Tempus Fugit

Latin (tem-pu̇s-ˈfü-git): Time Flies

Category: Cycling

  • The Ride Report

    My Stats

    Distance 97.05 km
    Average speed 32.06 km/hr
    Max Speed 57.0 km/hr
    Ride Time 3:00:27

    Today’s ride was my best of the season so far! It was a cool start at 6°C but warmed up to 16°C over the course of the ride. I did well in the sprint into Selkirk and over the “Big Bridge”. After re-grouping I rode with 7 other guys in the “fast” group and we worked well together keeping a pace in the 40-45km/h range until we caught up to the main group. It was a slow pace over to Hwy 206 where I found myself at the front and then suddenly alone as the group had dropped back. On 206 I’m usually starting to fade and typically get dropped going up the two small hills.

    But today, today was different. I still felt strong and again found myself at the front as we approached the hills. I kept a steady 35 up both hills and was just waiting for somebody to try and pass as I was ready to really jump on the petals and give them a run for it but nobody came! At the top, I dropped right & back to let somebody else take the lead and then there was a sprint for the Park gate on the flat. I was trapped in the shoulder side with everyone coming by on my left. Once I got a break it was time to hammer down and I caught all but a coupe of guys before the gate.

    After a half lap of the park it was the long downhill to Hwy 59. We’re in the line and my buddy says “let’s go” so we both pull out and are flying down to the overpass. I suspect this is where I hit the 57km/h. The two others eased off, but I kept up a solid 40 up to the top of the overpass before taking a breather. Even going up 59 where I’m usually shot, I was still feeling good and riding well. As we turn back onto Henderson Hwy, one of the guys says “I’m just going to spin back”, I said “Did he say spin back or sprint back” and my riding buddy and I leave the group behind as we sprint back to the parking lot.

    A great day and a good ride.

  • Is it true or just a rumour?

    Lance Armstrong reportedly to seek to race in 2009 Tour de France – Los Angeles Times

    Lance Armstrong will end his retirement and hopes to compete in the 2009 Tour de France, according to a cycling journal report, but Astana cycling team officials denied the comeback would be associated with them.

    “He is no part of our team,” Astana team press officer Philippe Maertens told the Associated Press in an e-mail. “Team Astana has no plans with him.”

  • Back on track… almost

    Up early today and resumed my morning workout on the Bowflex with some core work tossed in for about an hour. But, somewhere along the line I seem to have dragged a little because I got into the office about 15 minutes behind the planned schedule. I cycled hard coming in, so perhaps I’ll need to get up earlier that 6am (uggg!). Maybe the answer is in eating a faster breakfast?

    In any case it was good to get back to the program and surprising how much the core work hurt after laying off the workouts for most of the summer.

  • Early morning


    Early morning
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    I was up sort of early this morning, not quite early enough to catch the sunrise, but definitely some nice calm quiet time to do some reading down a the dock. I’m currently reading Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive by John Eldredge and enjoying the book very much.

    After some reading I’m feeling the need, the need for speed, on the bike that is. So, after attaching a second water bottle cage and loading up, I’m off for a run into Kenora. The route is about a 40km return trip with the usual hill climbs to get from our branch road out to the highway. After that, it’s paved shoulders all the way, but with some longer, less steep grades. In preparation for the upcoming mountain hike of Mt. Thompson, I’m climbing every hill out of the saddle to work the legs more and hopefully simulate more of a climbing exercise that will pay off when we’re hiking.

    Garry & the Bike
    Garry and the Bike
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    Just after starting the ride, it started to rain, and then it rained harder, but hey it’s warm and it’s only water so I push on to Kenora. It rains the entire way for about one hour, and I’m fully soaked. After a little crusing around town, it’s back to the cottage. This part of the ride is rain-free, but there are still puddles and spray from cars. When I’m back I notice a gritty feeling in my mouth were I’ve apparently inhaled some road debris. Yummy!

    Shirley in the Kayak
    Shirley in the Kayak
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    After making a post-ride breakfast of bacon and eggs, it’s down to the dock, where it’s now hot and sunny with very few clouds. Shirley and I head out for a paddle in the kayaks down to the bottom of the bay and I’m starting to think that a shirt would have been a good idea as the hot sun is frying my back. However, things change quickly and as we’re paddling back a thunder clap is heard and we’re caught in a downpour and get totally soaked by the time we’re back at the dock. An hour later as I write this, it’s clear and sunny again. It’s been quite a weather day!

    Tonight, nobody cooks as we’re going out to the Plaza Restaurant to celebrate a birthday.

  • The Ride Report


    FOG Riders
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    My Stats

    Distance 107.32 km
    Average speed 30.05 km/hr
    Max Speed 49.8 km/hr
    Ride Time 3:20:12

    Today’s ride was a little longer that typical due to taking the Cooks Creek route option. The weather was very fine with temperatures in the mid-20s and a clear sky for the ride as you can see from the picture that I took during the ride. The photo was a little tricky, but now I have my own photo’s of the group.

    It was a very large group today and at times quite unruly with people riding 4 across, some cutting into the line, and a near bump on River Road, but nothing compared to what happened at the end.

    We’re just coming up Henderson Hwy approaching the Legion, just a few minutes from finishing the ride, and two riders go down right in front of me. I manage to brake without getting rear-ended and put off onto the grassy shoulder and avoid getting tangled up in the crash. Wow, do these things happen fast!

