Liege-Bastonge-Liege is done for another year. Maxim Iglinsky was well and truly amazing* today! Maybe not quite the battle of giants everyone had hoped for, but a compelling finish none-the-less. Several people have posted about the moment the race was won - and in a literal sense they are right...when Iglinsky passed Nibali the race was finally won, but I think it was truly "won" many kilometers earlier...After Nibali took his flyer off the un-listed Cote De La Roche Aux Faucons climb (and all the action on the climb itself) it seemed an obvious lapse by Gilbert et al. He quickly ran out to more than 20 seconds and eventually near a minute. The continual shuffle behind saw attacks and counter-attacks by Pierre Roland (wow, what a day for that guy!), Thomas Voeckler, Kiserlowski, Dan Martin, and Gasparoto (solid solid effort!). I don't think Gilbert has been given enough credit for the amount of work he did to try and bring back both Nibali and the various groups that formed in pursuit.
Bad judgement? Maybe, maybe not...seems that if he doesn't help try to close it down then all is lost - and pro cycling tends to be an all or nothing proposition...
so perhaps Gilbert DID give it all out on the course...just at the wrong time. That he was largely facing squads of two or more riders in the finale certainly didn't help his cause.
In the end it seems the race was won by a combination of team tactics and attrition - much like it has in previous editions. While we've come to expect the outlandish solo victory, Sunday was proof once again that cycling really is a team sport. Put Iglinsky against Nibali and Gilbert head-to-head and we'd likely see a different outcome 7 out of 10 times (hey, it's still cycling!).
Of course Cosmo says it best:
Liege Bastogne Liege 2012 - How The Race Was Won from Cosmo Catalano on Vimeo.
*provided it stands the "test" of time....and the UCI.
April 23, 2012
April 15, 2012
Up Tomorrow - Riding The BMC
Just a quick note to myself* for tomorrow as I am heading out to ride the new GF01 with the crew from BMC and a bunch of real journalists. We're supposed to have access to the engineers and such to get the inside story on the bike' development. As I'm a typically skeptical person (yet optimistic - are those oppositional?), this should be an opportunity to try and learn something interesting and write something worthwhile. I've been kicking around some questions and topics of conversation. Things like trail and bottom bracket drop are of interest, especially for a bike built to perform in races like Roubaix and Flanders, but targeted at "endurance" riders for whom quick handling and stiffness are tertiary goals. How do they balance these two competing markets? What are the pluses and minuses of longer chain stays and a higher head tube outside of what has already been written?
Frankly I was torn over whether or not to read any of the articles out on the bike so far. Would it skew my experience? Would I simply regurgitate what others had written? I think not...but only the final product will tell, so I guess I better make it good...
*Given my vast readership
April 11, 2012
How To Stay Interesting
What makes you go to a cycling site?
More to the point what makes you go BACK to a site?
There are some great sites, with great content still on the periphery - for now - but soon enough they'll be absorbed, maybe. The thing is I don't really understand how they do it. How do sites like INRNG and RKP stay interesting day to day? Then again maybe it's only interesting to that small cadre of cycling fiends that I know and hang out with. Of course good writing is part, as are great pictures...but there is something else. Perspective? Outside the box thinking? Experience? Whatever it is, whatever combination..i'm hoping to start to get a line on it soon.
On the flip side I find myself in open disdain of VeloNews (Velo? WTF?) these days* and tolerant of CN and others mostly in the search for current news. They seem to put up lots of aggregated content, or worse rehashed press clippings from teams. They fire their most experienced and prestigous for what one can only presume is cost savings...but saving money at the cost of credibility and content is simply mis-guided.
Sites like Pez** and the smaller blog based ones do a good job of painting the varied portraits of cycling that keep readers coming back. Unique content is certainly a solid foundation for success! Guess I gotta go get interesting now...
What's Interesting:
120 Miles of Battenkill...
Jered Gruber's KOM's from Strava...
Tomorrow's project with BMC:
*Stealing, mediocre-ly, the "How The Race Was Won" concept from Cyclocosm was laughable. Just watch VN's E3 effort compared with Cosmo's Flanders or Roubaix posts for confirmation that talent cannot be copied. Then again I think they do a few things well...bike reviews are good.
**Yea, I write for Pez...no wonder it's so good!
More to the point what makes you go BACK to a site?
There are some great sites, with great content still on the periphery - for now - but soon enough they'll be absorbed, maybe. The thing is I don't really understand how they do it. How do sites like INRNG and RKP stay interesting day to day? Then again maybe it's only interesting to that small cadre of cycling fiends that I know and hang out with. Of course good writing is part, as are great pictures...but there is something else. Perspective? Outside the box thinking? Experience? Whatever it is, whatever combination..i'm hoping to start to get a line on it soon.
