>>312893
Cat 4 amateur road racer here,
I hear that despite the proven benefits of training with a power meter, many pros stick to RPE and a heart rate monitor. Comments?

Also: Cat 1 or Cat 2, and are you racing on the international level, national level, or still on the regional level?

You know, if you don't give us some kind of references or proof of occupation, this thread doesn't really work, right?

>I'm an astronaut, ask me anything
>I won't tell you who I am or which space agency I work for

>>312895
Craziest thing you've done in space?

>>312895
If OP is full of shit, someone will ask him questions that will reveal that.

Why do you do what you do?

hi professional road bike racer, I am currently trying to remove my dura ace english-threaded bottom bracket. online tutorials say the drive side is reverse-threaded, however the markings on the bb itself say otherwise. wat do?

>>312894

Most pro riders can guess their output and be within ~20 watts.

RPE is for surges. When things get uppity on climbs or in crits, staring at my SRM screen is the last thing I should be doing. Seeing HR is helpful if you know your redline and zones. 70% of the cat 1/2 crowd doesn't use HR. It's when a 1/2 puts his head down, does research, and gets a coach that HR becomes important.

Training with a PM is the biggest advantage a rider can give themselves. TT'ing with a PM is even better. Knowing exactly how much money is in your bank is the key. I win TT's because I follow a VERY strict output timeline.

I'm a domestic USAC pro that races mostly on the west coast (WA, OR, CA) with the occasional jaunt out east (ties in New York).

>>312895

I'm fine with you not knowing who I am. In fact, buttmadness sustains me more than the delicious Metagenics supplements I take.

>>312901

Honestly, because I'm good at it. School is allowing me a lot of free-ish time. IS this something I'd like to keep doing? Nope.jpg

I will always ride, and probably race, but not at this level. I miss the broad spectrum of riders at the lower ranks. At my current level, racing becomes predictable, and not as "hold on to your pants" out of control. We go in with a plan, and adhere to it.

Note: Playing domestique is usually the funnest part of pro racing. You feel like some sort of bodyguard, and you often end up in one of those "lolwtfamidoing" situations.

>>312903
Now, I never said anything about using a power meter in a road race. I've done it, but only because I didn't have a different wheelset at the time to change out to. I agree with you about using it to pace yourself in a TT, though.

bottom bracket? anyone? I want to get my bike back together and not strip my bb threads so I can do a ride today kthx

I know nothing about these levels of competition...but how are you compensated? Race wins? Some salary? Equipment? Benefits? What other perks?

>>312905

When I leave for my ride in about 45 minutes, I know that my ride will consist of ~60 miles of a very boring 210w. BUT, I know that when I hit the steady hill at mile 32, I will kick up to ~410w and hold it for 10 minutes. I know to do this because the man who is coaching tells me what to do. After my ride, I will send him the file from the ride, and he will analyze my effort and possibly modify my workouts for tomorrow or the day after. If he doesn't modify it, I will be doing a 2-hour ride tomorrow and doing one-legged work on flat roads.

I've likened it to being a remote-control car. About once a week, he'll tell me I can go ride however I want to.

>>312908

Travel is covered, but has to be cleared for non-team efforts. I am compensated with a very meager salary. I don't pay for equipment or supplements. I get an allotment of free product that isn't cycling related.

Race wins are split amongst the team. We are very strict about the word TEAM. If someone places, it was because we ALL worked. If a rider isn't ok with working their ass off for 4 hours only to wind up 80th place, they aren't on this team.

Food is covered when we are traveling.

Benefits are rare. I don't have them. In a race, there is accident insurance. I'm not sure if anyone else on my team has them, as we don't talk about each others contracts (it's rude).

How old are you? How long have you been riding?

Hey anon, concerning technique, what are things that one can work on. Can those things be classified, such as pedaling technique, falling technique (i.e. how to fall w/out getting your ass whacked--I admit this is more MTB stuff), etc.?

Is there any resource (maybe a book) that you know of that contains a good deal of it?

>>312912

28. I've been racing since I was 14, and have been a pro since 2008. I have taken a few seasons off before 2007 to deal with personal stuff and just general "growing up". I feel bad for those kids that will never have a childhood due to gung-ho parents fast-tracking them through sports (I'm sure you all can name a few).

I'll keep tabs on this thread. The bike calls, then we have a team dinner tonight (required). Amazing how much of a job this job is...

>>312913

This one is easy, so I'll make it fast.

Ride with someone that is faster than you. Observe and replicate. You'll eventually find what works for you. oddly enough, skiing helped me with cornering. Just remember to be loose and look ahead when cornering.

