I have run into an interesting situation and am looking for any general suggestions from those who normally train with power but either choose or are forced to race without.
My wired PT hub recently died. Confirmed with LBS and Saris last Friday (ie. jumped through all the hoops, another sensor picked up on my computer etc etc). I have neither the time nor the inclination (read $350) to fix by race day. After Sunday my next 9 months will be riding on trails or indoors on CT (hence no inclination).
I have trained via power and pace (run) for 4+ years. I’m sure I have HR that cooresponds somewhere and a HRM (that needs a replaced battery) somewhere, but haven’t strapped it on in 3+ years.
So, I will be riding without my little yellow buddy on Sunday. No power, speed, cadence etc etc. Old school.
I think I have a pretty good handle on RPE and have done my last 2 long rides without info (except for Garmin on wrist which I will not do race day). I also have “time goals” for swim and run this go round with a bike plan of “as easy as necessary to accomplish run goal” pacing (read well into 6:XX). I also have done the race 3x and ridden the course a lot (although last time was race day '09). So my freak out level is mid range (didn’t need this but oh well).
It is a bit unnerving to go this blind after having had the information. So I am looking for any suggestions from those with experience and/or tips for riding without power after using it to train.
In addition, for those familiar with the course, I think I know the hills and how to ride up and over them OK (and my compact will be my best friend on Sunday). I am mostly concerned with the stretchs that can be misleading (ie. places where I would wish I was riding 180 and am instead riding 220-230 for several minutes). I recall several on HWY 92 from Verona to Mt. Horeb and also on the first Garfoot (after Witte and J). Any other “danger spots” where my RPE antenna should be on high alert.
You’ll also need to hold back the first hour of the ride on the way out to Verona and then keep power on on the way home when you’re fatigued and wanting to get off…
Maybe rent a rear wheel with a PT? The way I would think to myself: after spending so much time, effort and money to get to this point, what’s a little more to make sure I don’t ruin myself for the run?
Just my .02c.
If that’s not possible/not interesting, here’s a really good map tied to an elevation chart:
You can run the pointer along the elevation chart and it will tell you where that is on the ride map. In this way, you can see those long, false flats that could crush your legs.
Good luck! I’ll see ya out there! I’ll be on a black/white Transition.
Scott is borrowing my Joule at the moment. He’ll be able to get you that.
email me / call me.
Holy Monday morning swim team bat man!!!
Fellas, I will try to respond to all and sort it out from there.
I am very illiterate about what I am about to say.
I am currently running a wired PT. The computer, harness and wiring work fine, the hub is dead.
I am riding clinchers and have never ridden nor changed a tubular.
I looked into renting a Zipp 404 from Race Day Wheels; they only rent for wireless. Assuming I can still pick one up from them on site on Friday I am happy to rent a 404 clincher wireless PT rear from them (I would probably get a front 404 as well).
I have no idea what it would take to go from wired to wireless (if need be) or how much I am imposing on any of you for this process.
Honestly, if any of the above is a big PITA I am very mentally prepared to go it alone, and have spent the last 4 days getting there.
Having said that, any help is very welcome. I will travel anywhere tomorrow anytime and will promptly return anything next week Mon (tues lastest).
My training wheel (DT Swiss ~30mm) is a clincher - if you have an disc cover that fits - golden. You’d want to put a latex tube in it, but it has an R4 tire.
I’m happy to lend you a front wheel so you have a matching set of spares to worry about.
Changing a tubular is simple - unless you’re matt - but he has problems with clinchers too.
I’m confident even mary could change it if she flats in a race, but then again she might just look at the wheel with a mean look and the tire will just jump off.
Wired → Wireless - if you have acess to a head unit (you do via matt/I) - it’s as simple as sticking the mounting bracket where you want it, installing the wheel and riding.
So if you borrowed from Matt/I - you’d have a wireless tubular setup (free).
If you rent from race day wheels - you’d have a clincher wireless setup, need to borrow a head unit, but pay $$$$ for the wheel.
I know what I would do - but I’m a cheap bastard.
Edit: If you wanted to borrow mine - they are pre-treated with Pitstop -or would be - I haven’t done it yet, but I plan to prior to kona, so you’d just speed up my timeline.
My training wheel (DT Swiss ~30mm) is a clincher - if you have an disc cover that fits - golden. You’d want to put a latex tube in it, but it has an R4 tire.
I’m happy to lend you a front wheel so you have a matching set of spares to worry about.
Changing a tubular is simple - unless you’re matt - but he has problems with clinchers too.
I’m confident even mary could change it if she flats in a race, but then again she might just look at the wheel with a mean look and the tire will just jump off.
Wired → Wireless - if you have acess to a head unit (you do via matt/I) - it’s as simple as sticking the mounting bracket where you want it, installing the wheel and riding.
So if you borrowed from Matt/I - you’d have a wireless tubular setup (free).
If you rent from race day wheels - you’d have a clincher wireless setup, need to borrow a head unit, but pay $$$$ for the wheel.
I know what I would do - but I’m a cheap bastard.
Edit: If you wanted to borrow mine - they are pre-treated with Pitstop -or would be - I haven’t done it yet, but I plan to prior to kona, so you’d just speed up my timeline.
Thanks. I just understood about 25% of what you said. I’m hoping you’ll be gentle with me and explain the other 75% more slowly. I will email you for details.
bumping one time to thank all who contributed and to especially thank Scott, Matt and Eric for their offers and help.
I am now set up better than I was to begin with (before my hub died).
One of the things I love about this sport is how the faster they are, the more kind and helpful they seem to be.
A couple of quality Kona bound guys just took lots of time out of their schedule (after their 5:30am swim for those of you searching the “how do normal people get to Kona” threads) to help out an old slow dude at the last minute.
Thanks guys, I owe you one, and I promise to start with you first vs. an ST thread next time
I have run into an interesting situation and am looking for any general suggestions from those who normally train with power but either choose or are forced to race without.
My wired PT hub recently died. Confirmed with LBS and Saris last Friday (ie. jumped through all the hoops, another sensor picked up on my computer etc etc). I have neither the time nor the inclination (read $350) to fix by race day. After Sunday my next 9 months will be riding on trails or indoors on CT (hence no inclination).
I have trained via power and pace (run) for 4+ years. I’m sure I have HR that cooresponds somewhere and a HRM (that needs a replaced battery) somewhere, but haven’t strapped it on in 3+ years.
So, I will be riding without my little yellow buddy on Sunday. No power, speed, cadence etc etc. Old school.
I think I have a pretty good handle on RPE and have done my last 2 long rides without info (except for Garmin on wrist which I will not do race day). I also have “time goals” for swim and run this go round with a bike plan of “as easy as necessary to accomplish run goal” pacing (read well into 6:XX). I also have done the race 3x and ridden the course a lot (although last time was race day '09). So my freak out level is mid range (didn’t need this but oh well).
It is a bit unnerving to go this blind after having had the information. So I am looking for any suggestions from those with experience and/or tips for riding without power after using it to train.
In addition, for those familiar with the course, I think I know the hills and how to ride up and over them OK (and my compact will be my best friend on Sunday). I am mostly concerned with the stretchs that can be misleading (ie. places where I would wish I was riding 180 and am instead riding 220-230 for several minutes). I recall several on HWY 92 from Verona to Mt. Horeb and also on the first Garfoot (after Witte and J). Any other “danger spots” where my RPE antenna should be on high alert.
Thank you
So is the freak-out over? Calm and relaxed about any bike issues on Sunday now? If not, i’ll buy you a beer or a few tomorrow and Saturday?
