All posts by Mike

Solo Pesky/Tunitas went very well!

Ride reports (not Tu/Th)

I was not at all certain how today’s ride would go; I’ve had an uninterrupted series of strong rides that is kind of baffling. I assumed today might be that day that breaks the string, and I even felt a bit “off” at the start. Plus I was on my own, doing a solo ride. And that’s the thing. When I’m on my own, I tend to push. And push. And push. And continue to keep pushing.

Things started out with a brief stop in Woodside, just 4 miles out, because I’d noticed a funny feeling in my right knee (and I *never* have knee issues), and remembered that I hadn’t set the rotational play adjustment on the cleats I’d just installed. Fortunately, I had my multi-tool with me and opened up the inward swing (my right foot is much more heel-in than my left, and Speedplays are about the only pedal that will safely accomondate me), and all was well.

I was still feeling a bit apprehensive as I approached the base of Old LaHonda, but I pushed on, and kept going. And it worked. At 22:49, best time since August last year. Haskins, 9:49, best time since October. Final Stage Road climb, 6:31, best time since August… of 2017! And saved the best for last, Tunitas, 47:10, best time since August… of 2014. 6th best time for me ever, on a climb I’ve done 169 times.

By the time I descended Kings into Woodside, I was on fumes. I was even cramping in my right leg on Canada, trying to find a way to keep on going because it would be pretty sad having to call for a sag just 3 miles from home! I remembered a race where I cramped heavily a mile or two from the finish, and just pushed through, hoping I wasn’t doing any permanent damage. Actually I wasn’t even thinking about permanent damage; I just wanted to make it to the finish. Only later did I think about what happens if you keep pushing through a seriously cramped-up muscle. Fortunately I was able to stand on the pedals and make it better, but that last mile or two home was pretty slow.

So another stronger-than-expected effort. Hopefully more to come!

Another strong ride; fastest Kings via the park since July 2017. I like this.

Tues/Thurs 7:45am ride

I could get used to this. I’m seeing numbers better than I’ve seen in a year, and in this case, even longer. I’m finishing rides actually feeling a bit tired, not the normal tired but the type of tired that you volunteer for by really pushing yourself.

The proof is in the numbers; I’m finally able to post climbing speeds over 1000 VAM (the number of meters you’d climb at a given pace for an hour). Today it was 26:37 through the park, 1018 VAM and 253 average watts. 8 years ago it would have been 24:15, 1117 VAM and 280 watts. But as they say, that was 8 years ago! 6 years before I started taking bone-marrow suppressing drugs that reduce the red blood cells that cyclists (especially Lance Armstrong) crave. Not that anyone would think a 63 year old would be at a disadvantage to his 55 year old self. But just turning the clock back to where things were two years ago makes me feel pretty good. Strange to think it comes after my pelvis fracture back in February, that kept me off a bike for 6 long weeks.

This morning we had Kevin & Kevin. I hung well through the park, clawing my way back after getting dropped near the entrance office. But, making the right turn onto Kings, I had to let the two of them gradually ride away from me. Kevin more so than Kevin. In fact, I was able to keep Kevin in sight the rest of the climb, while Kevin last last seen at the wide-open clearing section. In the end Kevin finished a couple minutes ahead of Kevin, and I was 30 minutes behind.

Despite the fog & drizzle on Skyline, something I would have complained loudly about a couple weeks ago, it was a really nice morning, with the skies clearing nicely by the time we got to West Old LaHonda.