veloblog: bicycling in Greensboro, NC and the surrounding area

A preliminary review of the Garmin Forerunner 305 and Ascent software

I've gone through many computers, from Avocet 20s to Echos, Sigmas, and most recently, a Polar 100CS. Then I got it into my head that I wanted two things: 1) No computer on the bike, and 2) Location data.

After some research, I decided to try a Garmin Forerunner 305. First, this thing is not unobtrusive -- I tell people it's a court-mandated tracking bracelet, when they ask, and they do ask. But, feature-wise, it keeps track of the things I want:

• Speed and distance
• Ground track
• Altitude (GPS-derived)
• Heartrate data
• Laps
• Multiple workouts

And it offers a reasonably easy to navigate interface. I've been using the Garmin since December, and here are a few observations:

• The GPS receiver works well; the connection with satellites is typically excellent
• Distance and speed tracking appear to be very accurate -- better than the Polar
• Same with heartrate tracking -- I never have the weird glitches in measurement that I had with the Polar
• I don't notice the unit on my wrist. It's bigger than I would like, but I never notice it when riding
• If I do want to glance at the display, it's easy to read. Legibility it excellent.

The Forerunner 305 allows me to download data for analysis. I started by ditching the Garmin Training Center software -- it's terrible. MotionBased.com is an option, if you want to pay a subscription fee to access all your data. Me, I use it as a backup but that's about it.

Instead, I use the excellent Ascent from Montobello Software. After syncing the 305 with Ascent, I can look at the data in a variety of ways:

• A summary of data
• A graph with speed, elevation and heartrate overlays
• A map with speed, elevation and heartrate overlays

I suspect that I'm only scratching the surface with Ascent, but I've been impressed with the ease of use, excellent and intuitive interface, and presentation of data. If you're buying a Garmin GPS for cycling, budget a few more bucks to license Ascent. It's worth it.

A helmet and a hug

The right to disobey?

Is it ever okay to disobey a police order while riding? And what constitutes a lawfull order?

Interesting reading.

It isn't a real field sprint unless it's on a 20% grade

Flèche Wallonne 2009, finish on the Mur of Huy. (EPO-powered) Rebellin schools the field.

Jacquie and Maynard

One of the joys of having been around the cycling scene for a while (hey, age has its advantages) is reading this and having it resonate. Great post and article. Read it.

Danny MacAskill at work in Edinburgh

When it rains it pours

Back from Cycle NC East, which was a great weekend of riding. I'll post rides maps soon (I hope).

After raving about my seemingly flat-proof Hutchinson Fusion tubeless tires, I managed to put a couple of holes in the rear tire. No big deal, nothing fatal. But the holes are large enough to require one of Hutchinson's patch kits and a dose of sealant. Of course, these have to be ordered as they're not in stock in my neck of the woods.

No big deal, I thought. I'll use the Dura Ace/Open Pro wheels to get me through the next weekend. But then I discovered a crack in the rear rim. So there's a DT 1.1 rim (no OPs available) on the way, in a hurry, and I hope to have a rebuilt wheel by the weekend.

Worse comes to worse, I'll use the Dura Ace tubeless wheels with tubes, or put a 10 speed cassette on my trusty Velomax Circuits.

Scheldeprijs 2009 yard sale

Ouch. Ugly finish. Props to Rollin, who's close to getting a win.

Shannon Hills Ride - 36 miles

Saturday, the sun was shining brighter than earlier than we expected. And the wind was howling. Which made our 36 mile loop to Level Cross, Red Cross and back slightly more challenging than expected.

Gent Wevelgem 2009

While working today I had a French feed of G-W running in the background (and no, my French isn't great but I could pick up a phrase or three). I started watching just in time to see Edvald Boasson Hagen win with a sprint that seemed to start 5K from the line. Here are the last 2K, complete with Norwegian's-going-nuts commentary.