Pedaling also comes with time. One-legged drills are great for finding what works for you (Some people have stupidly strong hamstrings, some don't, etc.).

Falling... Oh man. That's a tough one. Don't try to catch yourself. EVER. Just let it happen.

>>312909
Sounds familiar; I had paid coaching for 2 years (am unemployed right now, have to hack it on my own for a while).

>If a rider isn't ok with working their ass off for 4 hours only to wind up 80th place, they aren't on this team.
..and that IS the reality of being on a team, pro or amateur. If your job is to cover attacks the whole race, you give 110% chasing down those breakaways, and if that means you're off the back at the end of the race, then that's the way it is. It's the price you pay to be on a team.

Why do men look like women on road bikes?

Inb4 100 'roid questions.

To be at your level, on average, how many hours per year do you or your peers spend training on the bike?

Does shaving your legs actually help in a crash? Or give you any real aero advantage?

>>312939
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj7c06jwaqU

what's yer v02 max brah?

Also do you ride tubulars

>>312944
Cat 4 guy here again,
Actually I'd be interested in that too. I'd also be interested in what your top-end Zone 4 power is in watts, and how long you can sustain that.

>>312945

Hey cat 4 guy, what is your training regimen like? Also, what do you ride?

>>312948
Right now? Three days a week strength training in the gym, with interval training on the bike alternating days, and 3-5 hour steady-state ride on Sundays.
Wouldn't at all be surprised if it's very similar, if not identical, to what OP's training weeks are looking like this time of the year.

>>312948
>>312950
Oh, almost forgot: also do core work after riding, and stretching *every* day.

>>312944
>>312945

VO2 max is a confirmed 81 (gas exchange test). My LT is ~408. I weigh 161 pounds and can average 921w for 30 seconds (My bread and butter effort range). I race tubulars and train clinchers.

My bikes right now consist of a Ridley Noah, and a Giant Trinity Advanced. The reason for the odd combo: We are switching to Felt bikes for 2012. The Noah is a 2008, and the Trinity still KILLS everything else in the wind tunnel. We were looking at Kestrel TT bikes due to their advantages in the tunnel, but a bike sponsor is a bike sponsor.

>>312893 ask a professional road bike racer anything.

I just wanted to pop in to say that I read that as "road rice baker"

how many testicles do you have?

>>312974

LOL. Two glorious, hairless, well-moisturized balls.

>>312974
I really laughed at this more than I should have.

pics of flex calves

inb4 unique leg tattoos

>>312984

Meh.

>>312987

...and now the quads ; )

>>312988

Oh lawd. I feel like a whore, but I've never disputed that claim.

>>312993

Maybe it's genetics or lighting but I wonder why it seems your lower legs have more definition than the upper. Anyway, not like it matters. Also you may want to namefag as I imagine you're one of the few with direct experience with otherwise semi-arcane knowledge on some matters. There are a lot of great posters here; sometimes it's nice to know who said what.

>>312996

My upper legs didn't start gaining definition until I hit the 2's. Thanks to my father, my calves have always been beastly. You're right about appearance not mattering though. I raced mountain bikes occasionally back in the day as a pro (pro mountain is an easy achievement), and Sam Schultz always impressed me with his performances despite having the legs of an overweight supermodel.

Will namefag for progeny. Good suggestion!

do you even lift? if so what and how often

So, Profag....

What's the MOST you'd do for your team's lead, or a sprinter?

And what would you NEVER do for your team's lead, or a sprinter?

/n/ if you want to clarify this, into a kind of domestique "would you ever", feel free.

Just as a baseline, some of the things that would be normal for him to do would be:

Act as a human windscreen.

Deliver food and drink from a car to the other riders in mid race.

Give his entire bike to the leader in the middle of a race.

>>313010
Would you pee in a bag for your lead?

steriods?

got any good race stories? crash stories?

How many NRC races do you do a year? Have you ever had a UCI license? What five aspects of Keith Williams personality do you admire the most?

i know where ramsey buys his dope. u jelly?

>>313009
If he's a pro, he probably squats more than you could ever dream of being able to do.

>>313009

Twice a week. High-reps (40-50/set) with short rests between sets.

>>313010

When I play dom, I am willing to do anything that the officials will allow. My favorite is being sent out on flyers. A soft attack that gets ramped up forcing another team to work to bring me back. As soon as I get brought back, we send another. While all of this is happening, our lead is sitting pretty. Uphill flyers are my specialty, as most of the other teams know I have the potential to hold it if they don't do some work.

