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General Discussion => Throw Down the Gauntlet => Topic started by: jordanread on January 02, 2016, 03:16:05 PM

Title: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jordanread on January 02, 2016, 03:16:05 PM
The cycling challenge for January 2016 is up and ready for you to start (or continue) riding!! First one this year!!

I will throw down some fun stats and charts for the entirety of 2015, and post them here. That will probably happen on Monday.
If you logged miles last month, and selected "Remember Me" on the form, you have been added to this month's sheet already.       
      
If you didn't log miles last month, or are a new participant      
Click here to fill out the form. (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1_f6BJH9KOmR7mFno_fqH14DbkP5uLXu2b5mZTf_LSXc/viewform)
You can access the sheet directly at this link (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11qYgpltgGfus_4llYT21ZF5m3TLDGQk8STjF-Fau7CQ/edit?usp=sharing).
I can manually grab your historical data too, so if it's off, just let me know.  If they aren't there within a day, or you have any other issues with the sheet, hit me up via email, Google+ Hangouts (http://gplus.to/jordanread), PM, or just comment on this thread.      
Happy biking!!      
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Eric222 on January 04, 2016, 05:53:14 AM
YAY!  New spreadsheet..... I may be a bit addicted to logging my miles.

Not that I have a choice about biking anymore.  I sold my car yesterday! :D
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jordanread on January 04, 2016, 07:24:03 AM
YAY!  New spreadsheet..... I may be a bit addicted to logging my miles.

Not that I have a choice about biking anymore.  I sold my car yesterday! :D

I read about that in your Journal. Congrats!! Also very glad that you made that decision work with the kids!

For me, I didn't log a single mile last month. On the other hand, I didn't drive a single mile last month either. And I walked quite a bit.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Nancy on January 04, 2016, 08:49:39 AM
I'm back after a ten day illness. It feels amazing to bike again!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: SweetTPi on January 04, 2016, 01:44:38 PM
Starting off the year right, I'm back from my post-crash hiatus, after nearly 2 months completely off the bike.  It felt odd to be on the bike again after that much time off of it, seeing as I went from riding every day to not at all.  We'll see how it goes- my leg is still sore if poked in the 'right' spot, but I can walk briskly without pain now (but can't run yet, alas).  It doesn't seem to hurt at all when biking, so time to get out and enjoy the freezing cold headwind.  Yay!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: PindyStache on January 04, 2016, 07:39:18 PM
Thank you again Jordan, much appreciated!

And congrats Eric on the car-free-freedom!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Nancy on January 05, 2016, 07:07:43 AM
I was so excited to ride my first single digit temp day of the year. I actually overdressed and was a tad sweaty when I arrived, but the ride was amazing. So beautiful. As luck would have it, there wasn't any snow or ice to contend with.

Enjoy the ride!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: aetherie on January 05, 2016, 07:34:32 AM
Work chat this morning:

CW1: it got cold out
CW2: yeah it's cold but thank god for climate control
CW2: it's not like any of us walked to work or anything
me: I biked

:D
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: ohyonghao on January 05, 2016, 11:08:33 AM
On January 1st I set out with a group of riders and rode 48 miles, with about 2000' of elevation gain.  We had either head wind or cross wind nearly the entire time blowing steady at 20-25mph with gusts above 30mph.  The only tailwind we had was on the way out of the city.  It was the coldest, most tiring day of cycling I'd ever experienced, but was so glad to have the opportunity to get outside and continue cycling.

It took so much out of me though, the next day I rode only 10 mi, and even took a full blown rest day on Sunday.  Yesterday I got back on the bike again and kept on pedaling.  I set a goal for this year to bike 12,000mi, about twice what I did last year.  To achieve that I need to average 230mi/week.  We'll see how it goes.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Mrs. PoP on January 06, 2016, 05:47:17 PM
You can all mock me, but we had our first genuinely cold mornings this week.  Yesterday it was 53 when I left for work.  Had to layer 2 tops and wear stretchy gloves! 

I seriously don't know how you guys do it with "real" cold temperatures.  Mad props.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: johnny847 on January 06, 2016, 06:37:08 PM
You can all mock me, but we had our first genuinely cold mornings this week.  Yesterday it was 53 when I left for work.  Had to layer 2 tops and wear stretchy gloves! 

I seriously don't know how you guys do it with "real" cold temperatures.  Mad props.

Hahaha. "Cold"

Not that I live in a cold climate either (Atlanta) but I've biked outside when it's 20F and I was fine.



