A great weekend in Dallas, TX
Last weekend’s coaching trip to Dallas, TX was stressful because of all the rain they’ve had, but we found some venues and had a great time.
Circling back to crank length
Ha, circling.
A couple months ago we talked about shortening cranks for improved pedaling and shredding: Shorter cranks for my Stumpy EVO?
Since then I’ve been thinking about crank length as is relates to leg length and biomechanics. And then our friend Anne sent in this question:
2014 Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon EVO
I just spent the weekend teaching on a 2014 Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon EVO 29. The bike rips up and down, and you can get a screaming deal on it.
Riding a Specialized FatBoy: Ride 2
I have a Specialized FatBoy for a week. Saturday morning we did backyard funny business. Later that afternoon, I rode dirt roads and singletrack from the house.
Notions:
Riding a Specialized FatBoy: Day 1
A few days ago we got a foot of powder in the backyard. Yay! Freshies!
I grabbed a loaner FatBoy with visions of snowy radness.
The snow melted — but we still have radness.
S-Works Stumpjumper hardtail with FOX Terralogic fork
Meet my new friend. We’ve only hung out a few times, but we’re starting to get along pretty well.
Pump Up the Base on my commute?
Lee,
I am fortunate to be able to bike commute to work (25min each way) and ride at lunch (45min) for a total of 20 miles/day. I have been doing as many Pump Up the Vase segments in these time intervals as I can with about a 5 min warm-up. However, I am never doing the full workout duration and I want to know if this is ok or if my fitness will just be contained to short bursts? While doing the workouts on my commute I am getting PRs on Strava for sections that I literally rode 243 times last year. I know the weather will get crappy again and I will go back to the trainer but 70 in Denver is like crack to a bike addict like me:)
Also I have been training in my sweet spot (141- 160) based on my highest heart rate (188) on real rides. During the base workouts in week 1 and 2 I am struggling to come down from my sweet spot range without doing limited resistance. Also, when I am in the sweet spot I am riding high in the range. I can stay in the sweet spot without giving it much thought. I am in decent shape with a 49 resting BPM. However, I cant clean mount falcon without stopping and routinely get smoked up it. BTW that is my fitness goal: up mount falcon without stopping.
Also I have been weaving in the F6 and I love both programs!
Kung Fu Ninja in training!!
Ray
Are you strong enough for a 1×11 drivetrain?
1×11 drivetrains are all the rage. They promise to be simpler, lighter and more hardcore than multi-ring setups.
But is the lowest gear low enough for you?
Kung fu skills in Simi Valley, CA on March 22, 2015
Last weekend’s sessions at Corriganville Park in Simi Valley, CA were super fun. We rode with some cool people, and the range of terrain was perfect for learning (and shredding).
Check out these photos, and come out to the March 22 session (or take a 1-day class near you)!
How do I ride this massive roll-in?
Hey Lee,
There is a 20ft, nearly vertical, rock on a trail I visited recently. I really want to hit it, and I know it’s rideable. Are there any tricks to tackling a big obstacle like that?
Here is a video. the rock is at 1:44 and from this angle it looks really mellow. When you’re standing right below it or on top it is really pretty vertical. I think what’s hanging me up is the bulge you can see about halfway down. It looks like it’s going to buck me forward off my bike and onto my face in the dirt at the bottom. I’d recommend not watching the whole video… You’ll cringe at some of the riding.
Rory
Pedaling rounder and smoother
Hi Lee,
I’m in the midst of my second season of Pump Up the Base. I could see dramatic improvements in my riding last year and hope to see some more this spring and summer.
I’m fortunate to work out at a place that has WattCycles. They show cadence, wattage and time, but they also show a graphic of your pedal stroke. This photo is typically what my stroke looks like in the sweet spot, when I use the techniques you talk about in Pump Up the Base. To me, it feels the most natural and efficient. When I stand and pedal, it’s close to this, but with maybe even a bigger dip in the middle.
I asked some of the national/resident team cyclists working out up there about it, and they told me a perfect reading would be a perfect circle. I then asked the guy if he pedals a perfect circle. He just laughed and said no one does.
Assuming that’s the case — and I have no reason to doubt him — what should this readout look like, and how can I get there?
Jim