Riding in the heat...

**FitnessPhotos** · July 30th, 2006, 10:26 AM

I took my new setup out for its first ride yesterday; seems I should have left a bit earlier (I'm not much of a morning person). I hit the trail about 9:30am and it was already in the mid-80s and it only got worse from there.

During my ride, the temp on my computer showed from 83 degrees in the shade to 104 degrees on the blacktop in the sun. It was brutal. My heart rate was through the roof most of the time - I even registered 180bpm, which is 3 beats higher than I've ever registered on anything! My "average" was right at my last AT measurement, although I am sure it has improved since then (I averaged 153 on the ride).

Overall I really enjoyed my new setup, although I need to work on my seat height, it was too low which slowed me down (along with the heat). I ran about 1.5 mph slower than my last ride, although I managed to go for 50 miles. From mile 40 to mile 50 I thought I was going to pass out - I drank two bottles of water and still felt dehydrated. I finished off the ride with a nice big mix of protein/bccas and water which helped.

Alot of new gear on my bike - the shoes and cleats were much nicer (and cooler), I couldn't really get a feel for the aero-bars (again, a seat issue, I think) and the bike definfately "felt" lighter.

I'm going to work on the seat setup and hopefully after my first ride (and maybe leaving a little earlier), my next one will be much better.

**JoeBAR** · July 30th, 2006, 10:34 AM

Glad you enjoy the new ride. Little tweaking is the kind of thing that is part of riding. Sometimes my seat drops by itself, I swear! Well, or maybe someday my legs stretch longer

Remember that when you move the seat up, it tends to move back slightly, due to the angle, and the relative position of the handle bar is therefore slightly modified, which could put you off a bit as well.

You're lucky to have such weather, it seems the sunny days have gone away for the weekend on this side of the pond!

**FitnessPhotos** · July 30th, 2006, 10:38 AM

I was almost hoping it would rain, lol. About half the ride is in the sun, the other half is covered by the trees (nice!) - when I was on the open pavement, it was really hot. No doubt that was slowing me down, I was dripping in sweat watching the temp gauge go up and up.

Next time I'll try to hit the trail by 8am if its going to be a scorcher.

mhb3939 · July 30th, 2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FitnessPhotos

I took my new setup out for its first ride yesterday; seems I should have left a bit earlier (I'm not much of a morning person). I hit the trail about 9:30am and it was already in the mid-80s and it only got worse from there.

During my ride, the temp on my computer showed from 83 degrees in the shade to 104 degrees on the blacktop in the sun. It was brutal. My heart rate was through the roof most of the time - I even registered 180bpm, which is 3 beats higher than I've ever registered on anything! My "average" was right at my last AT measurement, although I am sure it has improved since then (I averaged 153 on the ride).

Overall I really enjoyed my new setup, although I need to work on my seat height, it was too low which slowed me down (along with the heat). I ran about 1.5 mph slower than my last ride, although I managed to go for 50 miles. From mile 40 to mile 50 I thought I was going to pass out - I drank two bottles of water and still felt dehydrated. I finished off the ride with a nice big mix of protein/bccas and water which helped.

Alot of new gear on my bike - the shoes and cleats were much nicer (and cooler), I couldn't really get a feel for the aero-bars (again, a seat issue, I think) and the bike definfately "felt" lighter.

I'm going to work on the seat setup and hopefully after my first ride (and maybe leaving a little earlier), my next one will be much better.

Love your site dude...

Hey, I struggled for yrs with postioning on my MTB...
I finally went to BCH sports med to see Andy Pruitt..
I had the 3D laser fitting done and it was PERFECT.. WOW what a diffrent in watts/comfort ect...
Here is the link if you ever want to look into it

http://www.bch.org/sportsmedicine/science.cfm

**FitnessPhotos** · July 30th, 2006, 11:09 AM

I actually did get fitted before my last two rides on my old setup and turned out some record numbers (for me, anyways). I greatly improved my ride times and speeds - I didn't have a chance to get up to the place before today's ride and obviously it showed.

I'm going to try and either fix it myself or get up for another fitting - I have some good ideas where the seat is suppose to be based on my fitting just a month ago (and the frames are of similiar size); but, yeah, getting it done right can make all the difference in the world.

thecameraguy99 · July 30th, 2006, 12:33 PM

Getting a proper fitting (seat, stem, etc) will help a lot. Have you tried adding anything to your water on your ride? There are some electrolyte replenishment powders that I find help when you just run out of salt in your body and you "bonk" on the bike and its like hitting a wall on your run. A lot of it has to do with being dehydrated and losing/sweating out a lot of your salt and minerals.

mhb3939 · July 30th, 2006, 01:00 PM

I so bonk yesterday for the 1st ever riding in my life on my MTB...
It was hot and the day before I trained hard/long...

I am taking the day off today and drinking water all day.. hope to try it again tomrw... but it was sooo hitting the wall, never did that before!

**Old_Fart2** · July 30th, 2006, 01:33 PM

I went out this morning around 8 and hooked right up with another rider. I asked him where he was heading, he was going the same direction as I was, so we rode together.

I not only ended up with my longest ride yet (29 miles - I'm a weighlifter not a bike rider), I did an awesome hill. In fact I had so much fun I circled around and did it again. By the top, I was barely going 7 mph.

The guy I was riding with said he'd met a guy yesterday who had done it 40 times! Apparently, it's where all the serious riders do their hill training (there aren't many hills around Plano, TX).

Anyway, by the time I got home it was probably already up to the mid-90's, so I gulped down a Gatorade, stripped off my clothes and jumped in the pool; just stretched and lounged around in the pool for about 15 minutes.

I love getting out and riding; I just have to sandwich it between all my other priorities.

**FitnessPhotos** · July 30th, 2006, 02:01 PM

As a bodybuilder myself, I struggle with the demands of both sports and my size works against me on the bike. I take two bottles - one has sugar-free koolaid (with creatine) and other is Powerade. I also fulled up both with water on the last 10 miles. I finish off with a nice protein/bcca mix in water.

I feel great today and weighed in under my target weight for the month, so am happy all around. Went out and pulled my seat up 1/4" and rode it around and it made a big difference (could even use the aero-bars). I might be able to go just a little higher, but will wait until I hit the trail and take my wrench with me to make adjustments.

Hills are the devil for me - I do great on level and decline, but when I hit a hill, I slow way down.....

**pigperson** · July 30th, 2006, 10:03 PM

Riding in the heat"...

I hate it, but do it!!

FP, glad you like your new ride. It'll make a world of difference to have your new bike fitted to you as you did your old steed. But I'm sure you already know that by now too.

Old Fart2 -- very cool on the new PR, keep, it up! Next thing you know you'll be doing a 40 miler, then 65, them a century.