5 more weeks till biking - Page 2 - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

03-09-2005, 09:02 AM

On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 20:25:43 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>"dgk" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
>
>> So is the concept of swimming back and forth in a pool. You
>> end up the same place that you started!
>
>Oh poor you! Swimming in a pool is *so* boring. Back and forth, back and
>forth, and the smell of chlorine to boot. The only thing equally dull is
>riding or running around a track in a circle. These are the things you are
>stuck with when there's no other choice.
>
>You must enjoy cycling for the reasons I do -- new things to look at all the
>time, the adventure of the open road, the challenge of traffic. The honest
>smell of trees, flowers, and lake. It's different all the time.
>
>I wish you a speedy recovery, such that you can be done with the dullness of
>the pool, and can get back on the bike again soon!

It's actually funny but if you think of it, anything can sound boring.
I know one guy who cycled but gave it up because it was 'boring just
staring at someone's back wheel." Too bad because it's the only thing
he did and now he's all tubby. And he spends most of his spare time
hanging out with his parents, so I think, boring compared to what?

03-09-2005, 09:05 AM

On 9 Mar 2005 08:15:24 -0800, "Peter Cole" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>
wrote:

>dgk wrote:
>> On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 20:25:43 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
>> <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
>I feel your pain. I was hospitalized for a week 5 weeks ago (perf.
>appendix), and am just now getting back on the bike. I did pool
>swimming off & on for a few years and never learned to not despise it.
>If there's anything grimmer than hitting a pool at 7 am, I don't know
>what it is. I did clubs (Nautilus) for many years. That stuff was
>deadly dull, too. Indoor and outdoor jogging just seemed like a lot of
>pain. Cycling has been an activity that I always enjoy and look forward
>to, in contrast to all that other stuff. I'm no hedonist, I even like
>the ultra-cycling events, where I find the beauty of the open road cuts
>through the fatigue. I used to wet suit scuba in the winter ocean
>(Boston), now that was intense!

Ewwww.... that sounds painful. Lucky they got you in time. I realize
it was nearly exactly a year ago that I was hospitalized for an
intestinal blockage, and same here, it was about 6 weeks when i was
back on the bike. I mentioned once before that cycling is great
because when it's hard to do anything else, you can get on a trainer.
Especially when it's abdominal surgery, because of the way you sit.
And for bypass patients they get you on the exercycle as soon as
possible.

I must be weird, though, I love swimming.

03-09-2005, 09:17 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
> On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 20:25:43 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
> <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
> >"dgk" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> >news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].. .
> >
> >> So is the concept of swimming back and forth in a pool. You
> >> end up the same place that you started!
> >
> >Oh poor you! Swimming in a pool is *so* boring. Back and forth, back
and
> >forth, and the smell of chlorine to boot. The only thing equally
dull is
> >riding or running around a track in a circle. These are the things
you are
> >stuck with when there's no other choice.
> >
> >You must enjoy cycling for the reasons I do -- new things to look at
all the
> >time, the adventure of the open road, the challenge of traffic. The
honest
> >smell of trees, flowers, and lake. It's different all the time.
> >
> >I wish you a speedy recovery, such that you can be done with the
dullness of
> >the pool, and can get back on the bike again soon!
>
> It's actually funny but if you think of it, anything can sound
boring.
> I know one guy who cycled but gave it up because it was 'boring just
> staring at someone's back wheel." Too bad because it's the only thing
> he did and now he's all tubby. And he spends most of his spare time
> hanging out with his parents, so I think, boring compared to what?

You are right....anything can sound boring if you are not interested. I
know people who love golf. They live for golf. I think it has to be
the most boring sport known to humans. Walking around hitting that
little ball in the hole. Watching it on TV is even worse. I did try
golf a long time ago, but I hated it. Maybe I have ADD or something,
but waiting around to hit a ball into a hole is not my idea of fun.
Yet, it seems everyone around me loves the game. I love tennis, playing
and watching. It's not that I am against country club sports. ;-) So
it's all a matter of what you find interesting. My kids tell me that
bicyle riding is boring and for kids and old people. I think they find
it nerdy. DON'T JUMP ON ME FOR THAT. I don't find it Nerdy.

