Training Log Archive: dolph

Como-Mendrisio-along Lago di Lugano-Ponte Tresa-Luino-Maccagno-Alpe di Neggia-Vira-Bellinzona, with Stone and K81. Weather was great today; blue sky and sunny with temps up to 24C. We rode a solid pace around the Lago di Lugano and stopped for lunch in Luino. The ascent to Alpe di Neggia was long but nice, modest gradients on the first 2/3, pretty steep on the last third. Accelerated on the last km, otherwise steady pace. Another great cycling weekend!

Lugano-Arogno-Argegno-Menaggio-ferry to Bellagio-Madonna di Ghisallo-Sormano-"Il Muro di Sermano"-Colma del Piano-Nesso-Como, with Stone and K81. A day full of epic climbs! The day started with the climb to Arogno, with some very steep parts up to estimated 20%. The next climb was up to Madonna di Ghisallo, the patroness of cyclists. This climb will also be tackled during next Saturday's Giro di Lombardia, go Ivan!
Looking at the map, we figured out a small pass (Colma del Piano) which leads down to Lago di Como. However, there was also a shortcut on the way up and just from looking at the 1:100'000 scaled map, it seemed steep. When finally reaching the bottom of the "short cut" climb, we saw a signpost with "Il Muro di Sermano - The Wall of Seramo", uhhh... :). The sign did not promise too much; I think I have never ridden a tougher climb by roadbike before, the climb was just brutal. While it was only 1.7km long, it gained some 280m of evelation, an average of 17% with a max. of 25%! We all made it without pushing the bike but it was really tough. The coolest thing of the climb was that every elevation meter was painted on the road!

Riding to Siebnen, down from Sattelegg to Pfäffikon.

Sattelegg PB attempt. I failed... :(. Pushed hard from beginning on and passed the junction (Rest. Sonne) after 14:10, which is new PB by some 25sec. Hit the steep parts probably a bit too fast and got over my anaer. treshold. Was not able to recover and struggeled my way up. With 3.5km to go, I was so disappointed about my current speed that I quit. Continued in solid pace though and reached the Sattelegg in 36:42. That's still my 2nd best time but the goal was below 35'. I could have ridden a new PB but that was not the aim of today. I really doubt that I have the legs for a sub 35' time but I might give it a try next week again.

Wehrenbach/Elepghantenbachtobel loop with chris_d in the night. First night ride ever! Exciting! Used my Silva head lamp on the helmet and two Aldi 7.99.- LEDs on the handlebar, worked perfect.

Home loop, in the rain. Not motivated for a real ride, so better than nothing at all.

Schübi-Altendorf-Weesen-Amden-Arvenbühl-Amdener Hchi (1537m)-Starkenbach-Wattwil-Ricken-Schübi, with JF.
Rode for the first time the climb to Amdener Höhi, includes some really steep parts in the area of 25%. Pushed for about 2km up to Amden, the rest in easy pace. We attacked each other several times on the Ricken , that was fun!

Was unmotivated for a longer ride, so did my speciality: K&S, kurz & schmerzvoll :)
2x 5x1min pushing hard, 1min easy climbing pace for recovery. Did this while climbing twice the Limberg, first in 9:56, second in 10:10.
For dessert, I did some TT test on the Seestrasse (for the Hegrarstrasse TT Trophy), outcome was not so encouraging.