>>313071

They were offered, but I never partook. Since I'm being honest, I didn't partake because it was too expensive. Believe it or not, we are cleaner now.

>>313072

Most of my good stories are "had to be there" types. I've been peed on numerous times, and we all still "moo" at cows and "baah" at sheep. Unless serious work is being done, a peloton in a road race is one big open mic night.

There is one that stands out in my head though. We ended up letting a lone rider get ~7 minutes out during the final stage of a short 3-stage race. I found myself with our GC guy in an 8-man break attempting to reel this guy back in, as he had taken the virtual lead. With the other 6 guys refusing to work, and 9 miles until the finish, we put out heads down and brought back over 5 minutes on the guy. He won the stage, but our GC was solid.

No exciting crash stuff outside of losing skin in crits. Take a lap, check the bike, hop back in, use adrenaline to murder and kill. Deal with the soreness later.

>>313073

I usually aim for 2 NRC road races, and at least 5 NRC crits. Enumclaw is something I like to try to make it to as well. My personal favs as far as races are Hood, and Gila (I like to climb, but am not expected to win). I adore crits, but lack the explosiveness to come around, so I end up going from a LONG way out (400+). If I can gap whoever tries to go with me, I can usually stay away from the harder hitters.

Would you be willing to get into a knife fight with somebody who's fucking with your lead?

If you ever come to WI, you want to ride with me? I know a few bars/cafes only accessible by bicycle.

>>313144
Squats: So you never do higher-intensity sets? Why? Why so many reps/set? My first impression of that is the load is more like hill climbing?

>>313166

If someone in the pelo had a knife and was threatening anybody, rest assured, he would be escorted into the ditch at 30+. If nobody was around, I'd send a water bottle into his front wheel.

>>313167

It's been found that when you pedal, there's not a ton of force being driven into the pedals (relatively). Can I squat over 350? Yup. My back is the limiting factor in squats. I'm told to do high reps to combat fatigue resistance during attacks or sprints.

Protip: If you want a legal (currently) way to gain staying power, buy crystallized beta-alanine and do a load cycle, then use it in your daily supplements. It's legal doping, and it actually works.

>>313239 see >>313254


>>313167 > I don't think I'll find myself over there, but I'm always looking for hetero fun.

>>313254
I've used beta-alanine this last season. Shit actually works. Quercetin seems to make a difference, too.

On the subject of periodicity of (strength) training:
I'm using the strength training routine in Base Building for Cyclists (Thomas Chapple). Has worked fairly well. Are you saying that during the race season you switch to 40-50 reps of relatively light weight, or that's all you do during base training when you're in the gym?

A question about Jens Voigt, he seems to be a bit of a hero on these boards, whats the pro take on him ?

>>313278

I do the high-rep sets during base. It replicates anaerobic efforts without having to ruin base miles. During the racing season, I don't touch the weight room. It would make sense for a sprinter or somebody in the lower cats to do that, but adding 1-2 pounds of muscle on me would be a hindrance in 70% of the races I do.

I've also experimented with bicarbonate building before TT's, but my stomach couldn't handle it. If I overdo the beta-alanine, I get the shits pretty bad. Plus, the sensation of being "dragged naked across a shag carpet" isn't something I particularly enjoy.

Talk to us about latic acid, how to build up our capacity, recover etc
Also, latic acid seems to build up more in my left leg, whats up with that ? although it maybe an entrapped nerve coming from my back, what do you think doc, will I live to see 40 ?

>>313286
i was under the impression that the whole lactic acid thing was based on outdated science?

>>313288
Proceed ....

Serious question,
Why do you think there are literally no black guys raod racing at the pro level ?

>>313281
>makes more sense for the lower categories
Yeah, that's me. Truth be told, I figured there would be a point where I wouldn't need to put on any more muscle on my legs and just do "maintenance", as you say, but I'm not at that point yet.

>>313286
You could have a strength imbalance from one leg to the next, or it could be nerve entrapment, as you say, or it could be both.

>>313294
For the same reason that most Americans don't watch rungrass and most British people don't watch handegg - sporting traditions vary across cultures. For better or worse, in western nations where cycling is popular, people of African descent have maintained a unique cultural identity, hence their under-representation in the sport of cycling

Marshall "Major" Taylor, 1st African-American to win a world championship, c1900-1910

>>313286

Ride, ride, ride, then ride some more. Do intervals. Beta-Alanine... Look into it.