On the flip side I find myself in open disdain of VeloNews (Velo? WTF?) these days* and tolerant of CN and others mostly in the search for current news. They seem to put up lots of aggregated content, or worse rehashed press clippings from teams. They fire their most experienced and prestigous for what one can only presume is cost savings...but saving money at the cost of credibility and content is simply mis-guided.
Sites like Pez** and the smaller blog based ones do a good job of painting the varied portraits of cycling that keep readers coming back. Unique content is certainly a solid foundation for success! Guess I gotta go get interesting now...
What's Interesting:
120 Miles of Battenkill...
Jered Gruber's KOM's from Strava...
Tomorrow's project with BMC:
*Stealing, mediocre-ly, the "How The Race Was Won" concept from Cyclocosm was laughable. Just watch VN's E3 effort compared with Cosmo's Flanders or Roubaix posts for confirmation that talent cannot be copied. Then again I think they do a few things well...bike reviews are good.
**Yea, I write for Pez...no wonder it's so good!
Love and Hate
I love cycling - love it enough that I went and made it my job.
I hate my job - if only from ineptness
I love my wife - she makes me smile most days
I hate my life - when it seems an unending misery
I love my daughter - my one true joy
I hate myself - for failing to reach my own expectations
I love to ride - it is freedom and peace
I hate my bikes - they are never perfect
I love physiology - it's constantly fascinating
I hate technology - unmastered mediocrity in my hands
I love my athletes - they are all good and interesting people
I hate my team - stagnant by ambivalence
I love to go places - a road trip anytime is fine
I hate to leave my house - somedays
I love music - A daily gift
I hate the ringing in my ears - seems worse with stress
Commence Rant
Since no one really reads this blog, honestly, no one.
AND since in the back of my head I fancy myself a passably capable writer, or some bastardization of that term...
AND since I have a lot of opinions on a lot of things...
HTFU is a mantra, not a clothing line! Stupid people permeate the Republican party. Timeline sucks. Masters dopers are a joke (hey, I didn't say my opinions were all revolutionary or anything!). "Pro" isn't unless you're getting paid. If you can't turn 300W you're slow. Carbon bikes should NOT cost $5k! Nothing in cycling should cost $5k. You know I almost took out the pro comment b/c I think AC is pro anyway, but that would be capitulation. Capitulation sucks.
...and since I'd like to get out of my multi-month FUNK as my life floats by and a summer of racing beckons while I add pounds and lose cardio capacity EVERY SINGLE DAY ....I might as well say whatever I want!
So, for the foreseeable future this blog will simply RANT about whatever crosses my path. It'll probably be some geeky cycling crap or passably amusing anecdote I heard from someone else - but then again maybe it won't...
AND since in the back of my head I fancy myself a passably capable writer, or some bastardization of that term...
AND since I have a lot of opinions on a lot of things...
HTFU is a mantra, not a clothing line! Stupid people permeate the Republican party. Timeline sucks. Masters dopers are a joke (hey, I didn't say my opinions were all revolutionary or anything!). "Pro" isn't unless you're getting paid. If you can't turn 300W you're slow. Carbon bikes should NOT cost $5k! Nothing in cycling should cost $5k. You know I almost took out the pro comment b/c I think AC is pro anyway, but that would be capitulation. Capitulation sucks.
...and since I'd like to get out of my multi-month FUNK as my life floats by and a summer of racing beckons while I add pounds and lose cardio capacity EVERY SINGLE DAY ....I might as well say whatever I want!
So, for the foreseeable future this blog will simply RANT about whatever crosses my path. It'll probably be some geeky cycling crap or passably amusing anecdote I heard from someone else - but then again maybe it won't...
February 24, 2012
Training Article Archive - in one fell swoop!
January 19, 2012
Why The Magura Hydro Rim Brakes Don't Matter*
Typical of the bike industry. Something "new"comes out and everyone is a twitter figuratively and literally.
Seems Magura has gone back to the future by introducing their RT8-TT hydraulically actuated rim brake.
Um, wait a minute....didn't they already do that in 1997?
Yep, Bart Brentjens rode 'em to some glory back in the day, then real hydraulic discs came out and rim based systems became antiquated.
So, why all the hubub about the "new" magura's? Honestly, I don't know!
A couple of counter weights to the media frenzy...
1. They are ugly!
Yes, they've been compared to the Campy Delta V's...
Maybe the Industrial-German-Techno version of a Delta V. And lest we forget Delta V's SUCKED at braking! Presumably the Magura's won't follow suit.
