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Analyzing Your Ride: Cycling Websites and Software

To some of us, one of the biggest pleasures, next to the ride itself, is quantifying the vast amount of data available to us about our performance.  The prevalence of GPS based and downloadable cycling computers, combined with various websites and programs have made it possible to catalog, view and analyze mountains of data; metrics from average pace to peak wattage vs. peak heart rate are now at your fingertips.  Here's a quick overview of a couple of the more common (and interesting) sites/programs out there.

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Honey Stinger Waffle: Breakfast No More

I love waffles as much as the next person.  In fact, nothing hit that little nostalgic hole in my stomach as much as a big, crispy shelled, fluffy centered Belgian waffle.  Throw a bunch of fruit, syrup and vanilla whipped cream on top, and you have the makings of a perfect nostalgic childhood brunch.  And if you think about it, waffles have the potential to be one of the best energy foods out there.  But the thought of carrying a syrupy soaked breakfast pastry in your jersey pocket just doesn't sit well.  So what are we supposed to make of the Honey Stinger Waffle then?

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The First Shave of the Season

Smoothly shaved roadie legsIf you've been a regular reader, you will know that I've got a couple races under the belt already this season, some good, some not so good.  But while Johnny Cake #3 was cold and windy, Battenkill was warm, sunny and dusty.  The race, and the resultant tan lines reminded me that one very important early season ritual had yet to be undertaken.  I'm talking, of course, about the one thing that only cyclists and swimmers would understand: the ceremonial first shave of the season.

 

FOLLICULAR follies

Watch any televised race, or for that matter, show up at any amateur road race in the world, and you're likely to see bronzed, muscular and most oddly (to the layperson at least) smooth legs.  The big question every cyclist has to answer is “Why?  What's the point?”  I'll admit I questioned the practice for a long time, but now it is as commonplace as the morning coffee, and so is explaining my smooth legs to others.

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Tour of the Battenkill Race Report – Part 2

Climbing for the second feed

Continuing where I left off in Part 1 of my Tour of the Battenkill race report, Joe Bean road kicked my ass and started my left leg cramping up.  My chase companions and I motored our way through the revised center section of the race, including two new (and freshly graded, thus sandy and loose) dirt climbs.  Our wheels spun when we stood to climb and we rolled through traction eating sand but we persevered.  Those few miles really took their toll as Helios's chariot climbed high into the sky and bright sunlight beat down upon us.  We were all feeling the heat, which was leaving our bottles empty, our skin singed and parched and our legs aching and cramping.

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Tour of the Battenkill Race Report – Part 1

On the road to Cambridge

This past Sunday (April 10th) was the 8th annual Tour of the Battenkill.  As I detailed in my last post, America's Queen of the classics had me running a little scared, but I had prepared as best I could, seeing as how I was a late entry via the wait list.  Luckly, the bike racing gods smiled upon us and we had a beautiful day for a 64 mile race of dirt and tarmac.  Half a world away, Johan Van Summeren was winning the true King of the Classics, so let's see how it went for an amateur in his second race of the season:

 

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