Leg imbalances can stem from a LOT of things. A kinesthesiologist could answer this better than I can, but it could be as simple as a leg length discrepancy (almost everyone has different length legs), or as complex as a muscular imbalance from an injury you sustained years ago.

Example: My right leg is my dominant leg. Think about playing kickball... Which leg would you kick with? The dominant leg is almost always the stronger leg, but in my case, a few knee surgeries atrophied my right leg to almost nothing, then the pain from the PT made me baby it on the bike. 8 years post-op, my body has just adapted itself to work with a weaker right leg (you can see the difference in size in my quad pic). My coach and I have been working on rebuilding that psychosomatic connection. I actually have to focus on pedaling with my right leg (lots of one-legged drills).

My recommendation is to see a chiropractor. Most of them work with athletes on a daily basis and don't even need to touch you to figure out leg imbalances.

>>313294

My guesses:

>start-up cost
>"gay" outfits
>too white of a sport
>no money in the sport
>women don't like cyclist bodies (myth. I've slayed my fair share of vag due to my calves)
>Every black racer I've seen has TERRIBLE bike handling. Not sure if that was just coincidence, but 3 out of 3 equals 100%.

'Round where I live, any black dude in spandex is going to get run over by some KKK good ol boys in a truck, then arrested.

Have you dealt with anal fissures, similar sores or any other "embarrassing" problems as a result of your career/training?

Since we are at it, do you have a theory why there are only so few women into road racing or bicycles as a sport at all? It's like 10% whereas in triathlon it's about 50:50.

(Yes, I asked this before a couple of months ago, but I want another opinion on that.)

>>313360
"I've slayed my fair share of vag"

Quote of the day.

Whats the general view on guys that have doped ?
In athletics, track and field etc its unforgivable, seems to be a different attitude in cycling.
Do you think doping helps that much ? (been taking b6 recently can't be sure seems to of improved my recovery)

>>313480
>anal fissures
If you're getting problems like that, it's either not the bike's fault, or you seriously need a proper saddle and/or a proper fitting done.

>>313494

I've noticed that some problems only start to happen after four-five hours spinning say 100rpm. E.g. bleeding nipples. While it is also not the bikes fault, "things happen" and I wondered if OP had experienced such things.

>>313504
I'd like to expand your original question to erectile problems.
How many 'advanced cyclists' have problems in that area?

>>313505

I'm not sure why a question directed at someone (who is not you) has upset you. If you're a professional cyclist as well, then great! I have two answers! I vaguely recalled reading/hearing that soigneurs having to treat sores and related (iirc in a TdF documentary) some time ago.

>>313513
I didn't mean to upset anyone. Sorry if I picked the wrong words. It's just that I noticed that holding an erection got worse for me. I spend ~20-30hrs/week in the saddle for the last 15 years and I'm not sure if I should see a connection between those.

>>313524
I think ya' got older, dawg. Probably has more to do with your performance than your biking.

>>313513
Obvious followup: Team's massuse has been injured. Would you rub your team leader's saddle sores for him?

>>313529
What color hair does the leader have?

>>313529
So-called "saddle sores" are also known as "boils", and you don't rub them, you either put ointment on them or take antibiotics if they're bad enough.

>>313486

Cycling doesn't make that "beach body" most women want. Tits shrink and hips get wider. I generally stay away from female cyclists due to:

> Not my type of female body
> The attitude

To spawn off of the second one, take that girl from high school that played every sport, got straight A's, and had everything handed to her by her father. Now clone that woman, fatten her hips, remove 80% of her breast tissue. There's your entire women's field (every single category, 4 through pro). Triathletes scare me, so I don't have much experience with them. Think though, how many kids does the average female triathlete have? Could be related.

>>313490

As long as I'm still beating them to the line, I could care less if a guy dopes. BUT, if a known doper is getting a piece of my cake, I will have something to say. It's been the burden of our profession for long enough that known dopers are looked down upon in a fairly serious way. The sport is cleaning up, and teams don't want to take on somebody that might cause sponsor loss. There isn't a ton of money in this sport, and risking our paychecks for meager gain just doesn't make sense.

>>313480
>>313504
>>313505
>>313513
>>313524
>>313529

I get the occasional saddle sore here and there, but they are rare. Keep your undercarriage trimmed short (or shorn), and use chamois cream (I'm an Assos fan). If that doesn't solve it, try different shorts.

Protip: I keep sterile 20ga hypodermic needles and finger lances handy for saddle sores. Find mass, lance/stab, squeeze. Keep the crotch dry if you can.

>>313648

Wait, you can lance your own ass? And not the Armstrong way?

