Bike Blog
I am a believer in the medicinal properties of Whisky. I may not drink it in any recognisable quantity, but the water of life has kept me going and nursed me back to health in the good company of honey and lemon over the years. I scored a couple of extra bottles over the Christmas break and I’m looking forwards to sharing them and savouring each dram.
Weekend in Durham, so out on the bike today heading up towards Consett and the hills. Felt a bit ropey out of the blocks but after clearing the lungs on the ride up to Sacriston, seemed to find a comfortable pace. Plenty of climbing, and a still, but chilly Sunday afternoon ride.
Back in Durham we’ve had a weekend full of Cyclocross. Yesterday was the CXNE Round 9 & University Champs and I was back in time today for the final races of the 3rd round of the British Cycling National Trophy. Inspiring Racing…
After several years of pursuing the dream we’ve backed out of our bit of France. I’m going to miss it.
Not riding, working lots, balance needs to change. Have some riding stuff to back date and plans to turn pedals again soon. Missing the warm weather and long evenings now autumn is here.
On Friday once I’d done half a days work (although officially on holiday) it was time to head out on the bike. Looped further South East than previously into one of those winds that makes you check that the brakes aren’t rubbing constantly then it was up and through Ormskirk before heading home.
The plan for next week was riding everyday and so I entered one of the Strava challenges -1250km in the month of June, but shortly afterwards (about 10 minutes) we discovered our eldest son has come out in Chickenpox so that’s that plan scuppered and I don’t have the turbo or the Wahoo unit back from warranty replacement.
Having done the hills to the west of Durham last week I thought that I would do the run to the coast this week. This should really have been do the hills to the east of Durham. It is not flat, but there are some pretty interesting ups and downs to contend with. The road surfaces are some of the worst I’ve ridden. Rough tarmac at it’s worst – making the bike vibrate and bounce around. Amazingly it seems to have taken just over two hours to do less than 25 miles.
Now here’s the rub. I actually planned the route using Strava’s route planner and then was a bit put out by the difference in numbers recorded on the actual ride. I made a couple of detours, so I’ve just cloned and edited the planned route to represent the one I did. Strava’s route planner says:
35.3mi Distance and 2,681ft Elevation Gain
So why does the ride I actually did only come in at:
24.3mi Distance and 1,635ft Elevation Gain
To put a further twist on it, the Wahoo app I use to record the ride has logged it as:
23.2mi Distance and doesn’t show elevation gain.
Now why Strava corrects the data that is exported to it from the Wahoo app, I am not sure, but in th east it’s always seemed more plausible information.
I conclude that the Strava route planner software is just incorrect in its calculations. I had thought that the Wahoo / Strava issues was related to the recorded data via the speed sensor, but given that’s kaput at present I am at a loss to explain it – they both seem to use the same Google data.
All I know is my legs feel like they’ve done some climbing this evening and more than last week although Strava reckon’s it’s actual 20ft less climbing than that ride.
In other news, the turbo session yesterday evening seems to have buggered the speed sensor on my Wahoo SC bluetooth unit. The cadence still works and even a brand new battery purchased via a dash into the city this morning has refused to resurrect it. It’ll be off back to Wiggle for replacement.
Over 50 miles on a bike. I’ve not done that in a long time, but I did manage it today and actually felt good the whole ride. Even managed to set a new PB on one of the final stretches to home. Strava is good for letting you know when you think that you’ve had a good ride and match this agains past rides on the same roads. Stepping up the mileage seems to be working. More hill work during the week this week and perhaps a trip to the seaside in County Durham.
It was windy out there, but I just seemed to find a tempo that worked for me and pressed on (had achy knees on a couple of occasions). Stopped on Marine drive and took a photo across the Ribble Estuary – you can see Blackpool Tower…
Sweaty sesh on the turbo tonight. Daft Punk: Discovery as tunes and 16.3 miles in 30 minutes. Might have to start taking this training seriously.
Was going to session the turbo yesterday, but it rained, rained, lashed it down and rained some more so I skipped that and went food shopping. Wise move as tonight was epic. Really in the rhythm on the climbs and seemingly endless descents at warp speed. Beautiful evening and warm enough for just shorts and jersey.
Another sesh on the turbo tonight, much better training and cooler as it was drizzling a bit and helped keep the body temperature down. Chemical Brothers: Dig Your own hole provided the tunes as I put out 15 miles in 30 minutes. Given I only did 10 in 32 minutes in the first session I can quite pleased with progress – further gains will be harder to match.
I thought I would say a few words about the tech. I am using a Wahoo Bluetooth heart rate chest band and one of the combination cadence and speed sensor. Its all Bluetooth 4.0 kit so uses very little energy and isn’t a constant drain like older Bluetooth technology.
The only limitation I have discovered so far is that the speed sensor seems to reach its limit at just under 50mph, you can sprint as hard as you like, but I am yet to see the magic five-o appear on the screen. In terms of use, just start the Wahoo fitness app on the iPhone do the sesh, then when it’s finised share the work out with Strava and you’re done. The app has a clear simple display showing all the basics.
Pretty pleased with it so far and can’t think of anything I’d change. I stick the phone on a window ledge in front of me when on the turbo in the back yard or in a jersey pocket on a ride. I looked at the Wahoo bike computer, but really don’t think I’d use it and there is no way I am going to bar mount the iPhone. If I had the cash I’d be tempted to bring a Kickr trainer back from a trip to the US. They look awesome, it would be cool to be able to do a virtual training ride up Alpe d’Huez with the turbo constantly varying the resistance along the climb.
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