Thought I'd start a thread on indoor Computrainer rides people do...  given the icy conditions...   If you do these kinds of rides occasionally, post about it here!
 
 
I put the Xstream on the roof rack, and ventured out Sunday morning, navigating the treacherous 190 bridge across 75 to Coit, to go to Dallas Cycling Center for a two hour spin class...  When I got there, there was a layer of ice on all forward-facing surfaces of the bike...  
 
I haven't done one of these classes since back in the Spring...  The spin class was the farily flat Florida Ironman course, with Computrainers set to mimic the terrain/resistance.  There were ten of us crazy folks that came out for it.  It was interesting, in that it was a "race" of sorts, where you could see the others' readings and distance -- but they suggested you stay at ~80-90% of your "FTP" wattage - they guessed mine at 180 watts, which was about what I used back in the Spring.  Two guys were obviously power riders, along with one woman who quickly got a half mile ahead of me and stayed there...  but, after about an hour, I started gaining ground on her, and when I got within 0.1 mile I could tell she was pushing to try to hold me off...  but about 10 minutes later, she faded, and I took over 3rd and held it the rest of the way...  never did catch the guys, though, and they finished the two hours about 1 and 2 miles ahead of me.
 
I was pleasantly surprised that I could even DO a two hour indoor ride like this, with essentially no "coasting" downtime... and it was kinda fun chasing down the one rider  
 
The Computrainer data report was kinda interesting, for what it's worth
 
Distance: 37.5 mi
Avg speed:  18.75 mph
Avg power:  175 watts
Avg W/kg:  1.92
Max Power:  335 watts
Max W/kg:  3.68
Calories:  1555
 

 
Of course, two days later, my quads are still telling me about it....  but it was good to get outta the house!!!
 
Next?

I have been spending most of my time running these days, but with the weather being what it is, I fired up my CycleOps Virtual Trainer last night, and rode from Asheville to Craggy Gardens along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  That's a mostly uphill and very scenic route, and the person who filmed it did a very good job - it's probably one of the best videos I've found, if a little short.  It makes me want to throw a bike on the car and drive out there (maybe a spring trip)
 
Distance:  18.9 mi
Climbing:  3407 feet
Avg speed:  14.1 mph
Avg power:  265 watts
Avg W/kg:  3.43
Max Power:  545 watts
Max W/kg:  7.05
Avg Cadence: 81
Calories:     1369 (per Strava)
 

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 11^th, 2013, 2:02pm:

 
It should have been higher, but I was also watching The Avengers and got distracted a few times.

I'm signed up for the 9AM two-hour class this Saturday at DCC White Rock location... although I may regret this - they're doing the Longview Freeze Your Fanny route this time -- mas climbing, although somewhat sloped downwards.
 

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 12^th, 2013, 10:36am:

 
My $.02 on climbing (something I know nothing about  ) aerodynamic position does not outweigh the benefit of being able to stand and put body weight and power to the pedal on a climb (and I like my knees too much to lock my back into my seat and put all that pressure on the pedals with no flex).
 
During the Texas Time Trails, I was mixing it up with some racers on nice aero time trial bikes.  They had no problems matching me on the flats, and rolled away from me on the downhills when coasting.  As soon as the road turned upwards, I would stand and pedal away from them - they were staying on their aerobars far too long.  Of course, if I had been on a 12 lb 'bent I'd probably have outclimbed them as well.
 
 
 

Quote from FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 12^th, 2013, 1:17pm:

 
That was this year on the single speed, hence the ultra-light bike.  The year JS and I lit up the course I was on my Corsa SS.
 

Quote from AustinSkater on Dec 12^th, 2013, 3:29pm:

 
Contact Rich Wharton at DCC...  he'd probably be happy to talk to you about it!
 
PB

Today was such a sad day outside, I took my bike to the Valley of the Sun, for a ride on the Iron Man Arizona Loop.  This loop is not nearly as scenic as the Blue Ridge Parkway, but it has a nice easy climb for 1/2 the ride, and then a return descent.  It's a good route for gutting out a power level, since it's a steady climb. (Elevation in yellow on the image)
 
Distance:  37.56 mi
Time: 1:41
Climbing:  1587 feet
Avg speed:  22.2 mph
Avg power:  270 watts
Avg W/kg:  3.49
Max Power:  565 watts
Max W/kg:  7.31
Avg Cadence: 85
Calories:     1644 (per Strava)