REPORT ON LACTATE THRESHOLD FIELD TESTING: Yesterday we completed lactate threshold field tests for 9 riders at the YMCA Healthy Living Center. The purpose of this test is to allow riders to estimate specific training zones for their own unique physiology. Knowing these zones allow you to train to get the best results.
I was excited by how well the sessions went. I had conducted this testing individually before but had never performed it for a group. We got the job done and it seemed to me that participants got some good information and a better understanding of how to use it.
There is one more session scheduled. It is next Saturday 10:30am at the Walnut Creek YMCA. So far there is only one rider signed up for that session and we need a minimum of four to hold the session. So sign up now if you are interested.
If you want to sign up, go to a YMCA service desk and tell them you want to sign up for "Fine Tune Your Cycling" , West Des Moines, Walnut Creek Family YMCA, Saturday, July 14, 10:30AM.
These sessions are limited to YMCA members only. There is a $10 fee and a limit of 10 per class. You must bring a heart rate monitor but if you don’t have one check with me as I have two to loan. Come rested and well hydrated. If you have questions, write me at bill.roach@mchsi.com or call me at 515-201-6496.
THE TOUR DE FRANCE FIRST WEEK:
It’s been fun this week teaching a class loosely based on the events during Stage One of this year’s Tour de France. The indoor version of this ride includes three good climbs and three fast flats as well as two sprints. It’s been a nice change of pace, I think.
Next week I plan to continue the Tour de France theme but with a more mountainous stage. Usually this is where the race gets the most interesting.
Nonetheless the first week has been one of the more interesting ones in recent memory. Here are a few quick impressions.
Crashes and survival: The first week is always characterized by high speeds on relatively flat roads and furious sprinting. This week is no exception. The goal of the top riders is to survive the week intact in order to fight later. This week, however, seems to have more dramatic crashes than I recall in the recent past. This may be in part because the sprint competition is being furiously fought. Imagine racing elbow to elbow in a group of 60 to 100 riders at speeds up to, and over, 40mph. One slip and everyone goes down. The importance of these injuries and withdrawals will be understood better as the race progresses.
Through this week the Yellow Jersey has been held by Fabian Cancellera, a Swiss rider riding for the RadioShack team. He blasted through the Prologue Time Trial of four miles in just over seven minutes and held a 7 second advantage through the first week until Saturday’s first mountain stage. By the way, he rode that time trial at an average Watts of 550. Think about that. These guys are mutants.
Sprint competition: The first six stages of the Tour have featured mostly flat roads and big sprint finishes. Three of these stages have been won by a new young rider, Peter Sagain of Slovakia racing for the Liqui-Gas Cannondale team. Consequently, he leads the green jersey sprinters competition. He is closely followed by two other relatively less known sprinters: Matthew Goss of Australia and Andre Greipel of Germany. The more established sprinting leaders Mark Cavendish of Great Britain and Allesendro Pattachi of Italy are fourth and fifth. We may be seeing the birth of a new generation of great sprinters. By the way, watch for Peter Sagain’s victory celebrations as he crosses the finish line. He has dances including the "funky chicken" and the "Forest Gump".
Two young riders: In addition to the introduction to the new sprinter, Peter Sagan, I urge you to take note of a new rider who may become the new face of American cycling. He is Tejay Van Garderen. Despite the Dutch sounding name, he is a new bright American rider who led the White Jersey competition for most of the first week. Both these riders are worth watching.
Forecasted leaders intact: Even after just one day of mountains, the predicted riders are rising to the top. Bradley Wiggins holds the Yellow Jersey by just ten seconds over his main rival for overall victory, Cadel Evans. Another contender, Vincenzo Nibali (He’s Italian!) is third.
And, I must add, the son of one of my favorite riders is well placed. I followed Irish rider Stephen Roche in his win in the Tour way back in 1987. His son Nicolas is 8th this year. I learned in my recent trip to Ireland, that all Roche’s (Roach’s) are indeed related. So pardon me if I cheer for my cousin, Nicolas. At family functions, we call him"Nic".
A question about women: One of my long-time students sent the following good question. "Here is a topic to add to your coverage of the Tour de France. Why are there no women? Is it because women are not allowed to compete? Is it because no woman has ever qualified. Given how big this race is, it seems strange to me that women are not included in the race."
The answer is part cultural and part physiological.
My friend - and longtime Tour de France follower - Jennifer Sage answers as follows: "A woman cannot reach the speeds and power output required to compete on the same level as men, and the total duration/distance is far too hard. It is physically impossible. There was a women's Tour de France for quite a few years - Jeanne Longo used to win them all the time (world famous woman cyclist, Olympic gold medalist, World Champion, etc). The Tour de France Feminin followed a similar route, but the total distance was shorter, with shorter stages. They ran out of sponsors/funding and had to discontinue them a few years ago."
In addition I would add that the Tour is a conservative French institution that is slow to adopt change. Remember that in Europe, cycling is a more blue-collar sport, somewhat like boxing here. It’s sad that the efforts to have a woman’s Tour de France have not been successful.
Thanks for the good question, Christine!
How to watch: If you have Mediacom, go to channel 73 for frequent live and rebroadcast coverage. With other TV services look for NBC Sports Channel.
NEW FORMAT STILL ON THE WAY:I am continuing to work on the list and format changes to switch this newsletter over to a new format. Some readers will receive this newsletter in the new format. Other will get it in the old format. If you get the new one, please free to comment on it. I am hoping that by next time, the conversion will be complete.
QUOTE:As provided by Rachel. I love this one.
"Try a thing you haven't done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not." If you have a quote you like, feel free to share it. Thanks Rachel!
RESOURCES:Recent past issues of this newsletter are available at http://billroachblog.blogspot.com
Thank you.
Bill Roach, NASM-CPT, CEx
Star 3 Lifetime Certified Spinning Instructor
Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine
Corrective Exercise Specialist, National Academy of Sports Medicine
bill.roach@mchsi.com
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