That's why they support me in the quest. I fit into the old people
category. ;-)
Hopefully I don't fit into the Nerd category. Pocket protectors never
turned me on.
All Good Things,
Maggie

03-09-2005, 09:28 AM

On Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:05:43 -0500, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:

>Ewwww.... that sounds painful. Lucky they got you in time. I realize
>it was nearly exactly a year ago that I was hospitalized for an
>intestinal blockage, and same here, it was about 6 weeks when i was
>back on the bike. I mentioned once before that cycling is great
>because when it's hard to do anything else, you can get on a trainer.
>Especially when it's abdominal surgery, because of the way you sit.
>And for bypass patients they get you on the exercycle as soon as
>possible.
>
>I must be weird, though, I love swimming.

My brother had to have emergency appendectomy about a year ago and he still
complains occasionally about weird sensations of pulling a muscle in the
abdominal region from riding. Do you find any after effects like that in
your abs since you've healed?

I keep telling him he should be doing some minimal abdominal exercises, but
he won't listen to me. OTOH, he works manual labor type job, so I'm sure he
gets indirect ab work. He's also fairly trim at 150lbs.

The only thing I can think of is that maybe he has some adhesions. They did
key-hole surgery on him and supposedly didn't 'cut' any muscles, just split
them side-ways. I thought it was a little strange that they advised no
training for about a month for laparoscopic surgery.

Surprisingly he couldn't really get out of bed for about 7-10 days - he's a
pretty active guy and was up as soon as possible, believe me!

Durn, I thought key-hole surgery would have been smoother than this - like
essentially recovery in 3-4 days. I guess most of the pain was from the
stretching of the abdomen when they pump it up with air to allow better
visualizing with the scope.

jj

03-09-2005, 09:43 AM

On Wed, 09 Mar 2005 13:02:06 -0500, [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:

>On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 20:25:43 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
><[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>
>>"dgk" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
>>news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]. ..
>>
>>> So is the concept of swimming back and forth in a pool. You
>>> end up the same place that you started!
>>
>>Oh poor you! Swimming in a pool is *so* boring. Back and forth, back and
>>forth, and the smell of chlorine to boot. The only thing equally dull is
>>riding or running around a track in a circle. These are the things you are
>>stuck with when there's no other choice.
>>
>>You must enjoy cycling for the reasons I do -- new things to look at all the
>>time, the adventure of the open road, the challenge of traffic. The honest
>>smell of trees, flowers, and lake. It's different all the time.
>>
>>I wish you a speedy recovery, such that you can be done with the dullness of
>>the pool, and can get back on the bike again soon!
>
>It's actually funny but if you think of it, anything can sound boring.
>I know one guy who cycled but gave it up because it was 'boring just
>staring at someone's back wheel." Too bad because it's the only thing
>he did and now he's all tubby. And he spends most of his spare time
>hanging out with his parents, so I think, boring compared to what?

Maybe it's me, but I find swimming laps a lot of fun and enjoyable. Each
time I turn I try to set up for a good flip-turn, and I try to check my
stroke for good mechanics now and then, and finally try to get more
comfortable breathing on both sides and not just on the right. So there's a
lot of 'stuff' to do.

The other thing is that among the three endurance activities, swimming,
running and cycling (could include 'paddling', but I've never done it),
I've found swimming the quickest to get you into the 'zone', i.e. where
you've got a rhythm going and feel like you can swim forever, and you
forget your surroundings (while still being alert to problems) - I guess
basically, 'endorphin city'. We have a set of long windows at the end of
the pool and it's oriented to the west. I still remember being mesmerized
by the golden droplets and bubbles when I stroked and breathed! <g>

It only takes me about 15-20 minutes to get into the zone in the pool, but
takes me over 70-80 minutes jogging.

