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Your cycling
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 01-06-2014 20:02
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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Shonak wrote:
160 km today. I actually didn't plan on it and just wanted to accompay a bit but when the ride works, you'd be a fool if you don't take advantage of it. 
Since I've been sorta lazy when it comes to cycling this week, I'm happy that I could end the week with such a ride and start the new month with it too.
Some nice elevation there this week Aquarius. Looks like the elevation ranking number one spot goes to you for this week - but I shall strike back next week (if the weather finally works in my favor). 
Congrats again for that massive ride. That's quite a significant improvement on your average speed too.
Yep, some nice elevation numbers, and some distance too. I tried to get the max out of my holidays week, and I spent it at my parents', where it's much more hilly than where I live. I'm gutted I'll miss the first spot on the distance ranking for 600 m. If that bloody derailleur had not broken, I was in for 15 km more. Meh...
I won't get another chance to lead that ranking before August now. 
Also, I had a KOM stolen in a long uphill sprint after a descent, by 7 seconds. The guy did 57, my time was 1'04". I saw on the guy profile that he races in the lower categories, so I was a little pissed that such cyclists could be faster than me. Despite somewhat heavy legs, I got the KOM back, with a 7 seconds margin. 
wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
Went about 10 miles off course today but managed a lovely 110-miler in gorgeous sunshine - post-exam freedom is delicious.
110 miles in one ride ? Impressive if that's case. Not sure if you're used to long distances ?
Edited by Aquarius on 01-06-2014 20:09
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| Shonak |
Posted on 01-06-2014 20:54
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Aquarius wrote:
Congrats again for that massive ride. That's quite a significant improvement on your average speed too.
Thanks mate.
Don't really bother about average speed too much honestly. I go as fast as I want to usually and sometimes that means to just enjoy a ride.
When I ride with a friend, like on Saturday, all we do is talk. However, I'm actually not so bad at flat riding against the wind as one might expect due to the average and when I ride on normal street, I usually go above 30 kph in "calm" manner, it's just... something I can't be bothered.
I also like to ride A LOT on cycling paths, which are a few kph slower in my experience than the normal street, due to turns, road condition, old folk cyclists and pedestrians. So this definitely has an effect I think. Occassional trail adventures too. I also oftentimes ride short, but very steep climbs, which are true average-killers - at least for me  - my reasoning behind that: those climbs take a relatively long time in comparison for very little kilometers in total and you can't really compensate for the dropped average later on because the descent is too steep and too short, and you spend more time braking than enjoying the descent.
Oh, and the tailwind's a true SoB at least 2-4 times per week (called Föhn wind), but I guess that's a problem we all have to tackle on a daily basis. So all i all, that may explain some kph in weekly average I'm missing to the rest - laissez faire and old people. 
I'm gutted I'll miss the first spot on the distance ranking for 600 m.
Ah yes, I see Pablo Avila overtook you there for new number one. Well, consider yourself the moral winner, the Uran Uran of PCMDaily
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 01-06-2014 21:48
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Some great long distance efforts there folks! |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 01-06-2014 22:20
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World Champion
Posts: 11971
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Shonak wrote:
160 km today. I actually didn't plan on it and just wanted to accompay a bit but when the ride works, you'd be a fool if you don't take advantage of it.
I hope for you that you had food with you I don't have experience with any negative effects of being on a bike for 5 hours and not eating but I'm sure you normal humans will have problems with that
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 18:01
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Bot Agent
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Joined: 23.11.09
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| wackojackohighcliffe |
Posted on 02-06-2014 00:01
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7681
Joined: 19-02-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Aquarius wrote:
wackojackohighcliffe wrote:
Went about 10 miles off course today but managed a lovely 110-miler in gorgeous sunshine - post-exam freedom is delicious.
110 miles in one ride ? Impressive if that's case. Not sure if you're used to long distances ?
Fairly used to it but pretty badly out of form so it felt like an achievement.
