It has been raining a fair amount here in Northern California - a realization that any viewer of the Tour of California has probably come to by now. I got a ride in the showers on Saturday, but rode the trainer Sunday after watching Mancebo take the win. Today, I couldn't take it anymore. I've come to the realization that trainer riding is fine when it's the only option, but today I just needed to man up and get outside. I've been testing some new gloves, and that really enabled the day, because it absolutely poured on me for most of the ride.
Last year I attempted a similar ride, and by the time I got home I couldn't even open the front door; my hands were completely frozen. I was absolutely miserable. I think I stripped and sat in front of our ubiquitous wall heater unit for a good 15 minutes before attempting to take a shower. After that, I looked like a boiled lobster (who knew water could be painful?) This year, I was bundled up and fairly comfortable. I think I need on of those caps, because I couldn't really see, and I'd love to get some warmer socks, though the wool ones I used worked alright. Really, fenders were the biggest thing I added to enjoy the ride. So, here's to riding in the rain.
The season is ramping up here, and I've got to decide what to do. I want to go out an support my team in all the road races I can, but I also want to see what kind of mark I can make in marathon MTB racing. Most of the MTB races around here don't suit my strength - climbing - except for the ultra-long ones. That probably means sacrificing some high-end for endurance, but it should be a fun season of racing once it gets rolling.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Espresso
Everyone knows that a true cyclist consumes espresso in quantity. Over this holiday break from work, I set out to make myself an affordable espresso setup. I've been using an Aeropress for quite some time, but it's definitely not the same thing. It produces very good espresso-like coffee, but throws away a lot of acid. This might be a good thing for certain drinks, but it kind of makes most coffees taste the same. There are a lot of very expensive machines out there, but I wanted to keep it as cheap as possible, preferably under $300, which is still a lot for a coffee maker. I'll try to document my setup here.
For the espresso maker, I bought a Saeco Via Venezia at Costco for $150. It has a pressurized portafilter (the part that holds the coffee) which means it's forgiving of tamp and grind, but on the other hand, doesn't let you diagnose those important attributes, either. You can remove the pressure mechanism (which also seems to make a fake crema) but I found that the gasket needs to remain in place. Here's a picture:
Everything pops apart, and with pressure control removed, it's easy to find deficiencies in technique. I found my cheapo grinder wasn't getting fine enough, so I got a Capresso Infinity grinder that works much better.
Temperature is very important in brewing, and you can find lots of information on adding PID control to the machine. I might do this some time with my Arduino, but for now I measured the temperature profile at the boiler and at the brew head. When the heater kicks off, peak temperature reaches about 100 C just at the mid point of the boiler, and about 105 C where the thermostats are. Just before the heater kicks in, the temperature drops to 80 and 85 C, respectively. I measured the brew temperature below the group by removing the portafilter and using a thermocouple in a styrofoam cup to probe the water temperature. Just after the boiler kicks off, the water is at 90 C, which is just passable for brewing espresso. For now, I brew right after the boiler kicks off. Eventually, the Arduino controlled unit could have forward looking adjustment and hotter temperatures for different roasts.
Tamping and grind control the pace of brewing. With my old grinder, the 'espresso' looked weak, tasted weak, and took only 11 s to brew. You can find a lot of information about tamping and most sites will say use about 30 lbs of force. The Saeco has a 53 mm portafilter, while commercial makers have 58 mm portafilters, so for this maker I settled on 25 lbs as a tamping force. I varied the grind fineness to get 20-25 s for a double shot pull and found that I need to use the finest setting on the grinder.
Two shots pulled using cheap Trader Joe's espresso blend. Tastes much better with good beans...
For the espresso maker, I bought a Saeco Via Venezia at Costco for $150. It has a pressurized portafilter (the part that holds the coffee) which means it's forgiving of tamp and grind, but on the other hand, doesn't let you diagnose those important attributes, either. You can remove the pressure mechanism (which also seems to make a fake crema) but I found that the gasket needs to remain in place. Here's a picture:
Everything pops apart, and with pressure control removed, it's easy to find deficiencies in technique. I found my cheapo grinder wasn't getting fine enough, so I got a Capresso Infinity grinder that works much better.