2. They are heavy!
From cyclingnews - "Not surprisingly, the RT8 TT is impressively light with a claimed total system weight of just 495g —comparable to a Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical setup when factoring in cables and housing." 495g, 250g per wheel...that's over a pound for levers, housing, fluid, and calipers. For comparison - you knew this was coming right? - TRP's new TTV weighs in at about 110g, and when paired with the RL879 lever at 77g each, puts your total weight at a paltry 187g per wheel, then add another 15g for cable and housing you're still around 200g per wheel, or about a 1/4 pound lighter.
3. They are expensive!
From cyclingnews: "Pricing for the complete Magura RT8 TT brake system is set at €599." at todays exchange rate that makes these a $773 investment in old technology...which brings me to the final reason these are irrelevant on arrival. Again using the TRP TTV's as comparison...they will likely have a retail price of around $150 per set (if we use the similarly v-brake based CX9 as a relative price point). Throw in the levers for $60 and you've still spent less than a third of the price..plenty of coin left for a new TT helmet!
4. Rim Brakes?
Why would you invest, presumably, tens-to-hundreds of thousands of dollars on a rim based system? Brake perfomance will not be impressively improved over existing options because it still comes down to the pad and the rim. The rim surface is uneven, prone to flexing, and inherently mediocre at adhesion, especially in wet conditions. Disc brakes on road bikes are coming. Now the UCI may waffle and waiver on allowing them, but they will be the standard within a few years, guaranteed!
Not to be a complete Nega-Nerd I'll give the Magura's props in two or three areas...
1. They mount on existing brake configurations according to cyclingnews. This is important b/c other systems like the TTV require post mounts and manufacturers willing to produce compatible forks and frames (which they are doing in droves since under the BB mounting is fairly standard in TT/Tri bikes, and most major manufacturers have embraced the fork mount version, but I digress).
2. They look killer under the fairing!
3. For their launch bike they chose TRP pads and pad holders, look closely....nice!
*The big qualifier - I work for TRP Brakes about 10 hours a week doing marketing so I AM BIASED
Seems Magura has gone back to the future by introducing their RT8-TT hydraulically actuated rim brake.
Um, wait a minute....didn't they already do that in 1997?
Yep, Bart Brentjens rode 'em to some glory back in the day, then real hydraulic discs came out and rim based systems became antiquated.
So, why all the hubub about the "new" magura's? Honestly, I don't know!
A couple of counter weights to the media frenzy...
1. They are ugly!
Yes, they've been compared to the Campy Delta V's...
Maybe the Industrial-German-Techno version of a Delta V. And lest we forget Delta V's SUCKED at braking! Presumably the Magura's won't follow suit.
2. They are heavy!
From cyclingnews - "Not surprisingly, the RT8 TT is impressively light with a claimed total system weight of just 495g —comparable to a Shimano Dura-Ace mechanical setup when factoring in cables and housing." 495g, 250g per wheel...that's over a pound for levers, housing, fluid, and calipers. For comparison - you knew this was coming right? - TRP's new TTV weighs in at about 110g, and when paired with the RL879 lever at 77g each, puts your total weight at a paltry 187g per wheel, then add another 15g for cable and housing you're still around 200g per wheel, or about a 1/4 pound lighter.
3. They are expensive!
From cyclingnews: "Pricing for the complete Magura RT8 TT brake system is set at €599." at todays exchange rate that makes these a $773 investment in old technology...which brings me to the final reason these are irrelevant on arrival. Again using the TRP TTV's as comparison...they will likely have a retail price of around $150 per set (if we use the similarly v-brake based CX9 as a relative price point). Throw in the levers for $60 and you've still spent less than a third of the price..plenty of coin left for a new TT helmet!
4. Rim Brakes?
Why would you invest, presumably, tens-to-hundreds of thousands of dollars on a rim based system? Brake perfomance will not be impressively improved over existing options because it still comes down to the pad and the rim. The rim surface is uneven, prone to flexing, and inherently mediocre at adhesion, especially in wet conditions. Disc brakes on road bikes are coming. Now the UCI may waffle and waiver on allowing them, but they will be the standard within a few years, guaranteed!
Not to be a complete Nega-Nerd I'll give the Magura's props in two or three areas...
1. They mount on existing brake configurations according to cyclingnews. This is important b/c other systems like the TTV require post mounts and manufacturers willing to produce compatible forks and frames (which they are doing in droves since under the BB mounting is fairly standard in TT/Tri bikes, and most major manufacturers have embraced the fork mount version, but I digress).
