Thanks to event such as Gran Fondo, Centurion’s, endless Learn To Ride Clinics and a Canadian win at the Giro D’Italia cycling has taken a giant leap forward becoming remarkably attainable for anyone and everyone. Bike shops are embracing the spike in business and staffing their floor with knowledgeable sales associates to help onlookers find two wheels specific to their goals and lifestyle. The really good shops are taking it a step further by supporting them with necessary bike fitting, servicing, tools and all the sporty apparel. All this commotion means business to them so of course they are sharpening up and welcoming new sales with open tills. My sense is, however, that the shops that have been around for a while are genuinely excited about the growth of the sport and the new found passion that is spreading like wild fire. Many shop owners got into the bike business for the love of sport and wanted to share that thrill with others. They wanted a life surrounded by tires, tools, carbon fiber and chain rings. Chances are success has found them while simultaneously enhancing countless lives with the sport of cycling.
Riding a bike has played a significant role in my life and training protocol over the past 9 months. Since September ’11 to February ’12, I was unable to run due to a fracture in my femoral neck. Fortunately cycling, being non weight bearing and highly cardiovascular, was my sport of choice with some skate skiing and swimming thrown in for variety and cross training. It was not unusual for me to be logging endless indoor miles at Method Personal Training or on my computrainer 6 days a week. Riding in Method’s stupendous indoor cycling classes was as close as I was going to get to the paved road. The workouts are road specific and progressive in nature with almost immediate transfer to outside save for wind, gravity and potholes. Best of all, everyone else in the class was an avid cyclist, triathlete or mountain biker. The camaraderie of a class could be likened to riding in a pack whizzing down the highway. Come sunny weather and warm temperatures, all of us would be thanking the hours we spent building fitness in a cycling studio all winter.
Summer is quickly approaching. Daylight sticks around until well past my bedtime. If the calendar isn't telling us it is summer, the cyclists will. Driving home from the pool last Saturday morning, the witching hour for group rides to start (~8:00 a.m.) at a smattering of coffee shops around town, one would have thought the roads were shut to cyclists. My heart skipped a beat as I absorbed the volume of riders heading out on a glorious morning with temperatures rising to 22 degrees. Bike lanes were three deep, gears were clicking over, faces were smiling, pedals were circling round and round, and wheels were rolling smoothly along the pavement. It was the first Saturday Vancouver would be guaranteed beautiful weather and sunny skies. Arm warmers and balaclava’s not required. Cyclists planned ahead and were taking on the streets in grand packs soon to form a peloton, engage with friends and soak in the wind and oxygen.
June is the month when everything ramps up outdoors almost regardless of the weather. People are ready to get outside and I find myself joining in the fresh air wave. Finally back to a normal training regime with strong healthy running legs, a deep well of cycling fitness and significant time in the pool, the season ahead is looking promising. jasper and I have decided to oil my race gears with a few short distance events in June & July to set my system up for later season half ironman races in Maine, Vermont and Miami.
With these goals in mind, my training hours are increasing, as is the specificity to racing. Two mini training blocks with significant time on the bike (pointing up hill when I can) and longer running distances with stabs of intensity are now in the bank. Thanks to Specialized, I am now on a SHIV TT bike and Venge Road bike with all the bells and whistles. Equally as exciting has been my new relationship with Dizzy Cycles on West 4th. Dizzy, a major Specialized dealer, is supporting me in my racing efforts this year with supreme service, bike fit and gear. Dizzy has been on the block and in the hood for years. Everyone knows Dizzy and their untarnished reputation in the community. Dizzy is a cyclist’s institution, equally geared to the commuter as to the high-end racer with toned quads and no biceps. They can ride the ride and talk the talk priding themselves on having one of the best bike fit and mechanic teams in the city.
A bike fit process is extensive but essential if riding strong, long and powerful are goals. Dizzy follows the BG Fit (body geometry) protocol developed and perfected by Specialized. The Specialized Lululemon Pro Cycling Team
http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/SBCWideGlobalPages.jsp?pageName=BGFIT under went a BG Fit and report on the benefits on the http://www.specialized.com/ website.
http://www.specialized.com/ca/en/bc/SBCWideGlobalPages.jsp?pageName=BGFIT under went a BG Fit and report on the benefits on the http://www.specialized.com/ website.
Fresh off an in-depth bike fit with Dizzy myself; let me summarize what their team did for me:
- Increased comfort riding in an aggressive aero position
- Increased power with every pedal stroke
- Adjusted saddle height to maximize hamstring and upper body flexibility
- Enhanced efficiency thanks to optimal muscle recruitment and activation
- Reduced tension in neck and shoulders
- Relaxed foot position with cleat re-positioning and re-alignment
- Best of all, reduced overall tension in my body when dismounting to head out for a run.
I can not underscore the importance of a bike fit with a professional. For comfort alone, it is worth the investment of money and time.
Dizzy has its own “new look” this year with new cycling kits and revitalized branding. The kits are kinda vintage, kinda retro but mostly sleek and sexy. The gear fits brilliantly and goes noticed when rolling along on my Venge. My relationship with Dizzy is just getting started. I am eager to introduce avid road cyclists, triathletes and mountain bikers to the talents and expertise at Dizzy. They are authentic in their service and stand by their products.
Off the bike comes the run. The bike to run was never a problem in my youthful days. My body just said, “run” and I ran, commonly passing everyone to take the win. 15 years later, I’d be fibbing if I said that the transition was still as automated. That said, I am experiencing some distance memories of flexible hip flexors, powerful gluts and quick turn over with energy to spare at the end of each session. For the most part, Jasper Blake, my coach, formulates a program so specific to my performance goals that our ongoing communication is helping to refine each session to near perfection. This, coupled with a functional strength program and opting for a minimal running shoe care of New Balance, the time on my feet feels light, fast and almost easy. New Balance suggested I try the new NB1400, packed with performance, edge, simplicity, and speed. Weighing in at 5.7 oz, this shoe feels like a slipper with just enough protection from road rubble. The fabric on the shoe is ultra supple with a seamless upper. Without even trying this shoe encourages fast, efficient strides with adequate cushioning and support. I’d easily take it out for a 5km or long distance training run.
June is here. It is the month to dial things in on the bike, hone run speed and splash around in a wetsuit somewhere fresh. Thanks to the explosion of cycling, new bikes, optimum fit and some solid fitness, motivation to find a peloton is made easy. Thanks to a pair of shoes that invites performance and weightless effort, running off the bike with new vigor is an effortless transition.
Race Schedule:
June 17th, Oliver Olympic Distance Triathlon
July 8th, Vancouver Olympic Distance Triathlon
July 15th, Lake Stevens Half Ironman 70.3
August 26th, Maine Rev 3 Half Ironman
September 5th, Vancouver Olympic Distance Triathlon
October 28th, Miami Half Ironman 70.3
September 5th, Vancouver Olympic Distance Triathlon
October 28th, Miami Half Ironman 70.3
Let's Do This.
Get’er done,
Christine