Cycling? I'm not sure I've gotten to the zone. I think I've gotten there
once. A couple times I've covered a mile or so and being 'lost in thought'
I suddenly 'woke up' and realized I had absolutely -no memory- of the
previous mile or so. Usually I'm aware of every little pot-hole or stick on
the trail - you have to be. It may be that getting to the 'zone' takes over
two hours, or perhaps a faster pacing than I'm familiar with. After all
cycling is so easy on the body it may be hard to get to the point of
constant suffering for long enough to get endorphins going?

So, no, I never get bored with any long slow distance training, but could
be some of us are sprinters and others marathoners?

In that case if you are getting bored, then inject interval training. Train
harder, not longer.

I bet your swimming would improve if instead of swimming laps you raced
another swimmer for 100 meters, followed by resting for 2-3 minutes, and
then sprint again. Four or five hundred meters of this kind of training
three times a week would improve your cardio and swimming as much as
swimming a mile for twenty or thirty minutes, eh?

jj

03-09-2005, 09:49 AM

On 9 Mar 2005 10:17:26 -0800, "Maggie" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>You are right....anything can sound boring if you are not interested. I
>know people who love golf. They live for golf. I think it has to be
>the most boring sport known to humans. Walking around hitting that
>little ball in the hole. Watching it on TV is even worse. I did try
>golf a long time ago, but I hated it.

Though not everyone likes golf, the trick to any sport is to get some
lessons first.

If you just go out and try to hit the ball not knowing what you're doing
then it's very superficial. After having driving and putting lessons you
realize how nicely complex it is to hit a golf ball, and learn how much
control over the ball and your body you get when you are swinging correctly
and are improving. In the beginning can be the most fun time you'll have
golfing because of the relatively quick improvement.

Then, having played the game, you find it interesting watching others do it
on tv, because you're watching their form, you know what it takes for a
human to hit a ball over 200 yards and stay on the fairway, and you know
how hard it is to read a green and to sink a put from the edge of the
green. Believe me, then, golf can be an exciting game, especially when your
favorite player gets an eagle!

jj

03-09-2005, 09:55 AM

Maggie wrote:
:: blans...@total.net wrote:
::: On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 20:25:43 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
::: <cpetersky@mousepotato.com> wrote:
:::
:::: "dgk" <sonicechoes-spamless@hot-nospamp-mail.com> wrote in message
:::: news:ktar21pd6946daoi188ks79c28e5k6sgu0@4ax.com...
::::
::::: So is the concept of swimming back and forth in a pool. You
::::: end up the same place that you started!
::::
:::: Oh poor you! Swimming in a pool is *so* boring. Back and forth,
:::: back and forth, and the smell of chlorine to boot. The only thing
:::: equally dull is riding or running around a track in a circle.
:::: These are the things you are stuck with when there's no other
:::: choice.
::::
:::: You must enjoy cycling for the reasons I do -- new things to look
:::: at all the time, the adventure of the open road, the challenge of
:::: traffic. The honest smell of trees, flowers, and lake. It's
:::: different all the time.
::::
:::: I wish you a speedy recovery, such that you can be done with the
:::: dullness of the pool, and can get back on the bike again soon!
:::
::: It's actually funny but if you think of it, anything can sound
::: boring. I know one guy who cycled but gave it up because it was
::: 'boring just staring at someone's back wheel." Too bad because it's
::: the only thing he did and now he's all tubby. And he spends most of
::: his spare time hanging out with his parents, so I think, boring
::: compared to what?
::
:: You are right....anything can sound boring if you are not
:: interested. I know people who love golf. They live for golf. I
:: think it has to be the most boring sport known to humans. Walking
:: around hitting that little ball in the hole. Watching it on TV is
:: even worse. I did try golf a long time ago, but I hated it. Maybe I
:: have ADD or something, but waiting around to hit a ball into a hole
:: is not my idea of fun. Yet, it seems everyone around me loves the
:: game. I love tennis, playing and watching. It's not that I am
:: against country club sports. ;-) So it's all a matter of what you
:: find interesting. My kids tell me that bicyle riding is boring and
:: for kids and old people. I think they find it nerdy. DON'T JUMP ON
:: ME FOR THAT. I don't find it Nerdy.

