Nov.15 - EOU Saddle Height Cycling Study
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Saturday, 15 November 08 - 07:07 PM (GMT -08:00) By Whitman Cycling Team in Events |
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The team recently received an amazing offer from Professor Brian Sather at Eastern Oregon University's Physical Activity and Health (PHYSH) division. Brian Sather and Darren Dutto with the assistance of student-athlete Zac Heath, are hoping to capture the effects of saddle orientation on power output at inclines of zero and ten degrees respectively. Looking to expand their sample size of Cat.3 & Cat.4 men, the guys contacted the Whitman team. 
entire apparatus to move freely under the rider (mounted on a track system), the new design really simulates road riding. After a 30 minute warmup the guys jumped onto a regular trainer for their VO2 max test, donning a mask and a super sweet powertap rear wheel. Both Aaron and Ben put in a great test, pushing it to the limit with both reaching a 1.3 RER (where the body is burning 100% carbohydrate). Aaron finished up with an impressive 68 VO2 max at 350 watts, with Ben a little stronger with 72 at 415 watts.Both Colin Gibson (Cat.3 road) and Nick Littman (Cat.4 road) are looking forward to joining the study in December after their collegiate swimming and cross-country running seasons finish up respectively.
The second half of the study will evaluate power output changes due to seat orientation. Using electromyographic electrodes, the professors will monitor electrical activity in each rid
er`s muscles and use video software to review these bio-mechanical movements. See their site for a more indepth look! (CyclingAnalysis.com) Having some good practice today on this new roller design, both Aaron and Ben are looking forward to the second session.See link for the end of Ben`s VO2 Test.
Nov.14 - D-Man Checks in from Paris
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Friday, 14 November 08 - 07:57 AM (GMT -08:00) By Whitman Cycling Team in Euro Tips |
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The Team Ride rocked! Check out pictures of the week: Here!
So I just wanted to assure everyone (Andy) (*1) that I am holding down some strict Eurostyle while I am in France, and have even been cycling in strictest Eurostyle as well. As you can see from the first picture, I have some spectacular riding ground, which automatically elevates the style-O-meter to a very high level.
Things are a bit more interesting because there are cars and pedestrians, but I've become quite skilled at weaving in and around women in fur coats and high heels clutching the arms of their peacoat-wearing boyfriend/husband/illicit sexual liaison as they admire the $280,330,017 Louis V suitcases or $489,672 shoes on display up and down the street.
As you can see, I have a fine french-built (Peugeot) cycling machine on loan from my host family. Only the finest titanium kickstand, matching brushed metal fenders, racing tires, aggressively aero positioning (note, if you will, the multi-positioning stem making the tradeoff between aerodynamics on the flat sections and better breathing on the climbs a non-issue as with the help of a mechanic in a team car, you can actually change the height of the bars /while riding/. The rear rack is of course specially designed for carrying mini cans of coke that euro racers are so famous for but also doubles as a baguette holster for those lazy 'patisserie' rides (we have patisseries, not coffee shops here in Europe). You may ask about the absence of a waterbottle- is the lack of bottle cages a mistake? Of course not- the aerodynamic efficiency and weight lost more than makes up for something silly like dehydration- just ask Isaac how the Sunapee race went down. (*2) And think about all those crazy old Euro guys who never shift, never drink water, smoke cigarettes while riding a cadence of 50 rpm, and most importantly NEVER SLOW DOWN. It doesn't matter if they're cruising the flats with a monstrous tailwind or climbing alpine passes in the snow- their speed remains constant.