I hope to get back into cycling this month. I've had some lingering knee pain from weak hips and a lack of stretching. My physical therapist says I should ease back onto the bike and see how it goes.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: PindyStache on January 06, 2016, 06:41:12 PM
Wow, 53 is about my ideal cycling temp--shorts & breathable shirt. Earlier this week it was the coldest it's been here so far this year, in the mid-teens with a wind.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Tyn on January 07, 2016, 03:25:04 AM
Signing up to encourage myself to do more non-commute cycling, cheap public transport has a tendency to make me lazy about trying out routes that I don't know.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: kendallf on January 07, 2016, 11:14:17 AM
Wow, 53 is about my ideal cycling temp--shorts & breathable shirt. Earlier this week it was the coldest it's been here so far this year, in the mid-teens with a wind.

55 here in northern FL right now.  I'm going out with shorts, a base layer and a jersey later.  I do wear gloves in the low 50s, though.  My fingers get cold and ache otherwise.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Eric222 on January 07, 2016, 12:30:36 PM
Wow, 53 is about my ideal cycling temp--shorts & breathable shirt. Earlier this week it was the coldest it's been here so far this year, in the mid-teens with a wind.
55 here in northern FL right now.  I'm going out with shorts, a base layer and a jersey later.  I do wear gloves in the low 50s, though.  My fingers get cold and ache otherwise.
My chosen form of voluntary discomfort is to just live in the northeast.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: ohyonghao on January 09, 2016, 02:14:52 AM
Wow, 53 is about my ideal cycling temp--shorts & breathable shirt. Earlier this week it was the coldest it's been here so far this year, in the mid-teens with a wind.
55 here in northern FL right now.  I'm going out with shorts, a base layer and a jersey later.  I do wear gloves in the low 50s, though.  My fingers get cold and ache otherwise.
My chosen form of voluntary discomfort is to just live in the northeast.

Having lived in Taiwan for 6 years before I have to say that I find it a bit uncomfortable below 60 :-D  It gets down to 55 in the dead of winter at night with a strong breeze.  Now I've mostly acclimated back to the PNW weather, but I really prefer to not be cold.

I haven't been commuting these past few weeks as my wrist has been bothering me a lot and just needs some rest.  I've found that my road bike doesn't agitate it at all, but is also not very good for commuting being a race bike and all with no storage capability.

For Christmas I got myself a Smart Trainer, which is pretty awesome and has revolutionized by training.  I've been using Zwift for my workouts where it takes GPS readings with elevation data and simulates the environment and ride conditions.  For example, doing a 5% incline climb it will add resistance to the trainer so I have to put out more power, and in the game my avatar will slow down going up the hill just as in real life.  It gets a little addicting.  I do hope to have my wrist pain free soon, it's been doing good these past couple days though it did flare up a little today, and be back into my normal commute.  For now most of my miles are logged on the trainer, though with weather permitting on the weekends I get out and ride with my local club.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Nancy on January 13, 2016, 07:12:09 AM
Ever since I started biking in the winter, I'm never cold. (proper gear + body heat = fun times). Love it!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Eric222 on January 13, 2016, 01:06:07 PM
Ever since I started biking in the winter, I'm never cold. (proper gear + body heat = fun times). Love it!
What is this cold you speak of?
Seriously though, anytime someone comes over they complain that my thermostat is at 62.  Wimps! ;)
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Nancy on January 15, 2016, 08:02:42 AM
Nice!!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jorjor on January 20, 2016, 08:51:53 AM
Woke my butt up early to add-on to my commute and put 30 miles in before work. Yaaawwwwwwnnnnn...

Temp was about 32F when I left in the dark. Sun came up and it dropped to 26F. Just at the brink where I was a bit cold since I had dressed for 32-40.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: AllieVaulter on January 20, 2016, 12:47:59 PM
My bike broke a spoke last week.  :(  I heard the twang as I was making a turn.  I feel like this bike breaks waaay too many spokes.  It's about 5 years old and I'm pretty sure it breaks at least one spoke a year (I've really only been paying attention since August when it became my bike instead of DH).  I thought it was because DH is 200 lbs or the fact that we'd occasionally transport the bike in the back of our car.  But we've got a bike rack for the car now.  I'm about 150 lbs and I was carrying a pannier that was maybe 10 lbs.  My commute is only 3 miles each way with a mild hill, more of a slope.  I think this is my bike:  http://shop.bouldercyclesport.com/product/linus-roadster-sport-165073-1.htm

Any ideas on how to not break spokes?
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jordanread on January 20, 2016, 01:06:14 PM
My bike broke a spoke last week.  :(  I heard the twang as I was making a turn.  I feel like this bike breaks waaay too many spokes.  It's about 5 years old and I'm pretty sure it breaks at least one spoke a year (I've really only been paying attention since August when it became my bike instead of DH).  I thought it was because DH is 200 lbs or the fact that we'd occasionally transport the bike in the back of our car.  But we've got a bike rack for the car now.  I'm about 150 lbs and I was carrying a pannier that was maybe 10 lbs.  My commute is only 3 miles each way with a mild hill, more of a slope.  I think this is my bike:  http://shop.bouldercyclesport.com/product/linus-roadster-sport-165073-1.htm

Any ideas on how to not break spokes?

