How to get a "feel good" ride?

Make sure it is a ride long enough to suit you. 150km is just fine. Don’t choose a longer one because you won’t be able to manage it. Ah!! Make it flat. A hilly ride would kill you.

Somehow you have to make sure Ed shows up injured and Denis tired. Don’t try to do this when they are in half form, that would be the best way of making sure you don’t have a “feel good” ride.

Make sure you don’t have a coffee in the morning. Coffee gets you too optimistic and you would do too much work at the beginning of the ride. That would be a “feel good” first 30 minutes of the ride followed by an “I’m so silly” ride of five hours and a half.

Of course you have to make sure you get head wind on the way out and tail wind on the way back. That is not easy to get but it is essential to give you the feeling of speed needed at the end of a “feel good” ride. You need that speed and you won’t have the legs so tail wind on the way back is key. 

You also have to convince everyone that riding steady is the best strategy to deal with tiredness, injury and head wind. Riding steady is good. Intensity is bad. Would you be able to remember that?

As you approach the first “climb” (we said this had to be a flat route) make sure someone gets a puncture half way up the “climb”. That would cancel any KOM competition and allow you to pass it “easily”.

Take the opportunity the puncture gives you and dump as much weight as possible. Offer a CO2 canister. That is 16g less. Offer an inner tube, there go another 100gr. Even a gel wrap, they are worth 2grs at the very least.  

If possible, make sure the coffee stop comes a bit late in the ride. Around kilometer 85 would be ideal. Even better if the coffee stop is at the top of a “climb” (I said flaaaat!!). You know it always feels hard after the coffee stop so better to start with a short flat and a downhill.

Now.. At the coffee stop. Order a latte!!!! A big one. You want all the caffeine you can take without needing to stop for a pee every five kilometers. In case of doubt, err in the more caffeine the better side. Without caffeine you won’t get a “feel good” ride. You still have 65km to get home.

That’s all.

I’m not saying making all this happen for a given ride is easy. If you make it happen that’s all you need.

Being tired will hit Denis and being injured will hit Ed. They’ll allow you to take the front. Enjoy it because you are not there very often. Your power numbers will still be useless but the tail wind will give you the speed that you need and the caffeine will make you feel happy and optimistic.

That’s it. That is a “feel good” ride. A ride in which your power numbers don’t matter. A ride in which keeping speed feels easy. A ride you finish happy and optimistic.

Ah, ah, ah. One last thing. 

Make sure you make the last sprint void. After all this effort, you don’t really want to screw a “feel good” ride losing the last sprint to Denis or Ed. And you know it is possible, much to your despair. So, find any excuse and well before the sprint tell everyone we are not sprinting. Pray they buy the excuse.

Can you believe today was a “feel good” ride?

Well it was. It is in Strava https://www.strava.com/activities/6599543557/

Follow me in the GCN App for more high quality cycling advice https://gcn.social/javierariasgonz

Take care

Javier Arias González

Sprinting like I was about to take the road worldchamps

Two months have passed since my last proper KW Saturday gang ride. 

What normally happens in these circumstances is you feel fine for most of the ride but, inevitably, the pace and duration of the ride gets you and you end up feeling the ride was at least an hour too long.

It was a bit worse for me today.

Picture this.

I woke up and had a coffee. I don’t normally do that. That was a sign of fear. I knew 4 out of the 5 mates I was riding with were stronger than me. 

Give me a coffee and my brain will be tricked into thinking I am way stronger than I really am. That meant that the first one to get the head of the group was me. 

Javier leading the group from the get go??!!?? That is an unusual sight. 

Full of caffeine induced optimism I managed to do a bit more work than I should have in the first 45km. Those that were pan flat. Those before the 5 climbs started.

Miraculously I survived the first, second and third climb. But the fourth and fifth...

The fourth and fifth were a bit of a struggle. Not a disaster but fairly close. The coffee stop could come soon enough.

It came at about km 100. I had a second coffee. If my morning coffee was a sign of fear, the second one was a sign of panic.

