machines

Bike Fit – black art, or science?

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In preparing for the WTF185 (post here) I decided to spend some time getting my fit evaluated. I’ve been reasonably comfortable on my bike(s) the last couple of years, but knew that I was probably experiencing very different fits on different bikes. I was especially concerned about the 185, as that’s more mileage than I’d done in a day by quite a bit.

Off to Bike Doctor Frederick to get the Guru fit. Nice group of people, and it appeared to me to be scientific enough I could believe it had merit. On the harness, start with a generic fit, fine tune everything and then measure my bikes to see how & where things needed to change.

One thing which surprised me a bit was the Optometrist approach… “Does this feel better than this?” All while pedaling under some load. (125 to 175 watts)

I remained optimistic, despite the changes in fit prescribed by the Guru system being more significant than I’d have expected.

Eventually, we ended up with something which met my scientific intent. Looks a bit like this :

guru_fitting_april2014_timojhen_pdf

Exciting, eh? Numbers! Ratios! Let’s get out the dual axis laser (LASERS!) and get started. Queue excitement.

We changed my cyclocross bike to meet this new science. Required new bars & stem. Not terrible, but not cheap. And removing OEM parts which were already paid for and almost entirely unused.

Completed the Cyclocross bike, and started the travel bike (Ritchey Break-Away Ti, totally love it). New Bars, stem and seat post. Urph. Expensive, but having a bike which totally fits me is worth it, right? Granted, this is a bike I’d done several centuries on without an issue, but I love me some science.

After running out of funding to change all of my bikes, I’ve left the others alone for now. I’ve also become somewhat disillusioned. The Cyclocross fit may have failed me on the WTF185 since I discovered pain in places where I’d never had problems. The travel bike has been okay, but I haven’t really ridden > 40 miles on that one yet.

More disconcerting is the fact that everyone I’ve talked to has a different opinion on how close this fit may be to any ideal fit. I did create an issue with achilles tendonitis on the WTF185 which has haunted me this entire summer. Now that I’ve gone to a foot & ankle specialist, I’m off the bike for two weeks to see if we can sort that out. I’ve gone to a fit coach, and he had a number of places where he felt the fit was completely wrong. I’d actually scheduled another fit with a different shop and while that didn’t happen due to scheduling issues, I’m concerned it’d just be another set of opinions I’m left to decipher on my own.

Color me frustrated. Biomechanics of cycling is a lot more complicated than I’d have guessed! After this achilles hiatus (argh!) I’m going to start experimenting with things and see if I can feel differences enough to start making adjustments.

ride reports

The Almost (not really) ride report from the WTF185.

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Short version – didn’t make it. Managed 130 miles, but that wasn’t the deal. Disappointed, and imagine I’ll need to go back and give it another shot. As Carlo mentioned (also finishing at about 130) the next day…. “I feel so unfulfilled.” Totally sums it up.

Epic stuff, great companions and I’ll be better prepared next time! (May be next year at the rate things are going)

About 75 miles in started having some trouble with my right knee. Odd, as I’d not ever had knee problems before and had more than that mileage a number of times this year. Annoying, but manageable. By about 100 miles I was also having achilles pain in my right leg. The hurt combined with our overall pace (not fast enough) was conspiring to have some of us talking about only doing Cumberland to Brunswick, MD.

Around 107 miles or so I hit a root (poorly) which put me on my ass before I knew what happened. Literally no notice. Joe was kind, and expressed his surprise as he ran over me and my bike. To be fair, we were lying prone directly in front of him, but I appreciate that he made it obvious he wasn’t aiming for me or anything. (Sorry Joe.)

Add some bleeding to the left leg, steady pain from the right and I’m ready to acknowledge this isn’t the day. (Turns out it may have been more adult like than I’m known for – it’s six weeks later and I’m still having achilles trouble.)

Here’s some photos regardless – as noted it was an awesome experience and I’ll be better prepared next time!

