Rick, being the ride leader, you must designate the "stopping" point of the
ride. We "sat up" because Bert and Tony said that turning onto Hickory
Grove was the cool down. Please clarify where we stop hammering.
Thanks.
----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
To: "Gyros" <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 9:26 AM
Subject: [Gyros: 15262] Tuesday Ride Report: Wow!
Gyro Nation.
One thing was determined at last night's ride, and, on this there can be no
debate: it is the collective energies of a large group of cyclists working
toward a common goal (riding fast!) that has the only real chance for
success.
Last night there were 17 riders, sans Bryan and Sean, which meant that we
were without our 'catalyists'. As we rolled up Hickory Grove Tom Fissel
pointed this out, and I remember telling him that this means that we will
probably ride slower tonight.
I was wrong! There were no breaks in the ranks up Patterson, and then Cheek,
which has not been the case in our previous 2 rides. So much of the energy
on those rides was devoted to closing gaps formed by our stronger riders
pushing the pace and fragmenting the group. (I remember being spent before
we hit Hereford!)
Last night we rode hard, but the group stood together, and, after Bert rode
to the front to pass my message to take shorter pulls (he had the strength
to do this!) the peloton began to move quickly without constant changes in
effort.
From an exercise physiology perspective (my field) nothing creates leg
fatigue quicker than those sudden, and, intense, changes in effort.
Especially on climbs, and, closing those annoying gaps. Acidity, which is
one of the main reasons for your legs feeling heavy, cannot be buffered
effectively when you go from a heavy effort to an easier effort, back to a
heavy effort, etc. This is why proper gearing and riding smart is so
essential.
But, I digress.
As the group hit the Doc (where breaks in the ranks are expected) smaller
groups began to form as the strongest (and, smartest) riders surged ahead.
But, the key to this ride is that the group was still moving fast...at one
point the average speed was above 23!...
Even though Logan had ridden Pilot, Sauertown, and Hanging Rock the day
before he still had enough left in his legs to lead the group home with
Steve Hobbs on his wheel. Not far behind them was Tom (not Fissel), I
believe, who was without any buddies, but riding strong.
The finishing stretch up Hickory Grove is currently ambiguous because how it
is ridden is up to individual cyclists. We have not yet begun the incentives
(Primes, and "points" for finishing in the top three), so, some riders might
sit up once we hit this stretch. Others may race home.
This might explain the gap between Logan, Steve, and Tom, as the next group
of about 6 riders (Bert, Tom F., Keil, our lone female rider, Jacqui?, Hans,
etc.) came across followed closely by another small group.
What made this a Wow! ride was the finishing speeds:
Average speed top finishers: 22.6
Average speed next group: 22.4
Average speed all groups finishing: 22+
Here is the thing, gang: we are riding at these speeds at a time when many
of us are still getting in cycling shape. The point here is that can you
imagine what speeds we will be riding at once the season is in full swing?
Many of us have not yet done any intense rides, like the mountain training
in May; the various Tours and other events; the longer rides on weekends...
Will I be listing this ride at a 23-24 pace? Possibly...
Great work, everyone!
One last thing (if anyone has actually read this far...). I am going to have
a sign-up sheet at the beginning of each Tuesday ride. This is optional, but
it would help me to know who has been on our rides each time, which is a
safety thing, but, it also helps me with this ride report. I would
appreciate it if all riders strolled over to my car before we take off and
sign in.
Rick
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