>>313650
Suggested new convention:

Saddle sores are no longer lanced. they are now Armstronged.

>>313650

I've never had a saddle sore on my ass. Mostly on my gooch, which is well within line of sight.

I should add, shower after you ride to reduce saddle sores. Scrub with soap. I have always thought this should be common knowledge, but you'd be surprised how many riders go out on the town after a race smelling like feta cheese and gay porn.

>>313651
>Saddle sores are no longer lanced. they are now Armstronged.

Who have you been most honored to ride with? team/individuals

>>313777

I can't really say... I don't really feel honored riding with people. I worked very hard to get to where I am, and so have they. It's a mutual respect, with a few of the higher ranked guys being snooty at times *coughtreboncough*

If I were forced to choose, Mancebo gets my nod. He always seems happy, and his face reads like a book when he's in pain. Just a genuine guy with nothing up his sleeve (nevermind that whole Puerto thing).

How many miles (Or km) Do you put on roughly per year. And do you use a heartrate monitor or the like?

>>312893
how do people in the racing community look at the rest of the cycling community? Just random out of shape freds? is there any sense of solidarity? What about hipsters and fixed gear shit? I realize this varies by person but still . . .

and not that its really /n/ related but, ban race radio in the tour de france yes or no?

>>313799

Miles... Probably 10-13k. Don't really know anymore, as most of my training is done by time. It's like when a category 3 rider asks me "what's your average speed on your rides?" Hell if I know. I can go on a ride and average 18 mph for 2.5 hours with a 280 watt average... But I can also go on a 3 hour ride at 200w and average 21.5mph. Speed and miles don't really matter at this point.

>>313801

I applaud anyone who is having fun on a bike. I wave at everyone I see out on the road, and will gladly listen to epic stories of their last 40-mile ride, or their first sub 7-hour century.

>protip: Wave at EVERY cyclist. If I wave and you don't, I DO think less of you. Women are the worst at this. "I'm a woman on a bike, hear me roar! I'll ignore all common pleasantries!"

I see fixies and rarely see them having fun unless they are offending somebody (motorists or pedestrians). I figure they are kind of like the Bloodhound Gang of cycling, minus the humor or catchy bass riffs. I also don't understand the women's jeans. I can barely squeeze into most designer jeans, let alone those fruity spandex alternatives. I have what are called "leg muscles".

One thing is for sure: I don't really get along with recumbent riders. There is a huge stigma surrounding those guys and their "aerodynamically superior" "bicycles". Grumpy old men with a Birkenstock complex. They should stick to bothering the local food co-ops.

>>313801

Oh, and race radios: I say nay to radios. The entire race becomes mathematical.

Two scenarios:

>rider shoots off of front and out of sight
>We are assured via radio that they are hanging at 1 minute off
>We don't do shit until the last 4 miles
>everythingwentbetterthanexpected.gif
>the problem: this also applies to guys WE send off of the front
>no fucks are given, and it will always come down to a field sprint (if applicable)

OR

>Rider shoots off of the front and out of sight
>Was that a Jelly Belly kit?
>I don't know!
>AWW HELL NAW
>release the hounds

>>313799

Forgot, yes, I wear a HR. More data is better data.

Are you homosexual?

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

>>313828

No sir. I am involved with a beautiful lady that touches my wiener without me asking. My legs were what caught her eye.

What do you ride if you ride casually?

Also, when do you wear a helmet?

>>313831

Like, commute? I don't. I spend enough time on my bike as it is.

If I'm on a bike, I'm wearing a helmet. I've seen too many head injuries that could have just as easily been death. For that matter, I wear one when I ski too.

>>313832

Commute or like "hey I gotta run to the store a mile away" or a leisurely stroll. Perhaps with your "woman" friend? But if you spend so much time in the saddle then sure it's quite understandable you wouldn't want to ride at other times.

>>313832
So pretty much you ride strictly for sport?

>>313834
What a fucking sell-out.

>>313833
>>313836


If my lady wanted to go for a ride with me (she doesn't ride) I'd be happy to oblige. I'd take whatever bike was handy.

Imagine you're a professional basket weaver, and you spend all day weaving baskets, would you go home a weave baskets?

Am I a "sell out"? I'm not even sure what that means. Who would I sell out to? The sponsors that pursued me for a trade I excel in? I'm good at what I do. Are you? Are you proud of what you've accomplished? Does that make you a "sell out" as well?

