Today I was feeling rested so I determined to give Muffin a run for his money or at least impress the locals. After a moderate 15 mile ride in which I averaged 17.5 MPH I hit two dead sprints on level ground with a 12-15 MPH wind at my back.
The first sprint was from a stop where I was balancing while waiting for the light. Starting off in 39/18 and powering down 39/14 within ½ and 20 MPH before hitting the big ring (53) and dropping down to 16 I was at 25 MPH by the end of the first block. At this point I get off the saddle and lean into the front wheel while gripping the top of the hoods this brings me to 30.9 by the end of the second block in 39/15. I know I have more in me so drop it into 14 then 13 then 12 all the while remaining on the hoods with my torso over the bars so that I am powering back (like of the blocks in track) rather than down. Im using my back and stomach muscles as well as my legs. I hit 33, 33.1 and drop back into the high 32s at this point I have two blocks before a traffic signal and it is clear. I shift into 11 but falter so I quickly drop to 12 or 13 and grip the forward drops with everything I have while still remaining off the saddle. Im at 34 in a flash and think I can break 35 with just a little more go but that was all she wrote, I didnt budge from 34 and only held it for about 2 blocks before dropping back down to the much lower 30s.
I dropped back down to 25 and gave it a rest for a ¼ mile when I attempted to repeat what I had just done but 31 was all I could muster the 2nd time around. After that it is not my legs that are tired its my shoulders and forearms.
The first sprint was from a stop where I was balancing while waiting for the light. Starting off in 39/18 and powering down 39/14 within ½ and 20 MPH before hitting the big ring (53) and dropping down to 16 I was at 25 MPH by the end of the first block. At this point I get off the saddle and lean into the front wheel while gripping the top of the hoods this brings me to 30.9 by the end of the second block in 39/15. I know I have more in me so drop it into 14 then 13 then 12 all the while remaining on the hoods with my torso over the bars so that I am powering back (like of the blocks in track) rather than down. Im using my back and stomach muscles as well as my legs. I hit 33, 33.1 and drop back into the high 32s at this point I have two blocks before a traffic signal and it is clear. I shift into 11 but falter so I quickly drop to 12 or 13 and grip the forward drops with everything I have while still remaining off the saddle. Im at 34 in a flash and think I can break 35 with just a little more go but that was all she wrote, I didnt budge from 34 and only held it for about 2 blocks before dropping back down to the much lower 30s.
I dropped back down to 25 and gave it a rest for a ¼ mile when I attempted to repeat what I had just done but 31 was all I could muster the 2nd time around. After that it is not my legs that are tired its my shoulders and forearms.
:eviltongu
ink:
