This morning I tried out a new route. I went for a ride with my mate Richard Thompson, 2008 18-24 Hawaiian Ironman World Champion (you can check him out here). Recently moving back from Geelong to the sunshine coast he was riding down to Brisbane so I arranged to ride out halfway to meet him.
The first 60km was great. I rode out following Rich's instructions, not so well however, making around 10 round turns and having to come back - luckily my android HTC Magic showed me the right way on google maps!
We had arranged to meet a South Caboolture at around 9am, however he was running a bit late so I winged it hoping to catch up with him. Unfortunately I took a wrong turn onto a freshly torn up rode which was now, due to the rain a mud pit. However I was convinced I would run into him shortly, it wasn’t until I hit a hill where my wheels just spun with no traction that I decided I should turn back.
Finally Rich messaged me and I waited for him around 60km from Brisbane. The ride was a great learning experience. Rich is obviously a fantastic rider and it was great to see what level I need to take it to, to make it to Hawaii.
We discussed many things, but one thing I took away from the ride was using Watts as a training method. It had never occurred to me, I had always used kph as a means of measuring my effort levels. He explained it in very simple terms, and honestly I felt a little foolish for not thinking of it. Basically too riders do a 60km ride. Rider one holds 200 Watts for the entire ride. The other rider fluctuates from 100Watts to 300Watts. They both finish at the same time, however because rider 1 was consistent he is fresher than rider 2 who exerted a lot more energy moving between the power zones.
I would love to be able to do this, however presently don’t have a powertap or SRM, they range from like $1500 - $5000 in price range from what I'm heard. Unfortunately I don’t have that kinda cash, but it has made me more aware of the power I am pushing with my legs and trying to hold it consistent.
By the end of the ride I was destroyed. Every hill Rich got a lead and I had to push to get back to his wheel. It was a great learning experience and it was awesome to have someone to ride with, let alone a Hawaiian Ironman Champion! Can’t wait to do it again!!
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