strongly recommend that you finally make the leap, even if it is only with a 'lowly' Polar CS600, which many PowerTap users scoff at (or even an 'iBike', ~cough~).

Keep riding!

Best,

J\V
Thanks for the lengthy reply, and the revelation that you are still just a kid - compared with me that is!:D Whatever your exact FTP is, it looks like it's not going to be that far of 280W. Well done!! As for getting a PT, I'm only 10 weeks or so from going to the UK. There hopefully, I shall be able to take a close look at all the alternatives, purchase one or the other and ship it back to Japan ready for some serious workouts using a powermeter. Having said that, as you are I'm sure aware, all my figures are based on a trainer in the gym having I guess a fairly accurate powermeter.
Now the bad news; for more than 2 weeks now I've had some sort of bug - coughing a lot etc. It didn't seem to affect my workouts in the gym, but the Sunday before last I went out with the intention of doing 100km plus and on the first real climb (my 15% hill), a climb I have been powering up recently, I was literally gasping for breath. Luckily I turned round and went home, because Sunday night I woke up covered in buckets of sweat.
So decided to let my immune system get back up to full strength and have taken 7 complete days off. This is me at the moment.
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/paperead_57779d41118fdb995f3ed581b8.gif

Tomorrow I'm in the gym and it will be the crunch day. If I feel 'off' during or after the workout, that's the Fukui ride down the drain as I don't have enough time to get into shape and I want to perform better than last year, otherwise there's no point in doing it. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/341.gif

TYSON.

Tomorrow I'm in the gym and it will be the crunch day. If I feel 'off' during or after the workout, that's the Fukui ride down the drain as I don't have enough time to get into shape and I want to perform better than last year, otherwise there's no point in doing it. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/341.gif

TYSON.

Sorry to hear you're battling it out with a bug; hope you're near the end of it. I'm not so sure it's not worth even riding, sometimes you never know how you will perform, and with a little bit of training between now and then, you might beat last year's time. You just never know...

I'm tired, I've ridden 175 km and climbed 3050 m in the last two days, and luckily a winter storm is bearing down for a day or so. My first 'race' is in two weeks, the 'Pillar-to-Post' Hillclimb up my training hill. I guess I'll start to taper here soon, and hope for a good day with no winds.

Hope you are back up to speed soon!

J\V

Sorry to hear you're battling it out with a bug; hope you're near the end of it. I'm not so sure it's not worth even riding, sometimes you never know how you will perform, and with a little bit of training between now and then, you might beat last year's time. You just never know...

I'm tired, I've ridden 175 km and climbed 3050 m in the last two days, and luckily a winter storm is bearing down for a day or so. My first 'race' is in two weeks, the 'Pillar-to-Post' Hillclimb up my training hill. I guess I'll start to taper here soon, and hope for a good day with no winds.

Hope you are back up to speed soon!

J\V
In the gym yesterday found out I haven't lost that much fitness. So am really looking forward to tomorrow on the trainer and especially Sunday's ride where I must do around 100ks.
Incidentally, my young riding buddy is also doing the Fukui ride and believe it or not "THE http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/62.gif" has also entered, so I have to train like a maniac for the next 4 weeks.

Nomad, I don't know what the weather is like in Hiroshima but I went out on Sunday at 4.50am because the weather forecast said minimum temperature 8 degrees C.
Luckily I had 2 layers on and an extra hand towel tucked inside covering my chest and stomach. 8 degrees PAH!! Later as I was travelling across the rice paddies there was bloody frost on the ground. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/pi_supermad1.gif I stopped 5 times to get life back into my fingers. At 7.30 coming down a 6km winding drop at speeds up to 55kph my teeth were literally chattering like an old typewriter. http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/scared1.gif

Still, managed to do nearly 90km - the first long ride for some time because of the bug. I don't know whether it was the cold, but I felt completely drained all day yesterday and this morning. However, am now raring to go on the trainer tomorrow. hopefully shall be in tiptop condition for the Fukui Gran Fondo 150Km in June with an FTP of ???. TYSON

Curlew wrote:

Disappeared? No way! I check in at Cycling Forums everyday. I don't want to miss anything during the lead up to the next encounter with "The Smoker!"

Well, those days that I could see so clearly all winter long down in my basement on the trainer are finally here. There is an "Endless Summer" of weekend races on the calendar stretching as far as the eye can see. I'm so excited.