Temperature is very important in brewing, and you can find lots of information on adding PID control to the machine. I might do this some time with my Arduino, but for now I measured the temperature profile at the boiler and at the brew head. When the heater kicks off, peak temperature reaches about 100 C just at the mid point of the boiler, and about 105 C where the thermostats are. Just before the heater kicks in, the temperature drops to 80 and 85 C, respectively. I measured the brew temperature below the group by removing the portafilter and using a thermocouple in a styrofoam cup to probe the water temperature. Just after the boiler kicks off, the water is at 90 C, which is just passable for brewing espresso. For now, I brew right after the boiler kicks off. Eventually, the Arduino controlled unit could have forward looking adjustment and hotter temperatures for different roasts.
Tamping and grind control the pace of brewing. With my old grinder, the 'espresso' looked weak, tasted weak, and took only 11 s to brew. You can find a lot of information about tamping and most sites will say use about 30 lbs of force. The Saeco has a 53 mm portafilter, while commercial makers have 58 mm portafilters, so for this maker I settled on 25 lbs as a tamping force. I varied the grind fineness to get 20-25 s for a double shot pull and found that I need to use the finest setting on the grinder.
Two shots pulled using cheap Trader Joe's espresso blend. Tastes much better with good beans...
Saturday, October 11, 2008
West Alpine
I'm going to update the blog in reverse order. I did a bunch of cal cup races, and finished off my season with the Everest Challenge, which actually went pretty well for me.
Today was the 2nd race in the low-key hill climb series up W. Alpine. Despite its low-key start time, I still dragged myself out of bed feeling pretty miserable around 7:30 this morning. But wait - you say - that's way after your normal wake-up time. Well, it's a weekend, and I want to sleep in. I got to the Russian Ridge parking lot a little late, descended in the bitter cold, signed in and used the bathroom about five times. I think the cold does that to me.
The race went from Pescadero and W. Alpine to the peak of W. Alpine, which was a bit before Russian Ridge. My plan was to sit in on the two flat-ish sections. From the honk of the horn, it started surprisingly easy, but I was way back. I could see a bunch of the contenders rolling off the front, so I bridged up on the flat, never quite making it to Tim Clark. Once we turned past the bridge, the pack exploded, and I started reeling folks in. I tried to work with some guys across the flats, but no one really wanted to come around, so I just kept the hammer down. On the second to last corner, Geoff from Bike Trip came around me briefly and I attacked hard, holding it off for second place. Not bad considering how little riding I've been doing. My computer said it was an average of 288 W, so I'm definitely off my form from June. But hey, it's only October; I can't complain.
I finally got to meet Dennis from Bike Trip today - that team is full of great guys. That's something that could be said about a lot of teams around here once you get to know them.
Today was the 2nd race in the low-key hill climb series up W. Alpine. Despite its low-key start time, I still dragged myself out of bed feeling pretty miserable around 7:30 this morning. But wait - you say - that's way after your normal wake-up time. Well, it's a weekend, and I want to sleep in. I got to the Russian Ridge parking lot a little late, descended in the bitter cold, signed in and used the bathroom about five times. I think the cold does that to me.
The race went from Pescadero and W. Alpine to the peak of W. Alpine, which was a bit before Russian Ridge. My plan was to sit in on the two flat-ish sections. From the honk of the horn, it started surprisingly easy, but I was way back. I could see a bunch of the contenders rolling off the front, so I bridged up on the flat, never quite making it to Tim Clark. Once we turned past the bridge, the pack exploded, and I started reeling folks in. I tried to work with some guys across the flats, but no one really wanted to come around, so I just kept the hammer down. On the second to last corner, Geoff from Bike Trip came around me briefly and I attacked hard, holding it off for second place. Not bad considering how little riding I've been doing. My computer said it was an average of 288 W, so I'm definitely off my form from June. But hey, it's only October; I can't complain.
