April 2018 Biking Cycling Bicycling Bike/ Bicycle/Unicycle/Tricycle Challenge!
Machka9
Posts: 25,619 Member
If you are new to posting on this thread, or if you are new to cycling, We welcome you! If you are returning from a previous thread, We welcome you, too.
This thread is for anyone who rides a bicycle ... or unicycle, tricycle, tandem, etc.
Do you bike to work? Do you pull your children to the park? So you ride weekends? Do you spin, at home or the gym? Do you race crits, ironman, or centuries? Or, are you just starting out and remembering how much fun you had biking when you were a kid? However you choose to push your pedal, you are welcome on this thread.
There's no set challenge across participants - this is a mixed-ability / mixed-experience / everyone welcome group. Just pick your own target that you want to achieve this month, post that when you join the thread, and post updates throughout the month as you're working towards your target.
Let's get going in April!
This thread is for anyone who rides a bicycle ... or unicycle, tricycle, tandem, etc.
Do you bike to work? Do you pull your children to the park? So you ride weekends? Do you spin, at home or the gym? Do you race crits, ironman, or centuries? Or, are you just starting out and remembering how much fun you had biking when you were a kid? However you choose to push your pedal, you are welcome on this thread.
There's no set challenge across participants - this is a mixed-ability / mixed-experience / everyone welcome group. Just pick your own target that you want to achieve this month, post that when you join the thread, and post updates throughout the month as you're working towards your target.
Let's get going in April!
1
Replies
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Long FTP test this morning on Zwift. 50Km all in.
Aiming for about 100 Km per week cycling, although I've got a double marathon at the end of the month, so may need to adjust.1 -
I'm in! Shooting for 200 miles this month. Lots of spinning, and hopefully some trail riding to make it all happen.1
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Zwift again this morning, I've been a bit under the weather this week, suggesting I wasn't good on Monday for the FTP test.
Used the First Century training plan this morning, so 1:50 of zone 2, at 150Watts. 45Km in Zwift, 60Km according to my Garmin.
1 -
So my goal is 800 hours this year which is around 2:10 per day.
Last month I hit 74 hours
So far for April I am at 16 hours 9 minutes....but I got one more ride today. So 54 more hours for April 65-70 total
Been doing a lot of Zwift racing....they are brutal. I never do structured intervals as there is no clear research on what is best...hard is hard...racing is a powerful motivator to get everything out of me for the workout.
John1 -
Main focus this month is preparing for a 92 mile charity ride in May in aid of the cancer hospital that has cared for my father-in-law through 3 bouts of cancer in 3 years. (I may be tempted to do the extra 8 miles....)
I've transitioned from lots of short rides indoors to fewer but longer rides outdoors now Spring seems to have finally sprung. Two 50 mile training rides this week and it's been more of a struggle than expected to get up to the pace I want to ride at but it's coming slowly. Now looking to increase the distance but keep the pace.
Also had my first puncture of the year which set off a charming string of events. Couldn't get the tyre to seat properly on the rim at the side of the road after fixing the tube so had to limp home.
Sorted it out and decided to ditch my rain jacket as the weather had brightened up and set off again.
Of course the weather turned and became cold, windy and poured down.
Set some angry segment PRs racing for home....
119 miles for the week.1 -
We are currently in an endless winter, worst spring in 10 years, snow, cold, windy, it was 5 on my commute Friday.
Fully indoors
John1 -
Also indoors for now, although I recently had my first city bike ride abroad in Belgium, in the beautiful city of Ghent where cyclists are treated very well indeed! The bike was different from my usual Giant mountainbike, it was a Dutch bike very well sprung and upright, heavy and yet it felt like floating along on a cloud. I felt very high off the ground and a bit nervous of a spill, it being a long way down. Great to see a city where cycling is the norm, given priority and a go-to form of transport for all ages.
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Been doing a lot of racing on Zwift. It’s been some of the best training I have ever done. That saying a lot since I have been riding and racing for 15 years. Makes 40-120 minutes on the trainer fly by...seriously you don’t even look at time, you are just trying to stay with the guys around you, I did a race last night, I did ok, but the 5 guys who all beat me were pros....category 1 and semi pro level (actually one was a cheater with a power estimator...I checked his history and they is no way he could ride 5.1 watts per kilo for 40 minutes...no way based on his real rides outside).
I would never get to ride with people like that and last night I did. I can sometimes make it to the end, sometimes....last night after having to ride endless 4.5 watts per kilo with tons of 8-10 watts per kilo surges they dropped my like a stone. Held on for 6th...not to shabby considering 600 plus started.
To be honest is more fun than my local roads. I know blasphemy.1 -
Been a busy cycling week for me with 161 miles overall including one 60 miler. Now feeling like my training is more on track. 280 miles for the month so far.