And of course, the rider is the most important part of on-the-bike style, and I've been doing my best to hold it down for Whitman and America while overseas- after Obama's victory I made sure to include a dash of national pride under the proper headgear. Clearly in this instance a black helmet is the correct style choice, for it matches both the black highlights on my kit and the seat, tires, grip, and rear rack on my steed. Moving down, sponsor correct glasses are of course the norm with a proper white frame and lenses than match my chosen head-wear accessory.Team kit is essential when pulling off a proper look, but a day-glo jacket is a necessary evil when you get lost and end up weaving through crazy French traffic in the dark. Staying properly insulated is of course critical as well, because we all know that cyclists hate being cold and can in fact be enormous babies when the fear of getting sick is present. Also present around my neck is obligatory Euro-bling. Some might see a simple house key, but others will think of the swinging and bouncing gold chains around the neck of all the best cyclists, dripping with sweat out of an unzipped jersey while climbing passes in the Pyrenees. Or (*2) circling Lake Sunapee.
Simple black leggings go with anything, but unfortunately this picture didn't capture my shoes. While technically designed for running, creativity and adaptation are part of any good cyclist's arsenal of tricks as they drill through things not designed to be drilled or fashion other bizarre gadgets in the name of performance. Not only do my shoes save weight by switching to a squishy rubber sole rather than carbon, the bling factor is incredible. They are red white and silver, and while they don't mesh perfectly with my kit, as Andy has pointed out that can be ok is some situations, such as when they match your country's flag that you also happen to be wearing on your head.
I hope I have assured everyone that I am upholding the nobel sport and rules of cycling in style while in Europe and I look forward to seeing everyone and doing some slightly-less-stylish but still excellent riding when I get back to the states.
Duncan
*1
http://whitmancollegecycling.terapad.com/index.cfm?fa=contentNews.news&directoryId=24919
*2 This is a joke. Before the Sunapee race (80 or so miles) Isaac (my teammate) eschewed the traditional two bottle setup in favor of a single bottle to save weight and balance out the weight of the gold chain he was wearing around his neck. This immense style propelled him into the winning break of the day. Unfortunately, he quickly ran out of water and lost contact with the break.
Nov.11 - Cyclocross Nomad Leaves Safety of Garden
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Tuesday, 11 November 08 - 04:12 PM (GMT -08:00) By Whitman Cycling Team in Racing |
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Greetings from the cyclocross nomad! The last two weekends have taken me all over the eastern part of this fair state, facing challenge after challenge out on the cross course. I won’t let your imagination run wild, let me tell you about it!
I’ve been accompanied (and ferried) on my adventures by 
our sponsors down at Allegro cyclery, some local hammerheads like Charles Stanger (owner of Stanger farms where many Whitman riders faced and conquered their greatest bike handling fears!), and the youth of Alumna Rebecca Jensen’s WaHi race squad. Let me tell you, those kids can rip! I know you’ve all seen some of them out on team rides, and their efforts at cyclocross don’t disappoint!
Here I am, two 5 am wake-ups later, and with two very solid races under my belt. November 2nd was the day of a super fast course race in Spokane. 45 minutes of power over rocky dirt single track and a long uphill road stretch (right after a nasty run up, I had no idea a course maker could be so cruel!). Everyone had really solid finishes, myself coming in 7th place in the men’s B category. Sadly, though, I could not wallow like a hog would in mud. I’m beginning to doubt that cyclocross people actually even like mud. I can’t wait to be proven wrong! November 9th took me up to Ephrata, which is in the middle of absolutely nowhere, so don’t be surprised if you don’t know where it is. I sure didn’t. The course was absolutely wicked technical, pitting me against three inch deep gravel, leafy wet hairpin turns, and a few little mechanical issues (durn chain fell off!!). I held first through the first two laps, but then my tires decided they didn’t want to grip the course anymore, so I wound up with a respectable third. All the other Walla Walla folks had super solid races considering the conditions, with Mr. Stanger scoring a whopping 1st place in the rookie division! He has conquered his rival. I have some suspicions of foul play…
Anyway, to sum up, I’m having an absolute blast! And as always, if your curious about results or you want to check up on the Men’s/Women’s A racer you idolize, head over to http://www.emdesports.com and click on the cyclocross link.
Thanks for tuning in, this has been the One Whitman Dude cyclocross minute. I’m Brian Kearns, Signing out.
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