Imtb

Did a race in Nepal last year. First of all we were blessed by the Buddhist monks as well as the Hindu devotees - needless to say I had a safe and enjoyable ride.

The guys I ride with in Nepal

Prayer flags at the end of a 23km climb above the Kathmandu Valley

Very, very interesting - if you go through all the comments on Joe Friels blog it seems as if this is something one should atleast try. Perhaps adapt an old pair of shoes. One problem with MTB is that it apparently makes it difficult to unclip from the cleats quickly as the shoe comes into contact with the crank. But as one person said...don't tell your opposition about it!

What is your weight and what sort of terrain? Riding alot of single track I understand that tyre pressure down at 2.1 helps, but in race where there is perhaps 25% single track, technical and the rest jeep track or farm roads, wouldn't your speed be compromised.

What is your weight and what sort of terrain?

That sounds very low for tyre pressure, are you not worried about the tyre rolling off the rim on a sharp corner?

Agreed! Having done Day 1 of the Imana Wild Ride (beach sand) on hard tyres and found it really difficult, I changed to softer tyre pressure on Day 2 and it made a huge difference, my bike did seem to float over the sand rather than sinking down like it did on day 1...on beach sand - whether one can say the same for soft grass, I am not sure

Having read the discussion on cycling forums' date=' I think you would lose your bet - he's more likely on a hill training on the bike[/quote'] I am cheating there, it is a pretty safe bet that the weather is shocking in Flanders at this time of the year . Although, on the other hand, he is probably in some sunnier climate like Majorca... Ah, hadn't thought about that, but this is what Cogan and Stern, both experts in the field of cycling and weights would have to say about weight training helping you on the climbs "strength isn't important for anyone (in general in this context). riding up a hill is way below the maximum force you can generate. it's to do with your power output, if you struggle uphill, it's because you're not fit enough and can't generate the power required to go at the velocity you need, and thus, your cadence is too low. if you're not fit enough, increasing your strength won't help, you need to improve your cardiovascular system -- increasing your VO2max and LT. these are trained on the bike."

Having read the discussion on cycling forums, I think you would lose your bet - he's more likely on a hill training on the bike

Sorry guys, not sure what I did there!!

Bruce I have been reading that discussion on weight training on cycling forums.com - fascinating. There must be a large number of cyclists out there who are waisting alot of time in the gym hoping to increase their performance on the bike! I for one will be using that time on the bike from now on!

Ignore this Imtb2007-11-27 06:15:54

Bruce I have been reading that whole discussion around weights on cycling forums some years back - fascinating. I am sure there are a huge number of cyclists doing weights

Bruce I have been reading that whole discussion around weights on cycling forums some years back - fascinating. I am sure there are a huge

Apologies, pushed the wrong button Imtb2007-11-27 06:13:53

Bruvce

How about core training - would a strong stomach/core help me in any way on the bike?

Sounds like it

Imtb2007-11-23 05:03:52

Leg strength is not a "limiter" in endurance cycling so increasing it will not benefit performance. So does strenth have no impact on power - I must be sounding like a real beginner...but I am when it comes to power. Working on power with weights are we increasing power but not strength. Is it more to do with increasing lactic threshold rather than strength?...will have a look at the article when I get a chance. Trying to do my VAT but this is much more interesting!!Imtb2007-11-23 05:04:33

One more thing - wouldn't riding a heavier bike make your legs stronger - like doing weights and increasing the load. That takes the cardiovascular system out of the equation

Hope that makes sense to you ? Thanks Peter, that makes sense - I learn't something today

Training on a heavier bike - would that have positive spin offs as far as power is concerned