Strava.com - Put your money where your mouth is

Pufftmw

JamesFree wrote:

Pufftmw wrote:

Happened to drive up Blackheath Hill at the weekend & thought what a steep little hill to climb, so decided to have a crack at it last night. Ouch - bad idea! Its not one you can really get a run at with all the traffic merging and after that its a slog to the top. Muscles at the front just above my knees (quadriceps?) were agony. Managed a 10th overall but I think there's more to come if I get the gearing right, a clearer run and maybe come out the seat a bit. That is one steep hill!

Blackheath Village Hill on the other hand is just a short sprint, should be another couple of seconds in that one Mr Freeman

Dodgy old segment that Blackheath village though as its always super busy with peds and cars! Loads more in it with a clear run maybe a 30mph average as its sooo short!

Blackheath Hill is a pretty steep little hill haven't done it for ages so should be able to improve it a little but doubt I will ever get my KOM back as a 20mph is pretty impressive up it compared to my 17mph the traffic leading upto it doesn't help either.

Knocked another second off the Village last night but you're right, traffic is a 'mare - bloke turning right at the roundabout goes left before he does and nearly pushes me into the curb :? Thats after the bus pulls out on me...

Blackheath Hill is a b'steward still

veronese68

Quite a good ride home. Haven't used Strava for a while. Discovered a new (to me) segment in Bushy Park and got 2nd. Were it not for peds, kids and dogs I'd have had a faster start and could have got a KOM.
Following my route you can see the exact point I remembered I had to go and collect my daughter from her friends house, whoops.

Paul E

JamesFree wrote:

Pufftmw wrote:

Happened to drive up Blackheath Hill at the weekend & thought what a steep little hill to climb, so decided to have a crack at it last night. Ouch - bad idea! Its not one you can really get a run at with all the traffic merging and after that its a slog to the top. Muscles at the front just above my knees (quadriceps?) were agony. Managed a 10th overall but I think there's more to come if I get the gearing right, a clearer run and maybe come out the seat a bit. That is one steep hill!

Blackheath Village Hill on the other hand is just a short sprint, should be another couple of seconds in that one Mr Freeman

Dodgy old segment that Blackheath village though as its always super busy with peds and cars! Loads more in it with a clear run maybe a 30mph average as its sooo short!

Blackheath Hill is a pretty steep little hill haven't done it for ages so should be able to improve it a little but doubt I will ever get my KOM back as a 20mph is pretty impressive up it compared to my 17mph the traffic leading upto it doesn't help either.

I couldn't get a good run at it on the way home earlier, my 1.21 best still stands from last sept but I was only 9 secs off that going past the traffic jam up it, and I was taking it easy so I think I could improve on that, it just needs pacing as the incline ramps up in the middle part then eases off again.

God knows what I would need to do training wise to get well under a min but I can improve on joint 27th overall, I hope lol

JamesFree

Best way to do Blackheath Hill I reckon is just to power up it as its short enough to stay out the saddle the whole way.

Paul E

JamesFree wrote:

Best way to do Blackheath Hill I reckon is just to power up it as its short enough to stay out the saddle the whole way.

I used to power up it on my fastest one only trouble was I was as unfit as an unfit thing at the time and I almost hurled at the top lol

I might have another go of it on saturday, my big effort yesterday left me with weary legs today.

jzed

Il Principe wrote:

Why in the name of holy f*ck is there not a reliable 3 lap segment for RP (ideally from Roehampton)? They're either broken, or only seem to register 1 lap. Annoying. Must remember to hit the lap button on the Edge.

Used to work, and then they changed the mnatching algorithm and it went Pete Tong. Not that fussed as I just add the three laps together, now that I've found a Roehampton lap segment that doesn't add 10 seconds to every lap. Also use the lap button and have a lap screen so can see how I'm going.

May try first three laps of the year this evening. Target of 57 minutes. Likely will just creep under the hour.

dhope

JZed wrote:

May try first three laps of the year this evening. Target of 57 minutes. Likely will just creep under the hour.

60m 20s last night :evil:

okgo

JZed wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

Why in the name of holy f*ck is there not a reliable 3 lap segment for RP (ideally from Roehampton)? They're either broken, or only seem to register 1 lap. Annoying. Must remember to hit the lap button on the Edge.

Used to work, and then they changed the mnatching algorithm and it went Pete Tong. Not that fussed as I just add the three laps together, now that I've found a Roehampton lap segment that doesn't add 10 seconds to every lap. Also use the lap button and have a lap screen so can see how I'm going.

May try first three laps of the year this evening. Target of 57 minutes. Likely will just creep under the hour.

I've yet to motivate myself to get up early enough on a Sunday to do this. I suppose it could be done in the evening too.

