Ironman Coeur d'Alene : Official Thread (Page 33)

I too have been looking to get a climbing cassette for my tribike. I have found it somewhat difficult to find a cassette that will replace my 9-speed rear cassette without having to change out other components. I think I'll just end up going to a local bike shop and getting them to put one on. The link on Shimano gearing is good. I am surprised that some are riding a 11/23!!! That is crazy! I definitely want a bailout gear.

Here's an easy way to check your chain wear. It can be done with the chain on or off the bike.

 

Take a ruler (inches) and line up a chain pin on the 1-inch mark. 
 
Stretch the chain tight and look at the 13-inch mark.
A new chain should line up exactly with a chain pin.
If the stretch is 1/16" or less, you're in good shape.
If it's between 1/16" and 1/8", you should replace your chain.
If it is over 1/8", you'll probably need to replace not only your chain, but also your cassette and chain rings

As for the cassette change I swap out cassettes all the time and the only thing you may need are a couple of special tools ( chain whip & cassette lock ringtool)http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/SubCategory_10052_10551_400139_-1_400005_400036

Hey ladies and gents. I was just thinking about when we should get our race number and all that jazz. I couldn't remember from lastyear, how close to race day we got all of that information. Does anyone know, or remember?

The not so local LBS guy suggested downsizing the big (up front) ring to help with climbing....  On grades of 8 to 12 percent I am grinding at 50 rpms or so.  And I only average about 17-17.5 mph at the 100 mile range and 18-19 mph at the 50 mile range... so I probably won't lose too much off the top end with the new gearing.  Oh well I will make the drive on Saturday and see how I like the new setup.  (and keep the old setup just in case I don't like it).  It won't hurt to have a once over of the wear and tear on the bike to see if anything else is not maintained as it should be.  I have the new tires worn in now and have new tubes inside, so.... getting there.   

Now to get those sattle sores that have just developed under control.  Sigh if it is not one thing it is another.  Anyone have good cures for saddle sores... I haven't had problems in the past, but oh well have em now. 

Run is not coming along as magically as I would have liked.  I am still trying to figure out my walk/run/walk distances for building up.  Anyone have any suggestions for the build from a calf pull.. I have not so much time to figure it out 8).  I was thinking something like walk .25, run 1 mile, walk .25 rince repeat.

Baowolf - I use a 1 minute walk, 3 minute run.  I used that in my last half and it worked well for me. I could run more, but having the discipline is more important to me for when things get ugly. And my run is ugly, ugly, ugly.

Isn't it usually about 2 weeks out???

I just used Lanolin recently and it really helped.  I had no problems during Saturday's 116-mile ride after developing some hot spots during a TT three days prior.  A registered dietitian friend who is also a marathoner recommended it for blisters and gave me some before I headed off to Boston.  It's marketed for nursing mothers to relieve soreness, but it worked wonders for me.  Your local drug store (or someplace along the ride to your not-so LBS) should have it.

Aquaphor (another baby product) is also excellent for rashes/rubs. Whenever I get one of those sample tubes of it in a swag bag I stick it in my Bento box. Nice to have it on the bike in case you miss a spot that rears it's ugly head during a long ride.

I have a friend coming from Vancouver one of those weekends. Will be his first time on the course as well. Would be happy to have more join us for the tour.

Just a heads up... I was riding with a gal earlier this week who rode the course last Sunday and she said people have been throwing tacks on the road. This was out in the Rimrock/Ohio Match area. One of the guys that is a volunteer course monitor for the race was out sweeping them up. I guess he lives on the course and checks it from time to time.

That sucks- I wish people wouldn't do that.  I will be sooo mad if I get multiple flats during the race- not cool at all.

Tacks on the road! I don't understand why some people are just so mean - what is the motivation behind this? obviously whoever is doing this has zero clue how much sacrifice of time, energy, and money we all put into completing this event.
I think the race organizers should be made aware of this and have additional bike support available and staged at those areas identified as places where flats may occur. Or at the very least spotters and volunteers ready to call in oncourse help during race to clean up road and help fix flats. I am not planning on carrying more than 1 spare tube.

I cancelled my room at the Hampton Inn last week as my wife and I will not be able to join in the fun this time around.  I wish I had seen this before I cancelled Tim.  

Keeping my job sounded more important than doing this race.    Don't worry - I will be back to CdA at some point.

 

Edited by captantony 2010-05-21 10:08 AM

I'm pretty sure there won't be any tack problems on race day. They are really good about sweeping/monitoring the course. I'm mostly just concerned about the training rides. Things got pretty heated over there last season between drivers/bikes (mostly drivers). There were articles written about it. Just be careful when training on the course. Unless you're riding early in the AM I would stay off Gov't Way too. It gets really busy.

Ya one of the writers last year was offended that cyclists do not wear denim jeans with metal zippers to ride thier 112 miles in.  I seriously do not get the whole kill cyclists thing.  I can understand maybe not seeing a bike while someone is driving a car, but running people over on purpose?  Really?  

Anyway snowing here again today.... makes me not want to bike outside tonight.  Quite the day at work as well, and my wife's dead battery.... and etc...    

It is interesting that you mentioned it was snowing where you live. It was 93 deg F for my afternoon run today. While running in that heat I was thinking about how some of you have been limited by the cold and now the heat is starting to limit me.

Heading north there are not many other good options. 15th might be the best choice but it really isn't all that much better. Saturday afternoon traffic is going to be busy.

Be safe out there guys!

7th to honeysuckle is the best way.

I just looked at the 30 day outlook for June 2010.

I decided I want to be a weather man. It says we have an equal chance for Above Normal, Normal, or Below Normal precipitation and temperature.

Uh.... ok.

Thanks for all of the advice on the training ride...  I hope there is a weekend soon that it is not raining or snowing.

The end of June, I am planning on it being 90plus degrees anything less will be bonus.

Any updates on the water temp?  I still plan to rent a full wetsuit and need to take care of that this week.  Just order a 12/17 cassette- I hope that will suffice for the bike course.  Seems like it's getting closer and closer.  

Real time water temperature is located here: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?cb_00010=on&cb_72147=on&format=gi...

This sensor is located at the outflow of the lake, not too far from the race course. It is located 9 feet underwater so surface temp is probably a bit warmer.

Yeah, crazy weather in Boise this weekend as well.  What is up with the snow and rain this time of year?  Needless to say I did not get my Epic ride to Stanley in.  I was hoping for some serious hill training in central Idaho near the Sawtooths.  Instead it turned out to be 8 miserable hours on the trainer (A 140 miles of fun...)  Well, not so much.  Atleast I was able to catch up on some movies.