Recently I started to cycle a specific route. I still do not have a bike computer so any stats on my route has been a guess at best.
All I know thank to Google Maps is that it was a 10 mile loop starting and finishing at my house.
The one thing I knew was that the first half of the bike route the road sure kicks my behind.
But, I discovered VeloRoutes. The best tool is http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps. You can track your route and get the exact distance and nice looking graphs when it comes to elevation.
Here is the elevation graph for DMS-10 Mile route.
So this nice looking graph confirms why the first half my bike route kicks my butt.
Another week of being a cyclist leads to learning a new term. This week I learned about Cadence.
You can read the math background and google how to measure it.
In short. Cadence is the amount of time you complete a full pedal. If you pedal 50 rotations an hour. Your cadence would be 50.
What I am learning about being a cyclist is that everything that can be measured, should be measured, and will be measured. You measure the distance, the speed, the altitude, and even the calories you have burned.
I am not interested in finishing the race in the top 10. I am interested in finishing the 100+ mile race with out killing my self. Cadence, will be the unit that I will be measuring and hopefully improve as the weeks come and go.
Why is Cadence something that needs to be measured?
If I keep a constant cadence I can condition my self to pedal at a constant and manageable rate. The goal is to keep a constanct pedaling rate regardless if the road is flat or a hill.
So, that lead me to my weekend adventure. I went out and looked for an inexpensive bike computer that could track the cadence for me.
I found an inexpensive wired bike computer that would do the job.
The CatEye Strada Cadence is the only one I found at this price range that came with Cadence.
But, I failed to get it to work.
Even after watching videos like the one below.
So, for now I will just ride and see who I can find to help me troubleshoot my basic bike computer.
Today was the first official team training with “Team in Training” Everyday I am learning something new when it comes to bicycling.
Today I learned how to ride with a group and how to let the riders in your group know about hazards on he rode and the safest way to pass someone.
I learned how bicyclist track their progress. I first learned about Pedometers from runners and walkers. I was not sure how they would work on bikes. But, I discovered they come with sensors that count the time the tire and your pedals spin.
So now the geek in me now wants this.
Sadly I don’t think I will be able to get something like that since that cost over 600 dollars. But, they make some really basic cheap ones for like 20 dollars. 🙂
I am looking forward to see what I learn next week.
Some of you know that I started a new journey called “Bike Riding” although when I mention the word bike. People tend to picture a motor cycle.
I am training for my first stage of the 1,000 mile bike ride next year. I am training to ride 100 miles in August via the “Team and Training” and I am helping to raise money to help fight blood cancer.
The last few weeks I have been learning new terminology and a new culture. The “Bike Culture” at first glance looks like a group of competitive people. But, what I am slowly learning is that the “Bike Culture” is full of good hearted people.
The first terminology I learned was the word “Saddle”. The word saddle is the word use to describe your bike seat.
The first thing people told me was to upgrade my Saddle. But, honestly I think regardless of your Saddle the hardest thing is getting use to sitting on a bike for 6 yo 8 hours of a time.
I have been riding for a few weeks and I finally got around getting bike shorts.
Thanks to the good people of REI. I was able to find a perfect pair of “Gel Padded Biker Shorts” within my budget.
Getting an upgraded Saddle made my ride softer but the bike shorts have made my ride enjoyable.
Now, I just need to save some money for the helmet and the tire tools I need to have in the next few weeks.
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