Early and eager - aiming for a 4am departure. Called it about 4:50 in actuality.
Early and eager – aiming for a 4am departure. Called it about 4:50 in actuality.
Some things you may need to stop for.
Some things you may need to stop for.
Yeah, dawn is a pretty awesome time to be on a bike.
Yeah dawn is a pretty awesome time to be on a bike.
Majical! Really. No, seriously this was awesome. Could see it coming for a bit, which just heightened the anticipation.
Majical! Really. No seriously this was awesome. Could see it coming for a bit, which just heightened the anticipation.
It is 7:30am. Plenty of time to find some mud yet.
It’s 7:30am. Plenty of time to find some mud yet.
Paw Paw tunnel. Neat but more hype than substance.
Paw Paw tunnel. Neat, but more hype than substance.
This was our favorite rest stop of the day. Obviously.
This was our favorite rest stop of the day. Obviously.
It's 8:50am. Think we have found a bit of the mud.
It’s 8:50am. Think we’ve found a bit of the mud.
Get used to this view. You'll be seeing a lot of it.
Get used to this view. You’ll be seeing a lot of it.
Minor flooding. Trail should still be here somewhere, right? (Elizabeth had no hesitation on ignoring the detour signs. Found three of these wading opportunities for us. Thx!)
Minor flooding. Trail should still be here somewhere, right? (Elizabeth had no hesitation on ignoring the detour signs. Found three of these wading opportunities for us. Thx!)
Then again, this is the alternate view. Is ok, yes?
Then again, this is the alternate view. Is ok, yes?
Pavement was pretty nice at times. Coasting was something I learned to miss.
Pavement was pretty nice at times. Coasting was something I learned to miss.
Throw some blood in with the mud. Appreciating all the new pink skin this ride gifted me.
Throw some blood in with the mud. Appreciating all the new pink skin this ride gifted me.
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Epic, bucket list WTF ride.

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So a bunch of us are attempting a C&O canal ride this Saturday which promises to be Epic. At least.

We’re starting in Cumberland, Maryland and winding our way along the C&O canal down to Washington DC. In a day.

About 180 miles total. Generally flat, but gravel path not paved. Looksee : http://tinyurl.com/oo72988

Think I’m ready, but have that nervousness which is inevitable when attempting something challenging that I’m not entirely confident about.

Should be really interesting, really hard, and hopefully do-able. More to come!

2014-06-13 13.09.41

2014-06-13 13.09.31

2014-06-13 06.58.12

2014-06-11 19.19.50

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Year 2 of the Air Force Association Cycling Classic

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Rode the Cycling Classic again this year – it’s timed, but not in a typical fashion. They open the course at 7am and you’re charged with doing as many laps as you can before 10:10am, where they call last lap and clear the course.

Last year I’d done it with a Garmin which I’d reset and not properly set up, so I was concerned about finishing the six laps in time. Turns out I did well, averaging 19.5 mph and getting my six laps in with forty minutes to spare. Could have done another one (time) if I had the energy (which I didn’t).

The course was different this year, and seemed a bit harder to me. Bit more climbing and while they eliminated a crazy 90 degree turn at the bottom of a hill, we had more climbing and lap times were about the same despite being shorter.

It’s a bit different for me to go >2:50 without stopping, so it’s certainly a bit of an endurance game! Do plan to keep doing it, even if it wipes me out for a bit.

Strava Results Here.

2014-06-08 11.23.45

2014-06-08 10.28.54

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Last couple of months have looked like this….

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As with anyone else in the East, Winter 2014 hasn’t been all that kind.   It’s been hard to get the miles in, even if they’re just base miles with no intended pace.

I’d picked up a fatbike (Surly Pugsley SpecOps) late last year, so that offered some relief.   I figured out how to dress for the teens or below, and managed to stick with it and avoid the trainer most of the time.

Posting this now so I can look back on it in a couple of months when I have warm commutes (6am) and snow is a distant memory.

near Hillsboro looking West, late January. Was really keen on completing the Strava "Prove It" challenge. (600K in January)
near Hillsboro looking West, late January. Was really keen on completing the Strava “Prove It” challenge. (600K in January)