I finally got to meet Dennis from Bike Trip today - that team is full of great guys. That's something that could be said about a lot of teams around here once you get to know them.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Heat Training
In preparation for the Challenge RR, I tried a TT up Sierra road today in the heat. The thermometer at Piedmont HS said it was 91 F at the start, but I tried to put out my normal power. That failed miserably. I felt completely zapped at the top of the hill and was over 1:30 off pace. I felt like throwing in the towel on what's left of the season. Google scholar came to the rescue though. This article says that going from 73 F to 91 F was enough to drop power output by 6.5% on average for the Australian National team. That's almost exactly how far off I was today, so I feel a lot better, but also a lot more like a dork for looking up this stuff. It even says that for the first 10 minutes, the power output was similar between the trials. That's pretty much what I experienced. It felt like a meltdown right around 11 minutes. Their conclusion has me thinking I should be dumping a lot more water over my body to aid in cooling during hot races as well.
I should probably write some race reports, but I really lack motivation to do really well for myself recently. I'm looking forward to a few more races and the low-key hillclimb series throughout the autumn though.
I should probably write some race reports, but I really lack motivation to do really well for myself recently. I'm looking forward to a few more races and the low-key hillclimb series throughout the autumn though.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Peaked
I'm starting to think I hit a peak right after Pescadero. Everything was falling in place, I was pushing good amounts of power and didn't seem to fatigue. Then I kept going, and going, and going until I eventually dug myself in a hole. I still feel pretty good on the bike, but it's kind of muted compared to what I was feeling a month ago. For now, I'm hoping to back off a bit in training, race a bit more and enjoy the end of the season without completely burning out.
Now that I look back on things, it was a lack of rest that got to me. I look at my training log and I trained hard for six weeks. At about week four, things went downhill, but I just didn't listen. Next time I hope I know what to look for. Now, I've somehow injured my hamstring and hope to just limp through the cal cup. Wish me luck!
Now that I look back on things, it was a lack of rest that got to me. I look at my training log and I trained hard for six weeks. At about week four, things went downhill, but I just didn't listen. Next time I hope I know what to look for. Now, I've somehow injured my hamstring and hope to just limp through the cal cup. Wish me luck!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Henry Coe State Park
Recently, I've been dismayed by the attitude shown towards mountain bikers by the local open space folks. It's really hard to enjoy a ride or the outdoors when you don't know if ranger rick is out there to ticket you. I've even been out on rides and greeted rangers only to be sneered at in return. Henry Coe is unlike any of these local rides. It's remote and extremely challenging, both technically and physically. What surprised me even more was the warm welcome I got from the ranger at the headquarters. He kept going on about the amazing riding and how much I was going to enjoy the ride that I was afraid that I was going to run out of sunlight. He actually addressed this by saying that they never close, and riding by moonlight is wonderful within the park. Try to do this in any local park and you literally get points on your license, and if you're speeding (they have radar guns) even more dings and money out of the pocket.
Anyway, the ride was incredible. I went down the Middle Ridge Trail and was pleasantly surprised with techy bits that, gasp, I had to get behind the saddle on. This doesn't even happen in Skegg's! Mucho steep climbing followed, then another descent into China Hole. The climb out is actually a good way to end the day, because it's not technical and rolls really well. I was rolling so well, in fact, that I nearly smacked into a mountain lion! I turned a corner on the climb and was about 15 yards in front of me. He jumped around in a circle, raised his huge tail and went running off into the woods. Needless to say, I think we were both freaked out a bit. For the next mile, I let out a periodic scream to let the beast know I was there, then climbed into the sunset back to the car. I have never seen a cougar outside of a zoo, so this was a pleasant surprise, though I would have preferred more distance between us as I contemplated how I should make myself look bigger in lycra.
It was really cold at the end of the ride, which is incredibly unusual for this part of the state in July. I shivered as I put my bike away in the car, but before, I grabbed one photo of myself.
Although the total climbing amount wasn't huge, it sure did a number on my legs. If you look closely at that chart, there are a few section with >20% grades. At one point, I saw 35% for ~20-30 seconds. Ouch. Great anaerobic workout, and a lot of fun in between the sets.
Anyway, the ride was incredible. I went down the Middle Ridge Trail and was pleasantly surprised with techy bits that, gasp, I had to get behind the saddle on. This doesn't even happen in Skegg's! Mucho steep climbing followed, then another descent into China Hole. The climb out is actually a good way to end the day, because it's not technical and rolls really well. I was rolling so well, in fact, that I nearly smacked into a mountain lion! I turned a corner on the climb and was about 15 yards in front of me. He jumped around in a circle, raised his huge tail and went running off into the woods. Needless to say, I think we were both freaked out a bit. For the next mile, I let out a periodic scream to let the beast know I was there, then climbed into the sunset back to the car. I have never seen a cougar outside of a zoo, so this was a pleasant surprise, though I would have preferred more distance between us as I contemplated how I should make myself look bigger in lycra.