The problem was that all my riding mates also had coffee. I knew I was in trouble. 

It only took 11 kms, the distance to Drift Road, for my troubles to be revealed to everyone. 

Drift Road is typically ridden as through and off. Very soon Steve disconnected and the group was reduced to four riders. That meant the pace was faster. Not good for me.

Worse that I was following Pope’s wheel. The Pope was pushing the pace (effect of the caffeine I’d guess) and I was struggling to pass him and hit the front.

When the “climb” came I had to miss a turn. I knew if I tried to move to the front I’d be dropped, if I missed the turn I would have a chance.

And the chance materialized. The pace slowed a little bit, enough to allow me to go back into formation. This time behind Denis’ wheel. That was good. Denis’ wheel is good for me, a bit more manageable than The Pope’s.

There are two kms from the “climb” to the end of Drift Road. A more sensible pace and a favorable formation meant I had time to recover. I was game for the sprint. 

I’d claim I took it. After all it is me deciding who takes the sprints and it is very human to have biases.

The disadvantage of sprinting when you are already very tired and you still have an hour of riding to get home is that hour is going to feel very, very long.

The Pope, arguing he was too cold, hit the front and kept the pace spicy. Ed contributed to the game. Denis started to pay for the race he raced yesterday (Denis was riding on racing tired legs). I had to use all the tricks in my wheelsucker book. 

Tricks that allowed me to take another sprint. Somehow I recognised the road and I realized a sprint was coming. Jumped from the third wheel and took it. Clearly. True that no one else contested it. Also true that sprinting wasn’t the best idea from the survival point of view. Something that didn’t take me long to realize. 

That was not the best news as we were approaching the last sprint of the day. The Hampton sprint. The Pope in the front, Ed second wheel, me on third, Denis closing the group (Steve had disconnected again from the group a while back).

At some point The Pope makes a clear sign asking for the rest to take turns at the front. Ed passes him. Denis passes me and The Pope. I drag myself to pass The Pope and keep sitting on the third wheel. Having The Pope on my wheel was not ideal but there was no way he would allow me to stay on his wheel. 

At some point Denis passes Ed and hits the front. Typical Denis. I don’t pass Ed and keep myself on his wheel. Typical Javier. 

Still third wheel. Still The Pope on my wheel.

At some point I feel The Pope starting to make his move. You know how that is. You don’t really need to see him, you just feel him. And it was not only me Ed also felt it and also started to make his move.

I love those moments. The tension, the speed, all the options that cross my mind. 

Don’t get it wrong. We are still choppers sprinting for a random sign but for me these sprints are like we were about to take the road worldchamps.

I let The Pope pass me. Ed jumps on his wheel and I keep myself on Ed’s wheel. Almost immediately Ed passes The Pope and I make my attempt to pass Ed and end up passing him.

A shame that as soon as I passed him I realized we were already close to the traffic lights and a few weeks ago we had agreed the line was at a sign that was a bit earlier. I replay the sprint in my head and I have to admit it was The Pope the first crossing it. You can’t imagine how much it hurts me conceding this win to The Pope. I’m about to cry.

What type of sprinter forgets where the line is when is feeling like he is sprinting to take the road worldchamps?

That would be only me :-(

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6563541130

Take care

Javier Arias González

 

Twyford

So good to be back in the UK and riding with the Kingston Wheelers.

Even if was up for a painful reminder of what that means.

After a couple of months riding mostly solo, slow and steady I found myself in a group of nine strong riders riding at a pace that felt brisk and spiky.

Part of it my own fault. 

Despite of me trying to follow a carefully designed plan that included me not showing up at the front of the group for the whole ride and then taking the final sprint at Hampton, somehow, I found myself at the front and pushing the pace. 

Clearly not that great at following plans. Even if I consider myself a great planner and disciplined executor.

I almost took the whole group down when I thought we were going left at a roundabout and we were going straight. 

Clearly not the best at navigating routes. Even if I believe I have a great sense of direction.
I failed to take a clear win at Drift road. And that was contesting the sprint against two riders that didn't know we were sprinting.

Clearly not that great at taking sprints. Even if I think of my self an opportunist that took lessons from the great Will Rostron.

I also managed to take the wrong exit at a roundabout just when I was trying to catch up with the group after a pee stop. I even managed to take two riders with me. 

Clearly not the best way of rewarding them for being so nice that they had stopped to wait for me while I was attending the call from the nature.

Although I have to say I'm glad they were there with me. Otherwise I would still be out there, probably wondering what I was doing riding across Brighton and how far Windsor would be.

Did I mention I was planning to take the sprint at Hampton? 

Well, I didn't take it.

The sprint was called out due to the amount of traffic.

Judges gave it to Denis who, as always, was leading the pack at that point. Even if I was fast to shout out the sprint should be awarded to me. 

I was sixth wheel and I had "I'm saving my legs for zwifting" Rupert on my wheel. As far as I can tell me taking the sprint was the most likely outcome.

Maybe not the most realistic thinker out there but I like to think of myself as an optimistic person.

So optimistic that I'm already designing the plan I'll definitively follow next Saturday's ride. ​

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6532414546

Take care
Javier Arias González

Forgive me father for I have sinned

My daughters challenged me to join them in running 5k at the local festive (running) race.

I said yes without a second thought. 

How hard could it be?

The fact that I hadn’t run in the last 35 years didn’t appear to me a good enough reason to think it was not a good idea.

It actually looked like a great idea. 

So great that I went for a MTB ride this morning. Couldn’t see any reason why not.

My wife and daughters were seeing things from a different angle. For whatever reason they didn’t like my idea of running wearing a culotte (I don't own running shorts). They didn’t appreciate my suggestion of running on my boxes either. Apparently that was telling them I didn’t know what I was getting into.

But I did know. Proof of that is that I insisted on starting close to the front. I wanted to be prepared if there was going to be an early breakaway.

The gun went and everyone started to sprint. 

It only took me five seconds to realise this was going to be more like a Zwift race than an Audax event.

Thirty seconds later I realised I was not going to win. It was either that or getting a heart attack after the win.

Less than two minutes into the race an unknown group of muscles in my legs started to complain. The “shut up legs” mantra didn’t actually work.

About ten minutes into the race I had enough of running and started to look for shortcuts to make a TY.

Probably worried about their father, my daughters were keeping a steady pace.

When we were finishing the first lap I suggested the idea of celebrating at the time of crossing the line claiming victory. By then I was more interested in finishing the torture than in winning but I’d still have taken the win.

My daughters talked me out of it. They probably were claiming revenge for something I have done to them in the past.

The temptation of taking a shortcut was almost unstoppable when I saw Santa was running behind us but quickly closing the gap.

One thing is not winning, something completely different is to be beaten by a not very fit looking Santa. If only I were running on my culotte to have a decent excuse.

As we were approaching the last km my daughters agreed we were going to sprint for the line. They went then on trying to agree on from where we were going to sprint. 

I was paying all my attention but they never agreed on a starting point.

This is going to be a reverse Rupert I told myself. I knew where the finish line was but not from where we were sprinting.

Well, maybe they didn’t have time to agree. At some point, without previous announcement, the youngest launched a sprint saying “goodbye” but with a way dirtier word.

So proud of her! I wonder from whom she got such great racing tactics.

Unfortunately for her I was paying attention. I waited until we entered the final straight and launched my sprint.

Dad 1 - Daughters 0.

Very happy with this (family) win. It would have been perfect if my legs were not so painful by now that I know that tomorrow I won’t be able to walk.

Next year I’ll bring my bicycle. My legs won’t ache so much and it’ll be justified wearing a culotte.

The run in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6430407945 

Take care

Javier Arias González

Is going up and down stairs good training for cycling?

 

Asking for a friend.

I moved to Asturias for 6 weeks. I wanted to make sure this year I am with my parents for Christmas.

I’m not afraid of riding out when the weather is not ideal but today it was just too bad. Had to bail from my own ride.