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| nils erik |
Posted on 02-06-2014 00:44
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Domestique
Posts: 477
Joined: 28-04-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Ended up with about 435 kilometres in the mountains the last three days. Perfect weather and perfect conditions for road racing, even with a big amount of gravel roads. Finally starting to feel fine, with two weeks left to the Norwegian Cup at homeground in Oslo, and 3-4 weeks to the NC. Time for some time trial training now!
https://www.strava.../148354232
https://www.strava.../148354643
https://www.strava.../148355626
Edited by nils erik on 02-06-2014 00:44
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| Strydz |
Posted on 02-06-2014 00:45
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Team Leader
Posts: 5894
Joined: 02-08-2011
PCM$: 1625.00
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Really impressive stuff there, well done!
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald
https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/ |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 02-06-2014 09:19
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Great rides Nils Erik, sorta altitude training Good luck at the Norwegian Cup.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| ianrussell |
Posted on 03-06-2014 15:25
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3440
Joined: 09-10-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Just stumbled upon this https://cyclinguphill.com/cycle-uphill...echniques/ which also has some nice climbing tips. |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 03-06-2014 18:28
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Got some new cycling shoes yesterday and actually got them cheaper for about 20 euros, since those were the last pair in the small bike shop and it was a demonstration model. The salesman actually offered me the discount, pretty cool dude.
Anyhoo, I took them out for a spin today then, and I love them. They feel great, and I could look at them for hours while pedaling... Soo pretty. Of course, it's better if i don't look at them for hours since I have to focus on the road and stuff like that, you know... but, damn, now I know how girls feel like when they buy new shoes. Oh, and they already feel sorta better than the old ones but maybe that's the "new car"-element coming into play At last, I set up a new personal best on one of my local climbs despite having some pizza in my stomache from lunch.
And yup, that picture is straigth from instagram. #artsyfartsy
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 03-06-2014 20:21
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2797
Joined: 06-11-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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That's a nice pair you have there, Shonak (shoes of course).
Nils, those are some epic rides. Good luck with the races coming up! Please keep us updated. Btw, how old are you? (If you don't mind me asking).
Anyway, here's a long message to all who are interested:
As some of you know, earlier in the year I made it my goal to be selected for the road world champs next year. I'm glad to say I've made some serious steps in achieving that goal. Firstly, my dad bought me a decent time trial bike for SA champs next year (I'll begin serious training on it after July) and he says that he wants me to race in Europe during June/July next year! There's a group of SA juniors going, so I'll be most likely to join them. That's a serious step in gaining experience and favour for WC selection.
Other than that, I faced a bit of a confidence dilemma the first half of the year. My mind was never in the right place, but recently that changed. An old school friend of my dad is a clinical psychologist and works with SA's best sport teams. He recently wrote a book and since I started reading it I've completely changed my mental approach to my cycling life.
I'm by no means a world-class junior cyclist and as a MTBer I've always struggled on technical XCO courses as I've been "scared" on technical parts of the track and lacked confidence to go flat out. However, like I've said; I'm a changed man I'm looking forward to the possibility of racing in Europe next year, which will be on the road and maybe even a World Cup XCO or two.
I'm aiming for a medal at SA road champs next year (hopefully it's a hilly route) and at TT champs (with the new TT bike I should stand a decent chance). I'm also aiming for a podium at SA XCO champs and a win at SA Marathon champs. So I'm really going for it!
To get back to recent times... There's a climb from a little town about 30km from my house. It's the Groot Brak (translated as Big Hound) Pass and it's just like a 5km climb at like an average of 5,5 or 6%. I took the Strava KoM while going at a 95% effort. The previous KoM holder was none other than Ivan Venter (18 year old brother of Jaco Venter)! Ivan was on the podium for SA road and TT champs in February and finished 32nd in the WC TT as a 17 year old last year! Oh, and I know for a fact that his effort on the climb was also a flat out tempo.