2. They look killer under the fairing!
3. For their launch bike they chose TRP pads and pad holders, look closely....nice!
*The big qualifier - I work for TRP Brakes about 10 hours a week doing marketing so I AM BIASED
November 08, 2011
Indoor Training - The Sufferfest Goes Under The Microscope
Suffer (verb): Experience or be subjected to (something bad or unpleasant). To tolerate or endure evil, injury, pain, or death. In general usage the preferred preposition after suffer is from, rather than with, in constructions such as He suffered from hypertension. Within cycling a more apt preposition might be for, as he suffered for cycling.
By Matt McNamara
The gang of n’er-do-wells at The Sufferfest have consistently raised the bar on quality indoor training videos over the past couple of years. Toolbox editor, and avowed hard man, Dr. Stephen Cheung wrote a thorough overview of the series in 2010, while the Pez himself gave two tired thumbs up to “Local Hero” earlier this year. So what is left to say? Well, as a power based coach and one who loathes indoor training more than most, I thought I’d look at the training value of the videos from a power based perspective to put a little science behind the praise.
Easy to follow on screen instructions encourage maximum volume for the musical accompaniment.
The Method
When starting this project it was immediately obvious that the only way to truly measure the effectiveness of the videos was by using a CompuTrainer system. CompuTrainer is a stable and highly accurate ergometer that has been the industry standard for over a decade. Although showing its age in a few important areas (read: user experience), the CompuTrainer Lab model is accurate to within 0.5% when calibrated and offers a downloadable format that can be imported into various analysis software. [Note: CompuTrainer reports that a very redesigned software package is coming soon. = ed.]
Thanks to special licensing with the UCI, you get to join the racing on some very famous courses.
The next step was to decide what I wanted to measure. Once again the obvious choices presented themselves: By looking at training stress score (TSS), intensity factor (IF), and interval composition I could get a pretty comprehensive view of the workouts and their efficacy as training tools.
The final piece of the puzzle was to translate the workouts into a file format that would work on the CompuTrainer. This was a daunting task, frankly. Each video is an hour or more and the workouts are based entirely on self selected Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale efforts that are cued by on screen prompts! That meant I would have to watch each video, record the time stamps of all on screen prompts and then create an erg file that matched those up with my own RPE scale.
Fortunately, I stumbled across a critical component when I found an excel spreadsheet by Ted Meisky, a Sufferlandrien of some repute, who had already broken each video into the component sections I needed. Further, his spreadsheet was laid out as a text file that is easily converted to a CompuTrainer compatible format. You can download his spreadsheet here and a bit more information about the rationale here .
He has also given the spreadsheet several custom inputs for each athlete including the ability to select the threshold power level and the percentages of threshold power used for recovery and maximal efforts (those nefarious 10 on a 10 scale intervals). I used my FTP (functional threshold power) with recovery at 50% (most athletes will self-select a 50% threshold effort for recovery) and max effort at 140%, as that scaled the workout to match my preferred RPE scale where a 7 is considered a circa-threshold effort.
Since I wanted to know the individual TSS and IF scores for each video, I went ahead and created each workout again in Cycling Peaks ERG+ software. The ERG+ software allows me to see TSS/IF values and to scale the workouts for different FTP levels. Unfortunately, it will not open a standard .erg file, so I had to manually create each workout (so much for saving time!). In the end it was worth the effort because I now have good data on each of the videos, so let’s see how a few stack up…
The Hunted
This wasn’t the first video produced, but it was the first one I purchased a little over a year ago. Like most, I was immediately impressed with the quality of the experience. Not only did I complete the ride, but I actually wanted to come back for more! For me, the key was the music, each song kept a good rhythm that helped me stay on task. Admittedly, the first ride was not at the same power level that would be assigned by the .erg file – but I think that is one of the true benefits of an RPE based workout; you can scale your effort to your current fitness level, enjoy the experience and simply go harder as fitness allows.
That said we are here to quantify the workout from a power perspective so let’s look at some data from both my ride (ahem!) and an estimate of actual work expected.
Here is the graph of my ride. Not as disciplined as I might like, but at least the efforts at the end – those oh-my-G sprints – were decent:
So it worked out to be 58 minutes at a Normalized power of 252W, an IF of 0.84. Training Stress was 67 points and I burned through 825KJ’s. Compared to the erg file build which looks like this:
Total TSS is up to 81 and Intensity Factor rises to 0.89 – right in that “Sweet Spot” zone we coaches espouse so readily. Still, I’d say that I got pretty close for not having an erg file to push me!