By mid morning I was so desperate for getting some training that decided to go up and down the stairs. Somehow I figured that was good training for this climber wannabe. 

Not that I had any idea if that makes any sense but just the illusion it could help was enough to motivate me.

The flat we are renting is on the highest floor of the building. Fifth floor. 16 stairs for each floor. 80 stairs each way.

There I went going up and down. First one step at a time. That felt too easy so very quickly I moved to taking two steps at a time. 

Somehow I decided I could go three steps at a time. That’s when I started to sweat profusely. 

I ended up with a five floor sprint jumping three steps at a time. By the time I finished I was exhausted. My legs were shaking and I was at the edge of a heart attack.

In total I went up and down 15 times. 1200 steps each way in half an hour. 

In that half an hour I saw a few neighbours. I felt they looked at me like they were thinking: “who.is.this.psychopath?” 

I don’t blame them. Picture this: I don’t have any sports kit here apart from my cycling gear so I was going up and down on my jeans and a t-shirt. I was trying to smile at them and my mouth was producing sounds intending to be a “good morning” with limited success.

At least they didn’t call the police.

Let’s see how they react when I receive the turbo I just bought. It was the cheapest I could find so I’m guessing it won’t be the quietest.

I’ll change my habit of shouting swear words in Spanish when I’m giving it all on the turbo. Seven years in the Spanish air force have given me quite a repertoire. Probably a bit too explicit.

I’ll start shouting in English instead. Hoping they won’t understand what I’m saying. Don’t want them to believe I’m not thinking of their comfort and wellbeing.

I have been in this flat for only two days. I still haven’t told any of the neighbours I am going to be here for 6 weeks. I think it is better to give them news one at a time.

I still hope the weather improves soon. I think it’ll be better for my training and I suspect it will help in my relationship with my neighbours.

Take care

Javier Arias González

GC Denis

Everyone that has ridden with Denis knows that Denis’ nickname, GC, is very appropriate. He is one of the most consistent riders in the Saturday gang. Denis is always there.

Denis is a very good climber. Take any climb we have in our rides and Denis will be there or thereabouts. I use him to gauge my own pace. If Denis is around I’m climbing at the right pace. If I can’t see Denis around I know I’m going too hard, cracking will be just a matter of time and Denis will inevitably pass me while I have to slow down gasping for air. Using Denis to pace myself means I have sat on his wheel literally for hours taking advantage of his constant pace. I normally hang there at my very limit, dearing the moment he stands on the bike. I know he is not attacking, he is just alternating positions while climbing but I have cracked more than once at one of those moments. 

Denis is also a very good rouleur. Excellent at taking turns, capable of riding at a very constant pace for kilometres to end, almost immune to distance. We have ridden together a lot so we know each other very well. We don’t need to talk, without words we know how we both are feeling and what is the adequate pace to be efficient.

Denis is not a good sprinter though. That, everyone knows. Although I managed to lose a few sprints against him (and those were not even close to the most embarrassing moments in my cycling career). But Denis compensates that by being very generous with his efforts when the final sprint approaches. That makes him the perfect leadout man. Today was one more proof of that. 

Denis, Ed and myself were approaching Hampton’s sprint. At the last roundabout, still a few kilometres from the sprint, two riders passed us. There was a moment of confusion as it seemed they wanted to wait for some other riders and we wanted to keep our own pace. At some point three riders passed us at a considerable speed and I jumped on their wheel. It turned out those were some of the riders the other two were waiting for so those two riders jumped on my wheel. All in all we ended up being a group of nine riders. Denis, Ed, myself and six of them. Me sitting on the third wheel. Perfectly placed if you ask me.

But at some point one of the riders that was behind me moved to my side and said something on the lines of “I don’t mind you sitting our our wheel but do it at the back of the group”. Fair point. I know it is very annoying when an unknown rider infiltrates a group that is riding together so I moved to the back. Now it was the six of them, then Denis, then me and Ed closing the group.