I ride because it's fun. If you wanted to get into the psychology of it, I ride because it's all I've known for my entire life. I never had supportive parents. My bike was always there to take me away from reality. Then I got really good at it, and riding was helluva fun. When I decided to make a go at pro, it became a numbers game, which in itself, is fun. I go on non-team group rides occasionally and play with whatever locals show up. It's exciting to get called out and pulled into a "lets see what you've got" situation.

>>313839
it was a joke...what with an fairly unglamorous life for how much effort you put in

>Imagine you're a professional basket weaver, and you spend all day weaving baskets, would you go home a weave baskets?
Not quite a proper comparison
Cycling can easily be fitness/sport, recreation, and transportation. Each has many sub categories you can really get in to.

So is your interest strictly in the fitness/sport category? When ever you step down from "pro" level will that change?

>>313898
Yes, it may be your job but cycling it self can still be for sport/recreation/transportation. I'm just curious about where your interest lies, past present and future.

I realized the question could be misinterpreted like that when I posted it but hoped it wouldn't be taken that way. I'm not trying to judge you like that. I'm really not that much of a douche.
I'm simply curious about you and cycling in general.

Would you recommend any special diet?

How complex did data analysis become? Is it something your trainer will do for you or is it a job for (external?) experts?

How long does it take until you recovered from a long-ish/demanding race?

What do pros do, when they got too old for professional cycling? I've met two who opened their bicycles stores, but I don't know if this the common route.

Do professional cyclists even visit (non-professional) online bicycle boards or are you the exception? What is it, that makes you come back to /n/? I suppose it's not the 'look at my bike!' threads, but I may be wrong.

What would you wish, bike manufacturers would come up with in the future? More gears? More comfort? More advanced computers? What kind of innovations do you expect to come?

Do you have groupies?

>>313294
they see so many bikes they want to steal that their brain overloads and they have aneurysms

>wut

>>313929

My rec rides are usually limited to the late part of September, but by then I need to just put the bike away so I don't end up hating it. I've gotten to that point, and it sucks. I love riding, and racing. Racing especially. The human element and the chess games keep my mental wheels turning in a positive way. It's a fairly stressful job at times, and the expectations are high, so I'll tire out eventually. Right now, this is a fun job that gets me through school. Once I am making a real living doing something else, cycling will become a hobby again, but I don't plan on losing that "edge" I currently possess.

As for commuting, I've never enjoyed it. I always arrive sweaty, and scratching for a place to lock up a $9000 bike that isn't really mine.

>>313934

A nice rounded diet. As far as losing weight, don't eat less, just ride more. Anyone riding their bike for 7+ hours a week is burning enough calories and gaining enough muscle to at least break even and still get faster.

Data analysis is fairly complex, but not a science that can't be learned over a season. I have a coach that looks at my numbers on a daily basis and provides work-outs based on a number of factors. I wear a heart-rate monitor to bed every night, and send him the data first thing in the morning. If my average bpm are >50 for the night, I call him and we discuss deviations from the normal plan.

My fatigue is totally based on the race, and where I am in my training cycle. For example, a stage race I peak for properly will leave me amped for a while afterwards. If the race is being used for preparation (not peaking), it can leave me pretty wiped for a few days. Time trials always leave me wanting more, but crits floor me for at least the rest of the day.

Everyone is different. If you're a well known pro, you can ride on your name for a while and use industry connections to help you. A lot of guys are doing what I'm doing, and close to half of them are going to stay in the cycling industry as engineers, or reps. Some guys just say "I'm done" and get real jobs that have nothing to do with cycling (me).

A know a few guys that occasionally lurk. We come here for the laughs and culture. I'm mostly a /b/tard, and also frequent /o/.

Bikes... I want a more efficient drivetrain. Chains are good, belts are better. I want to see magnetic bearings (fucking miracles). I'd like an HUD in my glasses for my SRM, but I want the glasses to be lightweight, slim, and I get to choose the style, and I want the display to not suck. I would like a less intrusive heart-rate monitor as well. I know the technology is out there to make these things tiny, we just need to find a way to make them stick.

>>313934

>continued

I have a few groupies when I race in certain places. In one place, I am guaranteed boobies on the side of the road at some point (the lady thinks it's funny). I adore signing autographs. Young kids look at me like I'm superman. All I can hope for is by me signing autographs, one of those little scrats will be stomping asses on a bike in 10-15 years.

Could you autograph this jpg for me?

Do you take drugs to dull the pain of a hard ride?

Also, why do pro cyclists take doping, when they should be extremely happy with the fact that they actually already are taking part in the Tour De France? Don't they make enough money unless they win or what?

