tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post7494702143808625260..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: Toward a Topographical Fatalism Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-91612066920260437082014-04-14T03:39:19.649-04:002014-04-14T03:39:19.649-04:00You must be more evolved than I am. For me the rew...You must be more evolved than I am. For me the reward for a long climb is bombing down the other side.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3477895171552949632014-04-13T17:13:29.918-04:002014-04-13T17:13:29.918-04:00^^Yes^^. Well said.^^Yes^^. Well said.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-26913047162222342142014-04-13T15:54:36.001-04:002014-04-13T15:54:36.001-04:00hemp?hemp?Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-74220432205565378862014-04-13T13:53:32.966-04:002014-04-13T13:53:32.966-04:00Had to laugh when I read this. Fatalism is a[n in]...Had to laugh when I read this. Fatalism is a[n in]famous Irish trait. I never thought to apply it to cycling the way you have, but why not, it makes sense. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19018417307092946822014-04-13T12:43:24.980-04:002014-04-13T12:43:24.980-04:00I do agree there are times to stand. Such as, whe...I do agree there are times to stand. Such as, when burst of acceleration is needed - or you are confronted by a short, very steep hill. I also agree that standing can increase your strength, and thus make you more powerful. If your goal is power, if you want to be a sprinter and not a long distance runner, than stand. Don't expect your body to "stand" up to it for as many years, however.<br /><br />From the standpoint of physics, it does not burn significantly more calories - so your workout from standpoint of the amount of energy expended is equivalent standing or sitting. Sure there could be a miniscule difference in wind resistance if going slightly faster uphill when standing, and thus more energy is required. But the difference is so small if would get lost in the noise. <br /><br />I ride for exercise these days. I find it is possible to pull relatively larger gears while seated. I believe in finding your cadence. The pedaling speed your body is most comfortable and efficient at and then find a gear that achieves the level of heart rate, or energy output that taxes the body without causing injury. I'm 57, and no longer believe I am invincible. Life caught up with me and has proven me wrong in that area. I've learned that wisdom comes from listening. For example, listening to what your body tells you. If your knees become sore, or you feet get hotspots, or you hands go numb - then learn from that.<br /><br />I realize there is a very strong machismo in American cycling not found to the same extent in other cultures where cycling is a lifestyle. Hence, there can be a strong reaction to suggestion contrary to conventional America cycling wisdom. I've been part of the American cycling scene for over 45 years, and spent most of those years as a believer.<br /><br />As far as Velouria's coach's intention, I interpreted pedaling in circles as even pedal strokes - as opposed to pedal mashes when standing. I stand corrected. Augsburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06109555620818668190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23608412315596574302014-04-13T11:34:08.624-04:002014-04-13T11:34:08.624-04:00Finding the impossible is possible is a good thing...Finding the impossible is possible is a good thing. However, before a bunch of your readers decide to try the same thing, I'd like to point out that climbing seated while mashing against your hardest gears is a great way to ruin your knees! High-gear seated climbing puts maximal compressive stress on the articular cartilage that lines the back of your knee cap, the end of the femur, and the top of the tibia. Unlike many soft tissues in your body, articular cartilage is avascular and does not readily regenerate. I did similar "maximum load" seated leg workouts when I was in high school, and then had to limit my riding for years afterward because of long-term knee damage. I'd suggest readers take inspiration from your rides, writing, and reconciliation with road conditions, but also spin or stand instead of risking their knees by high-gear seated climbing! End of public service announcement and I always look forward to reading your blog.Davidnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59928409859776167332014-04-13T10:15:50.817-04:002014-04-13T10:15:50.817-04:00You like hard workouts? You want a hard workout? I...You like hard workouts? You want a hard workout? I've got one for you. Everybody does this workout and anyone who has ever done performance riding will recognize this workout immediately.<br /><br />Ride with a watch. Pick a landmark at the bottom of the grade and a landmark at the top of the grade. Time the climb. You would not want to try to best your time every single ride. But whenever you feel fresh and good and there is no overriding reason to just roll along, on any good day you have to try to set a new mark.