CORNERSPEED RIDER'S MEETING

by **Aaron Stevenson** » Mon May 21, 2007 7:50 am

As many of you know, bicycling is the sport of choice for many roadracers and motocrossers. Scott Carpenter and myself are avid cyclists and have a background in bicycle racing from "back in the day". Greg White is an avid cyclist as well. I've gotten a few other guys into it. One wishes to remain anonymus until he can crush the pedals. If you're an avid road cyclist and want to share routes or get together for rides, post up. I'm available (rare as it is) for Saturday and/or Sunday rides when I don't have a SPIN school or SPEED school on that weekend.

I say serious cyclists meaning you ride frequently not just once a week.

If I'm traveling to your neck of the woods, I prefer a minimum of 40 miles for rides. 40-60 miles is good but NOT 60 miles in the mountains. . .yet. We'll save the long climbs and suffering for later in the year.

Speed isn't as important as good technique. 16-20mph avg. is good.

Looking forward to riding and talking about racing/training with you.

by **R6Bluez** » Mon May 21, 2007 8:20 am

Hello, Aaron.
I remember you talking about cycling the other day during one of our classroom sessions. I raced mtn. bikes and road bikes for 8 yrs steady and off and on for about 4 more. I live in Winton-Salem now and have many friends who still ride quite a bit....matter of fact, two of my neighbors and one of my friends just qualified for the National Half Ironman Championships at a race this past weekend in Fla. One of my other neighbors is a former Junior National Team Member and still competes as an old fart, but not to same level as in his youth. There are tons of bicycle fanatics here in Winston and some very good riding. I don't own a bicycle any longer, but still run quite a bit and could hopefully put in 40 or so good miles on a loaner from one of my buddies without keeling over. Let me know if you are coming this way, and I'll make an effort to find a good ride or riding partners for you and/or hopefully come along myself if possible. :grin:

Take it easy, Owen

by **Aaron Stevenson** » Mon May 21, 2007 12:07 pm

Cool. Gdub (Greg White) lives in Winston. I'll have to make it up that way for some rides.

I just rolled in from a ride. Went down into South Carolina (same route as to CMP) turned around and came back. About 43mi. today.

Yep, I know about being an old fart now. "Back in the day" I rode for CRC of A/Raleigh Bicycles. Mark Goreski (sp) and I were juniors together on the same team. He went on to win Gold in the Olympics on the velodrome. I think in '84. Can't remember for sure. Been too many years. John Howard was our main hammer on the team along with guys like Dave Chauner, Dicky Dunn and Bobby Phillps. I can remember going up to Baltimore and Princeton for training rides and races to have the big guns yank my lungs out. When I stepped up from Junior to Cat1/CatII, it didn't get any easier.

The pain still feels the same only:
I use to crush the pedals. Now the pedals crush me. . .

by **R6Bluez** » Mon May 21, 2007 1:52 pm

Sounds like you've done some serious cycling in your days, Aaron. Gorski, I believe it was, did win a gold in '84. Riding with the likes of him and some of those other guys that you mentioned is impressive. CatI/II is no joke! Most of the riding that I did was in Boone while I was an undergrad and in graduate school at ASU....predominantly mtn. biking, although I got into road biking to help work on my endurance and cadence. Spoiled rotten, I was, to be able to ride up there. Just couldn't find the inspiration quite the same here, although the riding is still very good in W-S. I used to have a serious passion for the pedals.....serious. I loved it. Still love to follow the Tour and to keep up with some of my former riding buddies who are still competing in one fashion or another. If you're down this way, get in touch. Sounds like you already have a contact here, but I'd be happy to introduce you to some more good guys and very good cyclists, and I'm certain I could round up a ride to come along as well. And, by the way, my legs felt about like I had done a 100 miler after school on Monday. Cycling has got to help in so many ways on the track. Take it easy, Owen

by **Aaron Stevenson** » Mon May 21, 2007 1:57 pm

Glad your legs were sore after the school. Means you were riding correctly!

by **Lee Brantley** » Mon May 21, 2007 4:42 pm

When you guys get too old and want some help, I've still got a Schwinn Town and Country tandem. Maybe you could find some cute chick to push you around from behind. Be glad to let you have it whenever you reach that point...............or should I just plan on willing it to someone??

by **R6Bluez** » Mon May 21, 2007 6:43 pm

Ha....

