One last Paceline ride for 2008

The weather was great here in Charlotte, NC yesterday and it made for a great evening to ride at the Huntersville Business Park. I was able to get to the park about 4:30 and squeezed in about 18 miles of solo riding before a small group of riders showed up. The temp. was close to 65 degrees but the shady course was still slightly on the chilly side.

I had to stop for a few minutes as all the workers in the business park started leaving work. Traffic sorta got hectic. With 8 out of 10 drivers talking on their cell phones and 10 out of 10 being in a hurry to get home, I thought it would be best to get out of their way. This actually worked out perfect. When I hopped back on the bike the fresh group of riders were forming up in a paceline. I was able to hop on and sit in for a fast couple of 2.8 mile laps. Five or six riders were from the Phieffer College Cycling Team and they definitely had younger legs than me. I managed to hold my own and bailed off the back after two laps. I wanted to get another lap in but had promised my wife I would ride 20 miles while she walked the dogs in the park. Good excuse right? Truth is, I was about exhausted and ready to get home.

Last year we had near perfect riding weather thru most of the winter season. Perfect to me is about 55 to 65 degrees. Anything short of that and my tail is riding indoors. This year we just have not been as fortunate with the weather.

It felt great to squeeze in my last paceline ride of 2008. There is nothing more intent than rolling along in a tight paceline group. It helps keep you focused and also keeps your skills sharp. Not to mention a much better cycling workout. See everyone in 2009.

Jfinn

The Indoor Time Trials Are Rolling

Saturday proved to be a lackluster performance for our first indoor time trial event at Cool Breeze Cyclery. The class was crowded with seven riders. Some newbies (congrats to each), some seasoned vets and one of the newbies just happened to be my wife Jennifer.

I saved myself from buying her a bike by simply adjusting my Scott S20 Speedster that I have had a few years now. So far Jennifer has only been able to ride indoors to a few training DVDs and is starting to get used to changing gears and more importantly unclipping. Maybe by spring we will get her on the road.

The first ride was only a six mile sprint. Something about the Computrainer just makes it feel like seven or eight miles. I managed to cross the imaginary line at 17:11. Several guys that rode in earlier class events finished in the low to mid 15s. Good for them :-). I’m pretty sure this short ride was more to get a good measurement of where all the riders fit in. Once we see all the times, we can group the riders together and see who we are competing with. Hopefully my sandbagging performance pays off . hahaha. No, Honestly, I thought I pushed myself about all that I could. Definitely nothing worth bragging about. One thing for sure, it sure beat sitting on the couch.

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