The power, the power, oh my gosh. It accumulates so slowly. But when you compare your riding from one year to the next you can really see the gains. Last year at this time after 4 months on the Tyson-Rapdaddyo "plan" I was in a Cat 4/5 circuit race where we hit a hill every 1 mile lap. The hill sent my heart rate through the ceiling then the big guys who suffered on the way up took over and drove the pace up on the downside. I got dropped HARD after about 1/3 of the race.

I got in this year's race on the same course a couple of weeks ago. What a difference a year makes! After 14 months on "The Plan" the hill and course that did me in last year was EASY! After about six 21-23 mph trips up the hill without getting too winded, I knew I was a different rider. Even in the middle of the excitement and closeness of that bike race, a feeling of indebtedness overtook me. Cresting that hill, seated, with plenty of power to spare, riders laboring out of the saddle around me, I really felt indebted to you and RD for inspiring me and teaching me how to use a trainer.

So, who knows what will happen next. There are so many good days of riding ahead. You are one of the first to arrive at the race course and an early morning fog is just lifting. The promoters sound system crackles to life and a forgotten part of the midwest comes to life with music, a small crowd, team colors and shining, fast bikes. The splendor and fullness of reality. Contact!Curlew good to hear from you as always. I thought however, it more appropriate to post a reply here where it would be more on topic.
As RD would say, isn't it a great feeling to be able to turn the power on at will, and know with certainty that you are a totally different person from say a year ago. You must be capable of churning out 300 watts when necessary I imagine.
Please don't thank me, all credit must go to RD, because like yourself I'm simply one of his proteges.
For me, just some 3 months or so away from my 65th birthday, this ability to continuing improving, and knowing that I'm not plateauing yet is even sweeter. Proof of this statement barring any unforeseen cirumstances will be substantiated on the Wednesday prior to the Fukui (FU KU I - not FUK U I :D ) Gran Fondo on the 3rd June.

I can't wait for the event. As you would say, 300 brightly coloured tops and 300 gleaming steeds of various metals, including "The http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/smoker21.gif" on his ridiculously expensive Litespeed. Let the chase begin!
TYSON

Please promise us you will give a race report when its over. We do so enjoy them.

Tyson:

As RD would say, isn't it a great feeling to be able to turn the power on at will, and know with certainty that you are a totally different person from say a year ago. You must be capable of churning out 300 watts when necessary I imagine.
Yeah, this year I can hold some power back and turn it on and off when needed. I didn't have that cushion last year so I felt like I was often just one surge away from getting dropped. Last year was fun but this year is a blast!


For me, just some 3 months or so away from my 65th birthday, this ability to continuing improving, and knowing that I'm not plateauing yet is even sweeter. That's what I am feeling too. TiMan, daveryanwyoming and others have been making a lot of great suggestions in their posts lately that are speaking to my weaknesses in the area of 1 min and 5 min power. One of the reasons I haven't been posting as much is I finally feel like I know what I need to do and I know that if I do it, it will work. I have had good 3-4 week periods where I have seen my 1 minute power go up, other 3 week periods where I focused on my 5 minute power and it went up and my FT keeps going up ever so slowly. Knowing what to do now and having seen that IT WORKS, I'm pretty sure I can get ALOT faster, but it just takes time. So I kind of feel like a student who the teacher has helped as much as they can. Now I have to go out and apply what I've learned before I am going to have better questions to ask and be able to benefit again from others more experienced than I am.

Here's some news. I finally got a PowerTap! I thought my 15 year old son would be grabbed by PowerTap coolness, but until now, I couldn't persuade him to pool some of his biking money with mine so we could go in together on a hub, wheel and receiver. Well, one of his buddies who is an incredible rider got a PowerTap. As soon as that happened the PowerTap acquired "must have" status in my son's eyes. So we've got it. I have only seen it about 1 week out of 4, but when I can pry it away from him and use it on my bike it is amazing.

So, when you get a chance Tyson, tell us more about this epic ride that is coming up in June. You said:

Proof of this statement barring any unforeseen cirumstances will be substantiated on the Wednesday prior to the Fukui (FU KU I - not FUK U I :D ) Gran Fondo on the 3rd June.
What's happening on Wednesday May 30th? What is this ride like on June 3rd? Has "The Smoker" or his wife said anything about the upcoming ride?

Good to hear from you!