It was really cold at the end of the ride, which is incredibly unusual for this part of the state in July. I shivered as I put my bike away in the car, but before, I grabbed one photo of myself.
Although the total climbing amount wasn't huge, it sure did a number on my legs. If you look closely at that chart, there are a few section with >20% grades. At one point, I saw 35% for ~20-30 seconds. Ouch. Great anaerobic workout, and a lot of fun in between the sets.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Sierra Passes
Climbing in the Sierra Nevada is amazing, at least for California. I haven't ever climbed in Europe, but that looks even better. For now, the Sierras are going to have to pass as a climbing mecca. The whole trip was really relaxing and well worth the time. I stayed at the J Marklee and had trouble getting to sleep the first night due to the complete silence of the place. We got to eat pasta at a small villa on a really Germanesque hillside while watching the sunset and grilled Salmon for an outside dinner the third night. Breakfasts were hearty, too much so for my fragile stomach, so I suffered on the early climbs each day, but did really enjoy the food.
The first day, we climbed Ebbetts pass and the Pacific Grade. The latter climb is short but sweet, with stairsteps, switchbacks and great views of the valley. The descent past Alpine Lake was fun, then I turned around and did everything in reverse.
The next day was Monitor Pass and a shuttle over to Sonora Pass from the east side. This climb is brutally steep at the bottom and end, but fairly easy in between. It's also beautiful and goes past a bunch of gurgling streams and through conifer forests. It smells totally different up there; here in the Bay there's a distinct lack of smell, like it has been scrubbed of everything organic. Up in the Sierras, the I swear you can smell the rocks as well as all of the different plants. The descent off of Sonora is definitely fun, but something you have to be very alert for since the curves are all on the steepest parts of the road.
The last day, we rode to Blue Lakes along a beautiful stretch of new pavement. Finally, I rode up to Carson Pass. That's something I've done before on the Death Ride, and this time was no more fun that last. It's heavily traveled, and the views pale in comparison to the other passes over the weekend.
All in all, I think I rode around 200 miles and feel completely rejuvenated. Now that I'm back at sea level, I feel stronger than ever, too. Maybe I'll go ahead and race this weekend!
The folks that went on this trip were a fairly diverse mix of people, though we were all engineers/lawyers/doctors. It's hard to get people to climb this much, but these guys and gals just attacked everything like it was something they did everyday, then at night the conversation was always animated and interesting. The company really put the final touches to make the weekend special.
The first day, we climbed Ebbetts pass and the Pacific Grade. The latter climb is short but sweet, with stairsteps, switchbacks and great views of the valley. The descent past Alpine Lake was fun, then I turned around and did everything in reverse.
The next day was Monitor Pass and a shuttle over to Sonora Pass from the east side. This climb is brutally steep at the bottom and end, but fairly easy in between. It's also beautiful and goes past a bunch of gurgling streams and through conifer forests. It smells totally different up there; here in the Bay there's a distinct lack of smell, like it has been scrubbed of everything organic. Up in the Sierras, the I swear you can smell the rocks as well as all of the different plants. The descent off of Sonora is definitely fun, but something you have to be very alert for since the curves are all on the steepest parts of the road.
The last day, we rode to Blue Lakes along a beautiful stretch of new pavement. Finally, I rode up to Carson Pass. That's something I've done before on the Death Ride, and this time was no more fun that last. It's heavily traveled, and the views pale in comparison to the other passes over the weekend.
All in all, I think I rode around 200 miles and feel completely rejuvenated. Now that I'm back at sea level, I feel stronger than ever, too. Maybe I'll go ahead and race this weekend!
The folks that went on this trip were a fairly diverse mix of people, though we were all engineers/lawyers/doctors. It's hard to get people to climb this much, but these guys and gals just attacked everything like it was something they did everyday, then at night the conversation was always animated and interesting. The company really put the final touches to make the weekend special.
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