Quack Quack Quack

Those ducks are making a lot of noise but not sure they are all getting in a row quite yet, but I'm pushing them in that direction.  With a head full of new stuff, here's the sampler:

Navigation.  'Tis a big deal for GLR and Scott Morris did a great ride with the help of a Garmin GPSMap 60 CSx.  Guess what I just received?

Maps are ordered and on the way as well.  Topo maps can be uploaded to a SD card in the unit, pretty cool, huh?

A few folks recommended the Old Man Mountain racks for the upcoming adventures, they promptly sent the Sherpa model my way.  It attaches to the hub and v-brake bosses, has a 40 lb load limit, and looks and feels super super solid.  No more of that seat post mounted stuff - they break too easy and adversely affect bike handling.

And training...is flowing like butter these days.  I had planned a L4 climbing sesh for today but the weather looked iffy so I doubled up yesterday with a L5/6 am (G2 for those in the know) and then hit the new Edgemont/Cliffs climb with Fergy in the afternoon.  If you haven't been up that climb, you gotta do it - brand new pavement to the top of Missionary ridge, smooth as glass, steeper than the Mogollon in the Gila SR.  Good stuff.  Little did I know there was a group ride last night, it's already that time of year!

I've been on the fence on whether or not to do the RimRide  this weekend.  It's a brutal course and I really don't want to break up my training rythm with a forced recovery period.  But...Fred W has done so much work putting together such an epic route...it's springtime in the desert...and I am weak.  Prime Time  made the decision a lot easier by posting the map below.  I've traced the route on a Classic Moab Trails map (since I haven't seen the first 2/3 of the course) and plugged coords into the GPS.  The rack is on the bike, as is a new hydration system to test...and a 6am start means lights are needed the first hour or so.  All in all, it'll be great testing grounds for a bunch of new stuff.  I just hope those ducks don't get lost!

Published Wednesday, March 21, 2007 6:59 AM by Dave

Comments

# @ Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:12 AM

Very nice gear additions! You might have already discovered this but; the Garmin Map Source Topo maps are the only ones you can upload into the 60csx. You might also look for the National Geo TOPO! state CDs on Ebay. The National Geo maps are great for detail and planning routes for mileage and elevation gain as well as for printing your own maps for races. Good call on the Sherpa.

dave byers

# @ Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:18 AM

bionic dave,

i was hoping to see you there, i want to follow you with your lights and then ride with you for the rest of the day so i dont get lost, you have the computers and stuff, you know the racks and the water, and i may need to eat some of your food. so bring extra.

sly

slyfox

# @ Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:19 AM

bionic dave,

i was hoping to see you there, i want to follow you with your lights and then ride with you for the rest of the day so i dont get lost, you have the computers and stuff, you know the racks and the water, and i may need to eat some of your food. so bring extra.

sly

slyfox

# @ Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:39 AM

Thanks Dave. You recommended the Sherpa as I recall...the MapSource Cd is on the way. I have the topo! SW for Colorado, and the topo pro which has the 100,000:1 for all the US. Somewhere I read it is compatable with the 60CSx...and it is, but only to upload/download track & route data, not maps. Doh!

Sly, you're a nut doing this monster the week before Nova! Anyway, I'll have plenty of extra stuff. Just open wide and I'll toss it in.

Dave

# @ Wednesday, March 21, 2007 10:05 AM

See you there nutcase :) I'm sure I won't see ya until the finish since I'm bringing the single but we'll talk then. Don't stop until Potash road! :)

plesko

# @ Thursday, March 22, 2007 10:35 AM

Dave,

How did you determine your target power for the G2 intervals? Do you use a fixed percentage of threshold or did you do a test like on Peak Performance Online?

thanks,
greg

yawg

# @ Thursday, March 22, 2007 8:57 PM

Good luck and have fun wishing i was there with you guys on saturday!

SlowerThenSnot

# @ Friday, March 23, 2007 4:46 AM

You know, Dave - you can't do this ride in lycra. You have to have buckskin on with some type of furry critter's tail hanging from your head. Oh yeah you need to call your bike "Old No. 7" and learn how to cook up the meanest serving of sourdough flapjacks known to man. and buckshot...you have to have buckshot.

Grizzly Harris. That's your new name! ;-)

Matt

# @ Friday, March 23, 2007 4:54 AM

Shucks Dave, I thought you were going to the RimRide? Well, at least you got to pre-ride it. Probably more fun than racing it anyway :)

Greg - to be honest, I just wing it these days. Having done this workout sporadically over the past 4 years, I have a good idea of what I can do for a given fitness level. The trick is to know what interval duration to use as well as what power level. Michael Ross' book has some good tests to determine that power and the duration it can be held. When I first started G2 workouts, it worked out to 2:20 duration ints, power was ~ MMP for 4:20, and rest interval was until HR fell to 120. They make me cry for mommy...but are VERY effective at raising FT.

Did you get that Rick?

Dave