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The winter solstice approaches

by Matt Smith

December 18, 2011 - Filed under: Company

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Well, the winter solstice is just a few short days away and soon the daytime will start to get longer again. It also marks pretty much the end of the cycling season and the start of the next. Soon, the Tour Down Under will herald in the New Year along with the new pro season. While some of you will definitely take time off the bike, I will be trying to ward off the annual weight gain by tackling the mountain in the living room. Having done just a couple of rides on the trainer this weekend, I know I am way off my fitness as the last previous run in the spring was 7 minutes faster. Ouch! Now I just need to suture the mouth shut for the next couple of weeks and I should be good.

When I got the R3-SL in 2007, I was able to try it out within a fortnight on a real mountain. Can’t say that with the R5ca. Unfortunately, it hasn’t seen a mountain or a serious climb of any nature which is too bad. Not being able to get away for any stretch of time is the real culprit here.

Since building up the bike in early August, I have been able to put just over 4,000 km on it using pretty much the original components used on the initial build except for the replacement SRAM cassette and the 3T seatpost. Unlike a standard bike components, lightweight components are definitely not designed with the same wear characteristics and as a result tend to be a wee bit more prone to having issues with longevity. When they last longer than you expected, that is when you know you got really good components.

I have been riding the Reynolds RZRs even into December with the near freezing conditions of some of the rides. This is the longest I have ridden tubulars and the first time in such conditions. A couple of the pictures are from the last couple rides when I have started out in the morning. Almost makes you want to go back home and jump back into bed.

All the components seem to be working well even when the temperature is just north of that magical frigid point. If it is below freezing or wet, you won’t see me out on the road; my hands just don’t take very kindly to the freezing temperatures especially with the wind chill. In about a third of the time I would normally do a Donut Ride, I can get the same workout on the mountain in the living room.

People have asked what I do when riding the trainer, do I watch the television or what? Well, basically, I just set the bike up at the window and look outside or the computer screen to see how I am performing. Looking out on the poor dog owners taking out Fluffy to nature break in the really cold weather is sometimes comical. Watching some of the owners trying to get their animal to do its business while they stand there freezing their heinie off, well, is just priceless.

It also affords me the opportunity to work on pedalling technique. I pretty much try to pick a cadence to go with and a heart rate to match. If I can do that for the distance I have picked for the ride without going into the red zone, I will have done a good job. That picture of the computer screen is what I am focusing on. I am not doing one of the pre-programmed classic rides but a given slope over a given distance.

Now, how close the resistance of the trainer is to a real 8% climb, I am not sure. I really need to find a good climb to create some baselines again. What was a baseline in 2007/2008 wouldn’t apply now as my weight and fitness are radically different.

So, what is up for 2012? I am really interested in getting my hands on the Brim Brothers power meters. It sounds as though they are getting closer to getting them out the door. And, we will have to take a look at the new 2012 SRAM Red components to see if they offer any performance/weight benefits.

Thanks for following along and hopefully I will be able to get away, maybe even on one of the Cervélo Travel trips. All of us here at Cervélo would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season and great 2012!

1 response for this Entry

Don says:

December 22, 2011

I was hoping to get another outdoor bike ride this week but it now looks like December 19th may have been the last. Your mileage since early August is impressive. I had to check my log book to confirm that I have similar mileage but it has only been possible with an extended season compared to last year. Last year, we were already under snow for several weeks. In wishful greetings, I hope that Cervelo and its community have a great year.