Infinite Road: 2008 LIVESTRONG Challenge Training Journal

Getting back into training mode

After being away from home for a week and from my bike even longer, I was planning on taking advantage of this extended weekend by going out for multiple rides...but things just didn't go as planned.  Friday, the air quality was extremely poor from the wild fire in Santa Cruz mountains...so I had to say inside all day.  Saturday, it rained...so I went for a run instead.  Sunday, my legs were too sore from 8-mile run the day before...so I ended up just spinning on my trainer.  In the end I was only able to squeeze in one solid ride during the past 4 days -- which was a 60-miler I did this afternoon.

The ride took place on a relatively flat route (just under 4,000 ft) along the peninsula...and besides pissing off another rider on Foothill for passing her on the right, it was a pretty uneventful ride.  Since I hadn't ridden for two weeks I also kept the distance shorter then usual....but next weekend I plan on putting in at least 70 miles.

Carpe 100%

Just wanted to share this photo that I took -- it was one of many memorable sightings from my trip to Boston last week.

Whatever your 100% looks like, give it.

Away in Boston

This weekend I rode zero miles...and I won't be pedaling for at least couple more days because I'm currently in Boston attending a design conference.  I was originally planning on running at least few times during my stay, but with all the extra stuff I'd have to pack and my tightly packed schedule (no way I'm waking up at 6 am east coast time) I decided to just go hard when I get back to Bay Area.  Hopefully my legs will at least feel fresh when I hit the road again this weekend.

Cloudy day in Boston (See full-size image)

Pescadero

Now that I'm limiting my endurance rides to just twice a month, I need to make the most out of every one of them...and I certainly got a great workout today; 75 miles -- 6200 ft of climbing!  But those weren't the only challenging aspects of today's ride.  Early on I had trouble maintaining focus due to inadequate sleep, and after the first mountain ascent I encoutered a sudden drop in temperature that left me shivering to the bone.  In fact, it was so cold that my hands were hurting from touching the ice-cold (metal) brake levers...and I seriously thought about just turning back and cutting the ride short.

But then I remembered scenese from Tour de France where the racers grabbed newspapers from the fans at the top the climb, and then shoved them down the front of their jerseys for wind protection on the descents.  So I grabbed a copy of Half Moon Bay Review from a mini-market and tried to do the same...and what do you know, it really works!  The newspaper not only blocked the chilly wind, but it also did an amazing job of keeping my core temperature insulated.

With my body termperature under control, I was able to fully enjoy the latter half of the ride which took me through Stage Rd (southbound) for the first time...and man, was it beautiful.  The road was so peaceful & quiet, it felt like it was made for cyclists.  And to top it off the road lead me to a small town of Pescadero, which offered far more food options than other towns in the area.  I think I just discovered my new favorite long ride route.

Morning fog covering the mountain tops

Pacing myself carefully up Old La Honda to save my lungs/legs for later climbs

Freezing-cold descent down the backside of Old La Honda

With the forecast calling for mid-70s (for Santa Clara, anyway), I didn't bother to bring a vest -- so I used a newspaper for wind-protection à la Tour de France riders

84 was wet the entire way to San Gregorio

The front of San Gregorio General Store is usually packed with bikes, but not today

Beginning my way down to Pescadero on Stage Rd

One of many great sceneries along Stage Rd -- a road made for cyclists (full-size image)

Arriving at the border of Pescadero -- population: 2000

Pit-stop at a grocery store off of the main street

Onto Pascadero Rd

4000+ ft of climbing completed, 2,000 ft more to go... (full-size image)

Finally returning to the car with much dirtier bike

The numbers:

• Time: 5:17:41
  
• Distance: 75.45 mi
  
• Avg speed: 14.3 mph
  
• Avg heart rate: 138 bpm
  
• Total ascent: 6238 ft
  
• Calories burned: 5253 cal

Another close call

They say all cyclists should ride as though we're invisible...but realistically speaking there are things you just have to assume about cars that surround you.  You assume that the cars will stay out of the bike lane, that they'll not suddenly cut in front of you, and certainly you assume they'll come to a stop at red lights.

Well today I was once again reminded of how vulnerable I am out on the road when two cars ran red lights and sped by right in front of me...at the intersection of Cañada Rd & Hwy 92.  It was really upsetting because I had the same experience at the exact location just a month ago....so when the light turned green for me, I actually did check the cross traffic to make sure the cars were stopped.  But as soon as I began to cross the intersection, two cars just blew by me from the far lane...completely oblivious of me and another rider.

On the way back I spotted two CHP officers at a gas station, so I told them about the incident and asked if there was any chance a traffic camera could be installed at the intersection.  One of them told me "that just wouldn't happen" since such system is reserved for cities only...but he said he might be able to get someone to patrol that intersection more often.  Regardless, I may just start avoiding riding in that area all together.

Mid-distance ride

After completing a 70-miler last weekend, it felt good knowing I already had a solid endurance base with the century still 11 weeks away.  But on the flip side, I was also worried that I may get physically/mentally burned out if I kept riding so long every weekend.  So I've decided that from now on I'll only go for a long ride (70+ milers) on every other weekend -- and on the other weekends go for a faster, mid-distance ride.

To kick off this new training schedule, I went for a 45-miler today packed with healthy dose of climbing thanks to Page Mill.  With no need to conserve energy like during the usual long rides, I found myself standing on the pedals frequently...and it felt really good to attack the hills for a change instead of riding defensively.

My hope is that rides like this will help increase my average speed during the long rides...and allow me to finish the century well before the cut-off time.

Course revealed

LAF finally posted the course map for the San Jose event this week...and what do you know, it doesn't include any of the roads I usually ride.  In fact, I don't think I've ever ridden on any of the roads that make up the 100-mile course.

Now there's still plenty of time for me to go out for a reconnaissance ride, but it'll be tough to do so because 1) the beginning & end portion of the course are in heavy-traffic area that I wouldn't feel safe without traffic control, and 2) the south portion of the course is in very isolated are with no place to refuel.

Maybe I'll just wait until the elevation profile becomes available, and then drive out to major climbs along the course.