IMLT Crucible

Rich Stanbaugh

Hi Coach P - first THANK YOU for the analysis of my IMLT ride.

http://www.screencast.com/t/14Iz6kaMzY

Second -  couple questions:

I had a 12-30 cassette on my bike (Ultegra derailleur - 12-30 was the largest drop that I could get without changing the derailleur). My chain ring is 53-39 / 175 mm cranks.You talked a lot about gearing - my first ride in Tahoe terrified me - I think that I would have been better served to go with a compact crank set over more gears on the cassette... do you agree? Or do you think that I could fix it all in the cassette?

I appreciate the comments about nutrition. The weather was really strange. When I hit the summit the first time, I was struggling a little with heat, because the sun was warm and I was still stripping layers off. By the second summit, the wind was picking up and I was getting cold again. I felt like I let myself get a little too hot the first trip up the mountain... this probably changed my nutrition needs more than I adjusted them. The wind was becoming a material problem for me on the last loop from King's Beach (bottom of the big descent) to Squaw Valley.

With the 12-30 cassette, I was spun out after about 32-34 mph and coasted all those segments. I basically tried to never stop pedaling (apart from turning / adjusting) - no resting in other words - the rest of the ride. I know there is a lot of time of coasting - a lot more than I am used to seeing on my charts... but is it appropriate to stop pedaling when you are spun out? or should I continue to pedal at a lower speed? I've only been riding a couple years - I have a lot to learn!

Thanks,

Rich

Coach Patrick

@Rich, for IMLT I would have gone 50/34 on the front, the rear is fine. Once you spin out at 32-34, you can coast for sure...and there's more coasting in LT than elsewhere...if you are doing LT again then get that new crank....if not and you plan on "normal pain and suffering" via the "average" Ironman, you should be all set!