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centurymanoffdarails · 6 years ago

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2018 review

As I look back on the previous cycling season. I am reminded of all the triumphs that I accomplished. Of course there were also failures and lapses too.

The season started off with the annual BRR ride. BRR is the bike ride to Rippey, a nice and easy twenty-five mile round trip from Perry to Rippey and back. After BRR, it was sights set on the gents race in April. March was for building base miles as I decided to be lazy and not ride at all on the trainer.

As March came upon me I knew I had to get focused on my endurance riding part of the season. Since I had not ridden st all during the winter. First things first was to do a couple week training camp to just focus on the riding. What I did was, I’d ride long distance one day, hills the nrxt, long distance, and hills. I tried to repeat that all the way throughout the month.

I had two major goals for 2018 one the bike. The first was the gents race. The gents race is where you have four other teammates and Giuliani ride at the slowest paced rider all ride long for 100k(63 miles.) it is a fun way to ride central Iowa gravel and also donate need supplies to a local animal shelter. I had high hopes of crushing it this year, but the cold weather had other ideas. I had to back out last minute. I still rode that day. Just not gents race.

After the gents disappointment I figured I need to get serious in my training and I had to focus on my next and final 2018. Conpleting of the BTC200, of which I had attempted 3 previous years and failed each time due to different issues with either myself or my bike.

I had the BTC200 on my calendar since the last years 200 mile day. I adjusted my training a bit this season. Not so many long rides, 100+ mile days. I only had TWO going in to the 200 day. I had a goal, and that was to pull the team in to Arnold’s park. I not only accomplished that goal. I did with a smile on my face!

That Thursday afternoon as I was packing my dad came in to my room and asked me where I was going. I told him I was going to go finish what I started three long years ago. I was going to conquer the ride that had been my nemesis for three long years. His response. So you’re going to fail again at the 200. My response. It. Is. Mine. As I was going to bed that night I was struggling mightily if I could do it. My friend oete looked me right in the eye and said. This. Is. Your. Year. He was right. It. Was. Mine.

As we were rolling north and west I realized I was in the best spot physically and mentally. I knew I had to complete this ride. I did. When we got to Laurens Iowa 150 miles all the guys were serious not joking around anymore. I still had a smile on my face. They all knew. It’s Jay’s year to finish. At mile 185. A few of the guys rode along side me, and said you’re pulling the team in. I’m like OK! I got to finish whst I had started three long seasons ago.

After the 200 there wasn’t much of a break for me as I had to get ready for RAGBRAI. Here’s where one of my setback comes, riding on Fourth of July I ride into a friends rear wheel, I go down hard. Lucky not to have done much damage we continue on and finish. I then come home and realize my derailleur is bent out of shape. My bike is good. I feel sore but I’m good. I go up to my local shop and they fix it.

After the fourth I get back at it. I know I have a century on the horizon. My bday ride, a tradition of mine for the last few Years. This one was different though, as I got to do it with my best friend, riding buddy and my youth pastor, now administration pastor at my church, Abe Miller. We rode 100 miles from ankeny east to Bondurant, then up to the Hufh Trestle trail bridge. We rode it in just over 6 and a half hours of ride time. Then it was the fun season for me. RAGBRAI!!!

After RAGBRAI I decided to back down on the endurance aspect of the cycling and just ride socially. When I ride socially I ride just at a nice and easy 16 mph average pace so I can chat with my friends. I also do a lot of miles by myself riding at an up tempo pace by myself.

This fall I upgraded from my BMC to a specialized diverge. Best decision Bike wise I could make. When I saw the new diverge I knew It was meant for me. I also got a second chainring when I got the new bike, just for gravel. I upgraded to wider tires too. 38mm wise tires. Gravel roads are calling my name! I’m always looking for a challenge, whether it be distance or gravel roads. My favorite aspect of the diverge is the future shock. I was a sceptic when it came out, hints why I got the BMC. I quickly realized it was not a gimmick wjf I knew it was for me.

When I got my new bike I knew I had to adjust my riding style and position a little bit. I adapted quite nicely to the diverge. Granted I’m still figuring the fit and stuff out. Overall I know I’ll be happier and faster. I also knew I wanted to explore gravel roads with the diverge. With gravel on the horizon I knew I needed wider tires. So I got the Specialized Sawtooth 700x38 tires. They are the ideal all around tire in my opinion. I also got a smaller chainring to adapt to the gravel. I got a 40t chainring by wolftooth. I goy the bike in October and my goal was to get a thousand miles in one month. Did not get that however, I did get a century in and a few more long rides in.

2018 was a good year mileage wise.6500 total miles over three bikes with three crashes and some gravel to have been conquered. 2018 was also my first of hopefully many double centuries in my life. 2019 is off to a slow start but we will pick it up when we leave for Florida in March.

#ridingwithhydrocephalus #asifarmstrong #ragbrai #rideforwade #bmcroadmachine #kylesbike #hightrestletrail #diverge #praypedalrepeat #Divergeandconquer

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velovets · 7 years ago

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Here we all are. Adaptive Sports Iowa presented by Iowa Farm Bureau. Thanks to all of you for sharing this amazing experience with Velo\Vets. #velovets #asifarmstrong.

#velovets #asifarmstrong

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centurymanoffdarails · 2 years ago

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A beautiful day for miles! 73.2 glorious miles at a 15 average speed. So thankful for @bikeworldiowa who got my @iamspecialized_road #Diverge repaired after yesterdays scuffle. Great day to reconnect with friends from @endscycling and @ragbrai both! To God be the glory! #ridingwithhydrocephalus #praypedalrepeat #asifarmstrong (at Newell, Iowa) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgc29TLuxq_/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#diverge #ridingwithhydrocephalus #praypedalrepeat #asifarmstrong

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centurymanoffdarails · 2 years ago

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Just the two photos today. 56 adventurous miles with 2500 feet of climb. Got to see some of my people today! So thankful for my @afct_cycling and @adaptivesportsiowa cycling families who helped me out! Those dang horses though. #ridingwithhydrocephalus #asifarmstrong #praypedalrepeat https://www.instagram.com/p/CgagivcuMWm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#ridingwithhydrocephalus #asifarmstrong #praypedalrepeat

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centurymanoffdarails · 2 years ago

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I’m so excited!! @ragbrai bound with @adaptivesportsiowa #praypedalrepeat #AsiFarmStrong https://www.instagram.com/p/CgXMu52uhSN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#praypedalrepeat #asifarmstrong

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