I wish I had seen the post below about trainers a bit earlier. It would have reminded me of my own trainer, a Kurt Kinetic trainer that I purchased at Two Wheel Transit a few years ago. If I had remembered it AND ACTUALLY RIDDEN IT, then the last two days of amazingly balmy weather and decent roads would have felt good. Instead, they felt like two big helpings of misery, under a dollop of pain and smothered with a rich creamy sauce of overweight.
On VeloNews, the cartoonist makes fun of a team called, "Old Guys Who Get Fat in the Winter." I am the poster child for that team this year. I had a ride with multiple falls on September 11, a day that will stand out in my memory now, and then another injury a few weeks later, followed by a car crash a couple of weeks after that, followed by months of sloth and inactivity caused by an unusually heavy work load, horrible winter weather and a major issue between the ears.
As a person who is normally positive, I would suggest putting all of that behind me, but the reality is that I can't put it behind me when a) my behind is so big and b) my legs won't allow me to move fast enough to put anything behind me.
The old school advice was that you should ride the first 1,000 kilometers of the season in your small chain-ring. I am going one better and riding the first 1,000 kilometers in the smallest gear I have, because I can't move the damn bike forward in any other gear. The idea is with riding the small chain-ring is that it promotes "suppleness" in your cycling stroke.
Today, I was as supple as a marble statute. I was as supple as a cadaver with rigor mortis. I was as supple as the asphalt road under me. I was as supple as the trunk of a mighty oak tree. I was as supple as Mt. Rushmore. I was so supple that my legs crinkled with each pedal stroke and I still have the crease marks. If I was an SAT test, I would be, "Supple is to Rider Three as Life Force is to a) a parrot nailed to its perch and pining for the fjords; b) Tiger Wood's endorsement potential; or c) an extinguished star being sucked into a black hole." If I were a new show on the Oprah Network, I would be "Stiffy McStifster's Overweight and Undertrained Stiffness Challenge" and I would be the supreme champion. If I were a contest on American Idol, I would be the guy with his pants on the ground and too stiff to pick them back up. If I were - Oh the hell with it. You get the idea.
Other than that, though, it was awesome to be out for a ride in January when the weather felt more like a decent April ride. I know it won't last, but it was a good reminder of things to come and things that I should have been doing.
Rider Three
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Some Trainer Magic - Part 1 of 2
A common question we get in the shop this time of year revolves around whether there is a way to use the a bicycle indoors to get a workout. The answer is most definitely "Yes, its called a bicycle trainer - or trainer for short."
A trainer is a device that holds a bicycle stationary and provides some sort of resistance against the rotation of the rear wheel. The resistance is necessary since the natural forces of wind and uphill climbs do not exert force on the bike while it is stationary. Absent resistance you would quickly spin the rear wheel too fast to get much of a workout (think revving a car engine in neutral vs in gear).
The resistance is provided by either a fan, special magnets or a series of blades that turn enclosed in a sealed chamber filled with fluid. The fluid type is very popular because good units are quiet and provide a very realistic feel to the rider. Prices range from about $100 to $500 depending on the type of resistance and other features. Plan to invest an amount somewhere in the middle for a quality unit that is well designed and will last you for years.
Most of us have ridden some type of trainer once we got into cycling and learned the hard way that physics and biology do not take a holiday during the winter. If it is possible, the laws of the Universe become even more severe as the available light and temperatures drop.
A trainer is a device that holds a bicycle stationary and provides some sort of resistance against the rotation of the rear wheel. The resistance is necessary since the natural forces of wind and uphill climbs do not exert force on the bike while it is stationary. Absent resistance you would quickly spin the rear wheel too fast to get much of a workout (think revving a car engine in neutral vs in gear).The resistance is provided by either a fan, special magnets or a series of blades that turn enclosed in a sealed chamber filled with fluid. The fluid type is very popular because good units are quiet and provide a very realistic feel to the rider. Prices range from about $100 to $500 depending on the type of resistance and other features. Plan to invest an amount somewhere in the middle for a quality unit that is well designed and will last you for years.
Most of us have ridden some type of trainer once we got into cycling and learned the hard way that physics and biology do not take a holiday during the winter. If it is possible, the laws of the Universe become even more severe as the available light and temperatures drop.
Many riders view the trainer as a necessary evil to maintain some semblance of conditioning until hitting the road in spring. That being said, there are very few riders who profess love for the iron beast lurking in the basement. The rest of us have to play various games to maintain motivation to spin and sweat for hours on end while watching the Green Network Channel. Sometimes just completing a mileage goal is enough for a session, while others try to maintain a certain speed, cadence or wattage (measure of power output) to stay motivated.
