30 MINUTES

It's always fun climbing Cypress.  Regardless of whether you choose to noodle the mountain at a sedate pace, slowing to enjoy the vistas from each switchback, or ride the mountain angry, looking for a time to beat up on, Cypress is a magical place.  

The near constant 5% to 6% pitch allows you to lock into a trance-like, cathartic rhythm.  Depending on the nature and speed of the climb, mental focus can be broad, or pin-point narrow.  Last Thursday's climb was a little more narrow in scope than other rides - to beat the 30minute mark from the 2km sign.  FUN!  (Not really).

What does it take to ride sub-30 on Cypress?  A bit of determination and a heckuva lot of focus. More than anything though, it requires a constant power output, with little to no yo-yo'ing in pace.  I don't typically like to share ride data, but the graph below, indicating speed, power, heart rate and cadence, shows the complete story, from the start at the 2km marker all the way to the mountain-top finish, just underneath the powerlines.

A screen capture from Strava, the first line of data shows speed, averaging just over 20km/h, with a peak of 36.7km/h on the exit of the 2nd Lookout switchback. You can see the speed increases as the grade of the road levels, yet the power remains constant, evident in each of the three switchbacks.  On the next line, you can see power, expressed in watts.  I was looking to hold 360w for the climb, but fell just short of my objective - 359w avg - that just means another angry visit to the mountain is imminent.   The small spikes and valleys in the power output are indicative of shifts, as I momentarily lift off the gas, shift to a different gear, then stand to accelerate back up to the target load (360w).  In the first half of the climb, my aerobic fitness allows for fewer shifts and a higher cadence, as fatigue slowly creeps in, just past the 2nd Lookout, shifts increase in frequency, moving from a higher cadence to a lower cadence, recruiting more muscle groups in an effort to maintain power output.  Heart rate, as expected, is a smooth, linear line, increasing to 97% MHR as I cross the timing line.  An important note about HR is the narrow window, averaging 170, and peaking at 180bpm.  The frantic cadence data couples well with power output, reasonably smooth at first, then half way up the mountain, I start to struggle to keep pace, shifting more often, trying to find a quick rhythm. 

Strava shows an elapsed time of 30:17, measured from the Shed or Works Yard.  I typically (actually, I ALWAYS) time my efforts from the 2km marker, about 24 seconds past the Works Yard. By my rudimentary calculations, I think I cracked the elusive 30minute barrier, which at my advanced, decrepit old age, I'm very happy with!

LEAVING THE STATION

Quick post today.  After several months trying to explain the fine details of a leadout to a few of the guys I'm coaching, I think it's finally starting to click!  Tuesday Night's example was close to text book.  

Watch Geoff bring up the speed in a smooth, linear fashion, negotiate the corner carefully, but keeping a high speed through the apex, then snaps open the throttle and starts moving us up the peloton.  I'm on his wheel, while our sprinter (Colin) is sitting on, looking pretty, glued to my wheel, ready to unleash his explosive power in the final 50 meters.

Unfortunately, our group came up on a slower category in the final stretch, and we were asked to do several more 'final laps.'  In doing so, chaos ensued.  Is this the final lap?  No, this one.  This one?  NO.

Regardless, stoked on the power these guys laid down.

WELL, HELLO THERE, RIDLEY HELIUM SL

Having spent most of 2013 training and racing aboard the fantastic Ghost Race Lector, a carbon steed draped with SRAM’s top-shelf Red group and rolling on high-end Easton EC90 carbon wheels, I was really eager to jump on the Ridley Helium SL to see how it would fare against the German Ghost.  How would this flyweight compare to the Ghost, a bike that up until now, managed to do very little wrong, and so many things, so, so right!


With its oversize tubing and massive chainstays, the Ghost was sure-footed, reasonably light and felt as if it were attached to the pavement; planted, stable, very predictable, an incredible joy to ride.  The Helium SL, Ridley’s flagship light weight race bike, would need to be very special indeed to run up against the Bavarian-sourced Ghost.

A quick walk around shows Shimano’s venerable Ultegra 6800 11 speed groupset.  Not

quite the top drawer, hardcore race-oriented Dura-Ace group, but the next best thing.  Being a Shimano pilot since forever, I felt right at home with this mechanical group; light, good looking, crisp-shifting and simple to adjust and maintain.  Click-Click-Click, nothing but smooth, trouble-free shifting up and down the cogs.  Touch points on the Helium included housebrand 4ZA bars, stem, post and saddle, high quality carbon goodies designed in the heart of the cycling country, Belgium.  Wheels are Fulcrum Racing 5’s, mid-depth, great for varying conditions, though if you spend an inordinate amount of time in the mountains, you might consider a special climbing wheelset.

The carbon frame is touted to be one of the lightest on the market, at just over 700g, throw in the fork and the scale tips a feathery 1,000g, thanks to a special carbon layup and new resin.  That’s really light folks. 

The immediate difference from the Ghost is the size of the tubing.  Svelte! Where the panzer-like Ghost has a massive bottom bracket area and equally large chainstays and

downtube, the Ridley is blessed with small diameter tubes, particularly the gossamer-like seatstays; very contemporary design features. The Helium also sports asymmetrical chainstays - beefier on the right side with the left being thinner and lighter due to the reduced forces on non-drive side of the bike. Cable routing is internal, making for a cleaner looking bike, and perfect for any riders contemplating an electronic upgrade in the future.

So, swing and leg over the machine from Belgium, give it some stick, and….how does it ride? As you would expect from a bike with a Tour de France pedigree; light and lively, with tremendous feedback.  The weight (or more appropriately, lack of) provides instant response, jump out of the saddle, stomp on the pedals and feel immediate response.  Attack a corner, lean the bike over, and the sure-footed nature provides pin-point accuracy, without any nervousness, inspiring riders to push harder and harder.  The slim seatsays offer a surprisingly smooth ride from such a stiff race bike.  Climbing out of the saddle was a joy, with little to no apparent flex out of the bottombracket. Wow, the evolution of frame design and material is amazing.  Could the Helium SL be the new standard in the stable? 

Hands down, a superb bike.  Light, lively, predictable and comfortable. I am really looking forward spending quality saddle time on board the Ridley Helium SL!