Fred D Mentor Group - Part II (Page 95)

Last night's "recovery" ride turned out to be more interesting than usual.  Typically Monday ride ride is a shop, no-drop, ride that's pretty relaxed with a few hills that people jump on, but everyone regroups and rolls along at a fairly reasonable pace.  30 mile ride.  Last night, there was road construction on one section and somehow we decide to cyclocross-it through the gravel and such.  Can't believe I didn't go down.  Regardless, I flat shortly after at about mile 14.  Owner of the shop, and former pro rider, slows down to help along with another guy I don't really know but have overheard talking about riding for a college team in Colorado.  Tall, lanky & wicked fast.

The former pro also runs my Thursday morning computrainer class.  As this point, I know I'm in for a world of hurt.  They take off and I hear something I thought was along the lines of "think we can catch them."  I look down and we're at 28mph on the flats.  Like a fool, I take my turn at the front, holding the pace, but foolish ego made we want to take my fair share.  Big mistake.  They eased off a hair to get me back on and then it's 15 miles of me being absolutely pegged.  I didn't pull through again, and they had me right on the edge the whole time.  Unlike a normal no drop ride, I couldn't just pull the plug because those guys were out there to ride me back.  I thought I was going to die.

The amazing thing was watching these guys ride at these speeds.  Awesome.  Also, unlike my normal rides, there was no easing at tops/bottom of hills, out of corners, or otherwise.  These guys were set to go at all times.  Total fun and miserable.

Getting back to the shop owner running the computrainer class and knowing my numbers, at the last light stop, he kind of looks back and asked "How was that?"  Me, "Effing brutal."  Him, "I thought you could use some time at threshold."  That's a mean SOB.

I need to find some more rides like this.

Late to the party.  Curve of the bars doesn't allow a bottle on the bars themselves, plus I don't like the added weight there.   A2 on a stem mount.  Don't use a QR so garmin stays on the wrist.  Flat kit in the rocket pocket (replaced the bento in this pic).  A2 has infinit, one three hour bottle plenty for HIM.  Frame cage gets water replaced on course.

Speedfil guys said the A2 on the stem tested slightly better than the torpedo mount due to some turbulence in front of the chest.  No idea whether that's accurate or not.

What are you guys guys carrying in your flat kit that won't fit under your seat - or are you riding saddles that don't have any room?

I do use my bottle for liquids but have to store my flat kit in a small saddle bag as I don't even seem to be able to fit a single inner tube under my seat. I have been wondering if a bottle on the back of the seat for my flat kit would be better than a bag.

Chris, how easy/difficult is it to refill the A2?  Or do you not refill it at all, just use the infinit?

Having a bit of a cr@p day, typical post-race letdown, exacerbated at the end of the season.  Not really intending to be a horn tooting, but looking back at my season, my 7th in racing, helps me get perspective on where I've gotten to.   Taken me a while, I am a slow learner, and I am still not fast compared to this group, but getting better

Last season as a clyde, made the most of it, podium'd in every tri I entered as a clyde and PR'd 10K, sprint, Oly and HIM distances

Feb  - 10K PR
March - Calif. 70.3, PR
April - Rage in the Sage Oly, 2d Clyde AG
June - Redondo Beach Tri, PR, 1st Clyde AG
June - Breath of Life Oly, PR
August - 10k Swim, 2d AG
August - Santa Barbara Long Course tri, PR, 4th AG (podium to 4th)
Sept - Orangeman 70.3, 3d Clyde AG

It's been a really good season.  Interested to see what next season brings.  I'll be racing as an AGer next year, so unlikely to see any podiums soon.  I know some circles say clydes is silly, etc., but I figure if i can get on the podium, why not try?  It sure was fun while it lasted. 

I had a cool run this morning.

started off near London tower, ran along the river for a while, turn right, Westminster abbey, a little further Victoria station

Then I ran along this big wall that turned out to be Buckingham palace. It looked nice on the other side of the wall, had no idea what it was, so was looking for a way in. Now I understand why I couldn't find one.

I ended up at St-James park, then Hyde Park. This is where they swam in the Olympic tri. Serptentine lake. Kind of gross to swim in. There were two guys out there in their wetsuits.

So I circled around the park and started coming back. Through Picadilly circus, Trafalgar square, back along the river to London bridge.

Quite the touristy run.

I have loved 'tourist' runs in places I'm visiting. You hit some major highlights there!

Having a bit of a cr@p day, typical post-race letdown, exacerbated at the end of the season.  Not really intending to be a horn tooting, but looking back at my season, my 7th in racing, helps me get perspective on where I've gotten to.   Taken me a while, I am a slow learner, and I am still not fast compared to this group, but getting better

Last season as a clyde, made the most of it, podium'd in every tri I entered as a clyde and PR'd 10K, sprint, Oly and HIM distances

Feb  - 10K PR
March - Calif. 70.3, PR
April - Rage in the Sage Oly, 2d Clyde AG
June - Redondo Beach Tri, PR, 1st Clyde AG
June - Breath of Life Oly, PR
August - 10k Swim, 2d AG
August - Santa Barbara Long Course tri, PR, 4th AG (podium to 4th)
Sept - Orangeman 70.3, 3d Clyde AG

It's been a really good season.  Interested to see what next season brings.  I'll be racing as an AGer next year, so unlikely to see any podiums soon.  I know some circles say clydes is silly, etc., but I figure if i can get on the podium, why not try?  It sure was fun while it lasted. 

I am in the Air Canada Lounge as I type. Back to Montreal this afternoon.

I will be back to Europe in a few weeks so need to find some more touristy runs. Maybe even rent a bike.