Cycling

[Road Demon]

I have ridden alot of different bikes. too many, i guess. As long as I have my preferred deda newton deep drop handlebars, regal seat, speedplay x1s, and my cycling shoes, I really don't care what I ride as long as I have the exact same bike position setup as my previous bikes. I do like dura-ace 10 better than campy chorus 10., but either works fine.

I do like the cannondale and specialized brands, innovative and good bang for the buck.

High sodium carbohydrate drinks promote better hydration...think GU20, powerbar endurance drink, gatorade endurance. look for 800-1000mg sodium per liter and 5-8% carbohydrate solution looking for glucose polymer (maltodextin) as the first ingredient.

Cycling is good for sex, never had any problems. I know a few pro riders, they are pretty good players with the ladies.

j

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

So tell me why you prefer Dura-Ace above Campies? I'm a Shimano guy but I've been thinking about going Campy for more of the European racer feel. What have you noticed as the pros and cons of each?

As for sports drinks, I use to live on Gatorade but there's more "non-commercial" drinks out there that do a much better job, at least for cyclist. Different formulas dealing with carbohydrate supplies and branch amino acids make a huge difference. Shop around and try some other brands, you may be pleasantly supprised.

Oh and by the way, there's a pretty good short film out about a guy riding the model of road bike that I ride (a Specialized Roubaix). Check it out, it will definitely impress you.

Go to www.SpecializedMovies.com and check out the film "Outlaw in Lycra."

 

[djbr]

Don't be too quick to laugh about the enhanced sex life, it does wonders for your stamina! For the longest time I just thought it was from riding for longer miles (50-100).

Just this weekend I realized that it'll have a lot to do with starting a ride/race and realizing that you have to take a leak but it's too late. Riding for more than 20 miles of bumps while holding it is a MAJOR workout for your pubococcygeus muscles!

What kind of bike are you getting djbr?

Too late but I still want to answer... Off sosuave for a while, heh!

Well, still searching! Saturday I'm off to see a Specialized Stumper Jumper. It's pretty expensive if bought brand new here in Brazil, but this one is used and at a GREAT price! But I have to check if everything is in mint condition. I don't know much so my friend who knows more than me is going with me... damn I WISH this bike is in great shape so I can ride on Sunday!

Hey Francisco, do you do weight training or is it just cycling?

 

[Francisco d'Anconia]

I have two Stump Jumpers, one hardtail and one full suspension; they're both great bikes. They were worth the price.

I do weight train during the season to keep symetry and to keep my back strong for hill climbing. During the off season I'll work out more to build additional leg strength. So far I haven't felt the need to do that but I think I've hit my limit without strength training in addition to just riding.

So far I have been using a LifeCycle stationary bike but I've also upgraded my standart bike trainer to a CompuTrainer for more realistic workouts during the off season. I also have one of those Total Trainer like machines that Chuck Norris sells on late night television. Surprisingly it is a really good piece of exercise equipment. I also have a rowning machine to work my upper body.

I must say that additional training will only take you so far unless you adjust your diet for the type of riding that you do. It's surprising how much nutrition plays a part in seeing improvements quickly. This season I lost 15 lbs from riding and gained 5 back yet I dropped two pant sizes. It's wild to see yourself nearly the same weight but with a tighter body!

 

[Road Demon]

Training at or near you 'functional threshold' so ~ 88-93% of max heart rate for several minutes at a time (10-20 minutes depending on your level) is much more effective than 100 miles at a low intensity ~ 70% max heart rate. 20-40minutes at threshold is a more potent stimulus for training adaptation than a 4 hour low intensty ride.

As far as weight training goes it depends on your level and your overall goals in the sport. If you want to look good and have good general fitness, cross train and weight train. If you want to race or be the strongest in you local group ride, then weight training is not the best approach. A good interval program at to near threshold is the most effective.

If you are rather new to the sport, crosstraining activites will help your sport, due to overall training volume.

As you progress in any sport (cycling in this case) you have to be more specific in your workouts. This is even more significant for the progession of a state level or better athlete. The literature suggests that weight training actually inhibits cycling performance. Why? The speed and range of the pedaling movement is not replicated by any free weight exercise or weight training machine. It often takes a day or 2 to recover from a weight training session induced muscle damage, preventing you from doing a high quality on the bike workout.

I do believe in doing core work/decline pushups to strength the upper body, so you can maintain your form when you are fatigued after long hours in the saddle or when you are sprinting/climbing.

Instead of weight training with free weight, riding @ 50 rpms in hard gear (53x14) for several minutes is much more specific to improving strength on the bike. That technique is "sports specific weight training."

In the off season, like over the winter, I believe it is OK to weight train for 2-3 months to rebuild the structures and muscles that have weakened due to lack of use during your primary cycling season.

j