<br /><br />Everybody does this. It is a hard workout. If you are at all serious it is a very hard workout. Now we make it special. If you should get near the top and the clock says you are close to a new personal best but the outcome is not certain, then you sprint. Sprint means sprint. It does not mean push a little harder, it does not mean thrash at the pedals for 5 strokes and then give up. It means sprint. Have a friend show you what a mountaintop sprint looks like. It looks utterly impossible. You can do it.<br /><br />You may wish to acquire a stopwatch. After sprinting you will not be able to read the second hand. Avoiding the sprint becomes wonderful motivation for setting a new mark by a clear margin. Or you may be one of those who comes to look forward to the sprint. Either way it is hard and you will know results.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51516267255429575212014-04-13T00:05:16.456-04:002014-04-13T00:05:16.456-04:00Holy Moly! My knees hurt just thinking about it.
...Holy Moly! My knees hurt just thinking about it.<br /><br />I'm trying... really trying to get into the zen of riding uphill. But I have to admit that there's a big part of me that's always looking to the top thinking "how much longer?" Well, next time I'm struggling up a 15% grade I'm gonna take a minute (more like a micro-second between giant gulps of air) and be thankful that I'm in my lowest gear! Here's to living in the moment!EcoCatLadyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15704811319510740473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-20119971588735815502014-04-12T19:48:29.985-04:002014-04-12T19:48:29.985-04:00So, you're saying she'd sow, and then sew?...So, you're saying she'd sow, and then sew? Right, so.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14764618468961191349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-43405350356866445532014-04-12T18:08:31.407-04:002014-04-12T18:08:31.407-04:00Fantastic revelation, so glad to see that you foun...Fantastic revelation, so glad to see that you found it.antbikemikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02224389434997585350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-46058501125458152022014-04-12T16:14:57.071-04:002014-04-12T16:14:57.071-04:00Part of being a coach is pulling stuff out of your...Part of being a coach is pulling stuff out of your hat that makes some impression on the student. The coach here succeeded. Convinced the student things were possible not previously thought to be possible. But it wasn't training, it was a stunt. Anybody who attempts to emulate V's workout is not getting the same result. <br /><br />Power is directly proportional to speed. Elementary physics. Whatever gets you up the hill fastest is the toughest workout and the most generally effective workout. Adopting massive gears develops torque rather than power. Any human healthy enough to ride a bike has more torque than a Harley-Davidson. You don't need more. Stunt riders and trials riders might want more torque, doing the tricks they do anyway takes care of it. Kilo specialists want torque for kilo starts, they are all in the gym working on it. No one else needs to care about low end torque. All of us would like a little more horsepower and you get it by going fast.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-72457033891541537882014-04-12T14:37:40.962-04:002014-04-12T14:37:40.962-04:00I don't think you understand. What's great...I don't think you understand. What's great about this blog is that it often combines V's interests--say, cycling and photography. V also has a talent for making clothes.<br /><br />I fully expect an upcoming post comparing the advantages of seed garments to those of wool/lycra blends. Jon Barnardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01546272421153261764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-37935613931486869252014-04-12T13:53:42.875-04:002014-04-12T13:53:42.875-04:00I recently posted to a commuter cycling forum that...I recently posted to a commuter cycling forum that I was becoming stoic about the wind. A wise contributor to that forum, and a recovering alcoholic, suggested that "stoic" was the wrong word for someone so passionate about riding. He proposed that "acceptance" was closer to the reality of it. I think he's right. I am not indifferent to the wind or to the experience of cycling through it. Instead, I have come to accept the wind as it is and to embrace the experience of cycling in all its variability. <br /><br />I wonder if the same concept does not apply here. Are you fatalistic about the landscape or passionately accepting of it? Kendrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18329731743529266746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-57218931351215147232014-04-12T11:32:58.756-04:002014-04-12T11:32:58.756-04:00Tony Gwynn, Ichiro. Slap slap, punch punch. Turn...Tony Gwynn, Ichiro. Slap slap, punch punch. Turn on that inside pitch BAM. Keeps the opposition honest.