So in addition to a trainer, you need some manner of monitoring your performance while on the bike. That way you can keep track of your workouts and compare them to see how hard you work on a particular day and whether you are improving over time. Watts are considered one of the best measures of performance since it is a standard unit of power and can even be converted to horsepower if you are so inclined.
Once you have decided on a trainer, you will want to set it up in an area that has a solid flat surface and reasonable ventilation since you will be generating a lot of heat during hard sessions. The other considerations are whether the surface under you will be harmed by dripping sweat (believe me when I say you will sweat) or by any bits of grease that may drop from the bike. Most people place a big piece of cardboard under the bike and trainer to protect the carpet and maintain harmony in the home.
Another consideration is the rear tire. Because of heat and pressure, a trainer will wear-out a regular road tire faster than riding it on the road. Some people keep a stock of old tires for the trainer while others use tire that is specifically designed for this purpose. The tire compound is made to withstand the heat generated while reducing noise. The choice is yours, but don't be surprised if you notice little black bits of rubber collecting under the trainer after a few weeks. (See above comments about maintaining harmony in the home)
Finally, some form of entertainment is a good idea if you plan on spending long hours on your trainer. Most watch TV where they have recorded their favorite episodes of shows, or watch movies. This is important because time slows when you are on the trainer. You never knew a minute could take so long when they tick by while you are on the trainer. If ever a time machine is invented, it is going to have a bike trainer as the time management engine since it is the only device I know of that makes time slow to about half speed.
There, you are good to with a way to stay in shape during the long dark winter days. Regardless of your cycling goals, a few times a week on the bike in the off season will make a huge difference in your riding later in the year. You may not be in peak shape when you hit the road, but you will have a good foundation on which to train and will be able to train harder earlier in the season.
Our next installment will discuss ways to measure your workouts and stay motivated using a trainer.
So in addition to a trainer, you need some manner of monitoring your performance while on the bike. That way you can keep track of your workouts and compare them to see how hard you work on a particular day and whether you are improving over time. Watts are considered one of the best measures of performance since it is a standard unit of power and can even be converted to horsepower if you are so inclined.
Once you have decided on a trainer, you will want to set it up in an area that has a solid flat surface and reasonable ventilation since you will be generating a lot of heat during hard sessions. The other considerations are whether the surface under you will be harmed by dripping sweat (believe me when I say you will sweat) or by any bits of grease that may drop from the bike. Most people place a big piece of cardboard under the bike and trainer to protect the carpet and maintain harmony in the home.
Another consideration is the rear tire. Because of heat and pressure, a trainer will wear-out a regular road tire faster than riding it on the road. Some people keep a stock of old tires for the trainer while others use tire that is specifically designed for this purpose. The tire compound is made to withstand the heat generated while reducing noise. The choice is yours, but don't be surprised if you notice little black bits of rubber collecting under the trainer after a few weeks. (See above comments about maintaining harmony in the home)
Finally, some form of entertainment is a good idea if you plan on spending long hours on your trainer. Most watch TV where they have recorded their favorite episodes of shows, or watch movies. This is important because time slows when you are on the trainer. You never knew a minute could take so long when they tick by while you are on the trainer. If ever a time machine is invented, it is going to have a bike trainer as the time management engine since it is the only device I know of that makes time slow to about half speed.
There, you are good to with a way to stay in shape during the long dark winter days. Regardless of your cycling goals, a few times a week on the bike in the off season will make a huge difference in your riding later in the year. You may not be in peak shape when you hit the road, but you will have a good foundation on which to train and will be able to train harder earlier in the season.
Our next installment will discuss ways to measure your workouts and stay motivated using a trainer.
Monday, January 10, 2011
The downside of trendsetting.
It can be frustrating to be a trend spotter, setter and influencer. Especially when other teams look at your well-designed team uniforms and think to themselves, “man, I wish we looked that good. Maybe we should just copy Team Two Wheel!
Let me illustrate.
Note the clean lines, abundance of negative space and purposeful focus on black and white logos. Except for the red “2” in the logo. It really pops, and stands out in a peloton of 150+ riders.
Evidently, two years after the debut of this jersey, which is pretty much awesome, others latched onto our design. Some might call this “copying.” But I’m sure the ProTour team designers instead would describe their lack of creativity as a “shared design philosophy.”
Team Sky: Just like the underachievers from Team Two Wheel, the underachievers from the UK chose a black and white theme, save for a brilliant band of blue. (When you’re in the UK everything needs to be “brilliant.” That’s just the way it is.) They even kept co-sponsors on the jersey to a minimum. Just like us.
Team Leopard/Team Liger: Yep, more black and white. And to make things worse, we ride Treks too. One of us even has a Benz. Copy-leopards!
And of course, Garmin – Cervelo. Again, black and white with a pop of color. Or colour if you’re in Europe. Of course Garmin’s designers have the gall to include a bunch of co-sponsors in their design.
