Buyer be ware. These shorts use a very large thick chamois pad. If you are size XL-XXXL they may be ok. Pad for Medium size short doesn't sit right for the sit bones. Strong pass for this reason. Material feels good and overall sizing was ok for my 6' 165lb body.
I’ve had a lot of problems with my neo bike , I’m on number 3 , garmin have changed them during the guarantee period, now I have a grinding noise and vibration in the pedal axle on the down stroke on bike number 4. The guarantee has now expired I’m not impressed to say the least, a trainer at that price should be lasting much longer.
West to East over thanksgiving last year ‘23. On 50 thanksgiving day. Had it all to myself because of the construction. I might have been the first to ride the completed portions of the MU path as the previous week it wasn’t there. Pretty sure you were going the wrong way beginning day two. 😊
Son of an unpleasant lady. I got 3 minutes into this damn video and then the man comes out in a freaking singlet. Those ain’t no damn bibs! That’s the leotard my cousin wears when we roleplay Dr. Dick Strauss and the student athlete. Which is not happening anymore because I won’t ever get the damn image of Lance armslong over here modeling a dam pecker pouch. Bibs are overalls that are thickened and warm, that you wear i the winter snowmobiling.
Wow! Great video! Congratulations on completing the C2C in two days! I don't remember the wooden bridge around 14:15 in your video but, I do know there is one like that on a side road coming from Upper part of the Upper Tampa Trail. I've never heard anybody say they liked the Suncoast Trail until you said it. To me it's long, noisy, and it's almost the same scenery the whole way. I've seen videos of people having fun on it with a good tailwind. I rode West to East last March. I made it a 5 day journey and took my time. I didn't mind riding on SR-50 from Ridge Manor. My quad muscles were burning after riding thru Clermont and they didn't stop burning the rest of the way. You are lucky you saw some wild life like the bear. I only saw one Turkey. However, I usually see deer between Pinellas County and Trinity every time I ride so, it was unusual for me not to even see a deer on my C2C journey.
Thanks, David. I wish I had taken more time - it's like I went too fast & didn't get to enjoy anything. Also, it raining most of the way was a bit of a bummer. 50 wouldn't have been so bad, but the construction barrels made it sketchy. I'd love to get back and do it again once the path is finished up, or even explore some of the other trails, as well. I'll take my time next time around!
That’s exactly where the wooden bridge is. Not really a bridge. Immediate west of the Upper Tampa bay trail. He didn’t go through starkey park which would have been a much more peaceful route to 14:44 on Keystone Road.
@@ericbarnettcycling sorry you had to deal with the rain. Was your ride cold? My name posted as David Smith, the first time I posted here and I am not sure why but, I subscribed again. You rocked it doing that in two days. You saved money not staying in a hotel every night but, it probably would have been fun to take your time because you were meeting up with your wife. I spent more time documenting my ride for my RU-vid channel to show most of my ride and help others. The next time I ride, I won't spend two hours at that cool wooden fence on the Seminole-Wekiva trail. I also got caught in a headwind when I rode that and I got lost following a highlighted trail on the 100trails map near the 1st tunnel coming my way. Since I was filming, I wasted time there trying to get the video right. I got 100trails to fix that after that long highlighted map after my ride. I got lost a couple of times that day. It's so easy to do and also with missing turns if we don't watch those blue signs carefully on that Seminole-Wekiva. I knew the trail from St. Pete up to Ridge Manor and then I knew the Clermont area. I wasn't sure what to expect passed the train tracks on SR-50. I made the mistake of not studying the East Side. I learned how to use the 100trails map midway in my journey. The 100trail map can be ineracted with. Go to the page, view larger map and touch the screen. It also will show hotels, food places, and places to rent a car. Winter Garden was a fun town to stop and stay in that little bnb there. My real plan was to stop in Clermont and stay with my friend that lives there but, he ended up with a bad cough so, I just had lunch with him and went on my way to Winter Garden. My mistake when I was there was that I looked up when the next rocket launch was when I was there and I found out it was going to be in three days so, I slowed down a lot when I was riding to try to see it. I still got to Titusville too early. If I didn't look up to see when the Rocket Launch was, I would have gone at a better speed. I don't remember too many barrels being on SR-50 except for near US 301. I rode in mid March. I rode about 11.5 on the new trail that wasn't opened yet on the South side and then I was forced to ride in the bike lane for a little bit and then I was forced on a sidewalk. I am sure it's a whole different ball game going West instead of East. FDOT just recently put the new roadway over the train tracks that aren't far from US 301. That 1st part of South Sumter Gap trail coming from the Train tracks may be officially opening by the end of the Summer but, I am not sure. I thought I read that it was going to open by the end of August. Next time I ride the C2C, I will plan what hotels I will stay in way ahead of time. I have found if I search Trivago at different times of the day and different days of the week, I can find a pretty good deal at places. I will book all of that stuff ahead of time. Thanks again for sharing your Journey! I thought you did good, even if it did rain. I've never ridden 150 miles. I have done three Century rides and come close to doing Century rides a few other times. I don't think I could even handle 150 miles.
