I have always maintained that I do road biking for the distance and endurance not the speed. Because of this I have resisted taking spin classes at the gym but instead will opt for speed intervals on a stationary bike, or resistance riding out on the road. In fact I have pretty much decided the when I die and go to hell, I will have to do spin classes. Taylor, the trainer, is aware of my feelings and knows better than to suggest that I might enjoy a spin class as an alternative to the stair climber or jogging intervals on a steeply sloped treadmill for cardio. The SAG guy on the other hand, seems to enjoy spin classes when he is in shape and able to get to one. Good for both of us, I say.
The other thing that I steadfastly maintain is that you don't really need to specifically set out to do a resistance training session on a road bike in this area of Texas. All you have to do is set off in any direction and the inevitable head wind will arrive and provide the requisite resistance.
Today's ride was a good example. The wind was blowing at about 20mph with gusts to 30 and 35 and strong enough to make me feel like I was being knocked backward off my bike or pushed sideways into traffic.
I deliberately picked a route that would head south and east into the wind for the first 2/3 of the route before heading north and then northwest on the return. Theoretically this would allow me to force the resistance on the first part of the ride while I was fresh and take advantage of a tail wind on the return. Usually, however, the wind changes direction so that I end up riding out into a head wind and return into a head wind as well. It is an oddity of the weather and riding around this area of South West Houston.
I plonked the gears over into the highest, most difficult ratio I could ride and still maintain forward momentum in and headed off. After five miles of 13 miles an hour, I dropped down a couple of gears when my speed started to decline below 10 mph. Five miles or so later, my speed had dropped to below 10 mph so I dropped down again and after another five miles I dropped the chain from the biggest to the middle. on the crank. Another couple of miles at just above 10 mph and I hit the turn around point of the ride.
The leg headed north went by in a flash because between the tail wind and my having shifted the chain back onto the highest level on crank and the hardest level on the rear derailleur, I hit 35 miles an hour. That's almost Tour de France speed. Me and Lance baby, whoo hoo! What a heady feeling.
Yes I know, it wasn't me, it was the tail wind, but aside from some downhill slopes in Tennessee and Kentucky, that is the fastest I have ever gone on this bike. All too soon I had to turn west and battle my way home through a qurtering from the front side wind which kept gusting me into the path of traffic, but I was still revved on the adreniline from my short speed rush so I managed to keep the resistance and the speed up at my standard 15 mph for most of the way home.
Yes, I cut my ride short because of the head wind but on the other hand, I did do most of it as a resistance ride, and yes, it is great fun to be able to ride along at pace with the traffic, even if only briefly. And best of all, I beat the rain for a change.
Today's stats
30.5 miles
ride time 1:59
speed 15.3 with a high of 37 mph and a low of 8.5, depending on the wind
1 comment:
I love it! It reminds me of this summer when we would set out for camp with the kids and inevitably hit a head wind. Then the return trip -- in the opposite direction and 8 hours later -- would also be into a headwind. Made me feel for the little guy who sometimes looked as if he was standing still while pedaling as hard as he could.
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