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Pro techniques, the daily grind, and deep thoughts from a mid-race brain

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Dear Cycling Goddess: [Thanks buddy, that's why you're the first question!]

 

 

Well Mike, I'd have to say the biggest difference between amateur and pro riders would be a paycheck. And maybe a syringe. Oh, wait, you meant technique-wise. From what I've witnessed both in pro women's races and local group rides with amateur/pro men, the biggest visible difference is form and fluidity. No matter what a slugfest any given race is, pros tend to make it look like they're out for an easy spin even if they're pushing over 400 watts. This boils down to efficiency and comfortability on the bike...which pros usually have because they've spent so many years in the saddle. Not to mention proper bike fits, which are essential to anyone riding/racing on a daily basis.  The biggest difference I see between pro riders and amateur riders is usually in the upper body handling of the bike. Lots of shoulder moving and head bobbing are dead giveaways of the less experienced, whereas pros stay still and controlled without looking stiff.  At the notoriously challenging Redlands Bike Classic last week, World TT Champ Amber Neben spun past me as she practiced the prologue course. Amber is petite, unassuming, and probably weighs as much as one of my thighs. But the little lady generates more wattage and efficiency than any given power plant. She never looks like she's going very hard, until the prologue results come up and lo and behold, she's put up a time faster than 42% of the men's field.

 

My friend and teammate, Marilyn McDonald of Specialized/Bicycle Haus, also adds that pro riders have a better knowledge of their personal limits, their "blow up factor." 

 

"When I'm in a group ride/race," Marilyn says, "I can see when someone is about to blow up from their physical exertion because they start to lose control of their line, they don't avoid rough pavement or potholes, and their bodies look exhausted. The pros, on the other hand, know that if they're at their limit, they'll ease up and tuck in behind a good draft and save their energy for a while." Unless we're talking about the final sprint, of course. Then it is perfectly acceptable to use the last of your energy to head butt your neighbor.

 

As for daily schedules, I wish I had something more exciting to offer, but here is the mundane life of a cyclist/writer.

 

6a-11a Breakfast #1 and ride time. Solo or with group.

11a Breakfast #2

11:30a Shower, email, and errands, oh my!

1p Lunch

1-5p Writing articles, resume sending, snacking

5-6p Second workout (spin, lift, yoga depending on season)

7p Dinner

7:30p Dessert

7:59p Wonder what, exactly, I'm doing with my life

8p Free time

8:02p Nap

9:30p Bedtime

 

And for your last question, about the inner thoughts of my head during a race, here is a short summary of what goes through my brain just before it shuts off:

 

Prologue: "I wish this were longer"

Time trial: "I wish this were shorter"

Road race: "That girl needs new shorts" 

Circuit race: "Look kids, Big Ben! Parliament!"

Crit: "Move up, Kathryn....move up, Kathryn...move up, Kathryn...damn it, are you listening to me?"

 

That's all for this edition of Stellar Cycling Advice from the Oddest Goddess on a bike...thanks for writing in and keep the questions coming to espnolympian@aol.com