Musashi the first 242 miles

I have 242 miles on the Musashi and other than the noisy drive train, which I really do have to sort out, the bike is great fun to ride.  I have been riding many of my regular training runs on it and I thought that despite it’s weight disadvantage it actually climbs better than the Bacchetta (there is absolutely no technical reason for why this should be other than its stability meaning more energy is concentrated on achieving forward power). It might also be pretty close on the flats too but the noisy chain makes me feel like I am putting in more work (my Bacchetta’s drive line is buttery smooth and quiet).

I decided to dust of the Bacchetta to compare how it climbs on a local favorite hill of mine. I rode the same hill on the Musashi on Monday of this week with just about identical wind conditions (Not very much wind at all) and I tried really hard to get a personal best time.  My time up the hill was 9m49s which corresponds to an average speed of 8.8 MPH.  Today on the Bacchetta I tried just as hard (my average pulse for both attempts were within 1 bpm) and it felt harder and slower so I was very surprised to see I was nearly a minute quicker with a time of 8:52 and  average speed of 9.7 MPH. Now all this isn’t very scientific and I definitely feel happier climbing on the Musashi but it really does seem to be a slower climber.

Although the Musashi is a wonderful stable climbing platform I do find it to be a bit sensitive on fast down hills. The steering is so light that it is easy to overcorrect on bumps or ruts on fast descents which feels a little scary and has kept me from giving the bike free reign.  The fastest I have had on the bike is 46MPH and the steering feels a little light at these speeds.  I suppose fitting the considerably shorter Bacchetta bars contributes to this very quick and light handling. I think it is very close to the Bacchetta with respect to high speed handling.

So how does the Musashi compare on my regular training loops ? This information seems to illustrate the the Musashi is faster under certain circumstances but I had no control over weather. Interesting stuff though.

Altamont Pass: Win to The Bacchetta

Flynn Clockwise: Advantage Musashi

Cross Road: Advantage Bacchetta

Here are a couple of climbs that are Quite a bit steeper than Del Valle where the Musashi’s stability on really steep stuff comes into play:

Patterson Pass:

Caroll Road Climb: Slight Advantage Musashi

Riding the Bacchetta today really hammered home to me how much I hate my Musashi’s drive train. The Bacchetta is such a wonderfully quiet beast.

The Year In Summary: 2011

With the racing season at an end I felt the need to document my results for 2011. All in all it was a good year although I didn’t manage to achieve any of my goals which is a bit disappointing. I enjoyed the seasons racing but I really missed the Ultra stuff and my only 200 miler was an absolute suffer fest. Next year begins my two year plan to compete and finish the Furness Creek 508 solo event so the Ultra stuff is back on the agenda.

February :

2nd : Mega Monster Enduro

• Strava Data
• Bike : Klein Quantum Pro with clip on bars and disk cover.
• Distance : 101 Miles
• Climb: 4640ft
• Time: 5h18m44s (p.b.)
• Position: 5th Overall
• Link to official Results

19th: Cantua Creek Road Race : Men – Cat4/5 – Master A – 45-99

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek 5500
• Distance: 48.4
• Climb:  1575ft
• Time: 2h27m
• Position: 21st (Crashed)
• Link to official Results

26th: Snelling Road Race : Men – Cat 4

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek 5500
• Distance: 63.3
• Climb:  2225ft
• Time: 2h57m
• Position: 35th
• Link to official Results

March:

4th: Merco Individual Time trial : Men – Master – 35-99

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 12.2
• Climb:  369ft
• Time: 29m34s
• Position: 15th
• Link to official Results

12-13th : Madera County Stage Race : Men – Cat 4 – Master – 35-99

Overall:

Position: 9th

Link to official results.

