Penultimates Blog: Under the hood!

As we are approached the beginning of our 7th training year, I took a little look through the data of the Penultimate blog (read: navel gazing).  The first post was way back in May of 2011.  Since then we have had just over 150 posts mainly detailing all the many training rides that we have done.

Total visits to our site as a function of time

Above shows our page hits/traffic as a function of time. You can clearly see the peaks in our traffic corresponds directly with our training season.  Our 2012 year was the year we had over 40 riders, and since we have had about 25-30 riders every year.  So why the slow decline of readership?  Perhaps it is the rise of InstaFace or other trendy social networks?  Maybe blogging is so mid 2000?

The most popular posts we have done

Above shows the most popular posts on the blog.  It tickles me to no end that the most popular posts by far are the two nerdy posts about how I suck going up hills (see here and here).  The vast majority of referrals to come here come from Google and Facebook.  But a fair number come here from a very lively Reddit thread about bike weight being irrelevant (here).  Also quite a bit of people looking for Domo Cupcakes (post here).

So life on the weird edges of the internet is still pretty fun!

Weekend's Ride: 6/11 - A leisurely ride with chance of West Nile

This weekend was our warm up the legs starter ride. All fun, no stress social ride from Nob Hill up the Diversion Channel to Paseo, then over to the Bosque trail south to the wonderful Bike in Coffee (route here).  I was expecting maybe 5 riders like last year, but our motley crew ended up being 15 strong!  We had long time Penultimates Laura, Eric, John M., Olga, Evil Gary, Tina, Matt, Ryan, and David.  More excitingly, we had several new (6) riders to the team - Andrea, Liz, John V., Jason, Rob, and Celeste!

We left Nob Hill later than normal and encountered a huge group of runners stretching over a mile heading north on the Diversion Channel, which I am accustomed to being very empty.  After a relatively quick ride down Paseo, we played our typical Saturday morning game of Bosque Frogger, weaving around and past runners, riders, skaters, walkers to finally make it to Bike in Coffee.  We relaxed on the beautiful grounds enjoying the morning and the conversation, while a swarm of hungry mosquitos enjoyed our tender skin.  After many hot coffees, iced coffees, iced chai, and the odd scookie (scone cookie - delish!) were consumed, we then rode back toward Nob Hill along Mountain, back to the Diversion Channel.  We finished the ride at Nob Hill just as the Pride Parade was gearing up!

Advice for new riders

Here are some pointers for new riders, in totally random order.  Always feel free to ask if you have any questions.

• Hand signals - we will show you.  Here is a nice video if you want to get a head start.
• Headphones - it's your call on what you want to wear.  I argue that situational awareness is more important that your favorite tunes at full volume.  The compromise that I follow is listening to podcasts with a bud only in the right ear when things are quiet, nothing when near traffic.
• Breakfast - I know, its really early when you head out to the ride start.  But try to get some food in you.  A mix of carbs and fats.  Suggestions: bagels with nutella and banana.  A smoothie with protein powder + toast and jam.  Bowl of cereal with fruit.
• Hydration - Make sure you carry at least 2 bottles for any rides greater than about 30 miles.  Drink often, even if you are not thirsty.  If you are thirsty, it is too late.
• Food - Pack some food too - something you will eat, something easy. Power bars, fig newtons, et...  It's never fun to "bonk" or to deplete your glycogen stores. It will manifests itself by sudden fatigue and loss of energy.  Don't think you can ride another foot?  Try eating some food and drinking water and resting for a bit.  You will feel better.  And same with drinking, if you are hungry, it is too late.  Eat a little bit often.
• Tires/tubes/pump - make sure you pack at least a spare tube and perhaps a way to inflate it.  Other riders will be carrying spares too, but make sure you have the size that matches your bike.
• Sunscreen - You all like skin right?  Wear sunblock. Make sure to slather on in the morning, and bring a small tube to reapply as things get hot.  Don't for the love of Pete put sunblock on your forehead.
• Know where you are going - I'll send out details of the ride the week before we ride.  Please familiarize yourself just so you can keep yourself for getting totally lost.
• Bring some cash/credit card -  just for emergencies, also a way to fill up the bottles on long rides.  Good if you bonk.
• Charge your phone - self explanatory - important in an emergency
• Bike tights/chamois/chamois butter - ever wonder why long distance cyclists always seem to be sporting padded tights?  Well, it is for the preservation of your keister.  Trust me, if you are uncomfortable after a ride, this is the best thing you can get to increase your post ride feeling.
• Clips?  Cages?  Flats?   Well, clips will make you a more efficient rider.  But plan on some low speed crashes until it becomes second nature.  In the long run, you will be happy!
• Helmets - absolutely necessary.  All helmets offer the same level of basic protection.  A more expensive the helmet might be more comfortable, cooler, maybe some additional safety features, but any helmet will give you the same baseline safety.
• Know your limits - only ride in the fashion you are comfortable doing.  This is especially true going down hill!  Go as slow as you need to go to keep yourself safe.
• Bike selection - The point of the Bike MS is to get out on a bike and ride.  You will see all kinds at the ride, from mountain bikes, to cruisers, to even a unicycle.  As long as what you are riding has wheels and pedals, you will be okay.  Some bikes are better for long distance riding (that super heavy mountain bike with knobby tires might not be able to go all 100 miles on Saturday), but remember there are many different lengths to chose from.
• Biking clothes - biking jerseys are very practical choices.  All are made of wicking breathable fabric with sun protection.  Most have pockets at the back for stashing phones, food, etc.

