Mad Manatee Mentors CLOSED (Poptart/pet pic bribes?) (Page 37)

I've also thought about doing this...frankly I'm scared. 

It's definitely not in the training plan as I'm in late base phase, but it sure would be a nice kick in the pants training stress-wise.  I don't have any of the videos in the Tour (I only have Hell Hath No Fury), so the cost is an issue too.

As a converted roadie I cannot back down from a cycling challenge such as this.  I will do it.  I completed last years, and I remember it being OK for the most part except for the Angels + The Hunted stage.

I'm a huge fan of the sufferfest workouts.  They do a great job in adding intensity to my winter trainer sessions.

If you have an Android tablet or Ipad you could get the App for $10 a month (just unsubscribe after this month) to get access to all the videos except Elements of Style and Nine Hammers.

If you don't have Elements of style, then I would recommend it.  It's a good video for practicing technique with just enough intensity to make you feel like you did something.

You can do the videos by following the RPE intensity in the videos, but you won't be able to do the trainer road challenge for it, as it requires ANT+ to work correctly.

ETA: You can donate $10 to the Davis Phinney Foundation.  You can find the link in here http://www.thesufferfest.com/tour-sufferlandria-2015/

If you do that then Sufferfest picks a winner daily from the pool of donors. 

My excuses are dwindling.  I already use TR and it's only $10 for the app.  :-/

The Garmin GSC-10 is about $50 here in the States..not sure what the cost would be down there. 

One of those things is a pretty good long-term investment anyway, though it's really easy for me to spend other people's money.  :-)

Probably like $500 with what everything else seems to cost her down there!

The Sufferfest videos were first made using RPE, and still use the RPE scale. It's only more recently that they began tying RPE to FTP and power. The newer ones use 7.5 as FTP whereas older ones it was more like 7, but could move around some as they just had more vague descriptions. Some of the revised ones (like the newest Angels) has updated to the newer scale.

On a related bike gear question, I've used a Cat-eye double wireless for years and it is approaching the end of its life.  Buttons stick, auto pause doesn't work anymore, etc.

I do not link to anything so just need good basics like speed, distance, cadence.  Don't do power but would like something compatible for the future maybe.

It has been forever since I've looked at what is available and am a little overwhelmed with the options.  What do you think of about a Garmin 500?  I found a bundle which includes speed/cadence sensor and heartrate for $199.

Also, can this be easily swapped between by bikes?

While we are on the shoes topic:

Hokas - I HATED the Cliftons. And I have never said I hated a shoe before. They felt really clunky on the track on the turns. Then again, I am sure they will have a better racing flat type shoe for the public soon. I have seen Leo Manzano and David Torrence sporting them for track racing because obviously their other product offerings aren't going to cut it for that type of racing. I was surprised they weren't more comfortable with all that cushioning, too.

But the biggest takeaway about shoes is that they are extremely personal. You pick what is comfortable and go with it and it's not much more complicated than that.

On another note, I found some trail shoes. I poured over consumer and professional reviews and went with the Brooks Cascadia. Partially because they are well reviewed for what I am looking for and also because I am familiar with the fit and comfort of Brooks. I really enjoy them. I am also currently product testing the New Balance Leadville 1210v2. I enjoy them as well. One thing I notice about both, and this may be a trail shoe thing, but the heel cup tends to be a little wider. I have narrow feet so it's really noticeable. I will likely just wear taller socks (I wear no socks, or no-show typically) to avoid heel chafe. 

Steve, the Garmin 500 bundle (assuming it includes the speed/cadence sensor and HR monitor) is about all you'll ever need.  I have an 800 which is basically a bigger 500 with mapping and another $200 from my wallet.  If I had to make the decision again I would've gotten the 500.

Here's DC Rainmaker's REALLY long review:

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/12/garmin-edge-500-in-depth-review.html

The 500 is a nice unit.  I think that you'd like it.

Cool! I meant to weigh in on the trail shoe discussion way back when but got distracted - squirrel! - and forgot.  I love my Brooks Cascadias, so much so that we're blood sisters (for those not in the know I had a lovely trail run incident this summer that involved much bloodletting and stitches, NOT the fault of the Brooks!). I use them as my 'good' trail shoes and my Adidas Response Trail as 'old' trail shoes (for mud or snow or slop).  I think the Adidas are heavier, and have a more aggro tread which probably accounts for the weight, but the Cascadia is a nice blend of weight and tread for general trail running.

The Edge 500 has to be one of the best bike computers ever made.  I bought mine for $300 when they were new, and even then I didn't get buyer's remorse.  With the speed/cadence sensor $199 is a very good deal.  I have a collection of Garmin HRM's by now, but I use a Powercal for HR and "power" when I'm outdoors.

Looks like Mary found a 500 in the classifieds. Timely!

Thanks for all the feedback on the 500.  I think one is in my future.

Can I ask about power?

What would be a good unit that isn't dependant on the hub?  I'd like to find something cheap, simple that I can use with different wheels.

"Cheap" and "power" are pretty much mutually exclusive.  The hub-based Powertaps are the cheapest.  Pedal and crank-based ones are pretty spendy.

A Trainer Road subscription ($89/year) will get you Virtual Power if you have a good fluid trainer (CycleOps or Kinetic); the other trainers are have a little less stable power curve.  But that doesn't help you once you go outdoors.

It will start some interesting discussion, but I use one of these:
http://www.powertap.com/collections/powercal/products/powercal

Here's DCRainmaker's review of it:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/11/cycleops-powercal-in-depth-review.html

Obviously it's a very portable solution as it's a HR strap for practical purposes.  What I do is pace by TR when I'm indoors, and I'll use the powercal when I'm riding outdoors.

Hiya, Jo, congrats on the run!  How is the tick bite healing?

Timely indeed.  I was just talking with Alex about getting a better computer last night and stumbled across it this morning.  Doesn't have a HRM but that's okay; I already have one.  Guess I'll need to get a speed/cadence sensor.  Given the price I got it for, I'm happy to shell out for that.  Now I'm just hoping that he doesn't give it to the local guy who contacted him after I did...

Good job getting the run in yesterday, Jo!  Rainy weather can definitely suck the motivation right out of a person, especially when you're tired.