Going Nowhere

I can’t even remember the last time I posted, so I thought I would update on my winter training. I started a spin class at work the first week of January, do to all the cold weather we have been having (no relief in sight). It started out as just me, then after a couple of days, another guy joined me. We are now up to 5 strong on most days. It is great having the opportunity to “ride” at lunch. We generally follow along with one of the Spinervals videos or the Carmichael CTS Training Series. The favorite one of mine is the original Cyclerobx video that was the precursor to the Spinervals series. I’m not sure if I am getting anything out of the spin classes, other than the fact that I am maintaining my cyclocross season fitness. I guess we will find out when I do my next Threshold Test on February 20th.

Although I planned to participate in all of the Gravel Grinder Series, I only made it to one of them. I went to the Paola, KS ride with Guru. The ride itself was a blast, but the aftermath is what has kept me from going back. The conditions that day started out cold and then as the day progressed, it warmed up enough to thaw the gravel roads into a gravel mud mess. I was covered in gritty gravel mud by the day's end, as was my bike. This is where the aftermath begins. I get back home and my garden hose is frozen, so I can’t spray my bike clean. I had to Spray-N-Wash all of my clothes before throwing them in the laundry. Ended up having to wash them twice and they still ended up being slightly stained (strike 1). The next day, my hose was thawed after throwing it in the garage, so I sprayed my bike as clean as I could get it. My chain was in really bad shape, so I soaked it in paint thinner for a couple of days and then soaked it in synthetic motor oil for another 2 days – it works, but still needs replaced (strike 2). I noticed my crank was a little rough, so I pulled it and the Non-Drive side bearing is trashed (strike 3). I also noticed that my brake pads didn’t fair so well and will most likely need replaced as well (strike 4?). So, that ride is going to end up costing me close to $75 in parts to recover. I don’t mind regular mud, snow, rain or even the cold for that matter, but you can keep the “gravel mud”. I don't want to discourage anybody from doing the gravel grinders, because they are a blast, but I think I will stick to the pavement and my trainer this winter.

Speaking of trainers, I’m using a Kurt Kinetic Pro and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is quiet, smooth, stable and has a great progressive resistance curve. Don’t let the sticker price scare you away, as this is a one time investment (lifetime and crash replacement warranty) and will actually help to make riding indoors just a little more enjoyable. All the manufactures talk about simulating road feel, but I don’t know what that means, quite honestly. I have never been on a trainer that feels like riding on the road. The only thing that feels like riding on the road is, well, riding on the road. So, if you are seriously considering a trainer, check out the Kurt Kinetic Pro. I’m not sponsored by them or getting kickbacks, but I hate riding on the trainer and this one works so well, that it is actually not that bad to ride indoors anymore.