Kissena Forum Archive

Training to Race: Faster, Stronger, Awesomer

2133 comments · 23940 views
https://x.com/TansuYegen/status/1568757064817688578
@mugwump tilting the shifters in slightly forces the hand and forearm to be closer, if not, entirely in their neutral, relaxed position (like if your arms were just by your sides), which is, at least in my opinion, infinitely more comfortable, especially on long days. I think this is why the trend caught on so quickly and so widely
when seated, yes.  When out of the saddle, less than ideal.  
Some crazy unexpected results from the wind tunnel

https://youtu.be/w3yspNTvVPo?si=jvkC8zrnSlbhZ2PV
Yeas, D.Johson's is basically a Time Trial bike for dirt.

Similarly, here is this (also full blast aero for dirt)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWEe2wxxiYM 

Both are using 35 mm bars, both videos literally reference the death of the spirit of gravel. 
Are you tired of focusing on improving your FTP? Or perhaps you’re like me and your FTP refuses to budge. No you can obsess about increasing your durability. Essentially training to stay strong/fresh at the end of your race. 

The following article I a review of the scientific literature on how to measure a train your “durability”. Seems like a must do for the gravel racers out there. 

https://www.wattkg.com/science-of-durability/
Patrick, getting around to reading that article. To sum it up/dumb it down for my neanderthal brain, I think the authors are saying low intensity in high volumes plays a significant role in training for durability. This seems to align with old school methods of riding for hours pushing small gears. I'm reminded of Joe Parkin's book about racing in Europe where he describes winter training as going for all day rides along the canals in Amsterdam at a very easy pace.

I'm probably saying a very obvious thing for most, but when I became a new parent I switched almost exclusively to high intensity workouts to "maximize" my riding time and found that fitness came quickly but plateaued quickly as well. I also used to commute to work 5 days a week for 2hrs/day at a mostly moderate pace (I used to call them junk miles :( ) and then I moved/switched jobs where I no longer had that saddle time. During the lockdowns in 2020 when schedules were way more flexible (no trains to catch, school pickup times, appointments, etc.) I regularly did extended Zwift rides, but also rode longer rides by myself. I have a few Zwift PRs during that time that I don't think I can ever match without riding a lot more volume.

tl;dr - I can use a lot more low & slow in my life.
Regardless of the year, the 80/20 rule (or even 90/10) seems to hold true. only a small fraction of total time at high intensity.
I'll also add that yes, training plans for folks with constrained training time seem to keep intensities high for the little riding time one has available.  
https://ramairfairing.com/products/raf-1-pioneering-bike-backpack

 :p 
Maybe that will get on the podium at the next park race...
Jules said:
Let's please add the Visma TT helmets!!
Hoping someone has some insight on Garmin's "training effect" technology.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/garmin-technology/running-science/physiological-measurements/training-effect/

I've been talking with a young guy about training.  I've made some interval suggestions.  They seem to be working.  All the same, he will do two identical indoor rides, and one will be classified as "endurance" the other "tempo."  Same speed, same time, same heart rate (doesn't have power yet).  I've read a bunch of posts on various peoples experiences, and there seems to be no understanding of the algorithm Garmin uses to get to its determination.  

Apparently, the programming was from a company called First Beat.  Garmin licensed it, then bought it.  Various message boards seem to suggest the metric was meh from the start and there was a hope Garmin could improve it.  Doesn't seem like they have, nor that it's terribly helpful on a day-to-day basis.  Maybe its value is over weeks and months.  

ANyone have an understanding of it?
No inside dope from me but from what I can tell Garmin's algorithm is hot garbage. Exacerbated by the quality of the competition, which seems to be getting better by the minute.

Fellow Kissena riders!

The first park races of the season are fast approaching, the Super Bowl Century Ride is just a few weeks away and, despite the current cold, Fool's Spring is closer than you would think. 

All of that means only one thing: it's time to start thinking about your hopes, dreams and goals for the upcoming season. It's promising to be a fun one, with not only the Prospect and Central Park races, but also the return of Floyd Bennett Field. Keep an eye on the Kissena calendar for an overview of confirmed races in the NYC area.

To prepare for the race season, we'll plan Skills & Drills sessions in March and April, where we'll practice cornering, riding shoulder to shoulder and emergency braking. A few weeks before the first Prospect Park races, we'll also host an online strategy session to refresh our tactical acumen, come up with race-winning ideas and pick apart the chaos of bike races. Stay tuned for save the dates! 

As your new Development Director, I also want to know what your goals are for the upcoming season. So, however lofty or understated your objectives are, please fill out the survey here


IMPORTANT STUFF

  • Stay tuned for Skills & Drills sessions and Tactics Talks!

  • Fill out the survey here.

  • Don't forget to sign up for the training camp in Tuscon! More info here.

  • Bike Maintenance clinic is February 6th @ Ride Brooklyn Bergen Street, 6.30 pm.

  • Super Bowl Sunday is February 9th! 


Let's race bikes!!!!

.
i'm ready to be Kevin's Cat 5 domestique
EricMa said:
i'm ready to be Kevin's Cat 5 domestique
Only ~20 spots left so make sure to register soon!
Zone 2 makes it to the NY Times By Alex Hutchinson

Is ‘Zone 2’ the Magic Effort Level for Exercise?

Enthusiasts claim that these long, slow workouts could be the key to longevity and better health. Here’s what the science actually says.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/19/well/move/zone-2-exercise-benefits.html
We are about to see a lot more z2 bro parades at the park.
Am I hallucinating or haven't we already played this track in the late 80's with "LSD" or "long slow distance?"
I’ve seen my share of bullshit but this one is definitely top three


Wear that with your copper core necklaces and you won't need to ever stretch or think about recovery again!
Sunday 16th, 9am @ GWB: Paceline practice on 9W. We'll do various paceline and attack drills, catch our breath over coffee in Piermont, and ride back over 9W with some more drills.
Ok, ok I know there is some controversy on Hambini (he makes custom bearings for pro teams) but *this* little buried tidbit on the medical study he participated in is blowing my hair back. I cannot believe more people aren't talking about this.

Skip to 1:37:38 and try not to spit your coffee out

https://youtu.be/cpTbXeP-O9A?si=-WPrldsJPVaH1dXj
that was nuts. hard to believe he wasn't doping
EricMa said:
that was nuts. hard to believe he wasn't doping
Nah. Just an untrained prodigy. It happens. Seems totally disinterested too which is funny.
He didnt say anything about the amount of crosstraining he did, right?
He didnt say anything about the amount of crosstraining he did, right?
Sounded like it was almost 50%
That's bananas.  It's like going from nothing to pro level coaching.
Jules said:
EricMa said:
that was nuts. hard to believe he wasn't doping
Nah. Just an untrained prodigy. It happens. Seems totally disinterested too which is funny.
High responder type - but you also need someone that is mentally engaged + less prone to injury to go beyond "amateur with nutty numbers." The book is pretty old now and I'm sure the studies it's based on are outdated, but The Sports Gene remains an annual reread for me.