Rick Harker
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
In preparation for the "ROUND THE BAY IN A DAY" ride I've been covering almost 160 k's per week with fast and slow rides trying to build up to a min 23Km/hour average. Sounds easy doesn't it. Problem is the "Bay" ride is 210 Kms in one day starting at 6 am and finishing at 5:45pm when they close the last long bridge to bicycle traffic. In the middle of this is a ferry ride which comes and goes on the hour every hour during daylight. This will knock the average around a bit. Of course rest stops I plan every hour for 5 mins also.
Last weekend was a bit of the course and other roads in the same vacinity. A friend, Tommy, with his upright came with me wanting to do a big ride so we caught the train to Frankston so we would have to ride back home.
The weather was fine although cool and overcast varying between 10-12 degrees C. On the first leg we went to Hastings cutting through slight ranges and had a very slight drift of wind behind us. Not enough to stir the grass or trees but enough that our cruising speed was about 36 K's and I could hear the sound of the tyre on the road behind me. The road was good whilst traffic was light and very co-operative. We arrived in Hastings 35 K's later and stopped for lunch. Brief break, chat about our next leg OVER the ranges and down to the beach town of Dromana. only 26 K's.
Before we left Tommy was complaining about his chain ring not changing properly so we made some adjustments that seemed OK. He also Had to tell me his bike mechanic told him never to touch the limit screws that I adjusted. Tommy is NOT mechanically minded. So off we went.
When we got to the first climb I wanted to just pace myself, use moderate cadence and conserve energy. Tommy wanted to go his pace so I told him I'll catch up. He slowly pulled away up the hill and When we came to the other side He was already starting the next climb before I started going down. I pushed a little harder not wanting him to get to far away and not wanting him to gloat about how bad my bike is compared to his. This next hill was steep and I started to push hard. I was closing but I could feel my thighs starting to burn. When I got to the lowest gear and was still struggling I knew it was time to surrender to walking the rest of the hill. Meanwhile Tommy had disappeared.
The crest showed a small decent followed by a very long ascent but luckily not as steep. I ploughed on spinning as comfortably as I could without burning the energy too much. We were still riding away from our home destination so conservation was still on my mind although there was also the humbling train or rescue by spouse that was in the back of my mind but I still had a lot of energy before that.
Whilst riding up this hill I was wondering how the Silvio would go. Would I be quicker? Would I be faster? Would I lower myself to gloat at Tommy if he couldn't keep up with me? Don't think so!
I eventually got to the top and saw a fast winding decent and my legs were going ahhh! I flew down leaning into a left corner straightening for the next right followed by an indecent long left with a cliff face one side and the tops of trees on the other. I started to tense up and found my steering blocked by my legs and having to forcibly relax myself then glancing at the speedo showing 66 Kph. The road then smoothed out to a very long right followed by a straight section to an intersection that bare mostly left. At that point I saw Tommy about 400 meters in front of me and we're still going down hill and still doing about 55 Kph. I was loving this bit and I could see myself closing the gap to Tommy even though I could see him peddling. Now I'm seeing the recumbent benefits, and lovin' it.
We met up towards the bottom of the hill and cruised (Cruz'd) into Dromana.
Tommy claimed he couldn't get the lower chain ring and had to climb all the hills this way possibly burning his muscles. I checked his bike and found the problem was with his cables. Full of gunk. So much for his bike mechanic.
He did, as is with his character, point out the superiority of his hill climbing ability compared to my heavy recumbent. I smiled and said we're not home yet. We still had 50 Kms to go.
From here we went along the highway shoulder back to Frankston. A boring ride really but Tommy was struggling with his tyres. He had 700X23 Maxis somethings on and I had some lovely Schwalbe Kojaks with a comfortable 75psi in them. I was trying to keep a 25 K cruise going but Tommy kept falling back even when trying to get him to draft me. We eventually got into Frankston and onto smoother road. From here we had to put the pace on as I didn't want to ride after dark. It scares me even though I have really bright lights. It still scares me.
When we got going It turned out Tommy was spent. His legs couldn't push any more and we traveled at only 20 Kph. I ended up getting him to draft me all the way back to Melbourne. Whilst the setting sun over the bay was beautiful I knew it would be dark long before we got home but I couldn't leave my friend. We also in a spot where transport was awkward and he was OK at a slower speed.
Eventually I arrived home at 8pm and although tired I was OK. Much drinking and stretching and put the steed away.
All in all I had eventually traveled 148.5 Kilometers. Averaged 19.8 K/ph total time which wasn't bad considering. I feel more confident doing the Round The Bay ride although on a Sivio I think would be much easier.
The Schwalbe Kojak tyres are fantastic for this bike. Plenty of grip wet or dry and just big enough at 35 mm width to be comfortable. Drank a total of 2.5 litres of water and ate one candy bar and small sandwich.
Ended up losing 1.5 Kg's in weight for the ride. Majority of that is fluid,-not good.
Now I look forward to the next one.
Regards,
Rick.
