Dear Dr. Lim-
I am a loyal PT owner and user. When I do interval sessions, I find it “easier” to maintain target wattage when going uphill as opposed to trying to maintain the same target when on the flats (“easier” really just means “less painful” in this context; believe me, it ain't easy). Why is this true, and is this just my perception, or is this generally true for the majority of riders (i.e. do some believe the opposite to be true)? Is it because going uphill, a rider is fighting all of the different components of resistance – wind, rolling resistance, and gravity – while when on the flats, only two components come into play?
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Dan
Columbus, OH

from Dr. Allen Lim

As soon as the riders get back to the bus after a stage the recovery process begins. Waiting for each rider on the bus is 1.5 liters of Cliff electrolyte solution (Apple Cider is their favorite), a liter of Cliff recovery drink, and a small buffet of white rice, eggs, fruit, and seasonings. Upon entering the bus, the guys are reminded to weigh themselves with a precision scale in their cycling shoes, shorts, and jersey (empty pockets). They’re asked to weigh themselves the same way before they leave the bus just before race start. The weight difference gives them an idea of how much fluid they need to replace immediately after each stage.

from Bruce Hildenbrand

Tour sprinters are an interesting lot. For the most part, they are good for only one thing and that is going fast at the finish of a race. Their teammates are charged with the task of babysitting them on the flat stages, keeping them out of the wind so that they can conserve their strength and power for the final dash to the line. If the sprinter wins, he is the one on the podium with the flowers, champagne and kisses from the pretty girls while the long-suffering support riders or domestiques are back in the team bus exhausted from being on the front of the peloton for hours on end.

Dr. Lim,

My question is about the heart rate vs. power? I’ve noticed that after a series of hard workouts that it becomes more difficult to raise heart rate in the various zones, however, power output (while difficult) is generally maintained. Is this a typical physiological response? If so, it seems counter intuitive; as I would expect heart rate to rise above various zones after a series of hard workouts. Given this situation, is heart rate a valid measurement for training (or racing)?

Thanks,
Bruce

from CycleOps Power

CycleOps Power continues to innovate its PowerTap line. In parallel with developing ANT+ Sport compatitibility, CycleOps engineers have been working on a new axel design that is as light as the original but much stiffer. Watch the video with CycleOps Power product manager Jesse Bartholomew to learn more.