All about Time-Trials
Tomorrow is the big day of the Tour, but unfortunately I don't think I'll get to watch. The big time-trial showdown on Saturday will hopefully be one for the ages as Floyd Landis looks to regain yellow. I know I haven't been on his wagon from way back when, but believe me when I say I do respect the guy and hope he ends up on the top spot of the podium.
He's also proving to be much more colorful than most other Americans. This morning before leaving home I saw an interview and he was talking about his pre-race tactics before his astonishing day on Thursday. Floyd said the team's strategy somehow became known to the peloton before the start, and everyone said it was crazy and for Phonak not to do it. Floyd's response to them, "Well, you better grab a Coke and watch because that's what we're doing." This receive a lot of laughter from the reporters, and I must say I LOVED that comeback.
Currently I am blogging from a coffee shop in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Hotel accommodations don't have OLN, so it'll be me hanging at a coffee shop searching for online updates.
I am racing in the French Broad Cycling Classic here in Asheville. This evening was the 20k time-trial and I took this opportunity to jump a hurdle I had been unable to leap. Everyone else was decked out in complete TT attire and setup, but I decided against it all and went with my regular racing bike. Nothing special, just straight up hard riding. This was because I was using this 20k TT as a fitness test using my PowerTap, and I wanted it to be a reflection of how I race and train day in and day out. This will help my coach gauge my mid-season fitness and put together a more informed training plan.
A couple of weeks ago I attempted a 20 minute TT test in which I completely bombed. I was unable to complete it and had to end the effort after only 10 minutes. My body just couldn't muster the necessary effort at that time, and it has bugged the hell out of me ever since. This is coming from someone who despises racing in TTs. I embarrassed myself, and that's with nobody even looking!
Not only was this an obstacle physically, but a mental hurdle one as well. Before my body can put forth such efforts I have to prepare my mind for what I am asking the body to do. All week I have been focused on finding an early hard tempo and holding that effort for the entire 20k. My goal was to not blow up while maintaining my effort. This go around I focused more on my heart rate and cadence, while also maintaining a wattage output that I know I am capable of.
I was probably the 5th or 6th guy off the line, an early start. I did exactly what I set out to do and jumped the hurdle successfully. Of course I got passed by a few dudes, namely Andy Applegate soon followed by Tennessean Kent Bostick. Putting my body through the stress of the effort without falling apart was the most important thing. My time was brutal of course, but so what! I'll be a better bike rider because of this.
He's also proving to be much more colorful than most other Americans. This morning before leaving home I saw an interview and he was talking about his pre-race tactics before his astonishing day on Thursday. Floyd said the team's strategy somehow became known to the peloton before the start, and everyone said it was crazy and for Phonak not to do it. Floyd's response to them, "Well, you better grab a Coke and watch because that's what we're doing." This receive a lot of laughter from the reporters, and I must say I LOVED that comeback.
Currently I am blogging from a coffee shop in downtown Asheville, North Carolina. Hotel accommodations don't have OLN, so it'll be me hanging at a coffee shop searching for online updates.
I am racing in the French Broad Cycling Classic here in Asheville. This evening was the 20k time-trial and I took this opportunity to jump a hurdle I had been unable to leap. Everyone else was decked out in complete TT attire and setup, but I decided against it all and went with my regular racing bike. Nothing special, just straight up hard riding. This was because I was using this 20k TT as a fitness test using my PowerTap, and I wanted it to be a reflection of how I race and train day in and day out. This will help my coach gauge my mid-season fitness and put together a more informed training plan.
A couple of weeks ago I attempted a 20 minute TT test in which I completely bombed. I was unable to complete it and had to end the effort after only 10 minutes. My body just couldn't muster the necessary effort at that time, and it has bugged the hell out of me ever since. This is coming from someone who despises racing in TTs. I embarrassed myself, and that's with nobody even looking!
Not only was this an obstacle physically, but a mental hurdle one as well. Before my body can put forth such efforts I have to prepare my mind for what I am asking the body to do. All week I have been focused on finding an early hard tempo and holding that effort for the entire 20k. My goal was to not blow up while maintaining my effort. This go around I focused more on my heart rate and cadence, while also maintaining a wattage output that I know I am capable of.
I was probably the 5th or 6th guy off the line, an early start. I did exactly what I set out to do and jumped the hurdle successfully. Of course I got passed by a few dudes, namely Andy Applegate soon followed by Tennessean Kent Bostick. Putting my body through the stress of the effort without falling apart was the most important thing. My time was brutal of course, but so what! I'll be a better bike rider because of this.
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