Training with the Pros
Training with the Pros, it sounds like fun but it can’t be. Pros are genetic freaks; they put more kilometers on their bikes than any of us civilians do on our cars each year, they ride around whole countries at an average speed greater than 40km/hour and they can dish out such Rule V style day-after-day-after-day. We all dream about it but we don’t have it.
In an earlier life I came close to landing my dream job in Monaco with the IAEA. Serious people counseled me not to take the job, they said it was a bad career move. How could I explain to them I didn’t give a shiet if it was a bad career move, the chance to live, and more importantly to be a cyclist near San Remo and La Madone was all I cared about? Yet I knew if I even saw Tom Boonen or one of the many Aussies who call Monaco their home out on a training ride, I would only be seeing their lycra-clad asses disappearing up the road. Could I at least catch up to Stuart O’Grady to chat him up for a minute before my inability to talk and breathe would force me to lie and say I was turning right HERE? Maybe I could drink beers with the Aussies, I could keep that professional pace, actually no, I would get dropped there too.
Oh that job fell through and my dreams of commuting into work on Merlin on the Cote d’Azure disappeared like those watery mirages on a hot highway, but I digress. I have some good and funny direct video evidence why training with the Pros would be a cruel lesson in our mortal failings. One such Pro is Ted King, an American racer living the dream; he is based in Lucca, riding for Liquigas, riding in support of Ivan Basso and Peter Sagan. He is tough, he has finished every Giro d’Italia he has started. He broke his collarbone this summer racing in Philadelphia when his front wheel dropped into an inexcusably lame drain grate (thank you very much, oh third-world infrastructure that defines the USA).
To bring his training back up to speed he did the 200 on 100 with fellow Pro Tim Johnson and amateur racer Ryan Kelly. The 200 on 100 means 200 miles on Route 100, riding North to South from the top to the bottom of the state of Vermont, the Green Mountain State. Unless you are Marcus, 333 km seems like an impossibly long ride to do at once, I would be in broom wagon long before the end of such madness.
And by madness I refer to the 338 km at 34.1 km/hr average speed with 3,197 meters of climbing thrown in for good measure.
[vimeo width=”620″]http://vimeo.com/27367910[/vimeo]
Video credit to Chandler Delinks
Nice work, cyclo!
I was in VT this summer & now this has me eager to do some cycling there. Another wedding probably coming up there this summer, maybe it’ll overlap with the V-ride.
Ah, Mr. King was coming off a broken bone. Makes sense he wasn’t at race weight. I wasn’t trying to be critical, more just surprise since most PROs look gaunt. Thanks for the explanation.
As for Tim riding his cx bike on this…the more I ride my own cx bike, the more I think I might use it over my road bikes for over 300km in the rain. It’s just a little bit more comfortable & relaxed, even with road wheels on it.
@cycloWHAT?
Please, please, please make a Ryan Kelly tribute video of just his delusional psycho-babble. Please put it in chronological order. There is nothing like watching another cyclist devolve into mental pudding over a long ride. Pure awesomeness!
Fantastic video, btw! Strong work.
@Buck Rogers
Wouldn’t “Dumptruck of Awesome” look good etched into a V-pint? I’m gonna have to get up to Vermont next June.
@Buck Rogers
You can definitely count on me for this sufferfest. How can I possibly not show up for a “V-sponsored Dumptruck of Awesomeness”?
@Jeff in PetroMetro
V-Cogal
Dumptruck of Awesome
Vermont 2012
That is all.
@Steampunk
Ohhhh, the V-tingles are hitting me again.
Cannot believe how AWESOME this is going to be!
(We’ll have to make sure that Ryan Kelly does not trademark his Dumptruck of Awesome phrase before we use it next summer!)
@LA Dave
Exactly. How badly have you craved something while on a ride like that? Like after the Whidbey Cogal, when we went into that join for some pizza. I’m sure that pizza sucked ass, but it tasted like it was the best pizza ever.
@Gianni
I think we’d be surprised at how slow they go on a ride like this; faster than us, sure, but they’re WAY below their thresholds, riding easy even if it feels fast to us. Ask any coach what the primary difference is in the way amateurs train versus Pros, and the answer is “Amateurs don’t go easy enough on easy days and don’t go hard enough on hard days.”
I read somewhere that Museeuw’s average speed on a long training ride was in the low 30’s.
@mblume
Good question, and I think we’d have to do some tricky math using calculus and imaginary numbers (eleventeen, thirty-twelve, etc) to come to a reliable formula that works for everyone.
