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

Alex Simmons

I rode the track again yesterday. Three main things happened:

- the polyurethane spacer I put between the cycling cleat and adapter plate on my prosthetic cycling leg attachment worked a treat. I was able to rock the bike side to side as normal when sprinting out of saddle.



- That meant I was much more confident of jumping out of saddle for accelerations, which I did a few of down the banking to chase down riders doing efforts. On one fly from the top of banking in an 80" gear (49x16) I peaked at 55kph and 142 rpm.

- I cracked the kilowatt on my third standing start with a peak of 1053W and a 5-sec MMP of 1020 W


This week I do some aerobic power testing with a TT and a MAP test.

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Sillyoldtwit

I used to think you were mad, but now I know you are completely insane.
I admire how you overcome each (of many) problem as it arises. Keep up the good work!

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Sillyoldtwit

I now have a confession to make.

After an L4 workout on the 15th of July, because of the mercury reaching 38C, I lost interest in cycling and laziness feeds on laziness. I didn't (couldn't) shake myself out of it until the 2nd of August. 18 days off!
After that I was getting back to my old self when disaster struck. I attempted to lift my daughter and the futon matress from the floor with straight legs and body at an angle. Another 10 days off with a bad back.

The reason I recently felt excited was because I was almost back to where I was and I felt I was going to be stronger than before. My L4 workouts are now better than they were and my L5s are 10 watts away from what they used to be. That will be rectified by the end of this week, then I start to taper for Biwa.
However, I'm going to try something next Tuesday in an attempt to equal RapDaddyo's best ever at said. Next Thursday will be the last L4 workout - probably only 20 minutes at 290 or 300 watts, then unlike some guys in this forum, will rest completely on Friday and Saturday getting as much afternoon napping as I can in the afternoons and to bed at 8pm Friday night.
I must admit I'm a little apprehensive about Sunday, because I just don't know if my extra power compared to last year will transfer to the 'race'.
One indication that it might is:- Last Saturday I did a completely flat 57km ride along the river bank, and kept the pace relatively steady, never sprinting even for 5 metres. When I got home and checked my computer, I discovered my top speed had been 41.7kmph 26mph.Of course that was solo, and with drafting next Sunday.........................

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Ade Merckx

Are you saying two complete days off the bike before your big ride? I would feel slighty blocked if I didn't ride the day before? So at least 40 mins - 5min warm up 20mins L3 and 10 in L4, 5 min cool down the day before the ride. But hey thats me. I hope you have a good ride

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Steve_B

You know, that might just work for you. If you have tried it before and it worked then do it. Myself, I find that if I'm fit and have been training a lot, when I take a day or two off the bike completely, I can really rock the day that I do get back on the bike. It only lasts that day or so but it works. More than two days might be a problem though.

Steve_B

I'm just wondering what sort of mind-altering supplements you might have been taking. I took this stuff called DMAE for a while years ago and it didn't do what it was supposed to do but it gave me the wildest dreams I've ever had in my life.

Alex Simmons

OK, not long off trainer. Today the weather was crap so my 16km TT test was done on the indoor ergo. I don't have speed/distance data so decided to make it a 25-min test. That's probably a bit short for a 10-mile effort at my current fitness but it'll do for the purpose.

Average Power of 248 watts for the 25-min and a 20-min power of 252 W.

Not quite sure how hard to go, I went for 220+ W to start with and then just rode by feel.

Not too bad all things considered. MAP test later this week.

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Steve_B

Progress. Big progress.

Bailsibub

Tyson,

I, too, had to contend with the hot weather last month over here in Seoul. Problem is, I do my workouts on the Cycleops in the mornings before work. And my apartment is the size of a normal room! To deal with it, I had to crank up the little AC unit here all night to get the place as cool as the little unit would get it. I even had to block the living room window with one of those car windshield protectors to keep the hot morning sun out. My skinny wife was freezing! But it still wasn't that cool in here.

During the 3x20s, I still had sweat pouring off! But anytime I wanted to slow down or stop, I remembered everything I had to go through just to get my apartment cool enough to do that workout. That made me forge ahead.

Anyway, tear it up at Biwa. I'm really looking forward to your report on it. Have fun!

Sillyoldtwit

Reading the above, I don't really have anything to complain about. I set the room temperature at 19c with the aircon and in 20 minutes or so I'm ready to go, plus I have a fan going at full speed to create a wind.
It's not the heat so much that gets you in Nagoya, but the accompanying 98% humidity - it completely drains you. Unfortunately I feel drained before I even get into the cold room.
Anyway the temp is dropping nicely now and the humidity is down to 48% at times. If you don't hear from me, you'll know I flunked at Biwa.

Have just spotted your post Alex - great stuff. How long do you think before you exceed my FTP - 1,2,3 months? When you do, I shall then retire as a hopeless case. Tyson

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Alex Simmons

Well since you are likely already higher than I was before my accident, I'd say that will be a very long time and you are safe from the need to retire early.

I have to say I was pretty pleased with the result. As you know, the largest gains come early on. The work required per watt gained ratio starts going up significantly now.

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Sillyoldtwit

Phew!!



So bloody true, however, you do get the occasional quantum leap after seemingly stagnating. I feel I'm on the verge of one of these 'leaps'. Intend to do an FTP test after 4 days rest following the Lake Biwa ride.

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JungleBiker

Hi Alex, You deserve one gold medal for all those Watts and another for your modesty!

Sillyoldtwit

Here's the team I'm hoping to stay with a bit longer than last year in the second stage of the Lake Biwa event. I can just be seen in my yellow jersey with lily white legs at the back of the line.



And a picture for the lads.

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