Next up we have The Downward Spiral –
Looking at this one from a coaching perspective I can say that the composition of the workout is surprisingly difficult! With a TSS score of 100 and an Intensity Factor of 0.98 this is one tough hour I set the “max effort” values at 140% of FTP to better correlate an RPE of 7 with a threshold effort, and that had the hard intervals at and above my Maximal Aerobic Power (MAP/VO2max). Fortunately, one can adjust intensity down pretty easily using Mr. Meisky’s erg spreadsheet, so you can scale it to a more sustainable level that is maybe 115 – 125% of FTP. When scaled down to 125% the hardest intervals fall just below MAP and the TSS and IF scores fall to 82 and 0.89 respectively.
A saving grace of this workout is that the MAP efforts are all fairly short ranging from 15s to just over 2 minutes. These short intervals fit nicely into the school of thought espoused by Dr. Guy Thibault (read it here: Intervals Part 3: MAP Intervals) regarding intensity and duration of MAP efforts and recovery. That doesn’t make it any easier to do “The Downward Sprial,” but at least you’ll know you are following a sound strategy.
Local Hero
Finally, I wanted to look at “Local Hero” the longest of the series so far at 85 minutes. This story-book tale of a young man-gone-good represents a great cross section of cycling with a cyclocross race, a criterium, lots of on-screen heckling, a selection of toe tapping good music, and the appropriately engaging Melbourne World Championships road race as a back drop. So what’s the breakdown?
Ouch! In about an hour and a half you get 130 Training stress points with an intensity factor of 0.95 when you build it with max power set at 140% of FTP. It is a manageable workout, but probably not in your early base period. To me this is yet another example of the wisdom of building several erg files to represent different levels of fitness (or desire) If you aren’t up to a 130 point workout at 95% FTP, simply build an erg file that has a lower percentage of FTP for maximum. At 125% max this workout scales down to 107 TSS at 0.86 IF. A bit more relaxed, but only a bit.
Summary
The return of winter sees the inevitable return of indoor training. This time tested right of passage will lead you to a fitter and faster next year, but that doesn’t mean it has to be as tortured as you might think. There are numerous tools and programs that will help you pass the time without going crazy and the finest among these is the Sufferfest series. Professionally produced and with an air of tormented humor, each of the videos so far has been just engaging enough to make me want to come back time after time. But of course, being a coach, I expect more than just entertainment value, so I put Sufferfest to the test.
Specifically, I turned to the venerable CompuTrainer system to see just how hard the workouts are and if they address specific systems development. The short answer is the workouts are well designed and appreciably difficult. Each workout measures north of 85 points in TSS and Intensity Factor when they are corrected against an athlete’s functional threshold power.
Though originally designed around rating of perceived exertion, the videos are equally useful for those wanting to build their own ergometer files, and in fact offer a unique ability to adjust the workload for those who do. Simply modulating the workload changes the profile to suit each athlete’s specific fitness needs. Dial it down 10-15% or so, and a challenging Level 4 workout becomes a manageable Level 3.
While the specificity offered by an ergometer based approach is quite robust, it should be noted that simply applying an appropriate RPE scale will accomplish much of the same thing. In short, as designed, an athlete with sufficient self knowledge and desire can make each of the Sufferfest series serve a useful training purpose at most any time of the year.
October 07, 2011
STERLING CROSS P/B SENDMAIL, INC
Crossover Talent and Depth Highlight 2011-12 Roster
****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****
SUNNYVALE, CA (September 8, 2011) – Brimming with talent the Sterling Cross p/b Sendmail, Inc Cyclocross Team is set to light the afterburners on a spectacular racing season in just a few short days. Boasting its strongest roster yet entering it’s fourth season, the team is deeper, faster, and more focused than ever on winning races and upending the status quo in Northern California racing.
Led by three time Olympian Eric Wohlberg, the mens team includes talent and depth in the form of standout road riders Adam Carr and Rand Miller, both of whom made successful transitions to ‘cross last fall and look to be even stronger this season. Fresh off a 2nd place at this past weekend’s Giro di San Francisco, returning rider Martin Acosta is another rider to watch this season having made the jump from Cat 5 to Cat 1 in a little over a year. The future is bright for this speedster from East Palo Alto. Elite Single Speeder Patrick Kitto is out to ruffle the feathers of the SS establishment this year, and coming on the heels of a very successful 2010 campaign, you can bet he will be punching tickets at the front all season long!
The womens team is led by 2010 Idaho State Cyclocross Champion, and Giro Donne finisher, Liza Rachetto, who looks to be primed for a breakout season. New to the team this year are the talented tandem of Anna Barensfeld and Starla Teddergren. Both ladies are coming off strong seasons on the road and looking to parlay some of that fitness into podiums at races on both coasts this fall. Returning rider Carmen Elliott rounds out the squad having rediscovered the fitness that kept her competitive in the pro-mountain bike ranks just a few years ago.