That said, per Rule #68, vertical elevation gain over time is king over anything else. A flat 400km ride into the wind? Brutally hard, of course. But a 200km ride with 5000m of climbing will make you question whether the sun will ever rise again.
@cycloWHAT?
Thanks for stopping by, great video!! I second @Jeff in PetroMetro for a compilation of the babble in chrono order!!
Excellent work, and let us know what your plans are for the ride; it would be great to try to synchronize efforts.
Cheers!
@Steampunk
V-ermont. Has a nice ring to it.
@cycloWHAT?
Dude! Chapeau on the movie, it has made me giggle every time I watch it, it’s very well edited too. I can’t believe there are so many of my friends who think this is a good idea. And yes please, on the idea of the censored Ryan lines, he is a funny one.
@Buck Rogers
Regarding support vehicle: bribe someone into driving one, a ride that long is deserving of one. Some spare wheels and lots of accessible water and food will make the whole thing roll faster.
@mblume
For my money, me being a shit climber, I’d say the ride that includes climbs with the steep grades are the tougher ones. They are what that put you in the pain cave. For example, Mt. Haleakala: 60km and 3300m of climbing versus Mt Washington: 11km and maybe 1000m of climbing (maybe less). Mt Washington is a cruel and brutal whore of a climb. The whole grade must be 12%-15% the whole way, one is red lined from 100m after the start to the top. The horror.
@frank
That’s Numberwang!
@itburns
Did you have the same Calculus TA that I did in college?
@itburns
Haha! NUMBERWANG!
@Gianni
Damn, have you done that – sounds nay on impossible! Feeling sick at the thought of it
@Dr C
I did it a few times in my youth, it always sucked, I was always under-geared, it never got easier. If you are ever in the States in August, you too can do it.
@Gianni
What gearing did you run?
I raced the Bolton Valley Hill Climb a few times which was really steep as well but could never get into the Mt Washington one. That thing sells out FAST!
Link to the Bolton Valley Hill Climb data.
http://www.thegmbc.com/timetrial/courses/BoltonValley.html
@Buck Rogers
Back in the day a 42-28 was the gear of choice, Gianni is taller so maybe he used a 26?
@Rob
@Buck Rogers
Rob is correct, I maybe used a 42-28 and I was barely turning it over. I would have been happier with my present 34-26 and I still would barely be turning it over. Did I mention I am a shit climber?
Rob flew up that race, always on the podium. If you are a good climber you like it. Tommy D has the record ascent, before him it was Tyler H.
Rob & Gianni:
Are you guys in for the 200 on 100 next June? Sounds like you live nearby and would be right at home.
@Buck Rogers
Rob is in, you may admire his magnificent stroke for 200km. I moved a safe 6 times zones away so I will miss it, whew…
@Gianni
Total bummer that you will not be there Gianni.
As for Rob, sounds like “That Dude can Roll”. He might be leading a “fast group” if we split into sub-groups!
@Buck Rogers, @Rob, @Gianni
I refuse to believe that any climb is harder than Haleakala. But that’s only because I don’t want to know the truth if that’s the case.
I’ve also looked up @Rob’s best time up the climb (on a custom-built Bella with, I believe, 24-inch wheels and a plastic BMX saddle in the name of weight savings) and even his time from the 70’s or 80’s (whenever it was) would have gotten him top five in the last 8 editions of the race.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
@Buck Rogers
Nobody’s asking, but I’m going to try to make it, for what it’s worth. It’s a long way and will be tough, though. I’ll also work on Gianni. I have some degree of confidence I can shame him into showing up. I’ve not seen @Rob turn a pedal in anger, though I did have the pleasure of meeting him in NYC a year ago and he was a Magnificent Dude.
I have spent many long hours, however, riding with Gianni and I can tell you first hand – there is no Magnificent Stroke I’ve ever seen that betters Gianni’s. I’m including any Pro I’ve seen on TV in that statement.
@frank
Ohhhhh, now we’re talking!!!
Man, EPIC is starting to sound like way too lame a superlative for this ride!
@Marcus
Can you really ride for 2+ hours and kill yourself on rollers? I’ve never used them but have done soooo many killer hours on my trainers, up to rides over 3 hours, and I do not want to drop a bunch more money on something that I will not get a lot out of. Just curious.
@Buck Rogers
To your first question, YES
At the very least, if you use your trainer a lot, you can use rollers for some of your indoor sessions. You will definitely get your moneys worth. Dont fuck about with cheap rollers – get kreitlers (which are still not that expensive compared to most cycling gear).
Once you have mastered your roller technique (it aint hard), I guarantee you will not look back!
