Tag Archives: biking

Garmin cycling categories

Posted by xaminmo

Under profile Cycling it asks for cycling classification number. What is that?

These are race categories.
* Recreational means someone who doesn’t race.
* Category 5 means new racer.
* Category 4 means you’ve completed 10 mass-start races.
* Category 3 means you earned 20-30 points as a cat-4 racer.
* Category 2 means you earned 30-40 points as a Cat-3 racer.
* Category 1 means you earned 35-50 poings as a Cat-2 racer.

As for “Open Category”, I’m not really sure. It looks like it’s a fuzzy term for elite racers, such as cat 2,1,pro together. It may include Cat 3 racers that were fit enough to compete with them, but didn’t have the points to upgrade yet.

Cat-1 upgrades require the involvement of the regional race coordinator, but lower levels can be done locally.

You can be downgraded after time, but never back to Cat-5.

There are several ways to earn points:
* Attending a USA Cycling education clinics
* Completing a race in the front pack
* Finishing in the top 10 of a race.

Road point values are listed here:
http://www.usacycling.org/road-category-upgrade-guidelines.htm

Mountain rankings are 3, 2, 1 and Pro.
http://www.usacycling.org/mountain-bike-category-upgrades.htm

Cyclocross rankings are 5-1 for men and 4-1 for women. There are conversion rights into and out of CX if you’re rated in MTB or Road.
http://www.usacycling.org/cyclo-cross-category-upgrade-guidelines.htm

Other groups and countries may have minor variances to this, but generally, the numbered categories are roughly equivalent.


Rolling Resistance is more than just tires

Posted by xaminmo

If you haven’t re-centered and/or adjusted your bike’s brakes lately, now is the time. I found my pads were dragging a little.

Basically, if you clamp the brakes, release, and the wheel won’t spin freely without stopping for 20+ seconds, then it needs to be fixed.

Cantilevers have tension screws at each post to re-center them. There’s a barrel adjuster for gap.

Calipers just unscrew the center screw half way, clamp the brake lever, and tighten the screw before letting go. Magic, I know. They also have a barrel adjuster for gap, but there’s also a cam on the side (for wheel removal).

If your pads touch the rubber, or are not in the same place on the rim at both tips of the pad, then that needs adjusting too.

If your brakes are not dragging, and the wheel still doesn’t spin for a long time (on the bike), then your bearings are gunked up. If it’s a cheap wheel, replace it, or have fun taking it apart. If it’s an expensive wheel, then have it serviced at your local bike shop.

Speaking of expensive wheels, I got some EA70 road wheels.. I know, in the grand scheme of biking, these are still cheap, but they are a massive upgrade for me. In reading up on maintenance, I found that wheel truing is different for these. Easton tightens all of the drive-side spokes to maximum, yet even tension. THEN, they tighten up the non-drive-side spokes to obtain the proper dish.

If you need to do anything to the drive-side spokes, you have to de-tension the entire wheel first, do your thing, and then re-tension it the same way they do. If you don’t, you’ll break the spoke nipples due to them being at a higher tension than you can actually set by hand. Also, Easton says, at least for their wheels, even tension is more important than 1-3 thousandths wobble.

Also, they have no weight limit for their wheels (stated clearly on their website) and they have a 2 year warranty against defects. If you hit a pot-hole and dent/bend/break the rim, tough patooties. But if you ride over a little crack and the wheel breaks or tacos because you’re too heavy, they will take care of it (through your LBS or through them, but not for ebay or random-internet sellers).


2014-03-07 Coppell and Lewisville Ride

Posted by xaminmo

Was supposed to ride with Mike out in Justin, but I messed up my schedule (sleep deprivation) and he had a cut-off of 2pm (start at noon or earlier). I barely made it to a 3pm roll near my house. I feel bad about it, but I’m such a zombie that is was probably for the best.

I only had 4 hours sleep and 700 calories today including the ride fuel for this ride. I’m still not hungry, which probably has to do with having between 250 and 360mg of caffeine today.