Stage 1 (Criterium)

Position: 42nd

Link to Official Results

Stage 2 (Time Trial)

Position: 14th (24m54s)

Link to Official Results

Stage 3 (Road Race)

Position: 14th

Link to Official Results

16th : Putah Creek 10 mile TT #1

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 23m35s
• Position: 10th
• Link to official Results

30th : Putah Creek 10 mile TT #2

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 22m52s
• Position: 22nd
• Link to official Results

April:

9th : Calaveras 10mile TT: Men – Cat 4 – Master – 35-99

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  356ft
• Time: 25m02s
• Position: 6th
• Link to official Results

23rd : Copperopolis Road Race : Men – Cat 4 – Master A – 45-99

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek 5500
• Distance: 43
• Climb:  3129ft
• Time: 2h13m
• Position: 19th
• Link to official Results

30th : Wente Road Race : Men – Cat 4/5 – Master – 45-99

• Strava Data
• Bike : Specialized Tarmac
• Distance: 47.7
• Climb:  3813ft
• Time: 2h35m
• Position: 23rd
• Link to official Results

May:

4th : Putah Creek 10 mile TT #5

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 23m12s
• Position: 16th
• Link to official Results

21st : HPV Racing at Hellyer Velodrome

• Bike : Catrike 700 Recumbent Trike

Unfaired 200m Time Trial:

• Position: 7th (1st unfaired trike)
• Time: 14.57s

Trike Race:

• Position: 2nd (1st Unfaired)

Unfaired/ Partially Faired 30 Minute Race:

• Position 7th (1st unfaired trike)

28th: Beat The Clock 10 Mile TT Canada Road : Male

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  405ft
• Time: 24m15s
• Position: 19th
• Link to official Results

29th: Mount Hamilton Classic Road Race : Men – Cat3/4 – Master – 45-99

• Strava Data
• Bike : Specialized Tarmac
• Distance: 62
• Climb:  6600ft
• Time: 3h37m
• Position: 19th (12th CAT 4)
• Link to official Results

June:

5th: Steve Dunlap TT : Men – Cat 4/5 – Master – 45-99

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 19
• Climb:  89ft
• Time: 44m31s
• Position: 3rd
• Link to official Results

8th : Putah Creek 10 mile TT #7

• Strava Data
• Bike : Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 22m14s
• Position: 12th
• Link to official Results

18th:Terrible Two Double Century

• Strava Data
• Ride Report
• Bike : Lemond Titanium
• Distance: 200 miles
• Climb:  16,000ft
• Time: 13h46m
• Position: 37th
• Link to official Results

22nd : Putah Creek 10 mile TT #8

• Strava Data
• Bike: Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 23m25s
• Position: 21st
• Link to official Results

25th:  Beat The Clock At The Track Time Trials

• Bike : Felt TK3
• Link to official Results

1000m

• Time : 1m22s
• Position: 3rd

3000m

• Time : 4m11s
• Position: 2nd

July:

6th: Putah Creek 10 mile TT #9

• Strava Data
• Bike: Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 22m42s
• Position: 12th
• Link to official Results

9th: State Masters Pursuit Championships : 45-49

• Bike : Felt TK3
• Link to official Results
• Time: 4m11s
• Position: 5th

20th: Putah Creek 10 mile TT #10

• Strava Data
• Bike: Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 22m42s
• Position: 12th
• Link to official Results

30th: Mt Diablo Hill Climb : Men – Cat 4/5 – Master – 35-99

• Strava Data
• Bike: Specialized Tarmac
• Distance: 6.3
• Climb:  1725ft
• Time: 29m47s
• Position: 6th
• Link to official Results

August:

6th: Warnerville Time Trial: Men – Cat4/5 – Master – 45-99

• Strava Data
• Bike: Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 22.5
• Climb:  552ft
• Time: 56m23s
• Position: 4th
• Link to official Results

7th: Patterson Pass Road Race: Men – Cat 4 – Master – 45-99

• Strava Data
• Bike: Specialized Tarmac
• Distance: 44.5
• Climb:  4137ft
• Time: 2h19m08s
• Position: 8th
• Link to official Results

10th: Putah Creek 10mile TT#11

• Strava Data
• Bike: Bacchetta Corsa SS
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 22m21s
• Position: 15th
• Link to official Results

17th: Putah Creek 40K TT

• Strava Data
• Bike: Bacchetta Corsa SS
• Distance: 25.0
• Climb:  173ft
• Time: 57m28s
• Position: 7th
• Link to official Results