>>314007

No drugs other than the ones I've already listed (hardly drugs).

I've heard this quote more than one time: "There are two types of riders in the Tour: Riders that don't dope, and riders that actually finish the Tour."

A lot of guys needed the drugs just to get onto Tour teams, so stopping once you're there would be catastrophic. Being thankful just for being there isn't what bike racing is. Everyone has worked their oddly-tanned asses off to get there. There will always be somebody that wants your spot on the team, and will do whatever they can to get it. Once a rider's contract is up, it can be up for good. There are no promises of resigning. For a job that is assigned based almost completely on ability, those with ability get chosen. Unfortunately, "ability" can be bought, and comes in vials that say "human insulin" or "0.154M saline".

That being said, the peloton IS cleaning up. The blood chemistry tests they run now show us this. There are no more stagnant hematocrits during stage races. We are getting done with 5+ hour races and you can see the creeping death.

Passport is a WONDERFUL thing, and any rider that has a problem with it is probably hiding something. A lot of guys get hung up on how invasive Passport can be, but truth be told, we know the game, and we signed up for it. When I get called for a sample, you best believe I'm there on time, veins ready. I'm not hiding anything. My teammates, fans (lol), fellow riders, and the press should know it for a fact. After the last 2 decades of scandal and deceit, we all owe it to you guys.

>>314006

>dat trackpad art

>>314108

>After the last 2 decades of scandal and deceit, we all owe it to you guys.

Ha. Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
I will put that up on my wall, in a golden frame. Your effort and career, all well and fine, congrats, but you just fell out the window.

[ ] the same old theater will go on, because the sponsors and media simply demand it. There will regularly be better drugs, which will not be detected for some time, followed by the next invention, etc...

[ ] all racing teams in the world will simultaneously stop with that BS, since 'it's just unethical and unfair and not a part of true sportsmanship'. And nobody will notice.

Choose one.

>>314110
fuckin saved

>>314122

I'm glad you could enlighten me on my misinterpretation. I mean, how could I dispute your post... What with all of the facts you posted.

If you don't like bike racing, don't watch. I've been around a few guys with your attitude. They're usually bitter mid-pack category 3 riders that think it's absolutely impossible to upgrade to the 2's without lurking on body-building forums and injecting themselves to the gills with HGH.

Again, assmadness refreshes me more than Irish Spring Soap. Please continue.

>>314110
You know, it wouldn't surprise me if, some time from now, on the Tour of California, hammering away with Yosemite as a backdrop, OP screams past a corner, and sees a bunch of dudes holding a sign with THAT pic on it.

>>314135
I live near Yosemite...

>>314124
Don't mind the butthurt faggots, OP. This being 4chan, at least half the people who hang out on a given board do so because they hate that board, and are waiting for their chance to flame somebody. I'd guess it's the only thing that gives their pathetic lives any meaning. In the case of /n/ and this thread in particular, that guy probably can't finish 20 miles on the flat with his $100 Walmart bike, so he feels the need to attack someone like you in a place where he's not accountable for anything he says.

>>314124

Neither was this ment as a personal attack against you, nor do i even give a shit. It just was your choice of words, especially the 'we all', that cracked me up and made my day. As if your (undisputably positive) credo would be sufficient to change this entire planet.

>>314152

Stay classy, /n/. More straight ad hominem please.

Hi OP,
Must say I have really enjoyed these past 4 ?days.
Another question, what do you think of sprinters ?
A friend of mine described them as goal hangers, whats your take.
I tend to think that cycling or TDF is all about the GC, hill climbing etc rather than being protected for 200km and then springing out, no doubt they have a talent.

>>314135
>tour of cali

pshhhhh im also in cali. I will bring that pic to one of the finish stages and I want you to sign it op I WANT YOU TO SIGN IT DAGNABIT

>>314217

Sprinters are great! They're just another variable in the game. I've been out-sprinted before, but I've never blamed anyone but myself. If we don't want to contest a sprint, we play our cards well before their team gets a chance to play theirs. Sprinters win because of their team... Rarely because of solo efforts.

A proper lead-out can also be enough to thwart most snappy guys. If we want to win a crit, we make sure to start organizing our train around the half-way point of the race. In the last ~5 laps we try to drive the pace high enough to disrupt any flyers or other teams. I've heard spectators ask why people didn't just move up a side and squeeze in... That would require not only ~20 seconds of 700w+ effort to move up, but the strongarm tactics of pushing their way into a lead-out train that doesn't want them there. Even if they can snuggle into the gravybowl, the effort it took to get there usually leaves them too wasted to contest anything.