This ride started into a monster headwind. The new wheels on my bike helped some because they flex less. Also, I re-centered my brakes, which made a huge difference. I didn’t realize how much they were dragging.

I have no idea how the watts is doing. It may be time to buy a power meter and expensive cranks just because.

Distance: 23.61 mi
Calories: 1,675 C

Time: 1:44:07
Moving Time: 1:42:28
Elapsed Time: 2:20:24

Avg Speed: 13.6 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 13.8 mph
Max Speed: 28.3 mph

Elevation Gain: 600 ft
Elevation Loss: 600 ft
Min Elevation: 562 ft
Max Elevation: 720 ft

Avg HR: 141 bpm
Max HR: 175 bpm

Avg Power: 441 W
Max Power: 1,283 W
Max Avg Power (20 min): 538 W

Avg Bike Cadence: 80 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 123 rpm

Avg Temperature: 64.2 °F
Min Temperature: 61.6 °F
Max Temperature: 74.2 °F

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/456791071
http://app.strava.com/activities/118571467/
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/500566587
http://runkeeper.com/user/xaminmo/activity/314540061
http://ns1.omnitech.net/cycle/


2014-03-05 16:00 Lewisville Ride with Sharon and Norm

Posted by xaminmo

PM ride with Sharon, Norm, Philip and Jim. Norm helped all of us with our cadence and technique.

Distance: 23.95 mi
Calories: 1,304 C

Time: 1:30:22
Moving Time: 1:29:53
Elapsed Time: 1:41:55

Avg Speed: 15.9 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 16.0 mph
Max Speed: 26.8 mph

Elevation Gain: 442 ft
Elevation Loss: 473 ft
Min Elevation: 461 ft
Max Elevation: 622 ft

Avg HR: 148 bpm
Max HR: 182 bpm

Avg Power: 236 W
Max Power: 1,285 W
Max Avg Power (20 min): 260 W

Avg Bike Cadence: 82 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 117 rpm

Avg Temperature: 51.2 °F
Min Temperature: 49.0 °F
Max Temperature: 68.8 °F

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/455845059
http://app.strava.com/activities/118101318/
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/499060345
http://runkeeper.com/user/xaminmo/activity/313667318


2014-03-05 12:00 Lunch Ride

Posted by xaminmo

New China lunch ride with Mark.

Distance: 4.97 mi
Calories: 234 C

Time: 25:50
Moving Time: 25:25
Elapsed Time: 2:03:36

Avg Speed: 11.5 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 11.7 mph
Max Speed: 26.0 mph

Elevation Gain: 177 ft
Elevation Loss: 154 ft
Min Elevation: 558 ft
Max Elevation: 626 ft

Avg HR: 119 bpm
Max HR: 167 bpm
Zones% of Maxbpm

Avg Power: 195 W
Max Power: 1,135 W
Max Avg Power (20 min): 195 W

Avg Bike Cadence: 57 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 111 rpm

Avg Temperature: 55.9 °F
Min Temperature: 49.0 °F
Max Temperature: 74.2 °F

http://app.strava.com/activities/118101310
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/455845043
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/499060371/
http://runkeeper.com/user/xaminmo/activity/313667376


2014-03-01 Ride: DFW/Hard8

Posted by xaminmo

Rode with Sharon, Mike, Norm, Becky, Desiree, and Nadia. Overall it was a great ride — not too challenging, but plenty of pushes and navigation. We got back more than 2 hours earlier than I expected. That was good because I forgot sunblock. :) If I had done things a little differently, I could have ridden to the start and stop. My average would have been more like 14.3 or 14.5, but my miles would have been over 50. Whatever. Great ride. :)

Norm provided a little advice for Nadia and Desiree to help them feel more comfortable and improve.  Desiree is already pretty good, just based on general fitness, age, and communication skills.  She has 6 months on the bike, but rides like she’s been riding for 2 years other than an occasional confidence blip.  Nadia has power and pacing, so a bump up in cadence and mid-ride fuel will really improve her overall speed.  Norm recommended a cadence meter, and visiting the bike shop for seat adjustment, etc.