Any other suggestions?

The Domo Rules

Rule #1: Leave no one behind

We are a friendly team.  We pride ourselves on our fun, encouraging team rides.  We are all out there for many different reasons: to enjoy the ride, get some exercise, improve our fitness, meet our training goals, and so on.  The one thing that we all share is that we are riding with the Penultimates!  If we wanted to ride solo we would.

We always make sure that our riders make it.  We are strictly a no drop team!  If you are faster than everyone - great!  We will see you at the rally point (see rule #4).  If you are the slowest - great! We will see you at the rally point.  Also, would you like some company while you ride?

Rule #2:  It is not a race!

A slight variation of Rule #1, but important to say.  We are doing training rides, not racing.  We are happy you are super fast, but remember we are a team of individuals of all skills.  Ideally on rides we should organize ourselves in sub groups (A team, B team, etc...) so that everyone is riding with a buddy.

Rule #3:  Introduce yourself

If your new to the team, introduce yourself!  If you a rider for many years, introduce yourself!

Rule #4:  See you at the rally point!

Regardless of your skill, we will meet you at the rally point.  We try to wait there until everyone is in if the ride allows.  We are a no drop team, but if you don't rally we can't figure out where everyone is.

Rule #5: All are welcome

All rider levels welcome!  Seriously.  All types of bikes, all skill levels.   We all love riding (or we wouldn't be waking up at butt-dark early in the morning to ride countless miles right?) and we want you to love it too.  Learn from those around you.  Generally, most people ride road bikes, but we have had riders ride commuters and mountain bikes too.

Training Season 2016!

Here is the first draft of the training schedule for the 2016 year. The general plan is that if you ride this long ride schedule plus maybe get a few extra rides in you will be ready for the full MS150 at the end of August.   We will also contemplating doing a short training ride on each Sunday too that will build to ~50 miles by the end of the season, so those that want to ride the short ride can get some team rides in too.  For those of you new to the team, riding is great, but riding with a team is so much more fun!  As always, we will following most of the rides with a team breakfast, and now that they offer brunch this year the destination will be O'Neill's (food + beer + Bloody Mary's make recovery so much better).

From the 2015 South 14 roller ride

The tentative schedule (all are on Saturdays unless otherwise noted): All rides will leave from O'Neill's on Central as early as we can (6 am) unless otherwise noted.  There are several riders that are planning on doing the Taos Grand Fondo on July 16th (anyone interested in riding with us please let me know)! 

6/11	Light ride	20
6/18	Inner City Loop CW	36.1
6/25	Modified City loop CCW	36.7
7/2	City Loop CW	53
7/9	Jemez Dam	65
7/16	TBD	50-60
	Taos Grand Fondo	46/65/105
7/23	South 14 + rollers	65
7/30	Crest Assault from Triangle	26+
8/6	Ride to Placitas	66
8/13	Santa Fe	72
8/20	Recovery weekend	30
8/27	The Ride	150

Who We Are - 2016 Season

We are The Penultimates – a team of Albuquerque, New Mexico cyclists. Our primary focus is cycling in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s “New Mexico Pedal Los Pueblos” Bike MS, a two-day, 150 mile cycling tour through northern New Mexico. This event raises money for research, education, and support of individuals living with Multiple Sclerosis – including those within our community.  (For a quick primer on MS, check this out). Our team includes several members riding for friends and family with the disease, and we also have two cyclists that live and ride with MS.

At the 2015 Bike MS

The Penultimates formed in 2010 with 5 riders, raising over $7500 for the Bike MS150 event. By 2015 we we have had over 48 different riders join us through the years and raised $20,579.60 in 2015 and over $120,000 since our first year the fight against MS.  We’re reaching out to our families, friends, and the community businesses we actively support to help our fundraising reach the next level.  We are organizing a few fundraisers this year, including our Sixth Annual Paired Whisky Dinner hosted by Two Fool's Tavern (the 2014 even is detailed here).  These events raise money directly for the MS society, but the proceeds go toward your rider totals, so if you think fundraising will be difficult - we make it easy!

Our team has always been about the joy of cycling, the friendship of teammates, and riding or volunteering for a fantastic cause.  We may not finish first, but we will finish, and have a great time doing it!  We start training in earnest in late June, and we will try organize two rides every weekend to get you ready for the ride depending on interest.  We welcome new riders - either new to this event or new to long distance riding. Every year we pick up new riders that end up riding more than they thought they were capable of - completing from 80 miles to the full 150 miles. Whether you are new to cycling, a grizzled veteran, or just looking to volunteer your time for a good cause, this is the team for you!  Go Domo!

2015 ride by the numbers

As always it was a great training season and wonderful ride!  It was a great team this year - small, dedicated, and all friends.  This year's breakdown:

25 total teammates (1 more than 2014)

6 new riders to the Bike MS: Pedal Los Pueblos

19 riders who have done the ride >2 years

10 riders who have done the ride >5 years!

Training season:

0 - number of bike free weekends since June 6 (team wide)
15 - number of riders on our largest training ride (Ride to Placitas)
5 - new rookie riders 

         12 - days of training rides 
         3876 - Miles of training (team wide)

At the MS Ride 2015:

20 - riders Day 1
14 - riders Day 2
13 - riders to completed the Century ride Day 1!
11 - riders to make it to Puye Cliffs on Day 2

2482 miles rode a the MS150 (team wide)

7 top fundraisers

$20,578.60 (and counting) raised by the Penultimates!

$213,968 (and counting) raised to fight MS at the Pedal los Pueblos 2015!