Mallorca Training Camp Day 3: Once More Into the Breach

As frequent readers of this blog (thank you, both of you) you will know that in his leave-no-stone-unturned efforts to get better at cycling (despite his lack of talent, power, tactics, genes and intelligence), the Wheelsucker uses a coach. His coaches response after Monday's ride/ workout was
"Very nice. Now recover - its a long week."

So the Wheelsucker was trying to recover today (Tuesday).The ride was similar to yesterday's, though today somehow managed to be even better than yesterday, which had been a perfect day. Early on the group rode in double file (remember the importance of looking like pros) on flat roads. The Wheelsucker took a few pulls but mostly sat at the back going easy.

Sebastien and Matt looking like pros at the front



Scott rolls by on his way to the front



Scott thinks this is a War

After some hours and miles, the group came to the first climb, the Coll d'Honor. Scott started behind and powered past everyone. The Wheelsucker was trying to go hard but not max. Scott, Ace, and Sebastien were gone, but the Wheelsucker went easy early and had enough in the tank to catch Katy and Jim and finish with them, though they were going easy enjoying the view, while the Wheelsucker was so far in the red zone his gasping breathing was annoying them. Then it was downhill and some flat to a lunch and coffee stop.

After the lunch stop, Ace and Scott were riding behind the Wheelucker at one point, singing each others praises. It was appalling. The Wheelsucker turned around and politely asked them to stop, and go back to trash talking. Even Katy was sickened by the love fest.




On the way back nearly everyone did the Randa climb. The view from the top is spectacular, with a 360 degree view of Mallorca,


and even another island in view in the distance. The Wheelsucker was tiring and stopped early for a pee break, then went at less than 100% until near the top.





On the way back to the hotel, downhill into the wind, Scott did a monster pull followed by Ace and then Matt. The Wheelsucker was initially riding last and occasionally barely hanging on, later, when closer to the front and pedaling as hard as he could to hold the wheel in front he briefly saw 458 watts, and this was downhill into a headwind. The Wheelsucker can only imagine the power Scott and Ace were putting out.

Lower bars looks pro, but too much steerer tube above the stem is NOT PRO!!
Katy has suggested the Wheelsucker has too much steerer tube showing above the stem. But the Wheelsucker recently lowered the stem for a more "pro" look. After all, it's all about the look ... And the Wheelsucker will save a few more grams by sawing off 1.5cm of steerer tube and ditching a few spacers. But the few grams saved would easily be matched by Katy if she got rid of her extra long STEEL seatpost....

Katy was crushing the Wheelsucker on the climbs despite using a heavy steel seatpost

Katy has also had several flats and then a front brake problem. Ugly accusations of sabotage by the Wheelsucker have been made...

Katy's suspicious front brake problem



Once back the Wheelucker inhaled a couple of beers (the Wheelsucker claims alcohol is a muscle relaxant, with lots of carbs and therefore an optimal recovery drink), before enjoying a hot shower.

4:20 ride time, 73.74 miles, 2532 KJ, average HR 119, average power 159 watts (a fine piece of wheel sucking).

Tomorrow is expected to he another long day with lots of climbing. The Wheelsucker is hoping for miracles so he can hang.



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Location:Avinguda d'Amèrica,Palma,Spain