Asphalt Junkies CLOSED AND GETTING OUR FIX (Page 87)

Jo63 - 2012-07-20 8:45 AM Matt Happy Belated Birthday hope you had a great one! Warren I love hearing about yur new bike I can feel the enjoyment in your posts. Karl heres to a quick recovery. As far as me the HIM was last weekend I opted to not do it because we were cutting close on time with the cruise. I DID get to high five Craig Alexander and he asked me to take care of his sponges for him...I know its a bit gross, my kids were like REALLY???? but what can I say it was motivating he's just so darn cute and my hubby got some really great pictures of him.

If you had taken those sponges and sealed them in zip-loc baggies you could have sold them on e-bay for quite a tidy sum of cash!  "up for auction: a sponge containing Crowie's actual sweat!"

http://nashville.craigslist.org/bik/3106527430.html

jgerbodegrant - 2012-07-20 9:02 AM

owl_girl - 2012-07-20 9:47 AM Can you guys give me a primer on power meters?  I really don't know much about them.  Are they really that expensive?  OK......tell me what you know. 

A primer, eh?  When it comes to gadgetry, I find it hard to just "nick the surface".  Essentially what you need to know is that a power meter, like any other gadget is a tool that must be used correctly to benefit from it.  I takes a bit of time to get used to it and understand what all the "numbers" mean.  For me, it is a very beneficial training tool and even more effective racing tool.

BENEFIT:  A power meter is so beneficial because it allows you to focus on a specific zone/power number for a given period of time.  There are many training plans out there that focus on staying within a certain zone...this tool allows you to do that.  Other tools like a heart rate monitor and relative perceived effort can allow you to train certain zones, but on any given day, the output of your "perceived effort" may be different based on how much sleep you got...what you ate, etc.  A power meter doesn't care if you are hung over and had fourteen cups of coffee.  If you are putting out 200 watts, you are putting out 200 watts. 

THE MATH:  The meter essentially measures the strain you are putting on the bike and converts it to a specific amount of work you are doing over a given amount of time. (power = watts = joule/s = kgm^2/s^2)

So I know this sounds a little complex...but even a monkey could use it effectively.  You basically use the meter for a while and get a rough idea of what effort equals a certain power...then you take a "power test" or FTP test to determine your training zones (much like a threshold test for heart rate zones).  So once you have the zones, you follow a plan that specifies which zone to be in.

Then when you race, you stick to your target racing power.  This is great for me because I always go out too hard and feel like crap at the beginning of my runs.  Now this doesn't happen because I stick to a certain power at the beginning of the bike.  I imagine that for a HIM or IM, it would be awesome.

I hope this sort of opened your eyes to the idea.  Hit me with some questions if you need more detail.  It's sort of like running easy all the time.  I guarantee you if you do it you will improve drastically.

To everyone interested in training with power...I actually have two powertap wheels for sale...both with computers and one with a disc cover.  One of the wheels is essentially new.

Oh my gosh!!!  Thank you so much for all of this info!!!!

Question:  My road bike has 700c wheels and my tri bike has 650c wheels.  I do about 75% of my training on the road bike.  What do you know about the pedal-based power taps?  I *think* that would be the only way I could use power on both bikes.  Thoughts?

I might be interested in one of the wheels.  Depends on price and blah, blah, blah.

Wow, 2k more for the zipp wheels!  When I'm ready to pull the trigger I may have make a road trip down there if we don't have any bikes like that up here.

This may be too late to reach you.  Swimming in the rain is a very cool experience.  Definitely nothing different compared to any other OWS except it adds a fun dimension.

Rain is usually pretty cold since it comes from so high up.  Therefore the lake water will be colder depending on how much has fallen.

Jeff you were right on both counts it was very cool to be out there in the rain. The lake was calm so no issues there and once you get going you sort of hardly notice it's raining out. Initially the water felt warm as it was cooler than it has been out lately but towards the end of the swim the water definitely felt colder especially my face. I'm guessing the water temp may have dropped a little but probably felt colder since I was in there for an hour. Definitely a very cool experience.

Can't contribute much to the power meter thread. I've read a whole lot about them on BT and gained an interesting perspective about them last summer from Fred D.'s mentor group. He trained with one, based his A race on his power numbers and things did not go so well. Not trying to say they aren't helpful. It was just interesting following along on his experience.

Another option is a computer program called TrainerRoad. You can do a search to read about it more on BT or on DCRainmakers blog site. Basically it is a computer program the helps convert your trainer + Garmin+Cadence sensor+antenna stick into something like a power meter. Might be a little less expensive than purchasing a power meter but it would only serve for indoor use on the trainer. I didn't read all of the posts so excuse me if this suggestion does not apply or has already been answered.

Still on date night but here is a quick pick of hubby's new roadie!

Tony, glad U had a fun OWS in the rain...all these new experiences...

Dina, your husband's bike is very nice.  Thanks for posting a pic.  Enjoy your date.

Finished my TdF Challenge. Ya I know there is still 2 stages left, but I didn't take the 2 rest days, now I am. I'm taking a few days off (2-3 days) of training to get my hamstring/glute pull feeling a bit better. I miss getting out on the big climbs and long rides.

Everyone have a great weekend!

Personally I like riding with bibs.  They keep everything in place a lot better.  It's very personal though...I like my tri shorts, but only on the tri bike.

Dina your husband's bike looks great. I think you guys made a good choice on the bike, very nice. I use both tri and cycling shorts. I mainly use the tri shorts when I ride outdoors even for longer rides. I have used cycling shorts for long rides as well. It may sound funny but I use the cycling shorts more for long sessions on the trainer. For whatever reason probably my poor position the saddle seems much harder on me when am on the trainer. Outdoors I have no issues with that.

Good luck to anyone racing this weekend and be safe whether you are racing or out training. I hope everyone has a great weekend. I have a graduation party for my niece that I am going to with my family so I have mandatory day off today but hope to be back at it tomorrow. Also I will be heading out shortly to the LBS to get my bike, finally! It's ready and I can't wait to get a ride in but it will have to be tomorrow. At least I can finish up my last ride of the TdF challenge on my bike. 

You want info. on the wheels or pictures?  Knowing you...probably both.  Well, I don't have pictures of it at work..but here are some links.  I think I have it for sale at $850 shipped.  I would say $800 for everything not shipped.....maybe $700 because I feel sorry for you.

Wheel

Computer - comes with HR monitor

Disc Cover

in action! 

Dirk and Matt, enjoy the race and pizza.

Dirk, tell your daughter good luck!!!

OK, I finally picked up my Cervelo tri bike, now how do U ride the thing?!?!!!!  How come the brakes are not on the levers...come on engineers, that just makes sense...lol  When do U go from the road bike position to the tri position.  The braking does seem to be the hard part and just switching positions...  lol

Just started with bibs this year and they are awesome for me too, especially on long rides.  With my Adamo saddle,  I do not notice much difference between bike or tri shorts, and I actually do sprints in my compression running shorts.

Quick check-in with my Junkie friends. 

The flu hit our house.  My toddler barfed all over me.  I caught it and was in bed for 15 hours.  Fabulous!

Today, I volunteered at sign ups for a 5K race.  (My husband and I used to direct this race so I felt obligated to help the new director.)

After the race, I went on a 25 mile birthday bike ride with some friends.  My friend organized the ride for herself with t-shirts and medals and everything!  So much fun!  All bikes were present: Giants, Felts, franken-bikes and Harleys.  Yep, a guy on a Harley rode with us!  It was quite fun!  No, my tummy was not happy.