<br /><br />Little races play out on a ride, first to the top, town line sprint. You assume the nervous girl is going to just pootle her little gear, sit back. No! She may decide one day to put it in a higher gear and do a smooth roll-on, catch a wheel of another standing, and BE THERE at the top, hitherto an unknown placing. Huh there may be something to this pedaling from the core stuff. <br /><br />Mark my words, Revelation #68323 presaged right here. GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-46076481944265759842014-04-12T10:26:47.142-04:002014-04-12T10:26:47.142-04:00You are fortunate to have friends who are accompli...You are fortunate to have friends who are accomplished riders. A lot of little tips can add up to a balanced state, where you can ride all day without feeling exhausted or beat up. <br /><br />It is also nice to see that you have settled on one bike for most of your riding. Once you find what works for you, it is best to resist making changes. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-50162406011986837562014-04-12T09:46:54.518-04:002014-04-12T09:46:54.518-04:00For the last year or so I've been concentratin...For the last year or so I've been concentrating on spinning more and faster, which has been really beneficial, but there are times I miss pushing bigger gears or just want to make a point to myself and get in the big ring and try to make the sky darken and the trumpets blare. <br /><br />You can make a career out of base hits but if you don't at least try to put one over the fence once or twice a season than you never really played ball.<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-53310005199928064422014-04-12T09:35:47.627-04:002014-04-12T09:35:47.627-04:00Maybe "Search for the Holy Grail"?Maybe "Search for the Holy Grail"?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-17361400432844792752014-04-12T05:48:42.519-04:002014-04-12T05:48:42.519-04:00Standing vs sitting is another one of those oddly ...Standing vs sitting is another one of those oddly controversial topics. But to put this in context, my friend was not telling me to sit on a climb because he thinks it's better to sit on climbs. He was demonstrating a very specific strength training technique. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-78757113841167372072014-04-12T05:31:58.079-04:002014-04-12T05:31:58.079-04:00It was an illustration of what strength training f...It was an illustration of what strength training for time trialists can entail; not a suggestion for how to climb hills on a regular basis.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-22146422711420487452014-04-11T23:39:51.214-04:002014-04-11T23:39:51.214-04:00Tsk, tsk. You sow seeds, and they are sown. You s...Tsk, tsk. You sow seeds, and they are sown. You sew with a needle and thread, and things are sewn.<br /><br />Taking a single-speed on long rides, and daily commutes as well, will give you plenty of fatal topographicalism, too!Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14764618468961191349noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23977183886829097402014-04-11T20:36:27.936-04:002014-04-11T20:36:27.936-04:00Ah, then perhaps a tour or more trail rides will f...Ah, then perhaps a tour or more trail rides will find their way into your expanding perspective. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5610585772171921042014-04-11T20:14:40.854-04:002014-04-11T20:14:40.854-04:00re: racers. They know to build strength through ...re: racers. They know to build strength through big gear work, sitting and standing, and pedal work. There're concepts of anaerobic and aerobic you do not understand, little and big gears play off each other in training and during a ride. <br /><br />Sit if you must, spin if you want, but don't tell someone they have to ride a bike a certain way if that rider's goals stretch beyond what you conceive as proper. <br /><br /><br />GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59184008419471931702014-04-11T20:14:32.709-04:002014-04-11T20:14:32.709-04:00I'm not a regular reader and glad I stumbled o...I'm not a regular reader and glad I stumbled on this gem!<br /><br />I know what you mean about just riding the hill. I've been a plumber for many many years and I love it, just like I did when I started. In the last few years this phenomenon has emerged: I focus on what I'm doing and at some point I look around and realize there is nothing else to do, that I have finished with no awareness that I was getting near the end. My days are so smooth since this has taken root in me. Everything seems to occupy it's right place in space and in time. <br />I cycle hills the same way. Each revolution goes by in it's own place and all of a sudden your at the top and then you just go down the other side.<br /><br />ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-23327841962033592202014-04-11T20:05:08.403-04:002014-04-11T20:05:08.403-04:00Was it just a one-time experiment or will you use ...Was it just a one-time experiment or will you use the big gear for climbing regularily, in the future?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-52297226139762693722014-04-11T20:02:19.992-04:002014-04-11T20:02:19.992-04:00Its an imagery to help application of force throug...Its an imagery to help application of force through the whole pedal stroke, not just 12 to 6.<br /><br /><br />I know with the content again, can't help it. Anyone else got some?GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.com