Training 12-10-12

Galt, 30 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). 24.4mph average. I'm still running a caloric deficit. Today's ride was entirely on fumes. I'm on a strict diet and passed my first test by declining a plate of baked goodies after my ride today. My diet consists of a dozen eggs fried in butter and a half-gallon of 2% milk. That's about 2300 calories per day. I also take a multi-vitamin/mineral and extra vitamin E and a gram of vitamin C. I've been fickle about my body weight over the past few years because I wasn't convinced that losing weight would help for the kind of cycling I do. I've done relatively well weighing 200lbs or 170lbs. My first three trike TT's this year, the first time I've raced in the closed position, suggested that being lighter is the way to go as I was sucking wind. My legs had an aerobic capacity higher than my heart and lungs could supply. Losing a bunch of unnecessary mass should help in that regard. It'll probably help summertime velomobile riding, as well, being less of a sweat hog.

Training 12-9-12

Galt, 30 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). 24.2mph average. I feel my quads working a little more than I'd like. That's due to having to put the bottom bracket down to the original height and the extra knee bend. But, it's a new range of motion for my quads so hopefully it will go away on it's own. If not, there's always the foot holes in the lid option. I ran a significant caloric deficit yesterday-- probably 1500 calories under maintenance. I've been pretty much on a surplus every day until now.

Training 12-8-12

Rancho Murieta (short course, plus), 30 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). 23.8mph average for the RM portion. I felt slow today. That's probably because I had to contend with the extra damage caused by the longer cranks.

Training 12-6-12

Galt, 30 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). 24.2mph average. Given the change in crank length and the two harder rides earlier in the week I figured I'd be doing an easier 22mph ride. The long cranks feel so much better for my body position in the velo. I like the longer time under load per cycle along with the reduction in cadence.

Operation Long-crank

Thanks to my new seat I was able to install 170mm cranks. I had to elongate the foot holes in the back. With the 140's I can't tax my heart and lungs to the max aerobically. I know from my TT's this year that I can with the 170's. I feel my heart and lungs have the most room for improvement so that is the area I want to stress.

Training 12-4-12

Galt, 30 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). 24.6mph average.

Training 12-3-12

Rancho Murieta-Ione, 48 miles. QuestXS (open cockpit). 26.0mph average. At the shooting range at 19 miles, which was my old test destination, my average speed was 24.8mph. As a comparison I've done 24mph on my first, steel, dual-700 highracer and 25.1 on my Fogcom steel lowracer. At the turnaround point of today's ride I had a 25mph average. I'm coming to the conclusion that in the 20's the open, un-aerodynamically enhanced Quest has little advantage over a good racing recumbent bike. Once I hit 30 it's a whole different ballgame and then it's not even close. I finished today's ride cruising at 32mph. My Coastdown Hill speed was 41.4mph today (done, as usual, with a 25mph run-up). My new seat works fine. It's much stiffer than stock and takes up much less room.