@@davidrogers7137 I recognized it because I made my way from the Lower Upper Tampa Bay Trail to the Upper Part and filmed my ride during Super Bowl Sunday. It felt like I was watching my own video. I did the same thing. I rode on the wooden bridge and got bored with it and then rode in the road. That Tarpon Rd/Keystone Rd wasn't bad the day I rode it but, I can imagine it being bad if there was a lot of traffic. I wrote to the District Mayor there and I asked them if they could connected the two Upper Tampa Bay Trails going up Gunn Hwy. I asked if they could put a sidewalk or a trail or even a bike lane but, bike lane was not my preference because it would be nuts to ride on Gunn Hwy even with a bike lane. They talked to the community and they got the okay to put a trail next to Gunn Hwy. I don't know when all of it's going to be done but, I was the one to get the ball rolling on that. The project to connect both trails had hit a wall many years ago when the property owners refused to allow the two trails to be connect through their property. Coming out at the South end of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail can be another outlet to get to the West Coast start in St. Pete. I cheated on my C2C ride and I cut 6 miles off the Pinellas Trail riding up the East side of Pinellas County. I didn't want to go up ten overpass going up the West side. The bridge to connect from the Duke Energy Trail to the East Side of Pinellas Trail near Tampa Rd will be built by next Summer. Progress is moving pretty fast there. I actually like riding up the East Coast of Pinellas County better instead of cutting through the hood in St. Pete.
Hola. Esas rutas yo también las recorro con mi bicicleta. Este año comencé con bicicleta de carretera y me gusta mucho esos caminos. Eres de sur Carolina?
@@ericbarnettcycling tough, only 7riders in Cat C, 3 sped off stayed as a 3, then a 2 and then i was dropped :-) just under an 1hr 14 - couldnt have done much more ;-)
@@PW-CreakySaddle ooh - those kinds of races are hard, with less of a pack to hang in. Once the drop happens, it becomes a time trial without a group to work with.
I think it looks long because it's in the smallest gear and the cassette gets really big in the largest one (it's a single in the front, so the gear spread is huge). Haven;t had issues with the chain.
Thank you Eric so much for your insights…very much appreciated. I had started the 6 week Zwift program this past week and accidentally came across your vids…timing was perfect. Cheers Marty from Melbourne 🇦🇺
Good advice. Stop as soon as you’re done. I did exactly the same thing as you did…kept on going after I had done my max effort…eventually stopped and the “toast” button came up. I’m sure my result was skewed…Zwift should tell you what to do…great video thanks.
Thanks! I did a second FTP test after learning what I did wrong the first time. I wish Zwift itself was a little clearer about what to do, but RU-vid fills the knowledge gap!
Just came across your videos. I watched your FTP video, and now this one. They aren’t boring. I’m pleased I’m starting to follow your journey. I know it was a year ago, but well done. :-)
I just started this today. I just learned about ERG, and not sure if I had that enabled today. I'm guessing not, based on the amount of shifting I had to do to match the cadence and watts being asked for. I'll make sure it's on for tomorrow's workout. I'm trying to build up before doing my first team duathlon with my girlfriend (she's doing the running part, thank God!).