You know that'd be funnier if not for the fact that my wife suggested that we pick one up, a tandem that is, not a cute chick, and not only that, but put a child seat on the back for our 2 1/2 yr. old not too long ago. Thing is, I almost considered it there for a minute. Man, times sure have changed. :-)

by **Aaron Stevenson** » Mon May 21, 2007 7:40 pm

Lee Brantley wrote:When you guys get too old and want some help, I've still got a Schwinn Town and Country tandem. Maybe you could find some cute chick to push you around from behind. Be glad to let you have it whenever you reach that point...............or should I just plan on willing it to someone??

You find me a cute chick and I'll ride in the back!

by **SINJIN** » Tue May 22, 2007 5:22 am

I'm with A.....have the chick in the front....better view.

by **SterlingDuc749** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 4:41 pm

Hey guys I am going to start moving towards taking cycling more seriously and was wondering about a decent bike and what I should consider purchasing. I've been rollerblading for leg strength and fitness as well as mountain biking, but want to change it up. I'm not super serious on cycling yet, but I am big on fitness so I could see myself going down this route because so many other riders use it. Any tips?

by **R6Bluez** » Tue Jun 12, 2007 9:14 pm

Hello, Sterling. I'll give you my best advice for what it is worth. Do you know how much you are looking to spend? There are some closeouts on pretty good stuff right now that I have seen for around $1,200-$1,400 new with decent stuff that oughtta last you a while. Is that in your range? Of course, just like motorcycles, there are always good deals on used bikes too. What is your inseam, or do you already know about the size bike you're gonna need....depending on how the bike is measured, of course...center to center to top, etc. or sm, md, lrg, etc.? I'll PM you with a few things if I see something that looks good. Cycling is a great sport....not as fast as motorcycling, but exhilerating in it's own right. And, I'm sure Aaron can attest better than I, but it's gotta be one of, if not, the best, ways to cross train for the track. Take it easy.

by **Aaron Stevenson** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 7:51 am

Owen is right. There are some great bikes to be had for around $1000 but the sky is the limit on spending.
( i.e. on "sky is the limit": Do I want new Marchesini magnesium wheels for my Ducati or do I want to spend the about the same amount of money for a pair of Dura-Ace Scandium wheels that weigh in at 1480grams for the pair.)

Best thing is to shop a bit, talk to educated cyclists, make sure your frame fits you (this is key), don't worry about being "totally aero" until you've put in about 5,000 base miles, your set up should be for training not racing. AND read a couple of good books on cycling. Suggested materials: "The Cyclist's Training Bible" by Joe Friel and books by Chris Carmicheal such as "The Ultimate Ride". Chris is a former national team member, internationally recognized coach and was Lance Armstrong's coach.

What counts the most for me outside the bike itself: a saddle that works and is comfortable for 2-4 hours, good shoes w/ a pedal-cleat-shoe combo that feels good (mine allow 6 degrees of lateral movement so my knees and ankles have some free play side to side), good shorts and good jerseys to wick away perspiration. AND padded palm gloves so my hands don't fall asleep. I've worn about 3 different brands to find the ones that really work well for me.

Be glad to talk to you about sometime. 8:50am, got to go. Heading out the door to put in a couple of hours.

A.

by **SterlingDuc749** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 9:02 am

Guys I really appreciate the feedback because I had no idea, I knew it was more complex than going and just picking out something on impulse, but this is very very helpful. Luckily Richmond has a couple of really great shops which should be a good place to start. I think I'll start by snagging a few of those books to educate myself and then go from there.

Thanks again.

by **Sig** » Thu Jun 14, 2007 10:33 am

I'm just getting into this and picked up a Trek 1600. Man I'm addicted!

It's so much more fun than running. :-D

by **Sig** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:47 pm

So i went for my first 40+ mile ride on Saturday and I was pretty amazed at how you don't really realize how fagtigued your legs really are until you get off the bike.

I didn't feel that bad when I got off the bike but I certainly felt it when I had to climb the steps to go inside!

I waited a day and then knocked out 20 miles before work and it felt like it was just a warm up.

I'd like to find some rides around NC around 75-100 miles that I can set as a goal to reach. Anybody know any websites that might track those?

CORNERSPEED RIDER'S MEETING

Any SERIOUS Bicyclists Out There.

Any SERIOUS Bicyclists Out There.

Cycling

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