I wrote a long reply responding to both Tbowren and Curlew and then proceeded to lose it. I REALLY HATE THAT and can never bring myself to rewrite it.:mad:

Anyway, shall give a full report on the ride in the mountains of Fukui Prefecture as per last year. (see page 26) and Curlew after last year's event you wrote:

Yahoo! Glad you made it. There's more energy than tiredness in your words so its clear that you did really well on an epic course.

Tyson, does anybody test ride these routes while these rides are still in the planning stages? The tunnel situation sounds like a real rider trap. Just the thought of heading through a dark tunnel and not being able to detect the route shifting activates a real primordial fear in me...kind of like Indiana Jones being in a dark pit with a bunch of snakes. I'd be dreaming about that trip through the tunnel long after the bruises healed!!
(also on page 26)

Curlew, keep us posted on the PT. I'm 99% certain now of purchasing one when I go to the UK in July. TYSON

Whatever your exact FTP is, it looks like it's not going to be that far of 280W.

My first 'race' is in two weeks, the 'Pillar-to-Post' Hillclimb up my training hill. I guess I'll start to taper here soon, and hope for a good day with no winds.


Just a quick update, the 'Pillar-to-Post' race was today (saw 'AshesToGlory' there!), and although he weather wasn't sunny, it was decent enough to ride (cloudy and moist, 50 deg F). Did a 23:59 at 295 watts, another PB by about a minute (and 10 watts). My new bike probably gave me 20 seconds, but luckily under 24 was my goal, otherwise I would have been bummed to be so close!

Looking forward to hearing the results of your ride soon, Tyson...

-J\V

Anyway, shall give a full report on the ride in the mountains of Fukui Prefecture as per last year. (see page 26)

Uh Oh. Now I remember. This was160 km with lots of weaving back and forth to get up 17% climbs. Riders got mauled in the giant maw of a dark tunnel and staggered out the other end bloodied and wounded. This is the really wild one:eek:!!!

You had an FT around 250-260 for this ride last year. Any idea where you will be this year?

Just a quick update, the 'Pillar-to-Post' race was today (saw 'AshesToGlory' there!), and although he weather wasn't sunny, it was decent enough to ride (cloudy and moist, 50 deg F). Did a 23:59 at 295 watts, another PB by about a minute (and 10 watts). My new bike probably gave me 20 seconds, but luckily under 24 was my goal, otherwise I would have been bummed to be so close!

Looking forward to hearing the results of your ride soon, Tyson...

-J\VWell done WJ, it seems you are not far off a 20 minute power of 300W. I've no idea what wattage I could hold outside (in the cool), as my gym is still like a furnace. Perhaps when I get back from the UK in August with my new PT I shall have a better idea of exactly what my FTP is etc. Might even get in a few rides in the UK. It looks like I shall be riding with the Lewes Wanders (nr Brighton). Maybe I'll even manage a TT or 2 while I'm there. That is if I ever get my bike over there.:(

Curlew wrote:


You had an FT around 250-260 for this ride last year. Any idea where you will be this year?
Curlew, still trying to prise figures out of me I see. Impetuous youth!:D

All will be revealed as I said on the 30th inst, be it good or bad.
Incidentally, the race is 150km this year not 160. However, there's still that final climb of 13km to the finish including that ridiculously placed final 'vertical' kilometre or so.
TYSON

Those of you have followed this thread, will remember the pre Fukui event dream last year. Well, it's happened again - another strange dream. Some members of this forum were excited by the naked woman in my dream, whereas RD seemed to be more interested in the whereabouts of the mysterious toolbox.:D

Last night's dream was nowhere near as interesting as last year's. I can't remember the early part of the dream, so straight to the nitty-gritty.
We were all in a large hall waiting to be summoned to the start, when I realized I was very hungry. After searching around unsuccessfully for something to eat, upon entering a small room, my cycling buddy over here in Japan was lying on a bed?!?! eating a delicious looking sandwhich. I eyed it longingly and he finally asked me if I'd like some. After saying yes, he proceeded to eat the sandwhich until there was just a small corner of it left. He kindly:rolleyes: said would you like some. I turned his offer down because I had espied another sandwhich behind his back. Needless to say, he didn't offer me any of that one either.
So here I am walking around feeling the 2 Powerbars in my cycling top back pocket thinking; how could I possibly have forgotten my bananas and gel - I'm going to bonk today?
Now this was strange because suddenly I realized I was only wearing a vest (undershirt to the colonies) with no back pockets. Then I became aware of the fact that I wasn't wearing my bib shorts, but wrestlers' blue tights.:(
This dream was turning out to be like last years. Here we were,　5 minutes from the start and I'm dressed in underwear and silky blue wrestling tights, and like last year I was starting to panic and again like last year, no sign of a bike anywhere.
Finally I remember rushing into the ladies toilet which was the nearest and surprisingly finding a urinal had a long pee. (first time ever in a dream) I expected to wake up dripping wet.
Like last year, never did get to the start. Actually last year I did get to the start but everyone had gone and I had no bike, so started runing and piling on the power overtaking some highschool girls at a snails pace. Ah well.:confused:

