May 2017 Biking Cycling Bicycling Challenge!

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  • pedermj2002
    pedermj2002 Posts: 180 Member
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    @_nikkiwolf_ Ah, if you're running too, then a watch is a much better choice. I've tried running, don't like it, so not doing it. I'll keep up on the bike, though, that's awesome :)

    Good luck. I'd provide advice on the running/biking watch, but with how little I know, I know the advice is useless. Good luck with that TomTom, it looks great :)
  • 35dollars
    35dollars Posts: 830 Member
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    Wed 24 - 31.65 miles: MTD 412.31 / 500, YTD 1713.77 / 4000
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
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    @pedermj2002 Running is my first love - according to Strava I spend ~93hours running this year, and only 51hours cycling. But I just realised that cycling is more enjoyable in hot weather, so running might take a backseat until the temps drop a little again. .... and by the way, I ordered that watch today B)

    --

    I tried cycling in the mountains for the first time this week, rather than sticking to my usual hills. Thursday was a holiday around here, I used that to try out a route I mapped out on Strava using their "heatmap" feature. Too bad it doesn't allow you to distinguish between entries made with road bikes vs mountain bikes. The road I rode up was fine, but the one leading down was full of potholes, which were really hard to see in the spotty shadow from the trees. The way down wound up being almost harder than the climb, because I had to keep breaking like crazy all the way to slow down enough to avoid them all.

    Today I tried a different climb. The same average slope (6.35%) as the first one but nearly twice as long. Still, it felt a little easier. Maybe because the road was in better condition, or because there were so many other people going up and down on their bikes that I didn't want to slow down in front of all these witnesses :D

    That leaves me with 140km and 2400m elevation for the week. I think my bike earned a rest day tomorrow!
  • pedermj2002
    pedermj2002 Posts: 180 Member
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    @_nikkiwolf_ Congrats on the watch! What do you think of it? I wish I enjoyed running myself. I did a cardio stress test, and that seemed fun. I tried to go on a run later, and got about 500ft before I said "Nope, this sucks" and went back. Wish I enjoyed it, since so many others do.

    My monthly rides fell short this month. 233mi total. I might get another 25 or so miles this coming week, but that's at most. I'm not going to make my 300mi goal.

    Next month, though, watch out! I got a new bike, and took it out for its first big ride today. 55.4mi at 15.2mph. I'm pleased with that result, especially since, according to Stravistix (nice extension for Strava), my 3rd quartile speed was 19mph. And I'm going to be practicing my 60mi rides next month. I'm aiming for a century ride by the end of summer, so I need to improve my ability to keep the legs pumping for the full time I'm on the bike (the last hour today saw my speed average drop from about 17mph to 13mph). I've got a ways to go, but the changes to date have been so huge. A year ago, a half mile was a real effort. Now, a half mile isn't even a mild warmup! So pleased with that progress, and looking forward to next month's challenges!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    sijomial wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    First Century ride of the season ticked off - an organised Audax event round the beautiful New Forest. For people not in the UK please note the New Forest isn't new and mostly isn't a forest!

    Unfortunately it was far harder than it should have been, unexpectedly chilly but I just felt really off colour. Stomach upset early on wasn't exactly ideal.... But the countryside was absolutely beautiful - loads of bluebells and lots of foals for the wild horses too. Was aiming for 6hrs 30mins but did it in 6:44.
    Last 10 miles were a real painful grind.

    This is quite entertaining - an animated satellite view of my ride. https://www.relive.cc/view/975278572


    Month to date: 9 Hours 135 miles 32 Personal Records 4 Activities

    Year to date: 98 Hours 1,644 miles 129 Personal Records 95 Activities

    Couple of decent rides this week, need to work on my hill climbing which is my worst aspect....

    Month to date: 15 Hours 234 miles 41 Personal Records 7 Activities

    Year to date: 1048 Hours 1,743 miles 138 Personal Records 98 Activities

    Couple of hard indoor sessions on the WattBike concentrating on pushing my FTP. Need to get used to training at high HR so the upcoming long climbs don't come as a shock to me.