And I reckon it is easier to ride on rollers for longer than your trainer simply because the balancing adds another element to the ride.
If you really want to go hardcore, get the e-motion rollers (more expensive and you cant fold em) and you can do whatever you like on them.
I am definitely in for this. Just a short drive/bus ride for me, too.
@Gianni
Jaysus, 42-28, I’ve just gone tunnel vision and puked – and 34-26 doesn’t sound any better!
You are a Hardman and should definitely attend Buck’s 200/100 next June with your shit climber’s magnificent stroke
@Marcus
I fancy a set of those e-motion rollers – I point blank refuse to train inside, but at least if it is snowing, you can go outside and not get windburned, and still enjoy sliding all over the place
That said, they only look safe when used in a narrow hallway or between a set of heavily padded parallel bars – sounds a hoot otherwise – stick it in the big C and go
@roger
SUPER! Keep training b/c it is only 8 months away! :)
A thought re. support vehicle: I have a former student who’s also a filmmaker (good student, talented filmmaker). I could see if he might be interested in filming and driving in support. We’d likely need to find some way to reimburse him, but we could get a fun documentary out of the experience as well. Just thinking out loud; if this appeals at all, I can approach him with the idea and see where that goes…
@Steampunk
Sounds SUPER! I’d kick some money in for this in a heartbeat!
Also, inspired by this upcoming ride so I took the morning off and went to the Texas Hill Country and rode 116 km’s this morning with over 1,000 meters of altitude gain. Steepest grade was 13% with multiple areas of 10-12% on this beast of a side road called Bobcat Drive. Did about 1.5 hours on that road before heading back to the rolling Hill Country.
About 1/3 what the total ride next June will be. Felt AWESOME!!!
@Buck Rogers
Ha! Did 107km this morning with much the same kind of inspiration. Not sure about the altitude, but roughly the same, I would think, along quiet, winding rollers. Of course, it was a frigid 3 degrees. I spent my ride equally between wishing I’d decided to go with the booties and lobster-claws and reminding myself to Rule V.
As we get closer to this becoming a sure thing, I’ll raise the prospect with my former student. He’s a good guy and recently finished touring with a small indie band in order to make a documentary. I suspect he’d be into doing something on cycling. I imagine if his costs were covered, he’d jump at this if work didn’t get in the way.
@Steampunk
Your ride sounds way more “V” than mine. I had an average temp of 24 C and cloudy with light to moderate wind. In other words: Perfect weather.
My VDO computer gave me all the altitude info as well. Yeah, I am non-rule compliant on that one.
@Buck Rogers
Jealous of the perfect weather, though there’s spectacular riding around here in every direction (except east: Lake Ontario makes that a bit of a wet option). I didn’t have any big, sustained climbing at high grades””a couple of long, 5-7% climbs and one longer climb around 8%, but other than that, it was short, sweet ups. I’m coming to the conclusion that I’m more of a puncheur than rouleur or grimpeur. I’m okay with that.
@Steampunk
So what would be a puncheur that is also not very well suited for the small steep climbs? I think that’s what I am. A mcsqueakeur, we might call that type of rider. A rider well suited for mostly flat, gentle rolling terrain devoid of steep climbs.
@Dr C
Whilst I am not too proud to admit I have fallen off rollers, don’t let that put you off – the danger adds a frisson of excitement to sessions. I use rollers even on sunny days if i can only fit a ride in of under an hour. Maybe an inherent lack of imagination allows me to while away time on rollers. As for the e-motions, from what I understand, you would have to be a prize fuckwit to fall off whilst using them – the side rollers save you. But the e-motions have a very big drawback in that you can’t fold them away – so you would need a lot of room.
@Marcus
Plus those things are like $800 – that is a pretty large sum to spend on inside riding.
I have rollers and a trainer (just purchased recently) and I actually like the trainer better for the most part. Though I have to admit I went the cheap route with the rollers and only spent about $150. They are loud as FUCK and it makes riding them less enjoyable for me, plus not good for using in an apartment. When I have a house with a basement I can ride them in, I’ll probably use them more.
I actually purchased a good quality trainer, and it’s certainly a good workout. It takes a bit to get use to the bike being “locked in” though, and you have to work at stabilizing yourself and minimize rocking the bike around.
@mcsqueak @marcus
I’ve always been impressed by / jealous of those who can exert themselves in an entirely stationary way, such as jogging machines or stationary bike things, and I guess the turbos fit that profile, but I am plagued with the need for moving scenery to stave off boredom – even the idea of looking at a screen for distraction would wear off quickly I fear – a spin class often presents many distractions, especially if you choose your seat carefully and sit near the back, but otherwise I need to be outside, so it’s 6mm steamer wetsuits, and a cycloX in the mud for me I’m afraid – I’ll use the money saved on the rollers for some top end winter gear
That said, at least the rollers seem to provide the potential for excitement by allowing you to fall off??