Victoria was with us for a bit, but had a lot of trouble keeping up. She dropped on W. Airfield Drive around KDFW’s Runway 13R and turned back. Kind of a long way to go back on her own. It was suggested earlier, but I don’t think she realized we’d all been holding back to keep her in sight. I think there was a communication issue of what “maintain 15mph average” means. I think she thought that meant peak of 20mph, and pedal 13mph. It really means pedal 30mph on the downhills, and 8mph on a hard climb, with normal speed around 16-18mph. I hope she’s not too discouraged. I’m sure she can work up to the higher speed if she puts in some effort. Alternatively, if she’s happy with her level, then there are groups locally that match her current level.

We stopped at Hard 8 in Coppell on Bethel and Freeport for lunch. Hard 8 was tasty, but expensive. Smokin’ Joe’s in Ardmore still wins by far both on flavor, juice, and price… if you exclude the cost of driving up there. :) It was kind of slow after lunch, a little from eating, but mostly from stopping. Luckily, the stop was only about 45 mins.

Followed up with my sister who had C5/C6 ACDF surgery on Thursday. She has her pain/muscle relaxer schedule worked out so she’s not dopey, but not suffering. Her pain level is less than she expected, so as long as she doesn’t overdo it early, and doesn’t fall (not prone to it), she will be fine.

Corrected stats follow:

Distance: 41.52 mi
Calories: 2,224 C

Time: 2:48:35
Moving Time: 2:47:39
Elapsed Time: 4:12:21

Avg Speed: 14.8 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 14.9 mph
Max Speed: 34.0 mph

Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
Elevation Loss: 1,000 ft
Min Elevation: 454 ft
Max Elevation: 667 ft

Avg HR: 137 bpm
Max HR: 175 bpm

Avg Power: 219 W
Max Power: 1,277 W
Max Avg Power (20 min): 250 W

Avg Bike Cadence: 74 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 121 rpm

Avg Temperature: 63.4 °F
Min Temperature: 52.6 °F
Max Temperature: 77.8 °F

http://app.strava.com/activities/117003641
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/453390570
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/495798691/
http://runkeeper.com/user/xaminmo/activity/311678936
http://ns1.omnitech.net/cycle/
http://omnitech.net/xaminmo/2014/03/01/2014-03-01-ride-dfwhard8/


2014-02-22 Gran Fondo 2

Posted by xaminmo

Over 130km!  Thanks to the group that rode with me, and extra thanks to Sharon, Betty, and Norm who rode the whole loop.

VERY windy, making the return tough. Looks like we had about 15mph wind (or so). Varied from 12-30.

All stats corrected here and on Garmin Connect. Wrong on Strava (no wind wonders). Runkeeper is close.

Distance: 81.73 mi
Calories: 5,247 C

Time: 5:41:48
Moving Time: 5:38:41
Elapsed Time: 9:02:47

Avg Speed: 14.3 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 14.5 mph
Max Speed: 33.2 mph

Elevation Gain: 2,687 ft
Elevation Loss: 2,687 ft
Min Elevation: 540 ft
Max Elevation: 766 ft

Avg HR: 142 bpm
Max HR: 182 bpm

Avg Power: 363 W
Max Power: 1,292 W
Max Avg Power (20 min): 512 W

Avg Bike Cadence: 79 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 122 rpm

Avg Temperature: 66.5 °F
Min Temperature: 52.6 °F
Max Temperature: 77.8 °F

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/449586874
http://app.strava.com/activities/115307055
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/490490173
http://runkeeper.com/user/xaminmo/activity/308505254
http://ns1.omnitech.net/cycle/


2014-02-19 Windy PM Ride

Posted by xaminmo

Puttering around with Sharon, Norm, Felipe, Mark, and Glenn.
It was more of a social ride, but I couldn’t hear for the wind.
When we picked up the pace, biggest spread was 1/4 mile.

