Eagleman Bike Ride

Today was my long ride for the week and I got to do it on the Eagleman course in Cambridge Maryland. Luckily I'm working on a job close by this week and got to bike 63 miles today, and plan on running 10+ miles tomorrow night! So how was my ride you might ask......well just okay.

The day started off early at 5:45 AM. I was in the car, Dunkin in hand and on the Turnpike headed East. I made very good time and got into the Cambridge area around lunch time. Just in time for some Maryland Crab Cakes right before my ride....maybe not the best of ideas. But then again anyone that's biked with me knows that my stomach is made of steel. Two years ago on a century ride with some friends I stopped half way, chowed down two hot dogs, and a Pay Day candy bar....not one GI stomach issue. So as I got into the Cambridge area I had a little bit of time to kill and made a pit stop at the Outlet Mall. I did some much needed clothes shopping at the Polo - Ralph Lauren store (my favorite). Found many 50% off bargains and really feel like I made out!

So the bike ride started off good. The goal of today's ride was to keep the entire ride in upper zone 1 and lower zone 2. In other words, a heart rate between 135-145. This is some very easy riding in my opinion. For anyone that hasn't ridden the Eagleman course before let's just say it "can be fast". That all depends on the wind. It's like Hawaii. Wind gusts have been known to blow upwards of 30-40 mph. Today wasn't too bad actually. Sure there was wind, but it was nothing to write home about. I was feeling good today up until about the two hour mark. Around mile 40 my legs started to cramp. This never happens to me either as I'm typically a light sweater and my electrolyte levels stay pretty stable. I wasn't sure why they were cramping. I gave up guessing why, and attributed it to a day at the Penguin game yesterday, pizza, and beer (just two). That could have been the cause, or maybe it was the 5 1/2 hour car ride. Either way my legs just weren't here today.

After I got done and back to the hotel I uploaded my GPS and noticed that it wasn't that bad after all. I was still able to average 19.4 mph and I took it easy the last 10 miles, and also the ride was done in my easy zones. So with that said I think if all goes well I should be able to ride better. Here's what will be different the next time I tackle the course:

1.) I'll have 3 more months of hardcore Coach Kevin training under my belt.
2.) I'll have my Zipp's on instead of my heavy Velomax wheels.
3.) I'll have fresh legs (taper)
4.) I'll have that Hawaii spot dangling like a carrot in front of me.
5.) Aero helmet, and skin suit. (three layers of clothes today surely slowed me down)
6.) I'll be working about 10 times harder and not in Zone 1 & 2....try 3-4!!!

Ok, so with that said I was very happy with todays ride even though I didn't feel that great. Tomorrow after work I plan on running the Eagleman course. Hope that goes a little better! :)

posted by Chad Holderbaum @ 7:45 PM Comments: 0