20th: Beat The Clock 10 Mile TT Canada Road : HPV

• Strava Data
• Bike: Bacchetta Corsa SS
• Distance: 10.0
• Climb:  395ft
• Time: 23m25s
• Position: 1st
• Link to official Results

24th: Putah Creek 10mile TT#12

• Strava Data
• Bike: Catrike 700 Recumbent Trike
• Distance: 10
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 25m03s
• Position: 29th
• Link to official Results

31st: Putah Creek 10mile TT#13

• Strava Data
• Bike: Trek Equinox TTX 9.5
• Distance: 10
• Climb:  50ft
• Time: 23m28s
• Position: 11th
• Link to official Results

October:

8th: Low Key Hill Climb : Sierra Road

• Strava Data
• Bike: Catrike 700
• Distance: 3.6
• Climb:  1925ft
• Time: 23m28s
• Position: 92nd (1st recumbent)
• Link to official Results

Washboard Alviso Ride : S-Works Mountain Bike

It was really hot out on the Slough today and the winds were light which made it feel even hotter.  I rode at a brisk to moderate pace but not really going for any records. Unfortunately there is about a 2 mile part of the levee that has undergone some recent repair and this section is horrendously wash boarded.  This definitely hurts your average speed and is unpleasant to ride upon especially if you have your suspension locked out (I only realized this when I got to the end of the loop). Looking at Strava it seems that CX season is upon us and a few CX bikes are setting fast times. I think I will have to break out the Kona Jake The Snake to have a go at improving my loop time

The heat and rough trails definitely took it out of me today and it was nice to get back into an air conditioned office.

Strava ride report

IC3 Sunday morning blast : Specialized Tarmac

I am not really a morning person so getting up at 5:30am for the Sunday morning team ride is a bit of a struggle.  5.5 Hours sleep and a bit of a cool morning is a recipe for chest problems with me and sure enough I did suffer a bit with my Asthma. About 15 riders showed up and the pace was fast and furious especially through the Tuscany loop. Stefano really wound up the pace on the Wetmore climb and I put in an attack when things got steep which was good enough to get me a Strava KOM. I was gasping for air at the the top and it took my lungs a good while to recover on the blast to Wente.

On the return leg the pace through the Tuscany loop was fast again and I managed to get a Strava KOM for the Tuscany East To West Direction. Its definitely a lot harder this way. We had a big regroup on Isabel and the pace was pretty sedate on Vineyard so I went to the front and switched to time trial mode. I was surprised to see I got away in a break of 3 riders and we stayed clear for the final hotspot. The ride finished up at Tully’s for some great post ride chatter and a nice cup of coffee.

Strava Ride Report

Livermore Bike Paths – Masi Monster Cross

Living in the Livermore Valley you have to cope with the wind, especially in the evenings. In the Spring/Summer months that wind blows really hard from the West which is nice for me if I ride home from work as I can guarantee a stonking tailwind.  This evening after long day working from home I decided to head West to blow out some cobwebs in the safe knowledge that it would be easier on the way home.   I haven’t been through Sycamore grove for years so I  decided to make that my destination via the multitude of local bike paths.

The wind did not dissapoint on the way out and I groveled into it feeling a tad over-geared on my single speed.  it’s a good job that I was only doing a steady pace ride as my legs felt pretty hollow.  Sycamore grove bike path itself was even worse than I remember it with nasty bumps and pavement especially where the tree roots had done their worst.   The scenery was nice though and I got to see some huge fish swimming about in the river.

The wind seemed to drop on the way back and the ride wasn’t as easy as I had hoped it would be but it certainly blew out the cobwebs. The new bike path on Tesla is insane:

Strava Ride Report

Cross Bike on the Alviso Slough Trail – Kona Jake The Snake

I have been trying to get the Strava KOM on the Alviso Slough Loop since February. I have managed to get pretty close but never managed to beat the “aero bar” current KOM.  I had planned to have a go at the loop this lunch time but meetings prevented me so I had to have a go on my way home from work to the train.  My chosen steed was my Jake The Snake CX bike which I thought would be quicker than my  previous attempts on my S/S cross bike or mountain bike.