    Glorious 63 mile ride in the Surrey Hills AONB today, almost perfect weather and got into a nice rhythm. Pretty good times on my two "test hills" considering my legs were a bit fatigued.


    Month to date:22 Hours 353 miles 54 Personal Records 13 Activities

    Year to date:111 Hours 1,862 miles 151 Personal Records 104 Activities

    Busy week of cycling, helped by the long Bank Holiday weekend although I cycled on the wrong two days.
    One very windy ride where I didn't dare take a hand off the bars and one where I had to race the rain clouds home. Got more hill and pace work in but no really long rides.

    Taper week this week ahead of my big ride, cutting down the volume and intensity of my exercise and glugging beetroot juice!

    Month to date:33 Hours 541 miles 70 Personal Records 19 Activities

    Year to date:221 Hours 2,050 miles 167 Personal Records 110 Activities
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 24,885 Member
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    Review ... (Distances include cycling + walking)
    March 15: 489.8 km (304.3 miles) = 38 hours 4 min
    April: 491.94 km (305.6 miles) = 43 hours 6 min
    May: 361.81 km (224.8 miles) = 35 hours 50 min
    June: 569.53 km (353.9 miles) = 41 hours 53 min
    July: 230.7 km (143.35 miles) = 32 hours 45 min
    Aug: 211.3 km (131.3 miles) = 28 hours 8 min
    Sep: 306.7 km (190.6 miles) = 35 hour 2 min
    Oct: 441.82 km (274.5 miles) = 47 hours 43 min
    Nov: 660.21 km (410.23 miles) = 60 hours 41 min
    Dec: 499.91 km (282.8 miles) = 54 hours 56 min
    Jan: 864.79 km (537.35 miles) = 65 hours 36 min
    Feb: 470.53 km (292.4 miles) = 40 hours 39 min
    March 16: 917.73 km (570.2 miles) = 66 hours 13 min
    April: 417.83 km (259.6 miles) = 40 hours 23 min
    May: 267.09 km (165.9 miles) = 36 hours 10 min
    June: 552.1 km (343 miles) = 54 hours 48 min
    July: 709 km (440.5 miles) = 60 hours 41 minutes
    Aug: 775.9 km (482.1 miles) = 54 hours 52 minutes
    Sep: 371.3 km (230.7 miles) = 32 hours 20 min
    Oct: 649 km (403.3 miles) = 49 hours 46 min
    Nov: 403 km (250.4 miles) = 52 hours 16 min
    Dec: 511.05 km (317.55 miles) = 52 hours 2 min
    Jan: 741.9 km (461.0 miles) = 70 hours 3 min
    Feb: 600.5 km (373.1 miles) = 57 hours 30 min
    Mar: 1113.2 km (691.7 miles) = 78 hours 25 min
    Apr: 1181.9 km (734.4 miles) = 76 hours 45 min

    April's goal was 1000 km of cycling, and we did that ... May is a strength-building month.

    May 1 - 3.5 km walking (40 min) + 20.4 km spin bike (44 min) + 1.7 km rowing (12 min)
    May 2 - 6.5 km walking (80 min)
    May 3 - 2.6 km walking (30 min) + 20.9 km cycling (66 min)
    May 4 - 7 km walking (85 min) + 16 flights of stairs (13 min)
    May 5 - 4.7 km walking (55 min) + 7 flights of stairs (6 min)
    May 6 - 163.3 km cycling (515 min) ... May's century ride. :)
    May 7 - 2.2 km walking (27 min)
    May 8 - 3.5 km walking (40 min) + 22.5 km spin bike (50 min) + 1.8 km rowing (12 min)
    May 9 - 5.2 km walking (65 min) + 20 flights of stairs (16 min)
    May 10 - 5.4 km walking (65 min)
    May 11 - 3.5 km walking (40 min) + 13 flights of stairs (10 min)
    May 12 - 2.5 km walking (30 min) + 12 flights of stairs (9 min)
    May 13 - 51.8 km cycling (160 min)
    May 14 - 52.5 km cycling (165 min)
    May 15 - 3.5 km walking (40 min) + 22.5 km spin bike (50 min) + 2.3 km rowing (15 min)
    May 16 - 3 km walking (35 min)
    May 17 - 2.2 km walking (25 min)

