Aaron Davidson's Group -- Closed. (Page 51)

I do a lot of standing when climbing hills especially when nearing the top.  This may be a little outdated, but Dave Scott says in his Triathlon Traininng Book in 1986   " For most triathletes, it's easier to get up the hills if you 'get out of the saddle' - stand up.  You'll use your energy more efficiently that way, and avoid overloading your quadriceps.  I have seen many triathletes grinding it out over the hills like many road racers do - sitting down.  However, some of the world's finest cyclists, including Greg LeMond, tend to stand more than they sit.........."  Later on he says "For gradual climbs, slide back in your saddle and grip the handlebars close to the stem if you are going to remain seated.  However, it is usually better for triathletes to stand up."  There may be better info out there now, but this is the first tri book I read, and Dave Scott was who I looked up to as a kid, so........

As far as what I include in my total biking time - I don't use a cylce computer, I just use my Timex Ironman stopwatch.  I have a problem remembering to restart my watch, so I only stop it for major rest breaks (bathroom, water, convenience store etc.)  I don't stop it for stop lights, retrieving water bottles (I lose 1-2 per hour - it's quite annoying), etc.

I think I finally found a place do so some open water swimming.  It's about an hour away but there's a group of guys on BT.com that meet up once every few weeks for a Saturday morning swim.  I'm looking forward to getting in some non-wetsuit practice.

Aaron... great job on your races this past weekend.  Strong work!

Save the money. Dont fix what is not broke. Bike fitting is often over-complicated to justify a $200+ adjustment.

I should be volunteering the day before at the sprint. So hopefully we get to meet up.

I do not. However for swimming I do.

Awesome weekend, but it poured the entire time on the race saturday.

You can certainly stand, I often need to on a few hills here just to maintain forward momentum. The reason for not doing so for fun is three fold.

1st) Riding aero at the same speed requires less power than sitting, while sitting requires less than standing simply due to wind resistance.

2nd) Standing wastes more energy as you sway side to side, instead of remaining straight. Especially as you pull with your arms, your arms, shoulder, neck require the use of stored energy.

3rd) Easier to spike power numbers real high, and kill your legs on longer rides. This only matters when you need to run.

I have never heard of flushing lactic acid out, but it does not make sense to me. If anything it could help build up more. Lactic acid is created during hard work, standing might help eliminate cramps simply by getting you into a different position and allowing you to stretch out some.

Congrats. Huge new record.

Should be fun especially in that group setting. Enjoy.

The stage race from this weekend was a ton of fun. Got in some quality hiking with my daughter and girlfriend as well. Spent some good time relaxing.

I am glad that you guys are keeping this going amongst yourselves. I am not even sure what I am busy with these days but I just rarely get to the computer for more than a few minutes.

Even though it is local, try to get ready like you would for any other race. Check your bike and gear the night before.

Ride/run the course this week.

Next month at Timberman, I may experience the same. Its where I crashed and wrecked my bike last night when the steering tube disintegrated.