When I got out on the levies I was disappointed to find a nasty wind and impending threat of rain. Rain on this loop is a terrible proposition as it turns into a sticky muddy mire. I time trialled it as hard as I could into the wind on the first half and then just suffered on the bumpy tailwind section to the finish. I thought my fenders were going to shake of my cross bike at one point but at least the trail remained dry.  I was really happy to see I knocked 25 seconds off my best time and took the KOM. The bizarre Californian  weather was actually cooler today than when I made my first attempt in February.

I reckon if the wind was light there is more to speed to come and I might be able to crack 27m. 26m59s is my new goal for the rest of the year but I will be going back to my Mountain bike for the attempt.

Strava Ride Report

Darryl’s Christmas Eve Ride [Trek 5500]

I parked up in Danville then rode out to Bernal in the pitch black and patchy fog to meet my IC3 team mates for a ride out to Peet’s Coffee in Berkeley. It was pretty cool to begin with and I felt pretty rough until we got to the Redwood Road Climb where I started to breathe a bit better.  I was never really firing on all cylinders and was usually trailing in about third place up the bigger climbs. I was unable to match the pace of Ben and Stefano but I was climbing OK.

After a free coffee, holiday gingerbread and bathroom break in Berkeley I felt a lot better but was still unable to hang with Ben and Stefano on the Tunnel Road climb. This is an excellent climb that I must try again someday and I got a 4th overall on Strava for it. The rest of the way home was brisk with the odd sprint for signposts but we were slowed a little by a flat near Dublin. I felt pretty good at the finish and really enjoyed the ride. I am not sure why I didnt feel so good all day but I think the early morning had something to do with it.

Strava Ride report

Training in the Pouring Rain [Jake The Snake]

I would like to pretend that I am hard core and deliberately went out for 3 hours in driving rain and cold winds but the truth is I was hoping it might actually ease up. I set off to ride the HOP route in reverse but it looked like the HOP didn’t happen so I just ended up grinding away in the pouring rain on my own. I had a few sections of speed work and even managed to set a personal best on the the Cross Road Climb.

It was a totally miserable ride but at least I have fenders on my Cross Bike.

GPS Strava Data

Moraga Loop with IC3 [Specialized Tarmac]

My recumbents have gone into hibernation for the winter and I am concentrating on trying to get road bike fit again. Training for 2011 starts today.

After the Death Valley Double I had to spend a week off the bike whilst working in Mexico. Since I got back from Mexico I have been very run down and have been suffering from a cold, upset stomach, insomnia and various other ailments (probably picked up on the flight).  Despite this I decided to join in with my new team’s Saturday morning  training ride at the decidedly extreme hour of 7am. They were planning to do the Moraga loop which I have never done before so I was looking forward to riding some new roads.

The pace was actually faster than I was expecting and a couple of the team gave me a good working over on the climbs. Although my respiratory system and legs felt fine, my stomach was not so good and I was was pretty uncomfortable all the way round. I kept my fingers crossed that the nasty bloated feeling in my stomach wasn’t the signs of a another bout of Montezuma’s revenge. IC3 has some really strong riders and I reckon trying to hang onto these guys is just what I need to get my Road racing mojo back.

The weather was cold to begin with but it turned out nice but a little windy. My legs were pretty tired at the end but I need to retrain them to be Road bike legs and not recumbent. I definitely was not happy about having to get up so early but I really enjoyed the ride.

Garmin Profile of the Ride

Cross Road on the Corsa

Did a brisk shakedown ride for the Corsa  after fitting a new rear Michelin Pro Race 3 and removing the Disk cover from the back wheel. I actually felt pretty good and the weather was gorgeous. Not a bad time considering I wasn’t hammering.

Course : Cross Road Circuit

Bike : Bacchetta Corsa SS
P.B. : 39m23s (6/16/2009) Trek TTX 9.5
P.B. (Recumbent): 0h41m04 (8/29/2010) Corsa SS
P.B. (Trike) : 0h45m56 (6/15/2010) Catrike 700
Distance: 14 miles
Time:43m27s
MPH: Av= 29.7, Max= 39.2
BPM: Av= 133, Max= 157
Climb: 625ft