    And then on May 18th, I went into surgery and haven't moved much since ... although I am hoping for a short walk today.

    May 21 - 2 km walk (25 min) ... all I could manage.

    May 22 - 1.2 km walk (15 min) ... slow and tired day. Napped after work.

    May 23 - 2 km walk (25 min)

    May 24 - 3.3 km walk (40 min)

    May 25 - 3.3 km walk (40 min)

    May 26 - 4.6 km walk (55 min)

    May 27 - 27.1 km cycling (85 min) ... slow ride

    May 28 - 20.9 km cycling (65 min) ... too much pain to do more, hobbling when I got off the bicycle.

    May 29 - 5.2 km walk (65 min)

    May 30 - 1.9 km walk (20 min) ... just tired.

    May 31 - 5.5 km walk (65 min)


    2017 Monthly May
    Walking Distance (km): 84.3
    Walking Time (min): 1053.8
    Cycling Distance (km): 336.5
    Cycling Time (min): 1206.6
    Stairs Climbed Number: 78.0
    Stairs Climbed Time (min): 62.4
    Other Distance: 5.8
    Other Time: 39.0

    Totals
    Total Distance (km): 426.6
    Total Distance (miles): 265.1
    Total Time (min): 2361.8
    Total Time (hr): 39:21:47
  • pedermj2002
    pedermj2002 Posts: 180 Member
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    My final total for the month: 246 miles. And I just looked back, and my goal was 225 miles. I'm pleased that I actually met my goal for the month!

    Year to date total: 1385.8 miles. I'm on track to have a decent year.

    Now, onward to June!
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    sijomial wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    First Century ride of the season ticked off - an organised Audax event round the beautiful New Forest. For people not in the UK please note the New Forest isn't new and mostly isn't a forest!

    Unfortunately it was far harder than it should have been, unexpectedly chilly but I just felt really off colour. Stomach upset early on wasn't exactly ideal.... But the countryside was absolutely beautiful - loads of bluebells and lots of foals for the wild horses too. Was aiming for 6hrs 30mins but did it in 6:44.
    Last 10 miles were a real painful grind.

    This is quite entertaining - an animated satellite view of my ride. https://www.relive.cc/view/975278572


    Month to date: 9 Hours 135 miles 32 Personal Records 4 Activities

    Year to date: 98 Hours 1,644 miles 129 Personal Records 95 Activities

    Couple of decent rides this week, need to work on my hill climbing which is my worst aspect....

    Month to date: 15 Hours 234 miles 41 Personal Records 7 Activities

    Year to date: 1048 Hours 1,743 miles 138 Personal Records 98 Activities

    Couple of hard indoor sessions on the WattBike concentrating on pushing my FTP. Need to get used to training at high HR so the upcoming long climbs don't come as a shock to me.

    Glorious 63 mile ride in the Surrey Hills AONB today, almost perfect weather and got into a nice rhythm. Pretty good times on my two "test hills" considering my legs were a bit fatigued.


    Month to date:22 Hours 353 miles 54 Personal Records 13 Activities

    Year to date:111 Hours 1,862 miles 151 Personal Records 104 Activities

    Busy week of cycling, helped by the long Bank Holiday weekend although I cycled on the wrong two days.
    One very windy ride where I didn't dare take a hand off the bars and one where I had to race the rain clouds home. Got more hill and pace work in but no really long rides.

