Lots of exciting things to report for mid April. I'm about 99% recovered from my crash and last weekend I wanted to test my endurance as well as my equipment on a 120 mile road ride. In preparation for the Manhattan Dirt Ball, a 130 mile gravel grinder ride with 9,500 feet of elevation. The kind of ride that requires a bit of training to say the least. I road from loveland to Golden Colorado solo. I was very pleased with my pace and endurance. I have not ridden this far in one day since 2003! It was great to prove to myself what I can do on the bike and a great finish to a 225 mile week of riding.
50 miles per maple bar.. Decent output!
Green grass and bare legs. Spring time at last!
The inspiration for a long training ride, the Manhattan Dirt Ball:
I changed my bars to 44cm and set my cross levers as wide as possible for off road handling. The setup is very nice. I don't like the off-road drop barsbecuse the are wide at the drops rather than the top flat. The 44 is wide enough for off-roading with my narrow shoulders. Perfect for cyclocross and gravel rides.
Other than the endurance riding, I also volunteered to be a weekly ride leader for the shop near my work, Breakaway Bicycles in Loveland. It will be an easy 20 mile ride at 5:30pm every Monday through the riding season. The first ride was yesterday and my wife and I on the tandem were the only attendees but I know constancy is the key. I will show up and ride the rout, regardless. Even if I'm the only one, my Strava feed will show locals that it's a great opportunity to socialize and take a spin after work. Since no such ride exists here, I figured I needed to take a pro active approach! See you all on the road!
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