To that end however I have been seriously pushing both my speed and my distance over the past month and am delighted to report that I have done two "century" weeks in which I covered over 100 miles and two semi-century weeks in which I covered around 75 miles. These shorter weeks were mostly due to truly dangerously inclement weather and not to lack of inclination on my part. I am, after all, in this for insanity and not stupidity and the the thought of hydroplaning through 5" of running water amidst the crazy Houston drivers, who react like rabid dogs to the rain, is definitely not my idea of a healthy activity. Nor is being blown into the path of oncoming cars while leaning sidewise at a 45 degree slant in an attempt to remain upright. Suffice it to say that my reasons for not making a century those weeks were good.
As I slowly work my way into some serious road biking I have begun to understand more about the aerodynamics and physics of the whole shebang. Gradual modifications to my attire and to my trek bike have ensued. I finally bit the bullet and bought a couple of proper biking jerseys so now I can carry my cell phone where I can reach it in an emergency, which fortunately has not yet occurred instead of buried in the bottom of my rather capacious bag. I also have the benefit of proper wicking and coverage, along with the ability to zip up or down to temperature regulate. In October my sister gave me a lovely Terry brand hoody which has been my steady cooler weather companion but it is a one piece pull on, and I have begun to really appreciate the benefits of light zippered hoodies as the weather warms.
Our local bike store gives free maintainance and repair clinics and so I also have the benefit of having done some basic things like tire repair, tube replacement, brake adjustment and gear messing in a non emergency not on the road situation and feel a bit more able to cope with a flat tire or the like should it occur while I am out riding. I have added extra tubes, basic repair tools and a Co2 inflation gizmo to my basic first aid kit and id information in my bag. I figure that since I am, more often than not, out and away from heavily traveled roads and biking solo, these extra items are worth their weight and the effort to haul them around with me.
I ride with baskets on my pedals so that I can utilize the "floaty feet" upstroke but until recently have been riding in just a light pair of gymnastic type gym shoes, soft, flexible and foot hugging. They covered my feet, fit easily into the baskets and did the job or so I thought, in spite of ending each ride with the balls of both feet numb and tingling. When I grew irritated enough with the sensation, I stopped in at the local bike shope and got a lesson in shoes and pedal dynamics. After another month or so of dithering, I have finally invested in some decent biking shoes with a firm teflon shank so that I can utilize power of my push through the whole stroke. I no longer end up with the balls of my feet numb. It is a slippery slope however since these shoes are thicker and less resistant to sliding easily into the baskets. They are equipped for click in pedals, and I may have to consider that next. In fact it may not take me many more days of wobbling along pedaling one footed and stabbing at the basket with the free foot after every stop sign and traffic light to convince me that clacking when I walk but being able to click in when I ride is a good thing.
The biggest innovation/investment however has been a set of stryker aero bars in addition to straight handlebars. Aroebars are the flat and then slanting upwards at the end metal bars that project forward of the center of the handlebars, with elbow pads above the handlebars which allow you to ride in a forward, bent over position without having to ride over retro curved racing handlebars with locked straight elbows. I am seriously in love with my aerobars. A little modification in my riding style has allowed me to achieve consistently better speeds and mileage, and has lessened my hate fear relationship with headwinds to a tolerable and at times even almost enjoyable experience. The only drawbacks I am noticing so far is that because I am riding further forward my stability in the turns is a bit wobbly and my shoulders need to be loosened up after each ride. Stability will come with practice, and since I ride primarily upright in traffic where I need instant access to my brakes and gears, it isn't really much of an issue as it is an adjustment in thinking. The bigger issue is that the elbow pads are black rip stop type nylon over vinyl padding and my elbows and upper arms tend to sweat a lot. Hence if I have been riding hard, my elobws slip and slide on the pads. It is solveable. I just have to make up some terry cloth pull on covers or booties. Of course then the strong resemblence to the stirrups in my doctors office will be complete. Anything pink is obviously a no no!
The tops of the aero bars seem like just the right position for thumb controls, now if I could only figure out a way to mount laser light or some photon torpedoes for the oncoming traffic and the crazy idiots who think it's hilarious to honk as they pull around me and scare me into a ditch.....
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