You causin trouble in here again, Maggie?

::
:: That's why they support me in the quest. I fit into the old people
:: category. ;-)
:: Hopefully I don't fit into the Nerd category. Pocket protectors never
:: turned me on.

Maybe you never did the right stuff with them!

:: All Good Things,
:: Maggie

03-09-2005, 10:18 AM

Roger Zoul wrote:
> Maggie wrote:
> :: blans...@total.net wrote:
> ::: On Tue, 8 Mar 2005 20:25:43 -0800, "Claire Petersky"
> ::: <cpetersky@mousepotato.com> wrote:
> :::
> :::: "dgk" <sonicechoes-spamless@hot-nospamp-mail.com> wrote in
message
> :::: news:ktar21pd6946daoi188ks79c28e5k6sgu0@4ax.com...
> ::::
> ::::: So is the concept of swimming back and forth in a pool. You
> ::::: end up the same place that you started!
> ::::
> :::: Oh poor you! Swimming in a pool is *so* boring. Back and forth,
> :::: back and forth, and the smell of chlorine to boot. The only
thing
> :::: equally dull is riding or running around a track in a circle.
> :::: These are the things you are stuck with when there's no other
> :::: choice.
> ::::
> :::: You must enjoy cycling for the reasons I do -- new things to
look
> :::: at all the time, the adventure of the open road, the challenge
of
> :::: traffic. The honest smell of trees, flowers, and lake. It's
> :::: different all the time.
> ::::
> :::: I wish you a speedy recovery, such that you can be done with the
> :::: dullness of the pool, and can get back on the bike again soon!
> :::
> ::: It's actually funny but if you think of it, anything can sound
> ::: boring. I know one guy who cycled but gave it up because it was
> ::: 'boring just staring at someone's back wheel." Too bad because
it's
> ::: the only thing he did and now he's all tubby. And he spends most
of
> ::: his spare time hanging out with his parents, so I think, boring
> ::: compared to what?
> ::
> :: You are right....anything can sound boring if you are not
> :: interested. I know people who love golf. They live for golf. I
> :: think it has to be the most boring sport known to humans. Walking
> :: around hitting that little ball in the hole. Watching it on TV is
> :: even worse. I did try golf a long time ago, but I hated it. Maybe
I
> :: have ADD or something, but waiting around to hit a ball into a
hole
> :: is not my idea of fun. Yet, it seems everyone around me loves the
> :: game. I love tennis, playing and watching. It's not that I am
> :: against country club sports. ;-) So it's all a matter of what you
> :: find interesting. My kids tell me that bicyle riding is boring
and
> :: for kids and old people. I think they find it nerdy. DON'T JUMP
ON
> :: ME FOR THAT. I don't find it Nerdy.
>
> You causin trouble in here again, Maggie?
>
> ::
> :: That's why they support me in the quest. I fit into the old people
> :: category. ;-)
> :: Hopefully I don't fit into the Nerd category. Pocket protectors
never
> :: turned me on.
>
> Maybe you never did the right stuff with them!