Distance: 21.84 mi
Calories: 1,133 C (adjusted down from 1187)

Time: 1:29:51
Moving Time: 1:28:43
Elapsed Time: 1:52:01

Was hoping for over 15mph, but this is probably better.
I have 130km to ride this Saturday. MOAR REST!
Avg Speed: 14.6 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 14.8 mph
Max Speed: 33.1 mph

Round trip loop, so I averaged these for power calcs.
Elevation Gain: 272 ft
Elevation Loss: 354 ft
Min Elevation: 711 ft
Max Elevation: 824 ft

Adjusted down from sensor error.
Avg HR: 148 bpm
Max HR: 187 bpm

Adjusted for wind and calories.
Avg Power: 243 W
Max Power: 1,277 W
Max Avg Power (20 min): 374 W

I need to fix the hard-coded wind in my calculator.
Figured out Strava’s calculation issue:
They assume zero wind.

Max cadence adjusted down from sensor error.
Avg Bike Cadence: 77 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 116 rpm

(Temps adjusted down 10F due to Garmin defect)
Avg Temperature: 60.4 °F
Min Temperature: 59.8 °F
Max Temperature: 61.6 °F

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/447978203
http://app.strava.com/activities/114585405
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/488179825/
http://runkeeper.com/user/xaminmo/activity/307208545
http://ns1.omnitech.net/cycle/


Sleepy Lunch Ride

Posted by xaminmo

No adjustments to data, so power is missing, temp is wrong, and there’s no way my candence reached 216 rpm.

Summary
Distance: 3.97 mi
Time: 20:31
Avg Speed: 11.6 mph
Elevation Gain: 180 ft
Calories: 264 C
Avg Temperature: 76.4 °F
Details
Timing
Time: 20:31
Moving Time: 20:02
Elapsed Time: 1:13:43
Avg Speed: 11.6 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 11.9 mph
Max Speed: 21.0 mph
SpeedPace
Elevation
Elevation Gain: 180 ft
Elevation Loss: 144 ft
Min Elevation: 573 ft
Max Elevation: 648 ft
Heart Rate
Avg HR: 134 bpm
Max HR: 169 bpm
Zones% of Maxbpm
Cadence
Avg Bike Cadence: 61 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 216 rpm
Temperature
Avg Temperature: 76.4 °F
Min Temperature: 71.6 °F
Max Temperature: 87.8 °F

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/447904980
http://app.strava.com/activities/114549990
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/488009359/
http://runkeeper.com/user/xaminmo/activity/307133537


2014-02-15 Aubrey Lunch Ride

Posted by xaminmo

2014-02-15 Aubrey Lunch Ride
Long weekend lunch ride with multiple pickup/drop-off groups. Strong wind from the south. Temps were great. Company was great.

Bikes lined up: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151947314403017
Group Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151947284273017
Free Cake for first-timers: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153802768955627
Another Group Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153802837330627

Distance: 58.97 mi
Calories: 3,449 C

Time: 4:17:07
Moving Time: 4:13:47
Elapsed Time: 6:59:25

Avg Speed: 13.8 mph
Avg Moving Speed: 13.9 mph
Max Speed: 32.3 mph

Elevation Gain: 1,916 ft
Elevation Loss: 1,900 ft
Min Elevation: 550 ft
Max Elevation: 763 ft

Avg HR: 148 bpm
Max HR: 185 bpm

Avg Power: 214 W
Max Power: 1,299 W
Max Avg Power (20 min): 306 W

Avg Bike Cadence: 77 rpm
Max Bike Cadence: 122 rpm

Avg Temperature: 60.4 °F
Min Temperature: 49.0 °F
Max Temperature: 74.2 °F

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/445689027
http://www.strava.com/activities/113518196
http://runkeeper.com/user/xaminmo/activity/305218917
http://www.mapmyride.com/workout/484798349
http://ns1.omnitech.net/cycle/