In preparation for the "ROUND THE BAY IN A DAY" ride I've been covering almost 160 k's per week with fast and slow rides trying to build up to a min 23Km/hour average. Sounds easy doesn't it. Problem is the "Bay" ride is 210 Kms in one day starting at 6 am and finishing at 5:45pm when they close the last long bridge to bicycle traffic. In the middle of this is a ferry ride which comes and goes on the hour every hour during daylight. This will knock the average around a bit. Of course rest stops I plan every hour for 5 mins also.
Last weekend was a bit of the course and other roads in the same vacinity. A friend, Tommy, with his upright came with me wanting to do a big ride so we caught the train to Frankston so we would have to ride back home.
The weather was fine although cool and overcast varying between 10-12 degrees C. On the first leg we went to Hastings cutting through slight ranges and had a very slight drift of wind behind us. Not enough to stir the grass or trees but enough that our cruising speed was about 36 K's and I could hear the sound of the tyre on the road behind me. The road was good whilst traffic was light and very co-operative. We arrived in Hastings 35 K's later and stopped for lunch. Brief break, chat about our next leg OVER the ranges and down to the beach town of Dromana. only 26 K's.
Before we left Tommy was complaining about his chain ring not changing properly so we made some adjustments that seemed OK. He also Had to tell me his bike mechanic told him never to touch the limit screws that I adjusted. Tommy is NOT mechanically minded. So off we went.
When we got to the first climb I wanted to just pace myself, use moderate cadence and conserve energy. Tommy wanted to go his pace so I told him I'll catch up. He slowly pulled away up the hill and When we came to the other side He was already starting the next climb before I started going down. I pushed a little harder not wanting him to get to far away and not wanting him to gloat about how bad my bike is compared to his. This next hill was steep and I started to push hard. I was closing but I could feel my thighs starting to burn. When I got to the lowest gear and was still struggling I knew it was time to surrender to walking the rest of the hill. Meanwhile Tommy had disappeared.
The crest showed a small decent followed by a very long ascent but luckily not as steep. I ploughed on spinning as comfortably as I could without burning the energy too much. We were still riding away from our home destination so conservation was still on my mind although there was also the humbling train or rescue by spouse that was in the back of my mind but I still had a lot of energy before that.
Whilst riding up this hill I was wondering how the Silvio would go. Would I be quicker? Would I be faster? Would I lower myself to gloat at Tommy if he couldn't keep up with me? Don't think so!
I eventually got to the top and saw a fast winding decent and my legs were going ahhh! I flew down leaning into a left corner straightening for the next right followed by an indecent long left with a cliff face one side and the tops of trees on the other. I started to tense up and found my steering blocked by my legs and having to forcibly relax myself then glancing at the speedo showing 66 Kph. The road then smoothed out to a very long right followed by a straight section to an intersection that bare mostly left. At that point I saw Tommy about 400 meters in front of me and we're still going down hill and still doing about 55 Kph. I was loving this bit and I could see myself closing the gap to Tommy even though I could see him peddling. Now I'm seeing the recumbent benefits, and lovin' it.
We met up towards the bottom of the hill and cruised (Cruz'd) into Dromana.
Tommy claimed he couldn't get the lower chain ring and had to climb all the hills this way possibly burning his muscles. I checked his bike and found the problem was with his cables. Full of gunk. So much for his bike mechanic.
He did, as is with his character, point out the superiority of his hill climbing ability compared to my heavy recumbent. I smiled and said we're not home yet. We still had 50 Kms to go.
From here we went along the highway shoulder back to Frankston. A boring ride really but Tommy was struggling with his tyres. He had 700X23 Maxis somethings on and I had some lovely Schwalbe Kojaks with a comfortable 75psi in them. I was trying to keep a 25 K cruise going but Tommy kept falling back even when trying to get him to draft me. We eventually got into Frankston and onto smoother road. From here we had to put the pace on as I didn't want to ride after dark. It scares me even though I have really bright lights. It still scares me.
When we got going It turned out Tommy was spent. His legs couldn't push any more and we traveled at only 20 Kph. I ended up getting him to draft me all the way back to Melbourne. Whilst the setting sun over the bay was beautiful I knew it would be dark long before we got home but I couldn't leave my friend. We also in a spot where transport was awkward and he was OK at a slower speed.
Eventually I arrived home at 8pm and although tired I was OK. Much drinking and stretching and put the steed away.
All in all I had eventually traveled 148.5 Kilometers. Averaged 19.8 K/ph total time which wasn't bad considering. I feel more confident doing the Round The Bay ride although on a Sivio I think would be much easier.
The Schwalbe Kojak tyres are fantastic for this bike. Plenty of grip wet or dry and just big enough at 35 mm width to be comfortable. Drank a total of 2.5 litres of water and ate one candy bar and small sandwich.
Ended up losing 1.5 Kg's in weight for the ride. Majority of that is fluid,-not good.
Now I look forward to the next one.
Regards,
Rick.