I wound up replacing my tire. I have broken a ridiculous amount of spokes (see cycling challenge past). Also, I am proud to hold the record for the most miles ridden on >6 broken spokes. It's not a proud award, but I love it!!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jorjor on January 20, 2016, 02:48:40 PM
My bike broke a spoke last week.  :(  I heard the twang as I was making a turn.  I feel like this bike breaks waaay too many spokes.  It's about 5 years old and I'm pretty sure it breaks at least one spoke a year (I've really only been paying attention since August when it became my bike instead of DH).  I thought it was because DH is 200 lbs or the fact that we'd occasionally transport the bike in the back of our car.  But we've got a bike rack for the car now.  I'm about 150 lbs and I was carrying a pannier that was maybe 10 lbs.  My commute is only 3 miles each way with a mild hill, more of a slope.  I think this is my bike:  http://shop.bouldercyclesport.com/product/linus-roadster-sport-165073-1.htm

Any ideas on how to not break spokes?

I'm not sure why it would be the bike itself. I'd go with jordanread's suggestion and try different tires (or different wheels).
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jordanread on January 20, 2016, 03:23:17 PM
I'm not sure why it would be the bike itself. I'd go with jordanread's suggestion and try different tires (or different wheels).

You know, I always fuck that up. I totally meant wheels. Wait, are the wheels the rim and tires the rubber? Vernacular, while important, is not something I focus on.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Punky Bikester on January 21, 2016, 10:57:17 AM
My bike broke a spoke last week.  :(  I heard the twang as I was making a turn.  I feel like this bike breaks waaay too many spokes.  It's about 5 years old and I'm pretty sure it breaks at least one spoke a year (I've really only been paying attention since August when it became my bike instead of DH).  I thought it was because DH is 200 lbs or the fact that we'd occasionally transport the bike in the back of our car.  But we've got a bike rack for the car now.  I'm about 150 lbs and I was carrying a pannier that was maybe 10 lbs.  My commute is only 3 miles each way with a mild hill, more of a slope.  I think this is my bike:  http://shop.bouldercyclesport.com/product/linus-roadster-sport-165073-1.htm

Any ideas on how to not break spokes?

Relatively inexpensive bikes typically have machine-built wheels, which are more prone to having uneven spoke tension.  In my experience, uneven spoke tension is the main cause of repeat broken spokes. If you spin your wheel and run a stick along the spokes, they should all "ring" at about the same pitch. If they don't, I'd consider having a mechanic de-tension the whole wheel and re-true it by hand. If it fixes the problem, it should be far cheaper than going to a new wheelset. If it doesn't, then it could indeed just be the quality of the parts in the wheel.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: ohyonghao on January 21, 2016, 05:49:19 PM
My bike broke a spoke last week.  :(  I heard the twang as I was making a turn.  I feel like this bike breaks waaay too many spokes.  It's about 5 years old and I'm pretty sure it breaks at least one spoke a year (I've really only been paying attention since August when it became my bike instead of DH).  I thought it was because DH is 200 lbs or the fact that we'd occasionally transport the bike in the back of our car.  But we've got a bike rack for the car now.  I'm about 150 lbs and I was carrying a pannier that was maybe 10 lbs.  My commute is only 3 miles each way with a mild hill, more of a slope.  I think this is my bike:  http://shop.bouldercyclesport.com/product/linus-roadster-sport-165073-1.htm

Any ideas on how to not break spokes?
Relatively inexpensive bikes typically have machine-built wheels, which are more prone to having uneven spoke tension.  In my experience, uneven spoke tension is the main cause of repeat broken spokes. If you spin your wheel and run a stick along the spokes, they should all "ring" at about the same pitch. If they don't, I'd consider having a mechanic de-tension the whole wheel and re-true it by hand. If it fixes the problem, it should be far cheaper than going to a new wheelset. If it doesn't, then it could indeed just be the quality of the parts in the wheel.

