Cycling / Running - Logs, Stories, & Pictures (any fellow cyclists or runners here?)

[Tex]

You might have seen this one already, but I reckon this is pretty awesome:

Martyn Ashton - Road Bike Party - YouTube

This is the same Pinarello Dogma raced by Team Sky at the TDF.

Yeah I saw that a while back, totally sick! That guy has mad skills.

 

[FADEC]

You might have seen this one already, but I reckon this is pretty awesome:

Martyn Ashton - Road Bike Party - YouTube

This is the same Pinarello Dogma raced by Team Sky at the TDF.

Never seen it before. Thanks for posting.

 

[Tex]

Got my first top 10 finish this past weekend in one of four races. I placed 8th in the road race on Sunday. Here is the closing minutes of the race to the finish line. I just missed out for 7th at the last moment. It was a tough race; working hard near the front with my teammates, launching attacks trying to soften up the field.

 

[80mileshigh]

Well done! Great ride and great video. Pipped right on the line!

I find this kind of road race immeasurably more appealing that crits. Part of what I love about cycling is the feeling of going on a journey, which, IMO, is more palpable on a bicycle than when travelling by car, plane, train, foot etc.

Lately I've stepped up my climbing. In the past week I've done a Category 2 climb twice (image below). My time of just over 2.5 hours puts me on the edge of the top quarter on Strava which I'm pretty happy about considering there are plenty of A-graders (US Cat 1) doing this ride. This area is also where the terrible [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Saturday_bushfires"]bushfires[/ame] were in 2009. Four years on the landscape is still scarred and the views as you ascend are both beautiful and eerie.

I'm going to build up my strength on this climb over the next month and then attempt a Category 1 and Hors Catégorie climb.

 

[Tex]

Way to go on your new climbing challenges mate!

Here's another race I was in from someone else who had a video camera. It's interesting to see it from their perspective. You'll see me the first time at 15 seconds. Then you'll see me moving up to the front at 58 seconds. I'm #269. Me and Benjamin Pollack driving the pace on the front at 9:26.

 

[80mileshigh]

Makes me want to race!

 

[FADEC]

Makes me want to buy a camera!



My budget is low currently, since another/second computer is on the top of my list. But I found a no-name bike/helmet camera on ebay. It's only 60 Euro / 80 USD. It's waterproof (only to 3m but it doesn't matter). The akku lasts up to two hours. Resolution is 720p 1280x720 @30FPS.

What do you think?

 

[Tex]

I'm hooked! Racing is a lot of fun! Here is the full road race video, minus the 8 minutes I've already posted:

 

[80mileshigh]

Resolution is 720p 1280x720 @30FPS. What do you think?

You can get the same resolution for about 30 Euro with the 808#16 v2.

These are funny little cameras that look like car keys, but offer impressive quality for the price. I think these were popularised by the RC community but I know lots of Australian cyclists are using them now. Perfect for just recording your rides, but perhaps a bit hit and miss if you want to use them for safety - reporting licence plates etc.

They're reviewed here: http://www.chucklohr.com/808/C16/index.html
And they're sold by an ebay seller named 'eletoponline365'. Many others on ebay are fakes.

You can get a little bar adaptor for a couple of Euro on ebay too.

This is what I'd get if I was looking something under 100 Euro. Of course I'd prefer a Gopro 3

Here's a cycling video using the 808#16:

 

[FADEC]

Thanks @80mileshigh. I'll have a look

I'm preparing my first "real" ride (more than just a few kilometers for shopping), tonight, for the first time for more than 4 month. I got all my clothes and the temperatures did decrease again tomorrow (below 0°C), accompanied by snowfall. Too bad I don't have a camera yet. Certainly would look great to cycle through snowy ways during night with the brigth LED light of my bike...

 

[Tex]

Cat 4/5 B road race and finish:

 

[MikeB]

Cat 4/5 B road race and finish:

Just curious, Tex, how common are cameras on the other bikes?

 

[FADEC]

Just returned home from my first tour this year (and my first tour since my collarbone fracture). My new bike computer says 20.21 Km. Average speed only was 15.72 Kmh (9.79 mph). But this was due to lots of snow and ice on about 50% of the route (around the local lake). But, damn, that was fun. Now I know what I was missing. It was a short but nice night tour. Temperatures are at -0.8°C currently. It didn't feel cold at all because of my new clothes. Especially the neoprene overshoes are worth a mint. One probably can cycle 2-3 hours with it below 0°C until it becomes cold, if it really becomes cold at all. Same for my new "ski" mask (and gloves). Works perfect. No issues with asthma at all.

There are also no issues with my collarbone by the way. That was my biggest concern.

:bananadance:

 

[Tex]

Just curious, Tex, how common are cameras on the other bikes?

They're becoming fairly common. Usually at least one person in every race has a camera, sometimes more.

There are also no issues with my collarbone by the way. That was my biggest concern.

Great news!! :thumbup:

 

[MikeB]

collarbone fracture ... snow and ice ... night ... -0.8°C ... asthma

I can't imagine. Since my own collarbone break 3 years ago, I never go out if the roads are damp or the sun is down, and seldom below 10°C. I'm really happy to hear of your recovery and determination.

 

[Tex]

And I finally finished my race report:

http://blakesenduranceblog.com/2013/02/07/tonb-race-report/

 

[80mileshigh]

Just returned home from my first tour this year

Congrats! Great news. I look forward to hearing your riding stories!

I had the unpleasant experience of being intimidated by some kids in a car today. They passed really close and screamed at me as I descended on a pretty uneven surface at around 50kph. I got the licence plate and reported it to the cops. Not much they can do but a phone call might give the idiots some pause.

 

[80mileshigh]

Just checked my power for today's ride (cat 2 climb again) and was pleasantly surprised to find 5 minute power of 6.5 W/kg.

Admittedly this is from Strava's algorithm not a power meter, but it smashes what I was doing even a month ago. I felt like I was riding within myself today too!

 

[FADEC]

Great news!! :thumbup:

It really is Although there are strange noises coming from my shoulder/collarbone (like old wood). But I've heard it's usual.

I can't imagine. Since my own collarbone break 3 years ago, I never go out if the roads are damp or the sun is down, and seldom below 10°C.

Well, if you take care it's not really a problem.

I'm really happy to hear of your recovery and determination.

Thanks.

 

[80mileshigh]

5 minute power of 7 w/kg this morning. Stronger + lighter = faster.