Then again, they printed “TATA” on their jersey. If you’ve ever been on a Morning Ride you’ll know all too well that one rider who shall not be named (but whose name rhymes with “Non Fozo”) often talks about TATAs.
So, where does this leave us? Between Two Wheel Transit, Garmin, Sky and Team Liger there’s going to be an awful lot of confusion in the bunch this spring.
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Bicycle as a Tool and Symbol of Hope
Give a man a fish - feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish - feed him for life. Give a coffee farmer a bike - he will feed his family and caffeinate the world.
Okay, a slight bit of hyperbole, but you get the idea. Imagine having to move hundreds of pounds of product from farm to market over miles of dirt roads without the aid of a truck or other motorized vehicle. Now add the issue of speed since the product loses value the longer it takes to market. Finally, think of the trip back to the farm to work on getting the next load ready and you get a glimpse into the life of a small coffee farmer in Rwanda.
These farmers work on farms with 300 or fewer trees and earn an average of $250 per year so resources are scarce. Some began carving bikes out of wood just to have some way of transporting coffee to market. This included wooden wheels, bars, forks, and platform and no way to propel or stop the bike. Imagine "riding" this bike with 300 pounds of cargo - not safe, fast or efficient which is where Project Rwanda comes-in.
Project Rwanda provides farmers with a safe and specially engineered bikes called coffee bikes to help them with their transportation issues. The bikes are not a gift, but a self-sustaining micro-loan worth $200 that must be paid back to the Project. Reduced time in getting coffee beans to market can increase the price paid to the farmer by as much as 15 cents per pound - this premium goes a long way to improving the lives of the farmers and their families.
In case you have not already guessed, Two Wheel Transit is "All-in" in terms of support for this project. It has all of the elements that make it worth the effort - bikes, improved lives through bikes, great organization, efficient operations, coffee, the human spirit and of course, bikes. (Yeah, we said bikes twice.) We have a coffee bike mock-up in the shop so people get the idea and ask questions. (Bike is graciously on loan from Dr. Corey Judd of Inland Imaging)
We have been matching donations for the Project which have been dropped-off at the shop from our very generous customers. To date, we have raised $544 - enough for 2 1/2 coffee bikes. We are also donating 5% of the sales price of each 2011 Trek bicycle purchased from Jan 3 through Feb 15 to the fund in hopes of raising more.
If you or someone you know is considering a Trek purchase this year, doing so before February 15 will net a great bike and help a great program. If not, stop by and drop some coin into the Project Rwanda water bottle as a donation.
Get more information, make an online donation or visit the Project store at: http://www.projectrwanda.org/
Okay, a slight bit of hyperbole, but you get the idea. Imagine having to move hundreds of pounds of product from farm to market over miles of dirt roads without the aid of a truck or other motorized vehicle. Now add the issue of speed since the product loses value the longer it takes to market. Finally, think of the trip back to the farm to work on getting the next load ready and you get a glimpse into the life of a small coffee farmer in Rwanda.
These farmers work on farms with 300 or fewer trees and earn an average of $250 per year so resources are scarce. Some began carving bikes out of wood just to have some way of transporting coffee to market. This included wooden wheels, bars, forks, and platform and no way to propel or stop the bike. Imagine "riding" this bike with 300 pounds of cargo - not safe, fast or efficient which is where Project Rwanda comes-in.Project Rwanda provides farmers with a safe and specially engineered bikes called coffee bikes to help them with their transportation issues. The bikes are not a gift, but a self-sustaining micro-loan worth $200 that must be paid back to the Project. Reduced time in getting coffee beans to market can increase the price paid to the farmer by as much as 15 cents per pound - this premium goes a long way to improving the lives of the farmers and their families.
In case you have not already guessed, Two Wheel Transit is "All-in" in terms of support for this project. It has all of the elements that make it worth the effort - bikes, improved lives through bikes, great organization, efficient operations, coffee, the human spirit and of course, bikes. (Yeah, we said bikes twice.) We have a coffee bike mock-up in the shop so people get the idea and ask questions. (Bike is graciously on loan from Dr. Corey Judd of Inland Imaging)We have been matching donations for the Project which have been dropped-off at the shop from our very generous customers. To date, we have raised $544 - enough for 2 1/2 coffee bikes. We are also donating 5% of the sales price of each 2011 Trek bicycle purchased from Jan 3 through Feb 15 to the fund in hopes of raising more.
If you or someone you know is considering a Trek purchase this year, doing so before February 15 will net a great bike and help a great program. If not, stop by and drop some coin into the Project Rwanda water bottle as a donation.