Yeah, especially with 36 spokes as it looks like you have there, that should be able to handle essentially any weight.  I run with bladed spokes 10 on front, 12 on rear, which is a really low count.  My commuter has a few more that are doubled up (also a strange spoke system) and have pulled a trailer easily with 100lbs in it along with my 220lb self at the time (now 176lbs).

I'd agree with Punky Bikester and check the spoke tension, if you don't happen to own truing equipment then taking it to a shop would do.  Is this happening on the rear or front wheel?  One thing about Punky's suggestion, the rear wheel likely has different tension on the drive side (side with the cassette) vs the non drive side due to different spacing, and higher torque it has to deal with than the front wheel, so it would be normal to hear a different sound for each side, but the sound should be roughly the same across the same side.  Front wheels tend to have lower tension.

Also, once you've broken a spoke or two with it you may want to have the entire wheel respoked as increased tension on the the other spokes may cause fatigue and lead to more spokes breaking later on.  YMMV.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: ohyonghao on January 26, 2016, 11:30:03 AM
Seems that all the holiday vacations are over now.  Drove to work yesterday and took 15 min to find a parking spot.  Wasn't looking good with tens of other cars circling the lot like vultures.  I happened to spy someone walking to their vehicle and quickly went to wait on my prey.

That was enough to push me to start riding to work again.  I've been giving my wrist and shoulder a rest for the last two months.  Feeling much better now, started some yoga, and wall push ups, and strangely my road bike doesn't hurt either, but my commuter had been a pain.  Today was nice and easy, the part that hurt the most was moving the abandoned bike over a little so I could lock my bike up.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Eric222 on January 26, 2016, 02:41:57 PM
Seems that all the holiday vacations are over now.  Drove to work yesterday and took 15 min to find a parking spot.  Wasn't looking good with tens of other cars circling the lot like vultures.  I happened to spy someone walking to their vehicle and quickly went to wait on my prey.

That was enough to push me to start riding to work again.  I've been giving my wrist and shoulder a rest for the last two months.  Feeling much better now, started some yoga, and wall push ups, and strangely my road bike doesn't hurt either, but my commuter had been a pain.  Today was nice and easy, the part that hurt the most was moving the abandoned bike over a little so I could lock my bike up.

I'm glad you are feeling better!  Is 15 minutes of looking for a spot + driving > than your bike commute time?

The three inches of snow, which weren't plowed well (i.e. pushed into the bike lane) scared me away from biking in yesterday.  I'd forgotten how much I hate crowded busses.  Biking is so much more pleasant!  Note to self:  Don't get injured.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: ohyonghao on January 26, 2016, 02:45:40 PM
Seems that all the holiday vacations are over now.  Drove to work yesterday and took 15 min to find a parking spot.  Wasn't looking good with tens of other cars circling the lot like vultures.  I happened to spy someone walking to their vehicle and quickly went to wait on my prey.

That was enough to push me to start riding to work again.  I've been giving my wrist and shoulder a rest for the last two months.  Feeling much better now, started some yoga, and wall push ups, and strangely my road bike doesn't hurt either, but my commuter had been a pain.  Today was nice and easy, the part that hurt the most was moving the abandoned bike over a little so I could lock my bike up.

I'm glad you are feeling better!  Is 15 minutes of looking for a spot + driving > than your bike commute time?

The three inches of snow, which weren't plowed well (i.e. pushed into the bike lane) scared me away from biking in yesterday.  I'd forgotten how much I hate crowded busses.  Biking is so much more pleasant!  Note to self:  Don't get injured.

It generally takes me about 12-15min by bike to get to work, or 10-15 minutes by car.  Parking, locking my bike I think is roughly the same as finding a spot and walking in if the finding a spot goes smoothly.  Going home can take 15 minutes just to drive the first mile because it gets backed up so bad.  Really look forward to the ride home tonight and to be flying by all the cars stuck in line.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Nancy on January 28, 2016, 08:46:20 AM
Had a nice "we're in this together" moment today. A driver's trunk was open, bobbing in the breeze. I let him know and asked if he wanted me to close it. After I did so, he was super thankful. We wished each other an excellent day and proceeded on our way (well he was stuck in traffic, but he must have eventually). It's the small things.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jorjor on January 29, 2016, 01:03:23 PM
My 8 miles commute was into a nasty wind today. It felt like my face was getting sandblasted off.

Ride home should be fun!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: ohyonghao on January 29, 2016, 04:51:51 PM
My 8 miles commute was into a nasty wind today. It felt like my face was getting sandblasted off.