How's the training going? It's all about the ERG mode for me in the intervals, except for the power workouts where it wants you to redline for short periods of time. I never got the hang of that. Otherwise, learning how to ramp up & down with the cadence & power in ERG mode actually helped me. Also, good call outsourcing the running for the duathlon - I hate running, lol.
@ericbarnettcycling I agree, ERG is the way to go. Switching out of it for the intervals is hit or miss. It's difficult either way to do high watts with low cadence. What's worked best for me so far has been to leave it in ERG mode and slow my cadence before the interval starts. Today I'm coming off a 5 day break - I felt like my body was getting overworked and didn't want to risk breaking myself before the event, which could have put me further back. Today it's back to "tempo" day, which to me is the hardest. I DO need to get out on the roads with this new to me TT bike to actually SEE how fast I am and get more used to bike handling on it..
@@warnersmith1344 yeah, tempo was the rough one for me. I also felt like my legs were cooked the whole time. Before I'd done the plan, I had a ton of base mileage in, so my overall endurance was good. The FTP program brought on a lot more power and improved my skills at using different cadences. I always say the indoor training forces me to do all the things I wouldn't do on my own while out riding (mainly bringing intervals and overall structure to the mix). The TT bike will be a new learning curve, too - might want to see if you can copy that geometry to the indoor bike, so you're training your power at that position.
This one I did, by mistake. I’ve done all ramp tests in ERG mode since this and like that better. You’ll see people arguing over whether ERG is the way to go (or if ramp tests are accurate or if FTP even matters, lol), but I prefer the ramp test with ERG for setting my baseline and measuring progress in Zwift
Great detailed real world long term review. I recently tried off brand bibs and shorts with some Santic ones and wasn't that impressed. I've since ordered some cheap Pearl Izumi Quest shorts, not bibs, that were on sale and expect them to be much better and were cheaper, because they were on sale.
Awesome vid! Watched the whole thing! Definitely a bucket list for me to do that ride, but ugh, some of the sketchy roads with barely a shoulder…that’s all I’m riding out here 😵💫
It's definitely a trail to do! They are working on a patch along the sketchy part - hopefully it'll be completed soon. I've ridden along many a road in my day, but the construction section with the barrels was particularly rough...
Hey Eric, great video! I will be doing the C2C sometime in July in a single day. Could you please share the file of the route you took? I appreciate you posting this.
Good luck with the C2C! My only two cents is that I wish I had taken longer! I feel like I missed so much beauty and nature just trying to hammer down, though I completely get striving for the challenge of a single day. I'm pretty sure the route I programmed into my Garmin was this one: ridewithgps.com/routes/31802446 Also, here are the links to my Strava activities: www.strava.com/activities/10213626653 www.strava.com/activities/10217994651 Be sure to research the Rt 50 stretch. It's super sketchy. Also, I took some extra turns in Orlando that I'm sure were unnecessary. There is a good Facebook group about the C2C that is more up-to-the-minute about the trail and closures and such.
I did the 6 week FTP Builder after Zwift back to fitness ( I had had a knee issue ) and went from 180 to 213 over 6 weeks on the ramp test. However, what I noticed was I lost weight when combined with sensible eating and I am enjoying more hills now. We can argue about the science and all the other stuff, but an entertaining 6 week programme which does not take up all your family time and gives results is a winner.
Hi, I didn't hear you mention the seat tube issue anywhere. Don't you have thigh chafing, it seems to me that it is very thick and massive and this will bring discomfort with larger thigh muscles?
@@ericbarnettcycling So far I've done a couple of 60/70km rides and find them to be comfortable. I ordered using the measurement chart, but found the fit to be 'snug'. If I order another pair I'd consider going up one size. Love the side pockets.
Was going to do half the C2C trail and back from St Pete..got to Route 50 and said OH HELL NO. They need to hurry up and finish that section of trail 😅
@@printerror I thought I was taking that way but the “road” was unrideable loose sand and not gravel where none of my GPS devices could get a signal. My freakout level was way high.
