One week after snapping a pedal off my mountain bike, I got a solid great ride in.I switched back to clip-less pedals. There is always the debate as to which is better, platform or clip-less pedals. I am used to riding with clip-less on both my road and mountain bike.
The main reason I switched first off is because I don’t have an extra set of platform pedals in my stash of gear.
Before the pedal snapped off, I was having a ton of issues with pedal strikes. It started getting to me mentally not being able to do climbs or trails I know I can do and have done previously.
I was very excited when I was able to complete a full loop in my favorite mountain bike park for training. The entire 15 mile loop I never put a foot down or had to unclip from the pedals.
What a major confidence booster.
Before the ride I made some air shock adjustments after finding out my rear shock was set up to squishy. Added more air to it an adjusted the rebound.
The adjustments and set up come just in time for a 200 mile challenge I have opted into this winter.
The Conquer Bicycle Wall Mount Repair Stand Bicycle Rack
I like the aspect of this wall mounted repair stand coming with two mounting plates. You can place them in different locations in your garage or do like I did and use an outdoor wash station. Very easy to use and gets both tires off the round when rotating to clean. Run the chain forward or backward to clean or lubricate. The hardware to attach either of the two mounting plates does NOT come with the rack.Mount the rack to a sturdy post or stud inside your garage.I used some left over lumber and made some measurements to create an outdoor wash station. After getting the mountain bike dirty on the trails, it makes for a quick wash and lubrication stand afterward.
A month out from race day and feeling very good.From the progress I have made on the trail as well as my cardio, I am getting excited.
I am in the process of still making a few minor adjustments to my bike. I am loving the 2.4, 29 inch tires on the front, helping me glide over the sandy washes that are part of the race course and lower PSI I can run in the tubeless setup.
After every ride on the course, I am going back and looking at the stats my Suunto Spartan Sport Wrist HR is gathering. My progress on the course has taken me from just over an hour to complete one lap, to now just around 50 minutes.
Larry DeMik, at Two Wheel Jones Gilbert, makes an adjustment to my seat height and saddle position while being fit with the Retul Bike Fit System.
Tiny changes make big differences and here is how it goes. Wanting to be more comfortable on my bike yet be more energy efficient I was recently fitted on my road by at Two Wheel Jones in Gilbert. The store offers a Retul fitting in their Velocraft bike fit studio. The fitting first started off with the replacement of my shoe’s cleats. They were moved after some visual measurements were made by Larry DeMik, who also happens to be the bike shop owner. Next, I hopped on the bike, while it was set up in a trainer. Eight markers were attached to the right side of my body with Velcro dots holding them in place. They were placed on my wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, heel and toe. These markers, turn the body into a stick figure in the computer program being used. Each sensor reflects back an inferred light allowing for the 3D effect. Each sensor was giving real-time data to the computer as Larry would not only watch on the camera recording the movement but capture numbers showing the different degrees of movement of the different body parts. The next adjustment was to my seat height, as Larry could read from the data being collected, my knee was moving in a lateral position. To fix this issue he ended up raising my seat to remove some of the movement. Data being looked at included
ankeling pattern
knee extension and flection
knee forward to foot
hip angle
back angle
reach
After adjusting my seat, I pedaled with one leg at a time. Of course during this I found out my right leg is more dominant. When pedaling with my left leg only, I found my pedaling to be pretty choppy. Walking away I got homework to work on one legged pedaling drills. I also need to work on not riding on my tippy toes, and while my feet are in my cycling shoes, try and pull my toes up while pedaling. Although the computer program is giving information as a guide, it is really up the the fitter, Larry in this case, to determine if the adjustment is necessary and if so at what degree or level to make the adjustment. After dialing in my seat height and adjusting it a little more forward, he dropped my handlebars by 5mm. As with anything new, the adjustments will take a little time to get use to but when increasing comfort and efficiency everyone should be fit.
