TopFuel

Yeah, except for the fact that their chests like to close up periodically. Come on man, live and let live. Asthmatics wanna ride too...

You cannot be serious. Epic Pro is essentially a concoction of carbs, protein and free amino acids. EPO is a hormone used to stimulate red blood cell production. I currently take Epic Pro during races and I have NEVER even considered taking EPO. Red Bull is full of stimulants but is still not comparable to EPO or steroids.

I think its a big step up from protein shakes to EPO. A protein shake isn't going to give your a pulmonary embolus or a stroke. I think its a bit rash to assume because some people take supplements that they'll jump to dangerous and illegal drugs.

I guess its a person to person thing. I personally don't, but maybe I get away with it still being a young bloke. However, the literature is undecided on the potential benefits vs. negative effects of stretching before and after exercise. One review I have read claims there is no reduction in soreness of muscles, and no significant decrease in injury risk. Each to his own I guess, but my practice is get on, ride, get off with a 200m cool down before I get back home. No injuries thus far. But that's just me. Edit: typo.

Yes, maximum heart rate is just a marker though. If you go over that, then your heart no longer pumps as effectively. That's why you start "seeing stars" near your MHR. You are saying the same thing as me.

Blood brain barrier? I'm confused

Actually it makes perfect sense. Your maximum heart rate is the limit at which the diastolic period allows for adequate filling for the following systole. Cardiac output = heart rate x stroke volume (ml's ejected from ventricles). Now as one can see, increasing either would cause an increase in cardiac output, agreed? However, at heart rates above MHR, the stroke volume actually goes down with increasing HR, thus reducing cardiac output. With this in mind, does my above explanation now make sense?

Sure that may be accurate for you. Considering this chaps MHR is 185ish, anything above that is likely to affect his heart. Once you go above your maximum heart rate, your heart does not have enough time between beats (the diastolic period) to refill adequately in preparation for the next heart beat (systole). This results in lower cardiac output and hence less output to your brain and hence you would pass out. Now considering his MHR (185ish), 213 seems a little outrageous, no? Hence, I suggest that it is most likely interference. EDIT: Now whilst I will admit that a rise in body temperature due to fever does increase your heart rate (I think its 10bpm/1°C), it is unlikely to cause you to go over your maximum heart rate, and certainly not THAT far over. Considering what he has calculated (I disagree with your suggestion that they are rubbish) and tested is nowhere near that, I suggest interference.

213 must have been interference of some kind. Unless you're having SVTs or other tachyarrythmias, its not the flu that caused such an elevated heart rate reading. You would pass out before reaching such a high heart rate.

Queen Bree had better be pulling through to Cape Town afterward. I'll come fetch you if I have to.

What HR monitor are you using. Sometimes they play up. My Garmin once told me my HR was 236, and unless I had Vtach, I highly doubt that. A good rule of thumb is to use 220-age as a marker of your max HR, but the best would be to take a max HR test and see what that produces.

It's the auto pause feature. Menu->Bike Settings->Auto Pause->Auto Pause mode. Here you change between stopping when you're completely stopped, or when your speed drops below a specified threshold. If you Google Edge 800 manual, you can download a .pdf detailing all the features

Our current setup: - Yamaha RX-V863 - Yamaha YST-SW300 subwoofer with 12-inch driver - 6x Acoustic Research AR18 bookshelf speakers. I tell you something, those AR18s, although they're many years old now, amazing quality and clarity, even when turned up loud.

Well, whilst my bike was in the shop, I took my father's Giant to Durbanville to ride in the vineyards there. I had 4 punctures on that ride alone. Took my bike to that same area, rode it with no issues. I dunno, I've heard stories and it has happened to me once (old sealant, puncture and rookie errors), but tubeless is a better option in my opinion. The people who have things against it have either never tried it, or have had a terrible experience. Either way, tubeless is a better option overall, IMHO.

What if I told you that it is possible to train your muscles and alter the 'mix', as genetics are not the be all and end all. Also, muscle is broken down into functional units called motor units which contract together, not 50% of the muscle as you say. I appreciate that this was an analogy on your part, I just dont feel its an accurate one. There is nothing wrong with building a base, and then doing speed work in the late pre-season. I'm pretty sure that's why every training schedule out there does it as such.

The BMI system is simply a ratio of weight to height. It does not take what type of weight you put on into account. This is generally not applied to athletes for the above reasons. As most of the hub members are althetes, their BMI is not very accurate due to the disparity created my increased muscle mass. Muscle is heavier than fat. But in a non-exercising group of individuals, it is a useful screening tool for obesity. Take home message: if you think you're overweight, you probably are. You don't need a formula to tell you that.

Which students are those? Cause I certainly dont. And whilst I may not have all the expenses to deal with as a working person, I certainly wasn't born with a silver spoon in hand (C.C.R see what I did there). My point is, is that is it expensive. And being someone who has to work a job over and above a medical degree, I'd appreciate not having to pay through my ring (comparatively) for a cycle race that I truly do enjoy (2013 will be my 8th). I love the road closure, I love the vibe, I love the people and the gees of your fellow cyclists, but you cant argue that R330 for a cycle event is a tad steep. You're definitely onto something with budgeting for races. It just accumulates you know, and you're totally right about it being an expensive sport. Parts, maintenance, race entry, petrol, training costs, it all adds up. And on a student budget that gets well tight, especially if I'm supposed to be drinking away R300 in a night. You may have to take me to the hospital if I do though. World record BAC.

I'm sorry but you have no idea what you're talking about. USN Products contain the optimal concentration of substances needed for optimal recovery. Do you think they just have a monkey throwing in ingredients as he sees fit?

The problem is that I do like it. But R330 is a lot of money on a student budget for a one day event that is over in 3.25 hours. Plus those loads of water points? Not used by me. The benefits i make use of are the full road closure and (hopefully not) safety bales.

I totally agree. Its highway robbery. I must admit I'm glad it has returned to the flatter route though.

Well that makes sense. I know what you mean. I just dont like the lack of power I get outta my road bike brakes. Maybe its time to upgrade them then. EDIT: Javadude makes a valid point as well. I still stand by my point. I think this is a solid move forward

As much as it may look silly, I really hope this does catch on. Having to go from one-finger-braking XTs to ham-fisted V-brakes never fails to clench my bottom. I think this is a good move forward.

+1 for Hammer products. Used them in the TransKaroo, after pulling the biggest rookie of rookies (trying out EpicPro for the first time on the 240km ride). Very easy on the stomach and great energy/recovery as well. I had previously been using USN Cytopower, which tastes like jiuce and is solid on long rides. Don't know why I switched actually.

Rondebosch and Bishops first teams are not too great this year. Tomorrow's game is a battle to avoid the wooden spoon. SACS vs Wynberg is going to be a cracker

Really hope any fluids aren't going down your trachea. Could put you in a spot of bother