Alright, thanks to all of you Gents, I am now the proud owner of the following rollers: KREITLER DYNO-MYTE 2.25″ DIAMETER ROLLERS WITH BONUS FRONT WHEEL STAND.
What the HELL I was thinking when I bid on these I’ll never know but I guess I’ll figure out which I like better: My stationary trainers or the rollers. Guess I can mix them up over the winter season tp keep it entertaining.
God help me when the VMH finds out!
@Dr C
I figure torturing myself on a trainer will at least make me mentally stronger, if not physically.
I get bored as fuck riding inside – I don’t particularly enjoy it, but it’s a good option for quick after-work spins with minimal effort of needing to kit up, have all the lights, etc etc. Knowing myself, I won’t want to ride in the dark, cold rain of the nights here during the winter after getting home from work, so if I’m going to maintain at all I need something to do during the week to at least not keep my fitness sliding backwards.
Proper music and videos help. I’ve found the Sufferfest videos to be quite good and make the time actually go by very quickly. On the other hand, I’ve found movies and TV shows make poor company and don’t offer the proper motivation.
Kraftwerk’s 2003 album ‘Tour de France Soundtracks’ keep me going for a good while last night, however.
@Steampunk
Does he accept payment in Beer Bullion? Beer Bullion, of course, is a much more stable currency than the US Dollar, and will likely yield him more enjoyment than our puny currency ever could. All of us could bring our favorite six pack of beer as payment. That’s a lot of beer.
@Steampunk
It feels inappropriate to talk about “frigid” and positive degrees in the same breath? I typically think of anything in the negatives on the Fahrenheit scale as frigid, but I was raised in Minnesota.
Seriously, though, I’ve recently discovered the beauty of the wool oversocks, commonly referred to as Belgian Booties. My goodness my Guiness those are awesome. Not so warm that they make your feet suck, and not so cool that they make you wish you had more. Like anything wool, they seem to automatically give you the perfect insulation – never too hot and never too cold. And, they’re very reasonable. I have two sets, Castelli and Sidi and the Castelli’s are a little better. Marko recently got on board, too. These things RULCK.
@Dr C
@mcsqueak has it nailed here. Riding inside sucks donkey balls. Worst thing ever. Give me a ride in frigid weather or in a downpour any day. That said, a two hour session on the trainer (or, I assume, rollers) will give you a mental strength you can’t find on the road, provided you don’t live at the top of Haleakala. The monotony of just having only the next pedal stroke to think about is one thing. Doing an interval one one, is a completely other. Time slows down like never before. 1 minute 58 seconds (pedal pedal pedal pedal pedal pedal pedal) 1 minute and still fucking 58 seconds? What the fuck? (pedal pedal pedal pedal) FINALLY 1 minute 59 seconds, one more eternal second to go!
Fuck that shit, but at least it makes you strong.
@frank
I think of frigid as a relative measurement, not one with a definite numerical value. As such, this being the first time that the thermometer dipped that far south in quite some time, the ride felt much colder than what I was used to. The fact that I neglected to dress appropriately””again because of seasonal adaptation””only solidified the notion that this ride was quite cold. Next week, with better layers, a ride at 10 degrees colder won’t feel nearly as frigid as yesterday’s. Last year, I rode year round in just cap and a second layer of socks””this down to -18 C. A year older and colder, I’m deciding there are limits to Rule V’ing it in such conditions; those limits are this side of hypothermia.
Might have to try these. I have a pair of Giordana’s Sotto Zero booties, which look nice and feel good (though I have yet to try them on a cold ride). I wondered about the sweat issue, but it may get cold enough soon that that shouldn’t matter too much.
@frank
I’ll ask. This makes eminent sense.
@Buck Rogers @Dr C @mcsqueak @Marcus
Fuckwits: the only excuse to not ride outside is if you can’t actually see the ground. And that after several hours of digging through the white stuff. Failing this litmus test, trainers are for the weak. End of. See Rule #10. Then see Rule V.
With love and kisses from the Great White North.
@Steampunk
:) Feel the love.
That said, I must say that I’ve learned a whole lot about Rule V in my own living room.
You have a point, but I have felt something truly sublime on the trainer as well as on the road.
You need to HTFU and get on the trainer once in a while, it truly makes you a Hardman and makes you appreciate the road that much more.!!!