    Taper week this week ahead of my big ride, cutting down the volume and intensity of my exercise and glugging beetroot juice!

    Month to date:33 Hours 541 miles 70 Personal Records 19 Activities

    Year to date:121 Hours 2,050 miles 167 Personal Records 110 Activities

    Sneaked in one final ride - lovely evening so would have been a shame not to make the most of it.

    Month to date: 34 Hours 565 miles 73 Personal Records 20 Activities

    Year to date: 123 Hours 2,074 miles 170 Personal Records 111 Activities[/quote]
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
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    @sijomial Some great rides, too bad that you didn't have perfect weather. Just out of curiosity; Is beetroot juice particularly good for recovery, or just something you like?

    ..............

    3.5.2017 - 15km commute
    4.5.2017 - 5.7km evening ride instead of a run
    8.5.2017 - 13.9km commute
    10.5.2017 - 24km commute incl. long detour home
    11.5.2017 - 25.4km commute incl. another detour home
    13.5.2017 - 27.1km ride
    14.5.2017 - 22.7 + 3.9 km km ride
    15.5.2017 - 9.6km commute
    17.5.2017 - 7.9km commute
    18.5.2017 - 9.2km commute
    21.5.2017 - 6.7km home to start + 55km Cyclotour Genève-Lausanne
    23.5.2017 - 20.8km commute + 18km evening ride
    25.5.2017 - 33.6km ride in the morning, 22.4km ride to BBQ invitation and back in the evening
    27.5.2017 - 45.8 km weekend ride
    29.5.2017 - 29km commute incl. long detour home
    30.5.2017 - 13km commute
    ----
    402.1km - a big new monthly distance PR for me :smiley:
    Partly due to the fact that I'm babying my left knee by cutting down my running milage, so I had more time for cycling. But with the hot weather recently, cycling instead of running might have been a good idea in any case.

    My fancy new GPS watch hasn't arrived yet - for some reason, the shipment spent the last five days in Brussels. That's not even the right country! I'm still hoping it will get here before the weekend.

    See you all in June! :smile:
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,811 Member
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    _nikkiwolf_ wrote: »
    Just out of curiosity; Is beetroot juice particularly good for recovery, or just something you like?

    @_nikkiwolf_

    It's a natural performance booster especially for sub-maximal cardio. It's full of nitrates, opens blood vessels, boosts stamina. It's not going to turn this donkey into a race horse but every little helps.

    I take it once a day in the week leading up to a particularly big event and two on the day itself.

    Juice is revolting (like licking the bottom of a pond!) but the concentrated shots aren't too nasty. They aren't too nice either it must be said. :(

    Here's a review if interested:
    http://www.cyclingweekly.com/reviews/energy-recovery-drink/beet-it-pro-elite-shot

    And welcome to the world of bright pink pee......
  • mugwortmayd
    mugwortmayd Posts: 4 Member
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    05.01 - 8.3 miles Slow Roll
    05.03 - 16.3 miles
    05.06 - 20.3 miles
    05.08 - 11.2 miles Slow Roll
    05.10 - 12 miles
    05.14 - 21.5 miles
    05.15 - 14.1 miles Slow Roll
    05.17 - 17.5 miles commute
    05.22 - 16.4 miles Slow Roll
    05.31 - 10.2 miles Slow Roll

    MTD - 147.8 miles

    Not quite my goal of 200 miles for May. It kinda fell apart toward the end of the month, but I'll try again in June!
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
    edited June 2017
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    @sijomial Thanks for the explanation, that sounds really interesting!
    I actually was able to spot a bottle of the juice at the supermarket today. Now I just need the courage to try and drink it :wink:


    --

    By the way, is there a June challenge already?
  • _nikkiwolf_
    _nikkiwolf_ Posts: 1,380 Member
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    Okay, I opened a new thread for June:
    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10562508/june-2017-biking-cycling-bicycling-challenge/p1

    Hope to see you all there again :smile:

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