Comments on: Flatter Than Saskatchewan?

By: Bryan

Bryan — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 11:59:17 +0000

Yes, it’s flat here. I sometimes wish I had a few hills here in Jacksonville but that’s why most of the clubs here do a weekly repeat ride on the bridges downtown.

Also, I think it was Victor over at Bicycle Lab that told me the Mt Dora area, just north of Orlando, has quite a few hills.

By: Darryl

Darryl — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:07:32 +0000

It’s so nice to have my old waterskiing buddy, Paul, checking out the blog. It’s also very cool that we both strayed from cycling and took up the bike. I hope you start riding again soon, my man.

I have already posted a couple times about my waterskiing days, so it’s no secret that it was a big part of my past, including http://lovingthebike.com/cycling/bodybuilding-wakeboarding-cyclist.

Darryl

By: Eric Hutchins

Eric Hutchins — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 06:07:24 +0000

I thought Lloyds observation was excellent, they one thing about riding flat courses is NO breaks. I actually think that is a big thing. And of course as has been said, PUSH BIGGER GEARS! Simulate hills by dropping down in the back and PUSHING for intervals.

By: Paul Rouleau

Paul Rouleau — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:59:34 +0000

Daryl, I can hook you up with our local Saturday morning ride in Lakeland FL. I was a regular in my Ironman days but have not had a chance to love the bike for the last 5 years. When cycling in Florida you have all the usual biking hazards and then some. On a long ride on a local mining road I was head down in the arrow bar position riding the white line ( no shoulders in Florida )and came 3 inches from riding over the snout of an 8 foot alligator that was lying on the side of the road.

Lakeland also has some good mountain biking at Carter Road park. Come bike in Lakeland and then I can take you skiing. Yes, before Daryl loved the bike he loved the waterski.

Talk to you soon,

Paul

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:26:32 +0000

These tips definitely apply to Houston as well. I agree re only hills are overpasses, bridges and parking garages. We get so excited when we are further north and west of here and can climb some hills!

By: Darryl

Darryl — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:20:50 +0000

You are so right….my legs were burning by the end of last week. There is absolutely no easing up on the pedalling when you’re on the flats.

Thanks for checking out the post….do you think we’ll be able to hook up for a ride while I’m here?

Darryl

By: Lloyd Lemons

Lloyd Lemons — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:12:02 +0000

There’s one, often overlooked, feature of riding the flats: the luxury of coasting is virtually eliminated. Ya gots to keep crankin’! Thanks, enjoyed your post.

Lloyd

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:40:10 +0000

Interesting post; I enjoy reading perspectives on different areas across the country. This helps me understand why the roadies are never up to the challenge when they come up here to ride (if you here the local guys at the shop talk). Dahlonega is basically the closests place for Floridians to get some serious mountain riding.

Interestingly enough, I’ve ridden with some MTBers from down that way that were pretty dang good. While the trails obviously don’t have many long sustained climbs, most apparently have an abundance of short, steep pitches and are very technical (at least, from what I hear).

Hitting some MTB trails in Florida has been on my to-do list for over a year now. Maybe I’ll be able to make it happen some time this winter!

Thanks again for the interesting post!