Shiz, I have a real cyclist in my ward

[Archaea]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

He's definitely stronger than me. Despite only riding the same pitiful amount this year.

He was 2nd in KOTM in Lotoja in his class he said. His strength is climbing.

So like a moron, I said, let's go to the hilly streets. So I am at the limit already after those short, but steep, climbs.

I averaged 181 bpm, but I'm not sure if my HRM is accurate.

When we talked, he was speaking normally, I was speaking like I had emphysema.

He says Lance doped, so I know he is a good guy.

P.S. archaea send me one of your old cassettes with a really big gear. I need a triple or I am going to die.

I don't have any big cassettes which are old.

I have a bunch of 11/23s, 11/21, one 12/27 that is barely used. I intend to do Lotoja with the 11/23. I am a masher except in a crit.

If he did a 12 hour in the Cat 3s and was 2d in KOTM, I find that hard to believe.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by creekster

I am usually at 90-100 rpm unless th road goes up at all. On my ride home last night I took the hilly route, which has a climb of about 750-850 feet in about 2 miles. I think my RPM and speed were both in the single digits on the climb.

20% is prety extreme.

when you approach it, it looks like a wall.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by Archaea

I don't have any big cassettes which are old.

I have a bunch of 11/23s, 11/21, one 12/27 that is barely used. I intend to do Lotoja with the 11/23. I am a masher except in a crit.

If he did a 12 hour in the Cat 3s and was 2d in KOTM, I find that hard to believe.

I don't think he raced as a Cat. I may be wrong.

[MikeWaters]

turns out I have a 12-23. I need to buy a 12-27.

I can't imagine doing Lotoja with a 12-23. But then again, I am more Lance Armstong--high cadence in a low gear. Probably going to buy one today.

[MikeWaters]

Reasons this guy could have won KOM in his division:

1. he may not have been in a very competitive division
2. the climbs are more at the beginning
3. I know he rode with some people slower than him, so he could have sat up during the last half.

[bluegoose]

Originally Posted by MikeWaters

turns out I have a 12-23. I need to buy a 12-27.

What kind of crank are you using? Is it a 53/39 or is it a compact?

If you are using a compact, I kind of doubt that you will have much use for a 27. Thats only useful for the long steep stuff. A 23 or 25 is probably good enough, don't you think?

If its a 39 crank, then a 27 might be good to have. But even then, those climbs at that goat ride aren't long enough where you'll likely have time to down shift to a 27. You'll be at the top before you feel like you need to go that far down.

[MikeWaters]

Originally Posted by bluegoose

What kind of crank are you using? Is it a 53/39 or is it a compact?

If you are using a compact, I kind of doubt that you will have much use for a 27. Thats only useful for the long steep stuff. A 23 or 25 is probably good enough, don't you think?

If its a 39 crank, then a 27 might be good to have. But even then, those climbs at that goat ride aren't long enough where you'll likely have time to down shift to a 27. You'll be at the top before you feel like you need to go that far down.

36 + 23 is too much for me to pedal at 110rpm on the really steep hills. I end up with a much slower candence and it kills me.

[MikeWaters]

Maybe I just need more fitness. For me, that 36+23 is about 12 mph going uphill. So with high cadence I should be going probably 13-14mph.

Is that reasonable?

[MikeWaters]

We went on another ride last night.

He hadn't ridden since out last ride. I had put on 120 miles since then.

He is much stronger. It didn't help I was a little sick (in retrospect) before we started.

Last night, I blew chunks, everything. Woke up with heartrate of 120.

Feel awful. Probably a stomach virus compounded with a too violent effort on the bike.

[MikeWaters]

I am just now starting to feel better and not massively thirsty.

I think I may have cracked my kidneys, but they have recovered a fraction.