>
> :: All Good Things,
> :: Maggie

My middle name is trouble. I don't have to look for it, it definately
finds me. I always thought as I grew older I would mature. It never
happened. So now my thought is..."Maturity is overrated" Life is too
freaking short and too uncertain to go around acting MATURE. It takes
all the fun out of life. It makes a person think before they act. WHAT
A CONCEPT!!! As for pocket protectors, maybe I didn't do the right
stuff with them. I'll have to reflect on that. If you lived in my
town, you would understand why bicycles and nerds go hand in hand in
some minds. It really isn't a bicycle type town. Football is king as
far as sports. The good ole boys in town are the former High school
varsity players. You know that type of town. And in off season they
wrestled. Jock town USA.
All good things,
Maggie (trying not to make trouble)

03-09-2005, 11:50 AM

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ] wrote:
>
> It's actually funny but if you think of it, anything can sound
boring.
> I know one guy who cycled but gave it up because it was 'boring just
> staring at someone's back wheel."

I really find this to be true. I can't stand pace line riding for more
than a half hour or so. Not only are you staring at someone's wheel,
but you have to concentrate on the gap. Kind of detracts from the whole
experience. I love distance riding, and it's nice to meet people along
the way and of course hang out afterwards, but I'd rather do most of
the actual riding alone (or widely spaced).

03-09-2005, 12:03 PM

>Maybe it's me, but I find swimming laps a lot of fun and enjoyable. Each
>time I turn I try to set up for a good flip-turn, and I try to check my
>stroke for good mechanics now and then, and finally try to get more
>comfortable breathing on both sides and not just on the right. So there's a
>lot of 'stuff' to do.
>
>The other thing is that among the three endurance activities, swimming,
>running and cycling (could include 'paddling', but I've never done it),
>I've found swimming the quickest to get you into the 'zone', i.e. where
>you've got a rhythm going and feel like you can swim forever, and you
>forget your surroundings (while still being alert to problems) - I guess
>basically, 'endorphin city'. We have a set of long windows at the end of
>the pool and it's oriented to the west. I still remember being mesmerized
>by the golden droplets and bubbles when I stroked and breathed! <g>
>
>It only takes me about 15-20 minutes to get into the zone in the pool, but
>takes me over 70-80 minutes jogging.
>
>Cycling? I'm not sure I've gotten to the zone. I think I've gotten there
>once. A couple times I've covered a mile or so and being 'lost in thought'
>I suddenly 'woke up' and realized I had absolutely -no memory- of the
>previous mile or so. Usually I'm aware of every little pot-hole or stick on
>the trail - you have to be. It may be that getting to the 'zone' takes over
>two hours, or perhaps a faster pacing than I'm familiar with. After all
>cycling is so easy on the body it may be hard to get to the point of
>constant suffering for long enough to get endorphins going?
>
>So, no, I never get bored with any long slow distance training, but could
>be some of us are sprinters and others marathoners?
>
>In that case if you are getting bored, then inject interval training. Train
>harder, not longer.
>
>I bet your swimming would improve if instead of swimming laps you raced
>another swimmer for 100 meters, followed by resting for 2-3 minutes, and
>then sprint again. Four or five hundred meters of this kind of training
>three times a week would improve your cardio and swimming as much as
>swimming a mile for twenty or thirty minutes, eh?
>
>jj

When I'm biking I can't afford to zone out. I'm riding along in
Manhattan or Queens with cars all around me.

I do zone out while swimming in the ocean. I sometimes swim a mile or
so from bay 1 to bay 15 at Riis Park in the Rockaways (NYC). If I hit
the tide just right I get to swim right over some of the longer
jetties with about a foot of clearance as a wave passes by.

I never really got flip turns correctly. Maybe that's why I dislike
pool swimming! I should go take a lesson in flip turns. I did take
Water Polo last year but finally dropped out when my elbow really
started hurting. That is REALLY tough swimming. Racing up and down the
pool getting the crap beaten out of you while trying to push a ball is
quite a trick. I know that it's supposed to be non-contact but the guy
running it is the coach of the Queens College Water Polo team and
wasn't letting us off easy. Plus there were a few ringers from the
local high school swim teams. One of them is nationally ranked or so
I'm told. I used to think that I was pretty fast but these kids swim
circles around me. Literally.