As for the racing, I won the recent leg of out National Marathon Series! It's a major confidence boost for me and it was my first race after reading that book about getting my mind in the right place! It's not all about the bike, but the mind as well
I'm booming with confidence ahead of this week's National Marathon Champs. It's 53km with over 1500m of climbing! My type of race. I'm going for the win as I want the national jersey bad, but competition will be fierce. I'll keep you guys posted...
So in summary: SA champs this weekend, going on a school Euro Tour in June, then I get back to serious serious training in the second half of the year.
Sorry for the long post, but I've found the more people I share my story with the more motivated I become!
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| Shonak |
Posted on 03-06-2014 20:31
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Very interesting read Aidan. Much in life is a mind-game, though of course you need the abilitiy first and foremost. Cycling is no different to it. And the feeling of "being in form" can grant you wings.
I wish you the best of luck for the weekend and for the upcoming challenges. Rock 'em and I hope to see you on the livestream of the WC Oh, and when you get that SA NC jersey, you might make a PCM version of it.
Edited by Shonak on 03-06-2014 20:32
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 03-06-2014 20:31
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World Champion
Posts: 11971
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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good luck then
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| jph27 |
Posted on 03-06-2014 20:35
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Team Leader
Posts: 7339
Joined: 20-03-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Jeez Aidan, that's impressive! Best of luck, hopefully you can make the World Champs next year. Wish I could commit myself like you do, but sadly I think that any chances of me even winning a local junior race are unlikely, let alone acheiving anything near your level. Go win those SA championships this week and see where the future takes you.
Also, hopefully I'll be cleared by the Physio to return to exercise after 2 months off tomorrow. Only got a couple of exam weeks left and then I can work on losing the 6 kg I've put on in that time by riding the first stage of the Tour in parts
Having seen Shonak's post and needing to get some new shoes and posdibly pedals myself, what would people recommend? Budget wise I don't want to spend loads, but I have some flexibility
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| wogsrus |
Posted on 04-06-2014 05:28
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1200
Joined: 12-01-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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https://www.strava.../149259564
Went over the same route couple of weeks ago and went much faster today. Having said that, as straight as l started riding today my quads felt blocked and heavy. Did play 90 minutes of football for the first time on Sunday but should have had enough time to recover. Not sure what happened. |
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| TimoCycling |
Posted on 04-06-2014 06:44
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Sprinter
Posts: 1765
Joined: 27-08-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Do you need internet for Strava? Because I'd like to use it, but a fair bit of my normal route is in Germany . And don't have internet with my phone there. |
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| Aquarius |
Posted on 04-06-2014 06:48
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5220
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 200.00
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No, you need internet at home or on your phone to upload it at the end of the ride, but you don't need internet access (just GPS one) during the ride.
Great stuff Aidan ! |
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| mowinckel91 |
Posted on 05-06-2014 09:49
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 995
Joined: 24-02-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Great job putting so many kilometers behind you guys. Really good work. Seeing as my bike is having some technical problems atm, which I wont be able to fix before the weekend, I will put my bag on the back and go for 30 kilometers in the Norwegian Mountains today. Its not the same as cycling but I guess its better than just chilling at the house? |
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| Riis123 |
Posted on 05-06-2014 20:48
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5075
Joined: 07-08-2008
PCM$: 200.00
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Working at my dad's atm, 6 kms both ways. We have a very nice mountainbike circuit a few hundres meters from there, so at the end of the day i use to take two rounds, totalling at 16 kms in som very hilly terrain which is super fun to ride in. That totals at almost 30 kms a day which i am very satisfied with, as I always have played football or basketball and never liked to run or cycle. But that mountainbike-route just made me hooked, definetely so much fun to ride at such terrain with constantly changing gradients.
If it continues, I could se myself buy a mountainbike and begin timing my laps. |
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| SSJ2Luigi |
Posted on 06-06-2014 16:17
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World Champion
Posts: 11971
Joined: 21-07-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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so I'm not cut out to be a triatlete. puctured today so I walked home. it only took about 500 meters to get pain in one of my tendons. always said that I can't walk but nobody believed me |
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