In addition to the elite team, Sterling Cross p/b Sendmail, Inc also has a deep and talented masters roster that includes 2010 Bay Area Super Prestige Series Champion Bill Strachan, making the jump to 45A’s this season along with perennial top 10 masters Rich Stone and Jamie Willin. Matt McNamara, with multiple district podiums will round out the roster in 35A’s.
Not to be outdone, our development squad has over a dozen hard charging members who are looking to continue the tradition of excellence that has become a staple of the Sterling Sports Group program. This year the team includes a small east coast contingent eager to carry the Sterling mantra to new audiences, and add their name to the history of the team. Who will be this years standout rider?
On the sponsorship side of the team are a committed group of partners including Sendmail, Inc back again as presenting sponsor. Also returning are marquee partners Southwall Technologies – a leader in environmentally advanced glass applications, HELP Pain – provider of high tech medical solutions to remote communities, and JF Fitzgerald – legendary makers of World class custom furnishings. On the equipment side the team is pleased to welcome back TRP Brakes and Challenge Tires, while embracing our newest sponsors Lazer Helmets and Mavic Wheels.
ABOUT STERLING SPORTS GROUP
Sterling Sports Group (www.sterlingwins.com) is the result of over 20 years of passion for the sport of cycling. Launched in late 2003, Sterling Sports is a growing company focused on creating a seamless interface between athlete and coach, technology and personal attention. They can be reached at 408.891.3462 or info@sterlingwins.com ###
****FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE****
SUNNYVALE, CA (September 8, 2011) – Brimming with talent the Sterling Cross p/b Sendmail, Inc Cyclocross Team is set to light the afterburners on a spectacular racing season in just a few short days. Boasting its strongest roster yet entering it’s fourth season, the team is deeper, faster, and more focused than ever on winning races and upending the status quo in Northern California racing.
Led by three time Olympian Eric Wohlberg, the mens team includes talent and depth in the form of standout road riders Adam Carr and Rand Miller, both of whom made successful transitions to ‘cross last fall and look to be even stronger this season. Fresh off a 2nd place at this past weekend’s Giro di San Francisco, returning rider Martin Acosta is another rider to watch this season having made the jump from Cat 5 to Cat 1 in a little over a year. The future is bright for this speedster from East Palo Alto. Elite Single Speeder Patrick Kitto is out to ruffle the feathers of the SS establishment this year, and coming on the heels of a very successful 2010 campaign, you can bet he will be punching tickets at the front all season long!
The womens team is led by 2010 Idaho State Cyclocross Champion, and Giro Donne finisher, Liza Rachetto, who looks to be primed for a breakout season. New to the team this year are the talented tandem of Anna Barensfeld and Starla Teddergren. Both ladies are coming off strong seasons on the road and looking to parlay some of that fitness into podiums at races on both coasts this fall. Returning rider Carmen Elliott rounds out the squad having rediscovered the fitness that kept her competitive in the pro-mountain bike ranks just a few years ago.
In addition to the elite team, Sterling Cross p/b Sendmail, Inc also has a deep and talented masters roster that includes 2010 Bay Area Super Prestige Series Champion Bill Strachan, making the jump to 45A’s this season along with perennial top 10 masters Rich Stone and Jamie Willin. Matt McNamara, with multiple district podiums will round out the roster in 35A’s.
Not to be outdone, our development squad has over a dozen hard charging members who are looking to continue the tradition of excellence that has become a staple of the Sterling Sports Group program. This year the team includes a small east coast contingent eager to carry the Sterling mantra to new audiences, and add their name to the history of the team. Who will be this years standout rider?
On the sponsorship side of the team are a committed group of partners including Sendmail, Inc back again as presenting sponsor. Also returning are marquee partners Southwall Technologies – a leader in environmentally advanced glass applications, HELP Pain – provider of high tech medical solutions to remote communities, and JF Fitzgerald – legendary makers of World class custom furnishings. On the equipment side the team is pleased to welcome back TRP Brakes and Challenge Tires, while embracing our newest sponsors Lazer Helmets and Mavic Wheels.
