Cycling Thread 2

[Flabbibulin]

Originally Posted by marsplasticeraser

I’m doing the golden triangle next week solo from banff.

Any suggestions or insights from those that have done it before? I’ve driven these roads but other than. Banff - lake Louise haven’t cycled any of the roads.

Only thing Id mention is Ive heard from a couple people now that there seems to be bears everywhere- particularly on the parkway.

[Inferno099]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Nice one Kybosh. I did that too yesterday. It was tough, and some really sharp climbs in addition to the overall amount (you know the one in particular ). Lots of DNF’s due to flats and mechanicals as well, a number of people at the side working on their bike, or just walking along with their bike back to the start.

But great weather out there, and a well organized event.

I am curious, not road racing before, will the Road race in Canmore this weekend be similar to what you experienced for the Crux gravel race? I ask as I see it says the Road race starts at Nordic Centre, and is rolling terrain which I googled and says is flat area with short ups and downs.

https://www.quora.com/What-does-roll...ating%20slopes.

All the best! Road race only Sunday not doing the Crit or hill climb on Saturday.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

Have to get CP stickers on our bikes to identify each other at races.

Were you there too? You going to ghost in a couple of weeks?

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by Inferno099

I am curious, not road racing before, will the Road race in Canmore this weekend be similar to what you experienced for the Crux gravel race? I ask as I see it says the Road race starts at Nordic Centre, and is rolling terrain which I googled and says is flat area with short ups and downs.

https://www.quora.com/What-does-roll...ating%20slopes.

All the best! Road race only Sunday not doing the Crit or hill climb on Saturday.

I actually knew nothing about this one until I was talking with someone at the Crux race, and I haven’t looked at the course. I doubt it will be as climby as the crux course though, it’s rare to do 1400+ meters of climbing in 80 km of road riding. Possible, but rare.

[Fuzz]

Here's the route:


https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/6029742523/


You will definitely have some climbing to contend with(though probably nothing like the gravel race), and if the west wind is blowing hard, expect to fight that on the return. Probably the worst hill is the last one, but it will be uphill most of the way back. You can streetview the route if you want a better idea.

[habernac]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Were you there too? You going to ghost in a couple of weeks?

I’m about 4 months behind in my training, but I’ll probably be there. Did a lap of the Cochrane Crusher course yesterday. The right of ways they use to connect the gravel roads pounded my upper body like nothing I’ve ridden in awhile. Ghost isn’t bad for that, I’m just afraid it will rain.

[Inferno099]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Here's the route:


https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/6029742523/


You will definitely have some climbing to contend with(though probably nothing like the gravel race), and if the west wind is blowing hard, expect to fight that on the return. Probably the worst hill is the last one, but it will be uphill most of the way back. You can streetview the route if you want a better idea.

Thanks. Did not think about using streetview (been a long past 5 days...) Streetview was helpful to get a good idea of each lap.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Were you there too? You going to ghost in a couple of weeks?

Yeah I was there, thought i would let everyone chase Oli and pick off people that went to far in the red, forgot that I would also be suffering the last lap and a half, was counting down ever KM on last lap.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Inferno099

I am curious, not road racing before, will the Road race in Canmore this weekend be similar to what you experienced for the Crux gravel race? I ask as I see it says the Road race starts at Nordic Centre, and is rolling terrain which I googled and says is flat area with short ups and downs.

https://www.quora.com/What-does-roll...ating%20slopes.

All the best! Road race only Sunday not doing the Crit or hill climb on Saturday.

I don't know what distance you're doing but I did 6 laps a couple years ago and it was 1500 meters of climbing. Race will be as hard as competitors make it. No steep hills but everyone attacks on every rise so it adds up after a few laps.
Usually a pretty good race, crit is sketchy, always a crash or two in the chicane.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

Yeah I was there, thought i would let everyone chase Oli and pick off people that went to far in the red, forgot that I would also be suffering the last lap and a half, was counting down ever KM on last lap.