    From what the riders involved said, the first rider to go down had his front wheel bumped by the rider in front of him as he moved over a bit. This started a nasty wobble for the first rider to go down that he couldn’t recover from, and the second person was just unable to get out of the way. It may be a little harsh, but this was a self-inflicted crash, as the first rider to go down must have been overlapping wheels with the rider ahead. I’ve been cautioned on this before and now I’m quite careful to avoid overlapping for just this reason. Perhaps in a race, or the Tour de France the pro’s will ride in this position, but on a group ride of amatures, it’s a receipe for trouble. Well, both riders seemed physically OK, but bike damage my be another story. Being that close to a crash gave me a new respect for the issues of riding in a group in a tight formation.

  • Need a new one


    Seen a better day
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    Yesterday I took this photo of my cycling computer. It’s seen a few kilometers, 10,570 to be exact. It’s been on the Rockhopper since the bike was new except for a short time when I tried out a different computer.

    Today, on the ride to work it fell off on the street, so I think I’ll need to replace it.

  • Nice Ride


    Classy Bike #2
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    Being a cyclist, this is a sad thing to see. This bike is locked outside probably some of the most expensive condos in downtown Toronto, right in the harbour front. But gauging from the rust and two flats, this bike has not seen too many miles.km lately.

  • First FOG of the Season

    I went out on the first FOG ride of the season this morning. Apparently, it was the first ride for almost everyone, as previous attemts had been hanpered by such trivial things as snow and freezing rain and generally nasty conditions. This morning was clear, light winds and a balmy 3°C.so the ride was a go for many people. Rene was not there and some new guy was leading the ride, so after the parking lot pre-ride instructions and a little discussion about the route, we’re off on the traditional course.

    Things are pretty normal but I’m noticing that the traditional 2up riding pattern is taking for ever to form up, and there is a lot of inconsistency in the speed as well as a lot less ride etiquette that last season. Riders are falling back and cutting in mid-pack, riding 3 and 4 across etc. The ride is generally uneventful until we get to Lockport. Lockport is a traditional first stop, but for some reason the guys at the front of the line don’t stop and nobody says anything, so we push on to Selkirk. Just before Selkirk there is the traditional sprint for the town line, but it seems a little tame, and there is only one guy who breaks away with any major enthusiasm.

    After the stop in Selkirk, a number of rides head back to Winnipeg, which is probably what I should have done, but the rest of the group agrees to push on the “The Big Bridge“. The approach to the Big Bridge, is another part of the course where there is traditionally a sprint to the top. Did I mention that this is my first ride of the year? This is where I knew I was in trouble. Last year, I could keep up with the first 4-6 riders in the pack, but this time I was having trouble staying with the group on the approach. As they started the climb, I just fell off the back, legs burning, just zapped as the entire group pulled away. At the re-group point on  the other side of the bridge, there was a very short rolling pause, and them we rode on. This is were it starts to get ugly.

    I’m struggling to keep up with the pack which has now switched up to the 35-40Kph mode. Eventually, I drop off the back and watch the pack pull away, eventually right out of site. Now I’ poking along at about 22Kph and feeling the pain. After a while I start having some unkind thoughts about the group. Weren’t  they supposed to look out for  riders who are struggling? weren’t hey supposed to ensure that nobody gets dropped and rides alone? By now I’m going so slow, I’m glad that  nobody is slowing down for me, but hey then I spot one lone rider coming back to find me and make sure I’m OK. The group is all right after all.

    I never do get to catch up the guy who came back for me as he turns around in front of me and I still can’t catch up to him. At this point I’m totally wasted. The two of us eventually re-join the group I’m guessing they had been waiting 3 or 5 minutes, perhaps more. As I rode in nobody said anything to me and I was trying very hard not the throw up. They were kind and waited one more minute before taking off again. I kept with the group for a while as we headed down Henderson Hwy, but shortly I was on my own again for the ride back to the truck. After stopping for some Goo and some fluids I felt better and was able to maintain a respectable speed for the rest of the ride.

    A very tough ride for the first of the year. I’m hoping my cycle commute will get me back into shape, hopefully soon!

  • Back on the Road

    I just checked the FOG site and it seems like rides might have started in March! Hey, I’ve been a sleep at the switch. I think I’ll be out there tomorrow at 10am for my first road ride of the year. Forecast is for mainly sunny and +9, so that should be workable.

  • Icebike X – 27 of 39 or 45

    Garry


    Garry riding in Icebike X
    Originally uploaded by Big Dadoo

    Sunday, after church, Shirley and I headed down to the Forks and picked up my race number and got ready for the start. This year was only 12km vs. the usual 20km, so it was a much faster race. My fingers froze for the first lap and a half and then warmed up and everything was good. The bike performed well with no mechanical problems, not even after pounding down the staircases at the Provencher Bridge. I never did ride down the stairs at the Norwood Bridge, they were just a little too steep for my liking. Unlike many years, I managed not to crash once on the ride, perhaps I was being too cautious, but the course was fairly easy with only one steep downhill, and a short river bank stretch in loose snow.

    I pulled ahead of another rider just before the finish line and finished with a time of 54:02. That put me in 27th place of 45, if you count the 6 guys who didn’t finish. It was a good race, lots of fun.