I've spent some time evaluating this and now I think it's time to break out of your cyclist shell and become a wrestler or just avoid sushi pizza before bedtime.:)


Those of you have followed this thread, will remember the pre Fukui event dream last year. Well, it's happened again - another strange dream. Some members of this forum were excited by the naked woman in my dream, whereas RD seemed to be more interested in the whereabouts of the mysterious toolbox.:D

Last night's dream was nowhere near as interesting as last year's. I can't remember the early part of the dream, so straight to the nitty-gritty.
We were all in a large hall waiting to be summoned to the start, when I realized I was very hungry. After searching around unsuccessfully for something to eat, upon entering a small room, my cycling buddy over here in Japan was lying on a bed?!?! eating a delicious looking sandwhich. I eyed it longingly and he finally asked me if I'd like some. After saying yes, he proceeded to eat the sandwhich until there was just a small corner of it left. He kindly:rolleyes: said would you like some. I turned his offer down because I had espied another sandwhich behind his back. Needless to say, he didn't offer me any of that one either.
So here I am walking around feeling the 2 Powerbars in my cycling top back pocket thinking; how could I possibly have forgotten my bananas and gel - I'm going to bonk today?
Now this was strange because suddenly I realized I was only wearing a vest (undershirt to the colonies) with no back pockets. Then I became aware of the fact that I wasn't wearing my bib shorts, but wrestlers' blue tights.:(
This dream was turning out to be like last years. Here we were,　5 minutes from the start and I'm dressed in underwear and silky blue wrestling tights, and like last year I was starting to panic and again like last year, no sign of a bike anywhere.
Finally I remember rushing into the ladies toilet which was the nearest and surprisingly finding a urinal had a long pee. (first time ever in a dream) I expected to wake up dripping wet.
Like last year, never did get to the start. Actually last year I did get to the start but everyone had gone and I had no bike, so started runing and piling on the power overtaking some highschool girls at a snails pace. Ah well.:confused:

I've spent some time evaluating this and now I think it's time to break out of your cyclist shell and become a wrestler or just avoid sushi pizza before bedtime.:)LOL Sushi pizza - now that's a new one! Not quite sure how you cook the pizza yet keep the sushi cold. Mind you I don't know how they get the choc bits spread throughout the ice-cream instead of in a clump either.:(

Anyway stay tuned, Fukui ride is drawing near. Going out this Sunday at 4.30am in an attempt to do a 120km fast ride in the mountains with as much L4/L5 content as possible.

TYSON

I wish you well Tyson BTW have you ever been on this ride in Japan? http://www.bikeroute.com/Recumbents/News/Archives/000145.html

LOL Sushi pizza - now that's a new one! Not quite sure how you cook the pizza yet keep the sushi cold. Mind you I don't know how they get the choc bits spread throughout the ice-cream instead of in a clump either.:(

Anyway stay tuned, Fukui ride is drawing near. Going out this Sunday at 4.30am in an attempt to do a 120km fast ride in the mountains with as much L4/L5 content as possible.

TYSON

I wish you well Tyson BTW have you ever been on this ride in Japan? http://www.bikeroute.com/Recumbents/News/Archives/000145.htmlWow, that's amazing! Never heard of it. Had to post the picture.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/RollerCoaster1.jpg

And I love this one.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/cynori191.jpg

This was the line up of the 300 riders at last year's Fukui ride.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/BeforeStart051.jpg

And the profile of the course this year.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/060604331.gif

And some more photos from last year.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/DSC_00671-1.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/DSC_01431.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/DSC_00201.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d150/tinkletinkle_/6af6e1151.jpg

Are there any flat parts :eek:

Are there any flat parts :eek:
Yes, but if you blink you'll miss them!:D