The sun (and my legs) have finally put in an appearance. My local roads are now full of shiny clean bikes having just come out of hibernation while my bike looks like I've been through a ploughed field. Time to give the bike some TLC.0 -
We got a foot of snow....0
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Hi I'll join too !
My goal is to do one long session a week, one interval session, a TT, and 2 days of whatever comes up.
Today I did the Women's National Series League in Cork, first race of the season for me and first race since the start of my weight loss.
WEEK III :
15/04 : 71.5km - 2h47 ( outside )0 -
Hi I'll join too !
My goal is to do one long session a week, one interval session, a TT, and 2 days of whatever comes up.
Today I did the Women's National Series League in Cork, first race of the season for me and first race since the start of my weight loss.
WEEK III :
15/04 : 71.5km - 2h47 ( outside )
Where is Cork? How did it go?1 -
I did 3:10 yesterday on the trainer, did a 75 minute race...got dropped but finished 5 out of 600 plus. Did another race today. Managed 2nd out of 90 plus. I am at 35 hours for the month so far. Volume is hard when you are stuck on the trainer.
John0 -
Cork is in Ireland where I live.
I was last but I finished. Which for me was the goal since it was a race with the pro riders, all categories mixed.
Today I did my TT. There was a howling wind so I didn't do a great time.
WEEK III :
15/04 : 71.5km - 2h47 ( outside )
16/04 : REST
17/04 : 11.5km - 26min ( warm up )
16km - 33min ( outside )
0 -
Cork is in Ireland where I live.
I was last but I finished. Which for me was the goal since it was a race with the pro riders, all categories mixed.
Today I did my TT. There was a howling wind so I didn't do a great time.
WEEK III :
15/04 : 71.5km - 2h47 ( outside )
16/04 : REST
17/04 : 11.5km - 26min ( warm up )
16km - 33min ( outside )
Are you on Strava, I alway like to follow poeople in other parts of the world. My little world in Wisconsin is all I really see. And windy TTs are the worse, more mentally challenging than anything else.
John0 -
Northern Germany, hard to find hills here, but we have wind, lots of wind ...
April:
02/04: 71,25 Km; 02:32:45; avg. 28,0 km/h; 415 heightmtrs
04/04: 68,8 Km; 02:23:40; avg. 28,7 km/h; 528 heightmtrs
10/04: 68,7 Km; 02:31:10; avg. 27,2 km/h; 490 heightmtrs
12/04: 47,3 Km; 01:45:00; avg. 27,1 km/h; 310 heightmtrs
15/04: 71,95 Km 02:31:00; avg. 28,6 Km/h; 465 heightmtrs
17/04: 74,9 Km; 02:43:10; avg. 27,5 Km/h; 468 heightmtrs
Currently:
Distance: 403 Km
Time: 17 hrs 16 min.
To be continued0 -
Finish another Zwift race....7th place. If you know anything about wattage...it took a 4.8 watts per kilo effort for 21 minutes to get dropped! Zwift has some strong people.
Probably around 45 hours for the month.
John1 -
Thursday -- 2.5 km run along the beach
Saturday -- 3.2 km run along the beach
Plus lots of walking ... 30.6 km on foot this past week.
Sunday -- First ride since my husband's accident. I wish my husband could have been with me, and for that reason plus the fact that I haven't ridden in a month, it was a difficult ride. But it was a beautiful day, so I psyched myself up and headed out.
Distance: 13.63 km (8.5 miles)
Elevation: 208 m (682.4 feet)
Moving Time: 47:01
Elapsed Time: 49:28
Speed: Avg: 17.4 km/h | Max: 39.2 km/h0 -
Last ride of a high volume (meaning high volume for me of course!) training week with 192 miles in total and it was my long ride day today. 72.5 miles.
Felt quite strong and managed to bag a Strava top ten placing for one segment which is the icing on the cake. I'm trying to persuade my neck and back to let me adopt a slightly more aero riding position so spending as much time as possible on the drops - not feeling too uncomfortable right now so seem to be adapting. I'm about as aero as a shed right now...
Three weeks to go to my big charity ride and feels like my training is on course - next week I'm planning on doing a load of hill work as that's my weakness.0 -
Thursday -- 2.5 km run along the beach
Saturday -- 3.2 km run along the beach
Plus lots of walking ... 30.6 km on foot this past week.
Sunday -- First ride since my husband's accident. I wish my husband could have been with me, and for that reason plus the fact that I haven't ridden in a month, it was a difficult ride. But it was a beautiful day, so I psyched myself up and headed out.
Distance: 13.63 km (8.5 miles)
Elevation: 208 m (682.4 feet)
Moving Time: 47:01
Elapsed Time: 49:28
Speed: Avg: 17.4 km/h | Max: 39.2 km/h
What happened to your husband? Is he mending well, I hope?
J0 -
Rode a hour on the training this morning....
Then 2 hours later rode 84 miles outside, finally a sunny warm day.
