Stage 2 – It Seemed Like A Good Idea At The Time (ISLAGIATT)
- Duration: 1:56:39
- Power: 340 watts
- Average Cadence: 84
- Heart Rate: 152 average, 175 max
- TSS: 164.8
- Ride %: 100
- Start line: 4:57 pm on Saturday, January 25 (Because it’s Sunday somewhere)
ISLAGIATT is a climbing/endurance ride–lower cadence makes me happy…usually.
I’ve done this ride once before, and one of the things I like about it is the story line. Basically, you are lowly rider having a lackluster tour, and all the people in the home country want to see you go for the Most Aggressive Rider award on this final mountain stage.
I wasn’t sure if it would be as fun riding it for a second time, but I think the story really kept me going. I reviewed my last workout on this ride before I started, just so I’d know what to expect, and was thinking this would be an easier (though longer) day.
I was wrong. This ride ran me up to the rail. My max HR is right around 180, and I spent plenty of time in the mid 170s. I was over 153 bpm for 1:11:00.
In other words, my endurance is a big limiter. That’s going to show up later in the tour for sure. I’m expecting hell on Stage 7, and I’m plotting a rest day the day before it.
I wish I’d gotten this ride in a little earlier in the day, but I doubt sleeping in and resting for much of the day really hurt me either.
Tomorrow’s ride, Revolver, is only 45 minutes long. But it’s loaded with sprints.
Goody.
Previous Stage Reports: