::Iron Bike Room::

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Nathan

::360 picture::

In winter months I spend majority of my time down in the basement. It took me a little bit to finally set it up the way I wanted it but its working well now. It needed to be functional for both as a studio space for computer/art work but also to be used for bike training. Two main things I needed to keep in mind when I was setting up “the bike room/studio”.

1) I don’t have cable TV so all my entertainment comes off the Internet, so I have everything centered around my desk. I built the desk with both these functions in mind. Its always good to get within a headphone cables distance from your source; computer, laptop or TV so you don’t need to crack up the audio.

2) A basement was my best bet to start the bike room for many reasons but the biggest has to be the concrete floor. It can get wet, easy to clean, and I can drag the trainer all over it. I also added little piece of plywood under mine just so when I lube up the chain it doesn’t stain the floor. I’ve seen a lot of people use a rubber mat for under your bike, which would work , some use a towel but oil will go right through it.

I’ve been riding in my basement for over two years now and have found this set up to work pretty dam good, I’m interested to see and hear how others have there bike rooms. Links, pictures or even an email to me would be great. I hope to do a post with other tips and tricks later on. Email — [email protected]

::Ironman Specialized regearing::

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Nathan

In March on 2011 I decided that I would get my butt on a new bike after riding on my three ring Kona. I researched many different bikes and decided that I would go with specialized pro transition. After a full season of racing on this bike, I was super happy with it and felt that now I wasn’t at a huge disadvantage.

::old one::

In June I rode its first race in Oliver and took a 93km bike to a 2:36, in 2010 I did 2:54, taking 18 minutes off. I’m not all the credit goes to the bike since I’d been just 7 months new in the world of skinny tires.

In July I raced the Vancouver Half Ironman and continued to take time off my bike with a 2:44 but this time it was only 6 minutes. The difference between June and July was that the race course in June was a flat course and July (Vancouver) had a three looped course with a nice hill climb at the start of every loop. (as well as riding the IMC course the week before) Then finally in August I went into ironman and raced close to my goal time but got totally deflated by the time I hit the run.

I am always learning and after a long (still long) winter, looking over what I did wrong and what I can do to change and challenge my goals for 2012, I decided that the gearing for this bike isn’t right.

It came with a 53 chainring which after talking to a few guys at Velocity…is large. I felt like my old bike was pretty good for hills with the old three ring chainring. Ironman Canada is considered one of the toughest races on the ironman tour with its hilly climbs, but with Ironman St George thrown into the mix for this years racing, I’m told it’s even tougher. With stories of people walking their bikes up some sections, I thought I better get the gearing right.

::new one, ready to be tested::

So a 50″ s-works is thrown on for some faster rpms up the mountains. I’m hoping to get out on this guy here soon once the snow clears and gets a bit warmer. I look forward to the gearing difference and what sort of results that will come with the change.

Photo Thursday :: On Thursday

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Nathan

I’m getting into some big weeks leading into peaking out for a few more weeks. I know I have said this before, but new routes and a change in scenery makes things a lot more enjoyable. Saturday started out with a trip down to second beach pool for a quick 2k in their salt water pool. Amazing morning with a few jerk regulars that I had to smoke out. Then went out for a 25km run through False Creek, Olympic village, Granville, kits beach, and Jericho. Then did 3 loops of Stanley park on the bike, and finished on a super busy seawall for a last 10km run to end off the day.

It was a total zoo on the beach Saturday. After 11am people just poured in. I wanted to take more photos but just wanted to get the hell out of there after all the training.

Sunday I headed out a bit later in the day for a trek to Hayward lake for some hills and then headed east to finish my ride at Harrison. Great ride with some good tail wind. Great route that had a mixture of everything, including a ton of motor bikes heading to the show and concert at the Sasquatch Inn.

Some great light on the way home from Harrison

This old lady gave me a good giggle. wasn't fast enough to get the front of her but it was pretty funny seeing her ripping around in that thing.

Heading into Kelowna Friday night for their open water swim Saturday Morning. Looking forward to it! Last race before Ironman.

Weekend Wrap-up.

Posted on May 24, 2010 by Nathan

Took off friday night with the camper in tow, and headed for the Walmart in Penticton. Got in @ 11 and crashed there for the night, even though they have signs everywhere with by-law crap on it. Other then a few groups of drunken kids walking through, we had a good sleep, and hit the road.

We took off @ about 8am with the sun and course ready for us. Goal is to ride the whole 180km ironman course, and still have some energy for a run on the Sunday. Slugged it out and finished up at about 2, and was so happy to get off my bike. Felt really good til about 120km and then had to fight it from the Bear fruit stand back to Penny. In the short time that I have been cycling, I am really starting enjoy it, the distances and scenery you cover is awesome.

Two solid weeks of training before Oliver half Iron, looking forward to another race. It will be a great learning and test for me.

Here is a great write up on the course.

Walmart morning

Traded straight up for this hog

First Fuel up stop @ the husky in Osoyoos

Tri-Training Day

Posted on November 8, 2009 by Nathan

Had a weekend that didn’t have me booked up so I decided to kick myself into gear. I needed to get a long run in (for Vegas) and also wanted to get a solid start on riding the old bike. I picked a hell of a Saturday to do it, with hail and some good down pour sessions. Some people might have heard me dropping f-bombs in the early afternoon after riding into a few hail storms. All in all was a nice long day of training and felt pretty good.

I have been getting pretty board of the usual training routes and sessions, so I thought I would get a little more creative. I headed to the pool out in Walnut Grove for an 8:30 start , did a 40 minute swim. Drove out to 232nd and the number 1 hwy and left my truck there. Suited up for a 31km run back to my house. Once I got to my house I hucked some food and water in me and headed out on a 32 k bike ride. The whole thing took almost 5 hours but was a nice little saturday. Oh and the sun came out right when I hoped off my bike. Awesome….

ON the way on just after jumping into the truck. Never found the gold.

On the way home just after jumping into the truck. Never found the gold.

The Finish to the day. Sun rolling in.

Clouds moving out

Bike Time

Posted on September 29, 2009 by Nathan

As of yesterday I officially finished sign up for Ironman in Penticton. (already paid in August but now have all my info) I almost forgot to do it, September went by so quick, just remember during a long training run on the weekend…oops.

I did also manage to find myself a bike, indoor trainer and pedals,to get myself started. I also picked up, the apparently super important, bike shorts, can’t wait to find out how sore my ass will get. Getting pretty pumped to get a few good rides before the ugly weather comes.

Did the old craigslist hunt and grabbed, everything for 800 bucks. (bike, shoes,pedals and trainer) I wasn’t too pumped about getting a super expensive bike without even riding before, so hopefully this one will get me started. We will see if I will need to get a new bike by spring.

Kona Haole-- had a compter with it too.

Fairly new trainer for indoor riding.

Da Shoes

Nathan Veldhoen

::A Lifestyle blog of what I enjoy :: running, Triathlon, Art, Design, Photography, DIY and Building.::

Tag Archives: biking

::Iron Bike Room::

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::Ironman Specialized regearing::

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Photo Thursday :: On Thursday

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Weekend Wrap-up.

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Tri-Training Day

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Bike Time

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