bike adjustments

I'd say I've got the bike ~75% adjusted. Getting there.

Yesterday I was on it & it was HORRIBLE. I was so bummed out @ my performance. Surely I was better than I performed.... It took me an hour of intermittent cycling to go a mile. I kept cramping up, had problems keeping my hands on the cranks, rubbed a raw spot on my right hand, kept having to stop, and all that was in the easiest gear. I averaged a measly 3.5 mph when I could manage to cycle. Talk about being a bit dejected...

I came home, regrouped, pulled together a few tools & tidbits, & got a good night's rest. This morning I went over & worked on the set-up & after I finished... well night & day from yesterday. Today I did 10 miles in a little over an hour an averaged ~7.5 mph. I need to be able to maintain ~15mph during the October ride, which is entirely doable. I'm still feeling out my positioning, still trying to get a feel for which gears are comfortable for extended periods, which are more like climbing hills, etc... But that's how any new activity works for me. After a week or so of getting used to the motion & figuring out where I am, I can start working on where I need to go. My max speed today was 12.5 mph.

In the past on the UBE, whatever my max is on the first day or two becomes my 'cruising' speed after a few weeks of work. That's why I'm so optimistic. On my second day on a bike that will never fit me as good as the bike I have coming, I was able to get close to what my cruising speed needs to be. And since my training history says I will only go up from here, I feel good. I just need to get my sustainable power up.

I'm not tired after the ride today, but I may be a bit sore tomorrow. I feel very relaxed & should sleep well tonight.

So what did I do to the bike? I took the shifter & brake off the right handle. I can't shift it anyways w/my right hand & it just rubbed my fingers raw. I also rigged up 'quad' handles using bike handle bar foam, zip ties, an old tire tub, electrical tape, and some tacky fabric. I've got pictures that I'll post in a few days. I can't go on the road with these grips cause I can't brake or shift when my hands are in them, but it allows me to train on the rollers. I also tethered the rear of the bike. the front wheel of the bike is on the rollers, but keeps wanting to climb up off the rollers, so I took a belt & anchored the rear frame of the bike to another object. It worked out very nicely.

I'm sitting a bit to close to the cranks now, but I'll be fine for a few days. The front tire needs to be replaced, which I'll do Tuesday or wed. It is old & dry rotted & need to be replaced before I blow out a side wall. I think I'll switch the right & left handles so I can put the shifter/brake back on. There is a spot to mount it on the right only, but I think the handles can be exchanged, so I'll try that another day.

But I'm training on a bike my friends! It'll only get better from here! I've been promised an AMAZING, brand new bike to use. I'm hoping to have it by mid may. It'll fit me much better than this one. Until then we shall make the most out of the current opportunity.