Mad Manatee Mentors 2013: CLOSED (exc/ Pop Tart bribes) (Page 48)

Okey Dokey, bit of a long winded post this one, sorry......

I have been concerned of late that I suck at hilly rides. My concern is because in July I have a 112 mile bike ride around the "hilly" Ironman Wales bike course to do. It has a 9 hour cut off I think. I have been trying to compare my rides with others to try and gauge how I'm doing. I know this is not ideal, but it's all I have. I would much rather have a blurry picture of where my abilities lay than to go into the ride blind.

To prepare I would focus on three things

1. Time in the saddle  - I haven't been getting time in the saddle because of that little hamstring pull I had a few weeks back. 
    
2. Hill repeats - which is why I'm doing the hilly route training. But how much was I supposed to be doing and how was I to gauge my level of ability. Erfo, the reason of the post.
    
3. An increasingly long ride each week until taper. - That's the plan .

I'd also make sure that I had the right gear selection. - Currently, on the bike, I have a triple on the front 52/39/30. And a 9 speed cassette 26-12. Whilst going up the very steep hills I'm in 52-12 and trying to keep my cadence in the 80s. When I feel it slowing I get up out of the saddle for 10-20 feet to give me a kick and give me ticker a little break before sitting back down for 80-90 rpm again.

When working on hill repeats, I'd also work on descending skills. - Yep, what goes up must come down 

While on long rides, work on race day nutrition (as opposed to stopping for pub food). What, you mean I can't train to get  my time down to 6 hours? That would allow me a 2 hour pub break at the half way mark. FFS.

With under 300 outdoor miles logged this year, I'd plan on getting a lot of time in the saddle between in the next six weeks. - See point 1 above. Also, felt a bit painful after the 135km ride the other day. So don't want to push it, plus a race on Sunday, plus I had that 2 week hiatus blah, blah, blah...

About two weeks before the race, be sure that your bike is tuned up and be very sure to tune up the brakes. -What, more money?

During at least one of your long rides, wear the shorts, if not the entire outfit, that you plan to use in July. - And on that note, we can get back to innuendo . Ordered some ASSos cream for the crown jewels, so will be applying liberal amounts. Have been on my longest ride so far in my shorts that I will be wearing on the day. No, uh, delicate rubbing that day. Mostly where the pad ends and rubs into the crease where the groin becomes the leg. Have been looking at saddles, either Adamo or Cobb. 

Looking for some opinions on tri watches/HRMs. My next one is on the near horizon My watch now is a Polar FT4, and I'm contemplating switching to the Garmin 310xt.  Anyone have one now or experience with one? 

I may expand on my thoughts later, but I need to get to the gym. Very late tonight!!!!