I was rejoicing after having weak, rotten meat sticks for legs the last month. Yesterday, I was pushing about 100W on average more than I have been lately, and I was staying on top of my gears instead of dragging behind them. I rode to Gold Hill by way of Sunshine Canyon, and back home on Poorman from 4 Mile. That’s the same ride I struggled through last week. I am putting a compact crank on my Supersix tomorrow (I wish I had the swanky 2009 red frame. HOT HOT! ), so I figured I should do one more ride groveling and grinding up the steep climbs. My HR for most of the climb (about 1 hr 20 min) was in Z4 or Z5… I don’t know what my problem is, but I love intensity. I’m getting it in while I can, because I know in a few weeks, I’ll have to start sllooooow base miles.
A short downhill relief on the paved road.
The view of the back of the Flatirons… getting up there!
They are forecasting snow here today. I haven’t seen any yet, but it has been awfully windy and this was Niwot Ridge at the Continental Divide yesterday afternoon.
I was lucky to have such nice weather yesterday…I know it won’t be long before that wet, cold, white stuff is everywhere. I’m going to ride my mountain bike at Chimney Gulch/Apex tomorrow (granted there is no snow on the trail) while Big Ring Cycles swaps out my cranks for me.
It has been a long week at work and I am very much looking forward to the weekend.
Are you using a powermeter? If so what type. I see from Jeff’s site he’s using SRM. If not how are you estimating power….I’m assuming your estimating based on the relationship between climbing and overcoming gravity?
I am using a Cyclops Powertap.
Sunshine Canyon:
Sonya 39×25 low gear
Brian 34x 30 low gear
Brian feels shame…:-(
Yes, but riding with that type of gearing and barely turning it over is not efficient. You will produce more power if you are on top of your gears. No shame, I just put that compact on my road bike yesterday. I’m excited to give it a whirl, especially b/c I am a big time spinner on the MTB. I could sing an ode to my granny gear. 🙂