Sunday, January 13, 2008

Motorpacing......a hay trailer?

I've been getting some good riding in recently. About 10 hours over the past 4 days (in 3 rides). Yesterday was 4 hours and was really good....a little cool when I headed out at 8am but manageable until it warmed up a little bit. The wind was biting but for some reason it really wasn't bothering me too much for the whole ride. This was my climbing route....basically incorporating everything long climb I know of. Makes for a slower ride but hopefully will improve my climbing in the long run. Finished it up feeling pretty good.

Went out again today planning for about 2.5 hours. A little colder than yesterday and a lot more windy. Unlike yesterday where the headwind began the ride (which is what I like), I had the tailwind at the beginning. Once I started working my way back home I realized how strong the wind really was. Luckily just then a tractor pulling a huge trailer full of hay went past me. He was moving at a good pace so I decided to try and hang on. After all it provided great wind protection. It turned out to be a pretty good workout.....I followed him for about 40 mins and got a good work out. Down hills I was braking but on the flats I was getting a good consistent pace....a little faster than I would normally go. Once he turned away I got hammered with the wind and dragged myself home for the remaining 20 minutes....I sure was going slow.

Only about a month to go until the 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo.....still trying to decide which bike to take. I'd like to take the rigid Niner as the course is about as perfect as you'll get for this type of bike. But I'm wondering if I'll appreciate the comfort of the full suspension....my back is still getting a little stiff and sore these days.

Steve

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

40 minutes! That's a good long draft. I think the most I've gotten is about 10 minutes behind a dump truck.
As for the rigid bike or not, I rode the first six laps at HAN last year on my rigid Inbred. Didn't feel too bad, but my arms were starting to get tired just as night came. But then again if you don't go for it, you'll never know eh?
Cheers, Dave

Anonymous said...

Inspiring to read - stumbled across your blog after having registered for my first 24solo - the solstice at albion.
drop me you email if you are open to some questions about your training/eating during the race. thanks
hanrahant@yahoo.com