@@Bicycleprincess There are a few known routes through there. Check out Follow Thomas or HBC Outdoors, both posts pretty good routes. I'm using HBC's on my 400 mile "Tour de Flor-ida" in a few weeks.
I seem to recall there was a way to purchase just the shifters, but I can't find it now. Also, I recall the price being way beyond what I was willing to spend.
Hey Eric super ride.. The same happed to me and I am a CAT B rider now and getting my back side kicked day in day out, in CAT B. I need to go back to CAT C but I am not allowed which is a real shame... :)
I felt that way, too, in Cat B. The only way I came to rationalize it was that I was pushing harder in B than I would in C, and thus improving. Try to hop in some non-prime time races that are a bit sparsely attended for better results (and a confidence boost!)
I'm fairly sure this is the one I used: ridewithgps.com/routes/31802446 Do your own research regarding the Rt 50 stretch, though. There's a really good Facebook group about the trail.
Nice Review. I have a 10 day ride in June in Florida coming up so long and hot. For that I was looking at some substantially more expensive but these might just work for some of the shorter days and also training rides in between I was looking at the. What would be your favorite Bibbs for say century ride in heat?
Hey, sorry for the belated reply! Life gets in the way sometimes, and I've been off the bike. I have a set of bibs from The Black Bibs (the Ultimate, I believe) that I wear for the really long rides. I've worn their regular bibs for centuries, but those ultimates have been great for even 200+ mile rides. Enjoy the C2C!
Recently completed the 6 week FTP builder. Just did the ramp test today and my FTP has gone from 196 to 227 watts. Very happy with that, and about what I expected. It's put me up from Cat D to Cat C, which I'm not sure if it's a good thing or not, as I was not that great a racer in the first place, and now I've got to compete against people who are even stronger than those I was before. 🤔
Nice progress! I felt the same way. Just have to rationalize that even if you're getting your butt kicked in a higher cat, it's still pushing you beyond what you would have done in the lower and is improving your fitness.
Hey dude! Hope you're well! Haven't seen ya in a bit, if you wanna spin around on zwift sometime lmk. Also two races planned for this year... Arkansas BDB in Sept - Colorado Triple Bypass
I can't recall exactly where the bear was, but I'm pretty sure it was on the East Central Regional Trail near Cow Creek. Be vigilant, though. I'm sure there is the potential for bears and alligators in many of the wooded areas of the trail.
@@ericbarnettcycling Ride was great! Smashed my goal of 5 hours with a nice 4:35:47 moving time, I went out with the 20-22 pace group. We mostly kept it between 22 and 24 and did the last 10 miles between 24-26. The group was a solid 40-50 riders.
Hey, sorry for the belated reply - I've been off the bike due to a big move. Everything on my State bike looks like it should - everything welded. Hopefully you have this sorted out.
It's good to see familiar places again. I rode C2C just a few weeks ago but I took the Richloam WMA instead of SR-50 but you did a lot of miles, almost could have done it in one day, that's insane 😎.
Thanks Thomas! When I set out I was thinking about trying the whole thing in one day, but I chose probably the worst day to do it. I actually wish I’d taken 3-4 days and enjoyed myself more. They’re working on a bike trail that runs next to Rt 50. I hope to do it again once that is finished. Some of those detours look great, too! Cheers!
@@ericbarnettcycling Would be challenging to ride the all 250 miles in one day but it's probably doable. My personal record is 192 miles/day, maybe I should try. I'm looking forward to them finishing the SR-50 work then I will probably ride the C2C again.
@@FollowThomas You should come do the Kings Road gravel ride with us in October! 210 miles from Steinhatchee to Flagler Beach. I'm hoping to do it in one day this year, which would be my own personal best.
i don’t think that i can go at least for 20 min with my ftp ramp test. so it is not so precise as i think. But for beginners level it’s great start into road bike adventure.
I liked your video. That bear was crazy. I have seen a hog, turtles and alligators, but never a bear. Yesterday, I saw a snake. Thanks for making the video.
