Boeshield, Bearing Grease & HR Zone

Electrode gel added to Garmin HR strap

BikeRadar had a nice article on HR Zone training, so I strapped on my soft strap and put in some new 2032 batteries (bought June, 2014) and off I went. Been a long time since I used my Garmin for that. Doing single speed work on the Madison, I chucked my HR strap. You either go or blow on a SS. My Gamin strap never did work that well over the years anyway. I finally ended up using a electrode gel on the pads for contact.

I figured out my max and zones by the new formula explained in the article:
210
minus 1/2 your age
minus (5% of your weight in lbs)
plus 4 (male) or plus 0 (female)
==========
Max HR

Then you use a % basis for the 6 zones.

Ok, I'm all set and the Garmin 500 is tracking HR Ok when I left the house at 0530. I figured a 100 miler to check things out today. Temps were just under 50F, so I put my carry along paper vest under the NCCC yellow/blue/white jersey and pulled up the arm warmers and woolie cap. Double rear blinkies on the SOMA along with my helmet light would suffice. I rode around and noticed the HR at 220 bpm. Mmmm? It started to move up and down when I wandered into Swami's riders later at LaCosta Ave and El Camino Real. Group of about 20 on their Thursday ride. We pushed westward at a brisk pace until I was finally relieved for the turn on Vulcan Ave. Whew! I backed off some and the HR didn't. I did a reset in the Gamin settings, adjusted the strap, etc. Rolled south for the Torrey climb in Zone 2, but the Gamin wasn't co-operating. Did another reset and "search" to no avail and finally bagged the idea. "Not Connected" I'll check it out at home later.

Not to be dismayed, I rode around for a few hours and ended up at the Bacon St. 7-Eleven, where I picked up a Blue Bunny IC Sandwich. Rode over to Dog Beach and sat watching the dogs shit on the beach. Added some GU Lemon/Lime to each bite. Nice lite ocean breeze as I shoved off and took the bike path around Sea World, looped Fiesta Island and made my way toward the Rose Creek Bike Path. Instead I kept going straight over to Pacific Beach. Finally made my way thru LaJolla and managed to find my way back up to UCSD.

Saw some rider trying to catch up on the climb up to Del Mar. Looked like he wore the old Swami jersey. He was working hard and when he got to 50', I jumped on it and raced to the top. We chatted & laughed at the top.
I said "I saw you coming and amped it up a bit. Your jersey looked like a old Swami's one!"
"Ya, you took off and I couldn't catch up."

Great Boeshield T-9 & Park bearing grease

Rode with him at a good pace to Encinitas. His ride was over. I stopped at Nytro for some water. Lid on my bottle was loose as I took a drink. Splash! On my helmet and HB bag. Nice move. Wiped it down and ate a banana. Asked Nytro Mike if they had any Power Core type sleeveless T-shirts. He showed me some loose fitting Craft ones and suggested I check some sporting stores for tight fitting ones. Can do. I've used the Champion Power Core sleeveless black ones from Target for years, but of course they don't have them now.

Next stop was REI over by El Camino Real. Looked and looked for some lite cushion Merino wool crew socks there. Women's sizes were perfect, but nothing in the men's sizes. Spent 20 minutes looking just for those socks. Did pick up some Boeshield and Park bike grease. Rolled out and legs were done from standing around. All climbing now back to San Marcos. Stopped at the new DMV office off Rancho Santa Fe Road to pick up a Drivers Booklet for Zaharah. Place was packed.

Poor HR & wool sock day.
Good lube and riding day.

Clear skies
Hi: 88     Lo: 49
Wind SW-15mph
126 miles

Update:
After the ride, I went home and dug out my old Garmin Strap and sending unit. Added a new battery to the unit, put it on the soft Garmin Strap, rubbed on some Electrode Gel and WALLA! Did a ride on Saturday and it worked like it should the entire route. Removed the battery from the other sending unit and put it away for next time. Looks like next time the HR doesn't work, I'll do the switch-O-roo again!


-randorides