You see Steve's first 3 laps of the year the other day? I might buy a TT bike

il_principe

Apparently Summer evenings are the best time to go for a challenge. I've only ever made morning attempts and have never managed a completely clear run over the 3 laps, there's always been some traffic. Managed a 54.48 last August (was in the Park just before 7am on a Tuesday). It was post wedding when I was fairly out of shape so hoping to beat that this year. You need to get a bit lucky though!

cjcp

Il Principe wrote:

Apparently Summer evenings are the best time to go for a challenge. I've only ever made morning attempts and have never managed a completely clear run over the 3 laps, there's always been some traffic. Managed a 54.48 last August (was in the Park just before 7am on a Tuesday). It was post wedding when I was fairly out of shape so hoping to beat that this year. You need to get a bit lucky though!

Evenings best for me. Circadian rhythms and stuff or something.

jonginge

cjcp wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

Apparently Summer evenings are the best time to go for a challenge. I've only ever made morning attempts and have never managed a completely clear run over the 3 laps, there's always been some traffic. Managed a 54.48 last August (was in the Park just before 7am on a Tuesday). It was post wedding when I was fairly out of shape so hoping to beat that this year. You need to get a bit lucky though!

Evenings best for me. Circadian rhythms and stuff or something.

Me too. Actually I find May to be the best time (if i've had a good winter, that is): generally good weather without being too hot.

I've not done a proper 3LC for a couple of years. When I do drag myself into RP I seem to do 6+ laps.

il_principe

JonGinge wrote:

cjcp wrote:

Il Principe wrote:

Apparently Summer evenings are the best time to go for a challenge. I've only ever made morning attempts and have never managed a completely clear run over the 3 laps, there's always been some traffic. Managed a 54.48 last August (was in the Park just before 7am on a Tuesday). It was post wedding when I was fairly out of shape so hoping to beat that this year. You need to get a bit lucky though!

Evenings best for me. Circadian rhythms and stuff or something.

Me too. Actually I find May to be the best time (if i've had a good winter, that is): generally good weather without being too hot.

I've not done a proper 3LC for a couple of years. When I do drag myself into RP I seem to do 6+ laps.

Well it was you two who told me that...

bigmat

I think I've done yearly bests either very early in the morning at the weekend, or on a weekday evening. Doesn't seem to be that much in it conditions wise. Main thing is to have not too much traffic, not too much wind and reasonably warm. Tend to peak quite early in the summer, but that may be because I end up doing other stuff June to August. Looking forward to having a go soon as it will be a good indication of where my form is compared to the last few years.

jonginge

*backpedals* May is early summer, right?

okgo

for those that can get out into Surrey, then the 3 hills ride that a lot of KW do is a great test of where you're at, its quiet mostly, and if you get the time right then there's not too much traffic through the Epsom roundabouts either.

I plan to be using it as my bench mark I think, long enough with enough hills that it sort of tests everything and is a big circle so the wind shouldn't make TOO much difference!

bigmat

JonGinge wrote:

*backpedals* May is early summer, right?

March is early summer this year!

bigmat

okgo wrote:

for those that can get out into Surrey, then the 3 hills ride that a lot of KW do is a great test of where you're at, its quiet mostly, and if you get the time right then there's not too much traffic through the Epsom roundabouts either.

I plan to be using it as my bench mark I think, long enough with enough hills that it sort of tests everything and is a big circle so the wind shouldn't make TOO much difference!

Or if in South East London you could do the Dulwich winter chaingang route which is a nice 30 mile ride out to the M25 and back on fast but reasonably quiet roads. There are a few hills, but looking at ride data its maybe a bit quicker than the Surrey ride.

okgo

got a link?

Either way, comparing yourself over any route is fine as long as its the same each time and not totally opposite in terms of hills etc.

phy2sll2

http://app.strava.com/rides/2517948

I haven't done the proper chaingang since the end of November. Must rectify this as soon as possible!

bigmat

phy2sll2 wrote:

http://app.strava.com/rides/2517948

I haven't done the proper chaingang since the end of November. Must rectify this as soon as possible!

How's the battle damage?

Paul E

http://app.strava.com/rides/5437601#103714911

This is annoying, I have exactly the same time but as the KOM did it first he stays listed as the KOM and I get nothing. I had eased up a bit at about 15/16 seconds into the segment, not the next time, I want at least one KOM once. :evil:

phy2sll2

My six weeks on non-weight-bearing-ness are over! That time has left me with one leg that's about twice the size of the other and I still have some painful bruising on my hip.

I've had two weeks off crutches and am walking and swimming and doing a bit of turbo every night. Still have quite a bit of joint pain, but this is slowly easing with the exercises the physio's given me.

Seeing the fracture clinic consultant tomorrow and hoping (in the strongest possible sense!) he'll give me the green light to get back on the road. If that does happen, (and seeing as I've taken the day as holiday anyway), I might just point my bike in a south easterly direction and ride until they come looking for me.

On a positive note, I never thought I'd have the time to start learning Mandarin but have so far learnt about 60 characters, their meaning and pronunciation. Can't yet string a sentence together, though!

bigmat

phy2sll2 wrote:

My six weeks on non-weight-bearing-ness are over! That time has left me with one leg that's about twice the size of the other and I still have some painful bruising on my hip.

I've had two weeks off crutches and am walking and swimming and doing a bit of turbo every night. Still have quite a bit of joint pain, but this is slowly easing with the exercises the physio's given me.

Seeing the fracture clinic consultant tomorrow and hoping (in the strongest possible sense!) he'll give me the green light to get back on the road. If that does happen, (and seeing as I've taken the day as holiday anyway), I might just point my bike in a south easterly direction and ride until they come looking for me.

On a positive note, I never thought I'd have the time to start learning Mandarin but have so far learnt about 60 characters, their meaning and pronunciation. Can't yet string a sentence together, though!

Will hopefully see you out on a chaingang before too long!

rick_chasey

Well, just did my first 3 lap challenge of the year.

65 minutes and 52 seconds (says strava).

Pleased with that on my SS (42x16).

I did have to pause the time while I waited for the deer to pass and some traffic. I recon on a geared bike with better pacing I could get it under 60.

bigmat

Rick Chasey wrote:

Well, just did my first 3 lap challenge of the year.

65 minutes and 52 seconds (says strava).

Pleased with that on my SS (42x16).

I did have to pause the time while I waited for the deer to pass and some traffic. I recon on a geared bike with better pacing I could get it under 60.

No no no no no! That. Is. Not. Allowed.

dhope

BigMat wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Well, just did my first 3 lap challenge of the year.

65 minutes and 52 seconds (says strava).

Pleased with that on my SS (42x16).

I did have to pause the time while I waited for the deer to pass and some traffic. I recon on a geared bike with better pacing I could get it under 60.

No no no no no! That. Is. Not. Allowed.

It's okay, Strava doesn't pause even if you do. Strava never lies, unless the GPS goes nuts, then it lies. As happens often.

JamesFree

phy2sll2 wrote:

My six weeks on non-weight-bearing-ness are over! That time has left me with one leg that's about twice the size of the other and I still have some painful bruising on my hip.

I've had two weeks off crutches and am walking and swimming and doing a bit of turbo every night. Still have quite a bit of joint pain, but this is slowly easing with the exercises the physio's given me.

Seeing the fracture clinic consultant tomorrow and hoping (in the strongest possible sense!) he'll give me the green light to get back on the road. If that does happen, (and seeing as I've taken the day as holiday anyway), I might just point my bike in a south easterly direction and ride until they come looking for me.

On a positive note, I never thought I'd have the time to start learning Mandarin but have so far learnt about 60 characters, their meaning and pronunciation. Can't yet string a sentence together, though!

Good stuff! Havent actually made it to a Dulwich ride yet as been on holiday for 2 weekend and away this weekend so hopefully the week after and then will try some chain gangs!

JamesFree

BigMat wrote:

Idiot's question re Garmin / laps - if I just press start at the beginning of my ride, do 3 laps and then press stop, I'll be able to work out how long it took me, right? Aiming to get down there one night next week or even early morning at the weekend. Last time I was there all I had was a stopwatch...

Also give me a shout when you heading down as need to do some laps next week at some point

rick_chasey

BigMat wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Well, just did my first 3 lap challenge of the year.

65 minutes and 52 seconds (says strava).

Pleased with that on my SS (42x16).

I did have to pause the time while I waited for the deer to pass and some traffic. I recon on a geared bike with better pacing I could get it under 60.

No no no no no! That. Is. Not. Allowed.

Aw really? I was very honest. Only paused once I had stopped, and started it before I set off again.

il_principe

Rick Chasey wrote:

BigMat wrote:

Rick Chasey wrote:

Well, just did my first 3 lap challenge of the year.

65 minutes and 52 seconds (says strava).

Pleased with that on my SS (42x16).

I did have to pause the time while I waited for the deer to pass and some traffic. I recon on a geared bike with better pacing I could get it under 60.

No no no no no! That. Is. Not. Allowed.

Aw really? I was very honest. Only paused once I had stopped, and started it before I set off again.

Still not allowed! Think about it, you stopped. Stopping means you get a rest, ergo stopping is cheating. Can't use those times! Such is the lottery of the 3 lap challenge.