Just checked 52 hours for the month
I got 3 real races in two weeks
John0 -
Thursday -- 2.5 km run along the beach
Saturday -- 3.2 km run along the beach
Plus lots of walking ... 30.6 km on foot this past week.
Sunday -- First ride since my husband's accident. I wish my husband could have been with me, and for that reason plus the fact that I haven't ridden in a month, it was a difficult ride. But it was a beautiful day, so I psyched myself up and headed out.
Distance: 13.63 km (8.5 miles)
Elevation: 208 m (682.4 feet)
Moving Time: 47:01
Elapsed Time: 49:28
Speed: Avg: 17.4 km/h | Max: 39.2 km/h
What happened to your husband? Is he mending well, I hope?
J
Work injury ... severe brain injury. We're a month in ... very slow progress.2 -
All my thoughts go to you.0
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WEEK III
Recap : only two spins. We organised a pop up Charity Cycle and that took all my time and energy. Back to it next week.
WEEK IV
Sun : 15km - 50min -> Epic KOM on Zwift ( including warm up )1 -
Thursday -- 2.5 km run along the beach
Saturday -- 3.2 km run along the beach
Plus lots of walking ... 30.6 km on foot this past week.
Sunday -- First ride since my husband's accident. I wish my husband could have been with me, and for that reason plus the fact that I haven't ridden in a month, it was a difficult ride. But it was a beautiful day, so I psyched myself up and headed out.
Distance: 13.63 km (8.5 miles)
Elevation: 208 m (682.4 feet)
Moving Time: 47:01
Elapsed Time: 49:28
Speed: Avg: 17.4 km/h | Max: 39.2 km/h
What happened to your husband? Is he mending well, I hope?
J
Work injury ... severe brain injury. We're a month in ... very slow progress.
Terrible very sorry to hear that. Brain injury’s are slow to heal...my son had one. But they do. Faith is needed. Lots of faith.0 -
WEEK III
Recap : only two spins. We organised a pop up Charity Cycle and that took all my time and energy. Back to it next week.
WEEK IV
Sun : 15km - 50min -> Epic KOM on Zwift ( including warm up )
Did you do the new mountain on Zwift? Or the one that’s been out for a year or so. The new mountain is a monster. It takes a few pro cyclists I know 40 minutes of all out riding to get up that one.
J0 -
WEEK III
Recap : only two spins. We organised a pop up Charity Cycle and that took all my time and energy. Back to it next week.
WEEK IV
Sun : 15km - 50min -> Epic KOM on Zwift ( including warm up )
Mon : 34.6km - 1h -> TT intervals on Zwift
Yes I've done it twice. Took me about 1h30 the last time. It's gruelling but worth it ^^
Have you done it?
0 -
WEEK III
Recap : only two spins. We organised a pop up Charity Cycle and that took all my time and energy. Back to it next week.
WEEK IV
Sun : 15km - 50min -> Epic KOM on Zwift ( including warm up )
Mon : 34.6km - 1h -> TT intervals on Zwift
Yes I've done it twice. Took me about 1h30 the last time. It's gruelling but worth it ^^
Have you done it?
I’ve done it three times. Once the day it came out in like 60. Then tried riding it at tempo...got 49 on 4 watts per kilo. Then raced in the tour of Watopia ...I think it was stage 4 or 5. I think I got up it in 43...4.6-7 watts per kilo. I think I was 7th place that day. My training partner went up it in 41...he’s a monster 4.88. I would love to ride the real mountain it’s modeled after.
Have you done the Watopia tour? It’s been pretty fun. I missed the first stage so I need to make it up this weekend. It’s weird but i almost like Zwift as much as outside. I supposes that’s what happens when you ride 10-15000 miles a year. You done every road in a 100 mile circle around your hours (500 times).
John0 -
I did it the day it came out as well just to try it, a bit of a shock to the body really. My second time was as part of the Tour of Watopia on Stage 3. I'm quite new to this but I did it in 2.4w/kg. I've been struggling to keep my power up with all the weight I've lost this winter but it's coming back now that I've slowed down on the dieting.
I had a busy time so I could only manage Stage 1 and 3 fully. I started Stage 7 but I was interrupted so I left it at that. It's just a huge time commitment for me at the moment. I did the Women's week back in March though.
I can't get out much because of my kids so this was the perfect alternative. And the roads of rural Ireland can be quite a scary place for a small lone cyclist as well
my husband would totally agree with you, there isn't a centimetre he hasn't covered around us. He knows names of places that aren't on any maps XD 0 -
So it was stage 3...they all blur together. If you want to get power back try racing. It’s so hard but they work fast at building power. Trying the Ds, first, that is what my wife did. Now she can hang in the C. Makes time fly by as it requires so much attention.
So weird to think you are in Ireland. The road here are amazing, but our winters are awful. Seriously awful.
First group ride this evening, we will see how it goes.
John0
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