I have been back from bike camp for a month. As I mentioned in earlier posts I had a soso camp. However the effects of the camp have stayed with me and have really helped my cycling. Here is what I have noticed.
I am pedaling at a much higher cadence. Before camp I was at a solid 85-90 cadence. Now I pedal at 90-100. In fact if I can not maintain that cadence I shift into a bigger gear so i can keep my cadence up. The higher cadence allows me to work my aerobic system not the muscular system. It is easier to recover from fatigue caused by aerobic work then by fatigue caused by overworking your muscles.
I have more stamina. Nothing improves stamina like time on the bike. Riding 330 miles in 6 days is definitely butt time on the bike.
My group skills have greatly improved. I came to bike racing and riding much too late to be a real factor in a bike race. However RV says the key to winning is the X factor. The X factor is position placement, knowing how to draft and general bike skills. Bike Camp helped me hone my X factor skills. I can definitely draft better and being small I can hide in a group. I am much harder to drop now.
I am faster. I have been slowly getting faster over my years with VQ. I know I am faster because the same routes that I trained on last year are too short now, I am running out of road. Its a good feeling to know I can maintain speed and keep up with the peloton.
I am really happy with my progress and I have come to accept that I will never be a pro, I am just too old (dam) and I am charged which helps me enjoy the suffering.
So look for me on the road, I will be suffering to get better as I am riding faster.
I am pedaling at a much higher cadence. Before camp I was at a solid 85-90 cadence. Now I pedal at 90-100. In fact if I can not maintain that cadence I shift into a bigger gear so i can keep my cadence up. The higher cadence allows me to work my aerobic system not the muscular system. It is easier to recover from fatigue caused by aerobic work then by fatigue caused by overworking your muscles.
I have more stamina. Nothing improves stamina like time on the bike. Riding 330 miles in 6 days is definitely butt time on the bike.
My group skills have greatly improved. I came to bike racing and riding much too late to be a real factor in a bike race. However RV says the key to winning is the X factor. The X factor is position placement, knowing how to draft and general bike skills. Bike Camp helped me hone my X factor skills. I can definitely draft better and being small I can hide in a group. I am much harder to drop now.
I am faster. I have been slowly getting faster over my years with VQ. I know I am faster because the same routes that I trained on last year are too short now, I am running out of road. Its a good feeling to know I can maintain speed and keep up with the peloton.
I am really happy with my progress and I have come to accept that I will never be a pro, I am just too old (dam) and I am charged which helps me enjoy the suffering.
So look for me on the road, I will be suffering to get better as I am riding faster.