ABOUT STERLING SPORTS GROUP
Sterling Sports Group (www.sterlingwins.com) is the result of over 20 years of passion for the sport of cycling. Launched in late 2003, Sterling Sports is a growing company focused on creating a seamless interface between athlete and coach, technology and personal attention. They can be reached at 408.891.3462 or info@sterlingwins.com ###
August 19, 2011
USAC West Regional Development Camp
Every year we get to watch the rise of talent on the professional scene. From new riders who seem to rise from obscurity to greatness before our eyes, to those we’ve watched toil and grow for years who finally break through to a new level. Each is inspiring and it’s easy to forget that, in truth, these riders have all paid their dues to the sport. Sometimes it’s nice to see the starting point of the journey too…
By Matt McNamara
I have previously written and talked about the value of the Old School to the heart and soul of cycling. Last week I was fortunate to spend a few days at the USA Cycling Western Regional Development Camp meeting and working with some of the new school. This is an annual camp offered by USA Cycling to give young riders the chance to learn the craft of racing while offering USA Cycling a look at the next crop of rising talent. It is the perfect first step in the pipeline to becoming a pro.
This year’s camp was again headed by coach Larry Nolan, a multi-time Masters World Champion and director of one of the top junior programs in the U.S. Larry’s professionalism and experience have made this one of the premiere camps offered by USA Cycling. In addition, his staff of coaches and support personnel including Laurel Green, Steven Meilich, Deb Nolan and Justin Morgan, brought all of their talents and focus to the thirty-four attendees for each of the six days.
Here is the whole crew:
Talent Identification
One of the primary goals of the camp is talent identification. The riders complete two separate field tests designed to estimate their functional threshold power and maximal aerobic power. The first test is approximately twenty minutes, the second around five. Both offer that unique level of pain and suffering that we cyclists seem to cherish. It’s true what one of my early mentors said: “You must suffer like a dog, Mattie!” Too true…
The rider and bike are weighed and then sent out on course. Several of the campers had power meters, but since we know the length of the courses, each rider’s weight, the elevation gain, wind speed, and their time, it is fairly easy to get power numbers for each of the participants. These numbers are then forwarded to USA Cycling along with an evaluation of each rider and a recommendation of who might be ready for the jump to international competition.
Improvement
This is my second year at the camp and one of the first things that stood out was the improvement of the returning riders. Nearly every returning rider posted a faster time than the previous year, some by as much as two minutes on the twenty minute test. While the ramp rate of year-to-year gain may taper, a 10% improvement is certainly impressive
The other thing that really stood out this year was just how fast everyone was. The general pace of the rides was manageable, but when they decided to throw down we were easily and frequently above my 320’ish watt threshold as I watched some group of riders climb away from me. That they could recover and hit out again as often as they wanted was the really impressive part…they just kept coming back for more.
Skills, Drills, and Laughs
Each day we would practice a different race skill or scenario. Group pace-lines, attack and counter attack, leadouts, fast cornering, and a simulated road race to name a few. Then we got to my bread and butter… cornering skills.
We set up a great little race course in a giant parking lot, the riders were divided into 8 teams of 4 and the course was divided into 4 sections: a straight line sprint, a short but narrow set of tight corners, a wide open set of “S” turns, and finally a combination of all towards the finish line. Each member of the team would rotate forward one station on each lap, so everyone got to ride all four sections.
The brackets were set up so the top two teams would advance to the final four, and the last two teams would battle for fifth through eighth. This guaranteed that each team would race twice for a total of 8 laps on the course. The fun thing about the circuit is that, while it favors those with good snap and excellent handling, it’s a team race so the competition ended up closer than you might expect. Of course the greatest satisfaction was that there were only two minor crashes and no injuries. Whew!
Developing Young Adults
Perhaps the most impressive part of camp are the riders themselves. These guys and gals are focused on cycling and truly love the sport, but more importantly they demonstrated a degree of maturity that was not entirely expected. The riders were always pleasant and respectful to the coaches and staff, often addressing us with mister or missus - a nice change from the all too common entitlement attitude seen in many of today’s teens. Their parents can be proud of the young men and women they are raising.
The riders were similarly toned towards each other. I didn’t hear one argument or disparaging word throughout the camp. Rather they functioned as a team, each rider encouraged and cheered by their peers.
Of course they’re still the ‘young’ side of young adults so plenty of antics, jokes and pranks were devised, and a few late night “go to sleep, now!” requests had to be enforced. I think the perfect crescendo of the team ethos meets youthful exuberance had to be the re-test offered to a camper who had been sick on the first day. The picture below covers all you need to know, except that it was hilarious and a blast to be part of the group, though I kept my kit on!
