Riding a Different Bike . . .

So as part of my quest to up my triathlon distance, I’m increasing my cycling training distance. Today I had to go & visit a company on Walker Riverside (a 17 mile round trip), and I set out to go the long way round, via Scotswood bridge. That would have made the round trip around 30 miles. Time was against me though, and to get to my meeting on time, I had to cut things short turning around at Newcastle’s Life Centre instead, making it only 24 miles.

Because I was going to work, and needed the full kit (laptop, cables, change of clothes, and bananas to eat of course), I took my Sturdy Commuting Bike (who I call Wilf)- A Revolution Courier, kitted out with mudguards, carrier, and an Ortlieb Office Bag. With one thing and another, it’s been four weeks since I rode this bike, having clocked up my race & holiday mileage on my new Giant SCR LTD (named Gina) road bike.

I couldn’t believe the difference! It was like trying to ride in a fat suit - stodgy feeling handling, acceleration that would put a snail to shame, and OMG, those brakes need some looking at. I also found that with Wilf’s wider spread of gears (single chain ring, and a wide spread of ratios on the back, over only 8 sprockets), it was much harder to keep my cadence constant. For some reason, it was also harder to ride at higher cadence - 105 rpm felt about flat out, like going at 115 rpm is about it on Gina.

Will I stop riding Wilf? No - this is an excellent training bike that makes me work hard, and will make me big and strong and tough. HOWEVER . . . for longer weekend rides, I think Gina’s going to be seeing a bit more of the countryside!

Workout:

• Type: Cycle
• Date: 06/06/2007
• Time: 07:00:00
• Total Time: 1:38:32.00
• Distance: 24.31 miles
• Average Speed: 14.8 mph
• Max Speed: 31 mph
• Average Cadence: 94
• Max Cadence: 118

Filed under: Cycle, Cycling, Fitness, Nutrition