Thursday, June 24, 2010

Take Two

Last night I was having a a little trouble falling asleep so I decided it was a good time to go throw a wrench on my new bike. I adjusted the cant on my seat to slightly up, moved it .25 inch forward, raised the seat a half centimeter. I also reset the bike computer, as best I could figure out using google on my blackberry, and adjusted the rear breaks. Good news, there is a fine tuning screw; it is just in different place that on a MTB. That is exciting to me. I like to have my brakes tight, I do not use them a lot so when I need to I want them to respond quickly.

This morning I set out to ride for 30 minutes just to check my adjustments and acclimate to a road bike. I tried not stray too far from home since it was early and dark. Don't worry I have a flashing red LED attached to my butt! I ended up riding 27 minutes and 5 miles on the head per my computer, ending right back at my driveway. I hit a top speed of 15mph and avg of 10.1. I hit one MAJOR hill, and stopped at 4 intersections. My speed is still slower than my goal. I was averaging 11 mph on my mtb so I was hoping that the road bike would bump me up to 12-15. I have a goal of at least 15 mph average.  This way I can finish a sprint ride in around an hour.

Still having a few problems:

  • The largest problem is my hands cramping and it makes me readjust every few minutes,
  • still haven't found a comfortable hand position that lets me feel I have good control either,
  • shifting is worrisome as I have to stop pedaling and take a hand of my already shaky bars to do it,
  • climbing still seems harder on this than my mtb often getting passes my old women using walkers, and
  • now after changing the cant on my seat I have a little too much pressure on my "undercarriage" but I can probably fix that.
All in all, it was an improvement but is it was still like do that thing I referenced last time for the second time;  a little longer, little less awkward, but still feels like I am doing something wrong.  As always, any help is appreciated.

3 comments:

Big Daddy Diesel said...

I would take it to your LBS and pay the $50 or what ever they charge to get fitted to it. I think this will help correct some of your problems.

aquabikes- the reason why I been doing them is that I am injured and cant run for 6-8 weeks, so either A) i dont race at all (ya right) or B) do aquabikes, get you race fix and not have to worry about getting more injuried on the run.

So I picked B, so I could race. Excellent race if you are injuried or cant run. I highly recommend it, and since there are not alot of aquabikers, you end up becomes friends with alot of them.

Lucas R. Tucker said...

Diesel-
They half way fitted me on the trainer when I was there but I didn't have shoes yet, so they told me I could come back. It's out of town so at the moment I am making adjustments as needed so I can ride and will get back out there when I can. they actually were doing it for free since I had the bike serviced there and bought my cleats there.


I understand about the aquabike now, I had looked at some duathlon before getting a bike for the sake of still being able to compete. Maybe once I am a little better rider I will try one, since running is probably my worst area anyways. Seems like a decent way to work on the other and see how I fall in with more experienced athletes while I work on my running.

Caratunk Girl said...

Ha - I am laughing about you saying the old ladies in walkers were passing you...

I find the more I ride, the better rider I am, the stronger I am - so things get easier. With climbing, I had such a hard time for a long time. Then I just decided to get better I had to climb more. I am still not a great climber, but I am better than I was before. SO keep at it, maybe do a few hill repeats on a hill close to home. You will get stronger.

As for the hands, like BDD said, get the fit, I bet it will help - sounds like you plan to I just read your comment back.

Keep it up, you are doing awesome - you will be able to do that sprint ride at your goal pace if you keep training.