The amount of traffic at Sunbury on-Thames meant the whole group had to slow down and start the approach to the Hampton sprint almost from a standing start. At that point I thought the road was too crowded and it was pointless to take part in the sprint. I even allowed the group to open a gap with me and Ed. 

But then I saw Denis looking back and I knew instantly what that meant. He meant business. 

I quickly closed the gap and sat on Denis' wheel. Time to hold on there and admire Denis’ masterpiece.

The pace was fairly fast. Still, at the very right moment, Denis moved to the right and started to pass the group. Sitting on his wheel I witnessed the surprised look in every rider we were passing. That WTF look you give when you are barely hanging on someone’s wheel and still see a rider passing you on your right. 

Don’t be wrong. Denis didn’t attack. If he had attacked he would have dropped me. What Denis did was to check if I was on his wheel and created a constant acceleration that produced the effect of passing the riders we had on the left and, at the same time, consciously and on purpose, giving me a lift to the front. 

Again at the very right moment, Denis moved to the left. He placed me nicely sitting on the third rider. That was the moment I thought of lifting my arms and starting clapping. I wanted him to know that his masterpiece didn’t go unnoticed. Unfortunately I had some work to do. The third rider started to drop and I had to pass him to close the gap to the other two.

Just when I was half way of closing the gap I saw the two riders in the front losing speed, I figured they had called off the sprint so I too slowed down. 

A bit of a shame really. It was far from certain that I would have taken the sprint but I was eager to give it a good go. If only to honour what Denis just had done…

…earning a second nickname. “Leadout” Denis.

The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/6153961847/ 

Take care

Javier Arias González

Went for two masterpieces. Got three lessons

 So here comes Juniper.

We are 9 riders in the group so I made sure I was fifth wheel when we turned right. 

I checked where everyone was and I took note that Richard L was behind me. Dai at the front. Denis third wheel.

Not bad positioning if you were to ask me.

I rode there comfortably the first half of the climb. When the steep ramp came I moved up and positioned myself in third wheel. Dai still leading, Alan following him.

Such a great feeling to go through that descent knowing your legs still have some power and your tactics are working.

When the last ramp came Dai pushed the pace and opened a small gap. I didn’t panic and stayed on Alan’s wheel a bit more. The gap was not increasing very quickly and I knew I could close it.

Then I decided to close the gap. Moved to the right and put some power on the pedals. It was not a sprint, I was still sitting on the saddle. I just knew that was enough to catch and pass Dai.

That was almost a masterpiece of tactical execution!

When I figured I had opened a gap with Dai big enough I looked back and slowed ever so slightly to enjoy the celebration of such a magnificent win. 

Only to discover Richard coming at speed. I immediately knew there was nothing I could do. He got me.

Two lessons there; you would imagine I should know them by now, but it seems I need a refresher. Always wait until you cross the line to enjoy the win. Never forget Richard. 

So now the Horton roundabouts spring comes.

I start on the sixth wheel. 

I know that is a bit too far back so at the second roundabout I move to the fifth wheel.

I know Richard is behind me. You can be damn sure I’m not going to forget that!

Denis gets to the front and sets a very strong pace. 50 km/h at places. Such a great leadout man!

I’m sitting on Dai’s wheel. He knows I’m there. He even makes a sign to tell me he is watching me. 

I don’t mind. I know I’m in a very good place. I know where everyone is. I know I haven't forgotten anyone. I know what wheel to follow. Denis is keeping a fantastic pace. I’m saving my legs. I’m feeling strong. This time I’m going to get my tactical masterpiece.

In the roundabout before last I see Richard passing me on the right. I played cool. I knew it was a bit too early.

In the last roundabout I knew I was wrong. Suddenly I realised I had five riders ahead of me. They started the sprint. I started the sprint. But quickly I realised it didn’t matter. It was too crowded for me to get even close to contesting the line.

Another lesson there; you would imagine I should know them by now, but it seems I need a refresher. When you turn left in the last Horton roundabout you have to be second or third wheel. Otherwise it’ll get too crowded.

There you go. I went for two tactical masterpieces and ended up with three lessons.

The rest of the ride was great.