Hah, yeah, pretty much the same for me. My goal was to negative pace it….go easy the first few, then try to finish strong. Instead I got progressively slower for the first 4, but managed to improve the last lap by a couple of minutes.

Oli is a fast guy, impressive.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by habernac

I’m about 4 months behind in my training, but I’ll probably be there. Did a lap of the Cochrane Crusher course yesterday. The right of ways they use to connect the gravel roads pounded my upper body like nothing I’ve ridden in awhile. Ghost isn’t bad for that, I’m just afraid it will rain.

I assume you mean the “Roads may be impassable” sections they should be smoother by the time the race comes around, but those are the most interesting parts of that course. But they can be absolutely terrible and rutty and rough, for sure.

Hopefully the weather for ghost is better than last year for sure…cold and muddy.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by kcin

Which of the local "learn how to maintain and repair your mountain bike" courses would people recommend? New to owning a full suspension bike and I don't have any idea how to maintain/fix anything myself.

Thanks in advance

I did the U of C Rec one a few years back and it's awesome. 2 full days. You bring your own bike and do a nearly full disassemble, cleaning, tuning, etc.

I was in the same boat. Didn't know much more than changing a tube and I came out of it pretty comfortable doing anything on my bike.

[Icantwhisper]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

I assume you mean the “Roads may be impassable” sections they should be smoother by the time the race comes around, but those are the most interesting parts of that course. But they can be absolutely terrible and rutty and rough, for sure.

Hopefully the weather for ghost is better than last year for sure…cold and muddy.

Don't look at the forecast

[Tron_fdc]

Kicking around the idea of a Trans BC Enduro. Not sure if I'm ready for something like that, but it's in Fernie on trails I know so.......maybe.

[Ryan Coke]

Originally Posted by Icantwhisper

Don't look at the forecast

Hah, well a lot can change in 10 days.

[RichieRich]

Anyone else really annoyed with Garmin and how they count “intensity minutes”? I have a newer watch and AGAIN it seems to eff up the whole Garmin environment. I hit the gym yesterday for about 90 mins and I get over 120mins credit yet today on a 3.5hr 100km 1000m vert ride I get 75mins. It was a pretty hard ride (especially with that wind). First was in the watch and 2nd on Edge 1030+. Same heart rate zones set. Any suggestions for making it work?

[Torture]

Originally Posted by RichieRich

Anyone else really annoyed with Garmin and how they count “intensity minutes”? I have a newer watch and AGAIN it seems to eff up the whole Garmin environment. I hit the gym yesterday for about 90 mins and I get over 120mins credit yet today on a 3.5hr 100km 1000m vert ride I get 75mins. It was a pretty hard ride (especially with that wind). First was in the watch and 2nd on Edge 1030+. Same heart rate zones set. Any suggestions for making it work?

I have never understood intensity minutes on my old and not nearly as fancy Garmin. Most of the time it seems I get a random notification that I just hit my intensity minutes walking up the stairs but never while going on a long bike ride or ski.

[GomerPile]

Well, I bit the bullet, and on the advice of my Dr, bought a E-mountain bike. It's been a game changer, back enjoying mountain biking again and not worried about having a heart attack. If you are on the fence, do it. I will be healthier long term because of it.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by GomerPile

Well, I bit the bullet, and on the advice of my Dr, bought a E-mountain bike. It's been a game changer, back enjoying mountain biking again and not worried about having a heart attack. If you are on the fence, do it. I will be healthier long term because of it.

I have a 100 pound excuse (adding up kiddo + trailer + stuff) that led me to take the plunge this year and it is an absolute revelation. With the right set up it can just feel like riding usual except you popped some PEDs. And no need to worry about grams or tire friction rates


Really they should be considered two categories:

E-Mopeds with pedals (hub drive + cadence sensor) - usually cheap Chinesium

E-bikes (mid drive + torque sensor) - almost all of the goodness with nearly none of the badness

[Fuzz]

E-bikes are really just hybrids. But that word is already taken in the bike world. E-Hybike?