One the other side of that coin, I've been in plenty of situations where we weren't the team to drive it at the end. This is usually my favorite place to be in, as I get to "play". My max power range allows me to be dangerous from far out (700 meters or so). A fair number of teams know this, so when they are winding up for Beastman, and I go shooting up the side at 40+ from 800, they MUST respond. One or two of their guys will undoubtedly come after me, leaving a gap somewhere and Beastman's only choice is to waste a sprint trying to cover the gap... That, or start his sprint early, in which he will lose to Mr. Steaks, the sprinter from MY team, that has been sitting 2nd wheel to Beastman with another one of my teammates for the last 10 miles.

>>314218

If I see it, I will sign it. You can even take pics.

>>314236

How does racing in a team work? What is each team member aiming for? What's the basic team strategy?

Also, what's the best way to troll roadies?

>>314283

How to troll roadies: Ask them how team tactics work. That, or ask "Oh you race bikes? Which engine class?"

Seriously, books can be written on team tactics. The tactics depend on things like course, riders, other teams, weather, time of the year, location, etc. After taking all of those things into consideration, the entire idea of how the race is going to go will ALWAYS change during the race.

We even have hand signals.

>Also, what's the best way to troll roadies?

More of this.

racing bikes is for people who are too pussy/unskilled to race motorcycles.

this is fact.

any motocross rider can distance ride with any bicycle racer.

>>314292

>>314294
>he doesn't know that motocross racers train on road bikes
LOL

bikes are fucking stupid.

>>314295
>>314292
Please continue

Another troll move:

"My BMX bike weighs 3 pounds."

>>314298

I might try this one with my single speed road bike. No heavy gears weighing me down surely trumps any of this carbon fibre nonsense!

Would you be mad if I suggested BMX bikes were the fastest bikes in the real urban environment?

>>314305
>>314305

yes. because you and i both know mountain bikes are the fastest in an urban enviroment.

>>314324
nope.mov.

Clearly Segways, closely followed by Pedelecs are teh winrars.

>>314329
i'd whoop you around my town on my 99 mongoose pro bmx

>>314349
>whoop

>>314324

nah, 26" wheels are too big for true urban riding
you need a based BMX for the concrete jungle yo

This is the best thread ever.

>>314324
this is not true I'm 6'4 and 230+lb I look retarded on a road bike so a hard tail mtb works great for some people >>312987 my legs are double his size so weight of the bike is not a issue also road tires in the city are just fucking dumb shit in the rain flats are easy not made for bumps cracks easy to fuck up rims etc

carbon fibre frame and a ridged fork with disk breaks master race tier srsly XC racers are not only fast but know how to handle a bike you dont need speed in the city you need fast breaks fucking wits and full control shit aint called the concrete jungle for nothing fine you wanna be a pussy and just bike on the road go for it

>>315344
great post. teach me your peculiar syntax

>>315344

see that billy? It's called a 'butthurt faggot'

I'm not even going to address your argument. I love douches like you. You make up the most bullshit excuses and get all riled-up trying to defend your choice in bicycle when the reality is you're just too insecure to ride a bicycle that your deadshit bros might think is gay.

That being said, please do continue riding your mtb in the city. I don't really give a shit where you're going or whatever but you are useful for making me look cool as fuck when I slide past you and proceed to put 100 meters of distance between us in 8 seconds.

>>315344

>>315344

lolwtfamireading.dmg

Notice his tuck position, and how he sheds punctuation to be more aero.

>>315344
>6'4 and 230+lb

Do you even lift?

>>315545
Warning, Mac fag.

OP I'm using my bike to commute to work and school and get at least 8 hours a week on it. I love it. What are some things I can focus on to improve my riding?

What do I need to know about rest? Am I doing more harm than good riding every day of the week?

Do many cyclists smoke weed? I find it helps me focus more on the road and relax better when im resting.

What are some mad swagger items I can don to get bitches? I already have ones in picture

>>315635
Disguise might contibute to your everalone.jpg

>We are switching to Felt bikes for 2012

So you ride for Skil-Shimano? How long you been there?

Anyway, serious question, do you dig titanium bikes at all?

>>315652
them were sick white jerseys in person. it was really sexy to see the whole thing at the prologue in CS

>>315670
>>315652
shit, look what i found

hopefully OP

>>315670

I have those shoes :>

>>315670
got mine handed down for free. pretty damn solid

good to have likeminded equipment folk here

though my bike is a mess compared to your sleekness