Summary
The USA Cycling West Region Development Camp serves several important goals. It is a talent identification tool used by USAC to help bring forward the next wave of young riders, but perhaps more important it is a crucible for developing riders to challenge themselves in new and familiar areas. That it fosters such a sense of community and loyalty year over year is a testament to the talents and commitment of the staff that works it, and importantly the riders who attend. To see the USAC pipeline in action is to marvel at the depth of talent that has embraced cycling as their discipline. The future is bright and I can’t wait to watch it…
By Matt McNamara
I have previously written and talked about the value of the Old School to the heart and soul of cycling. Last week I was fortunate to spend a few days at the USA Cycling Western Regional Development Camp meeting and working with some of the new school. This is an annual camp offered by USA Cycling to give young riders the chance to learn the craft of racing while offering USA Cycling a look at the next crop of rising talent. It is the perfect first step in the pipeline to becoming a pro.
This year’s camp was again headed by coach Larry Nolan, a multi-time Masters World Champion and director of one of the top junior programs in the U.S. Larry’s professionalism and experience have made this one of the premiere camps offered by USA Cycling. In addition, his staff of coaches and support personnel including Laurel Green, Steven Meilich, Deb Nolan and Justin Morgan, brought all of their talents and focus to the thirty-four attendees for each of the six days.
Here is the whole crew:
Talent Identification
One of the primary goals of the camp is talent identification. The riders complete two separate field tests designed to estimate their functional threshold power and maximal aerobic power. The first test is approximately twenty minutes, the second around five. Both offer that unique level of pain and suffering that we cyclists seem to cherish. It’s true what one of my early mentors said: “You must suffer like a dog, Mattie!” Too true…
The rider and bike are weighed and then sent out on course. Several of the campers had power meters, but since we know the length of the courses, each rider’s weight, the elevation gain, wind speed, and their time, it is fairly easy to get power numbers for each of the participants. These numbers are then forwarded to USA Cycling along with an evaluation of each rider and a recommendation of who might be ready for the jump to international competition.
Improvement
This is my second year at the camp and one of the first things that stood out was the improvement of the returning riders. Nearly every returning rider posted a faster time than the previous year, some by as much as two minutes on the twenty minute test. While the ramp rate of year-to-year gain may taper, a 10% improvement is certainly impressive
The other thing that really stood out this year was just how fast everyone was. The general pace of the rides was manageable, but when they decided to throw down we were easily and frequently above my 320’ish watt threshold as I watched some group of riders climb away from me. That they could recover and hit out again as often as they wanted was the really impressive part…they just kept coming back for more.
Skills, Drills, and Laughs
Each day we would practice a different race skill or scenario. Group pace-lines, attack and counter attack, leadouts, fast cornering, and a simulated road race to name a few. Then we got to my bread and butter… cornering skills.
We set up a great little race course in a giant parking lot, the riders were divided into 8 teams of 4 and the course was divided into 4 sections: a straight line sprint, a short but narrow set of tight corners, a wide open set of “S” turns, and finally a combination of all towards the finish line. Each member of the team would rotate forward one station on each lap, so everyone got to ride all four sections.
The brackets were set up so the top two teams would advance to the final four, and the last two teams would battle for fifth through eighth. This guaranteed that each team would race twice for a total of 8 laps on the course. The fun thing about the circuit is that, while it favors those with good snap and excellent handling, it’s a team race so the competition ended up closer than you might expect. Of course the greatest satisfaction was that there were only two minor crashes and no injuries. Whew!
Developing Young Adults
Perhaps the most impressive part of camp are the riders themselves. These guys and gals are focused on cycling and truly love the sport, but more importantly they demonstrated a degree of maturity that was not entirely expected. The riders were always pleasant and respectful to the coaches and staff, often addressing us with mister or missus - a nice change from the all too common entitlement attitude seen in many of today’s teens. Their parents can be proud of the young men and women they are raising.
The riders were similarly toned towards each other. I didn’t hear one argument or disparaging word throughout the camp. Rather they functioned as a team, each rider encouraged and cheered by their peers.
Of course they’re still the ‘young’ side of young adults so plenty of antics, jokes and pranks were devised, and a few late night “go to sleep, now!” requests had to be enforced. I think the perfect crescendo of the team ethos meets youthful exuberance had to be the re-test offered to a camper who had been sick on the first day. The picture below covers all you need to know, except that it was hilarious and a blast to be part of the group, though I kept my kit on!
Summary
The USA Cycling West Region Development Camp serves several important goals. It is a talent identification tool used by USAC to help bring forward the next wave of young riders, but perhaps more important it is a crucible for developing riders to challenge themselves in new and familiar areas. That it fosters such a sense of community and loyalty year over year is a testament to the talents and commitment of the staff that works it, and importantly the riders who attend. To see the USAC pipeline in action is to marvel at the depth of talent that has embraced cycling as their discipline. The future is bright and I can’t wait to watch it…
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