East German Training Ride Home from Philadelphia

This picture shows just how I felt today riding home from Thorndale

For those of us who waited on the East-West Border in Germany for the Soviet hordes to invade, some of the most fearsome soldiers in that million-man invasion force were the East Germans.  They were the descendants of the soldiers that almost conquered Europe and Olympic contenders far above other countries their size.

Beyond their reputation for being the masters of 1980s doping, the East Germans trained hard for everything. Everyone who followed bicycle racing during the 80s knew about East German training rides.  As the story goes, the coach of the team would check the wind on long-training-ride days.  Once he had the wind direction, he would load the team on a train for a 150km (94-mile) train ride with the wind. Then the cyclists would ride 150km back to the training camp into the wind.

Most of the effort of a fit cyclist is pushing air.  At 22mph in a calm wind, 80% of the cyclist's effort is overcoming wind resistance. Headwinds make the ride harder in proportion to wind speed.  Although wind is invisible, riding in a 25mph or faster headwind feels to me like I am riding in water.

Today I came back from Philadelphia knowing the wind would be straight in my face as soon as I got off the train.  I rode SEPTA from Philadelphia to Thorndale, the end of the local line, and started the 32-mile ride home.  Nearly three hours later, I arrived.  I averaged 12.5 mph and the 15-20 mph wind never let up.

I have already ridden to Philadelphia twice this year and will go again Saturday.  The prevailing west winds make the trip fun. In previous years have covered the 72-mile distance in less than three and a half hours on a really good day. Usually it's four and a half hours, but I won't even start the ride without a tail wind. If the wind is out of the east or straight out of the north or south, I will take the train.

All week the wind was straight out of the west, so I either had to carry the bike home in a car, or train like an East German.

I chose the headwind, but I am looking for a more fun ride tomorrow when the wind will be just 6 mph, but behind me.