Get more information, make an online donation or visit the Project store at: http://www.projectrwanda.org/
Thursday, January 6, 2011
The Leopard is no longer in the Shadows
The Leopard-Trek Racing team was formally introduced today with the riders dressed like a GQ Men of Cycling Photo Shoot rather than a gathering of undernourished men. The Leopard moniker comes from the holding company of Luxembourg real estate magnate Flavio Becca who is the team owner. Trek, now pronounced "Treck" is the co-sponsor of this team of luminaries from Saxo Bank including the Schleck brothers and Fabian Cancellara.
Looks to be a pretty potent team to say the least now that Andy has addressed that undocumented shifting feature that appeared in the Tour last year with a healthy dose of Shimano Di2.
In other news, Lance is back for another run this year on Team Radio Shack. Should be an interesting year in pro racing - all of which will be overshadowed by the unstoppable force of Team Two Wheel. Stay tuned for more details...
Looks to be a pretty potent team to say the least now that Andy has addressed that undocumented shifting feature that appeared in the Tour last year with a healthy dose of Shimano Di2.
In other news, Lance is back for another run this year on Team Radio Shack. Should be an interesting year in pro racing - all of which will be overshadowed by the unstoppable force of Team Two Wheel. Stay tuned for more details...
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Searching For Heaven in 2011?
Speculation about higher worldwide demand for oil pushed prices higher on the first trading day of 2011. The price increase is not based on fundamentals of higher demand yet, but will be moving that direction as summer gets closer. Average price at the pump is $3.07 and estimated cost to drive a car is $7,000 annually. This does not take into account any other costs associated with heath care or lost productivity from illnesses associated with lack of exercise or obesity.
As you make your New Year resolutions, consider driving less and cycling more. Based on the annual figure, a 25% reduction in driving to school, work or daily errands would save approximately $1,750 and improve fitness, reduce stress, reduce traffic and reduce your carbon footprint.
Seems like a great trade-off. Where else can you find this type of financial return in today's market?
Here is more of the story:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jan/04/oil-prices-reach-26-month-high/
As you make your New Year resolutions, consider driving less and cycling more. Based on the annual figure, a 25% reduction in driving to school, work or daily errands would save approximately $1,750 and improve fitness, reduce stress, reduce traffic and reduce your carbon footprint.
Seems like a great trade-off. Where else can you find this type of financial return in today's market?
Here is more of the story:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/jan/04/oil-prices-reach-26-month-high/
Monday, January 3, 2011
Trek/Fisher Rumblefish Gets Nod For Best Bike
Rumblefish Awarded Best 29er Product of 2010
We often get the question 26 or 29 inch wheels for mountain bikes. Bicycling Magazine named 2010 the year of the two niner and until you have ridden the difference you do not know what you are missing. Better tracking, traction, turning, stopping, climbing - all in smoother faster ride. Here's the scoop:
Full suspension trail 29er trail bike tops twentynineinches.com annual list
(Waterloo, WI) –twentynineinches.com has named the Trek Gary Fisher Collection Rumblefish its top 29er product of 2010. Rumblefish is Trek’s full suspension trail bike for riders who want the advantages of 29" wheels on technical singletrack.
This accolade from the popular online 29er authority not only confirms the Gary Fisher Collection’s 29er market leadership, it also marks a turning point in the perception of 29ers. Big wheels have made their mark on the US cross country market, but Rumblefish breaks new 29er ground in the trail category.
From the review: “The Rumblefish II was simply the most amazing, spot on full suspension bike I rode in 2010. It not only did what it claimed going in, but with some of the new technology present on this bike, the Rumblefish redefined what could be possible with 29 inch wheels in a full suspension context.” Read the full review here.
Rumblefish is a 120mm/110mm travel 29er trail bike loaded with Trek-exclusive tech, including DRCV rear suspension, Active Braking Pivot (ABP), G2 Geometry, QR15 thru axle, E2 headtube and fork, and integrated bottom bracket. The result is a bike that enables riders to tackle technical terrain previously unimaginable.
Rumblefish is a 120mm/110mm travel 29er trail bike loaded with Trek-exclusive tech, including DRCV rear suspension, Active Braking Pivot (ABP), G2 Geometry, QR15 thru axle, E2 headtube and fork, and integrated bottom bracket. The result is a bike that enables riders to tackle technical terrain previously unimaginable.
Gary Fisher responded to the award, “Well, yeah! The idea of the bike is a good one, and the execution was amazing. All the engineers, suspension designers, and partners really came through on this bike. It’s perfect for how most people ride.”
The 2011 Rumblefish is available in 3 models. For more info about Rumblefish, visit www.trekbikes.com/fishercollection/We often get the question 26 or 29 inch wheels for mountain bikes. Bicycling Magazine named 2010 the year of the two niner and until you have ridden the difference you do not know what you are missing. Better tracking, traction, turning, stopping, climbing - all in smoother faster ride.
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