Ride home should be fun!
Sounds similar to my first day of the year ride, minus the sandblasting.  Those rides are a great workout, but can be tiring.  Most days during the summer here my commute will include a head wind all the way to work, then the prevailing wind changes during the day, and a head wind all the way home.  Sometimes I envy my coworker that lives East instead of West from work.

One of my favorite rides last summer though was with this nasty head wind from the North.  On the ride back into town at a stop light my racing mentor took measurement of the wind and said, "I think we could average 30MPH with this."  Three of us in the group agreed and formed a pace line going back into town and took 5th, 6th, and 7th on the Strava segment :-P.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: TrMama on January 29, 2016, 04:56:21 PM
Had a fun ride home last night after breaking my rear deraileur cable mid-way through. Of course it only breaks when the chain is in the highest gear and the rest of my ride is all uphill. My knee did not appreciate it!
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: ohyonghao on January 29, 2016, 05:50:13 PM
Had a fun ride home last night after breaking my rear deraileur cable mid-way through. Of course it only breaks when the chain is in the highest gear and the rest of my ride is all uphill. My knee did not appreciate it!

Technically when it breaks it will force the derailleur into the highest gear, so it's not by chance that it ended up in that gear.  The rear derailleur works with a spring that forces it to the outside, without a cable it's natural position is the highest gear.  When you shift you put tension onto the cable and that brings the trapezoid shaped derailleur towards the spokes.

If you were really far away and didn't want to ride in the highest gear on the rear and had the tools with you (my multi-tool has all the ones required) you could take apart the chain, remove a few links, bypass the derailleur and put it into a middle gear, essentially making it a single speed.  It would be important to note with this arrangement that you should not shift the front gear as you no longer have a derailleur on the back to tension the chain.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jorjor on January 31, 2016, 05:24:04 PM
Finished up a decent month with 55 miles yesterday. February looks like it'll bring fewer miles. Starting out with a big snowstorm, traveling for work a few times, and February is my busiest month for work otherwise. I'll attempt to sneak in miles where I can, but will realistically probably be doing other non-cycling exercise, which isn't a bad thing.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: Punky Bikester on February 01, 2016, 10:19:55 AM
Had a fun ride home last night after breaking my rear deraileur cable mid-way through. Of course it only breaks when the chain is in the highest gear and the rest of my ride is all uphill. My knee did not appreciate it!

Technically when it breaks it will force the derailleur into the highest gear, so it's not by chance that it ended up in that gear.  The rear derailleur works with a spring that forces it to the outside, without a cable it's natural position is the highest gear.  When you shift you put tension onto the cable and that brings the trapezoid shaped derailleur towards the spokes.

If you were really far away and didn't want to ride in the highest gear on the rear and had the tools with you (my multi-tool has all the ones required) you could take apart the chain, remove a few links, bypass the derailleur and put it into a middle gear, essentially making it a single speed.  It would be important to note with this arrangement that you should not shift the front gear as you no longer have a derailleur on the back to tension the chain.

If you have a screwdriver, you can also leave the derailleur in place and just change the limit screws. Screwing in the High limit screw all the way will get you a couple of gears, then screw in the Low until it won't go anymore, so that the chain won't skip around.
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: jordanread on February 01, 2016, 11:05:06 AM
The new Gauntlet is up!!! (http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/february-cycling-challenge-2016/)
Title: Re: January Cycling Challenge 2016
Post by: TrMama on February 01, 2016, 11:23:05 AM
Had a fun ride home last night after breaking my rear deraileur cable mid-way through. Of course it only breaks when the chain is in the highest gear and the rest of my ride is all uphill. My knee did not appreciate it!

Technically when it breaks it will force the derailleur into the highest gear, so it's not by chance that it ended up in that gear.  The rear derailleur works with a spring that forces it to the outside, without a cable it's natural position is the highest gear.  When you shift you put tension onto the cable and that brings the trapezoid shaped derailleur towards the spokes.

If you were really far away and didn't want to ride in the highest gear on the rear and had the tools with you (my multi-tool has all the ones required) you could take apart the chain, remove a few links, bypass the derailleur and put it into a middle gear, essentially making it a single speed.  It would be important to note with this arrangement that you should not shift the front gear as you no longer have a derailleur on the back to tension the chain.

If you have a screwdriver, you can also leave the derailleur in place and just change the limit screws. Screwing in the High limit screw all the way will get you a couple of gears, then screw in the Low until it won't go anymore, so that the chain won't skip around.

Thanks for the tips! I knew there was at least one workaround, but I was so tired I just couldn't think straight to figure it out. It was the one day where I ran on my lunch break as well as bike commuting. I'd had a super stressful week and was using exercise to cope. Even with only one gear, it was still better than driving :-)