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Friday, December 31, 2010

IT'S OVER!!!!!!

The year known as 2010 will be officially history  in a matter of hours.

It has been quite a year for me concerning "My World From a Bicycle"

It's all pretty well documented here in the contents of this blog.

In fact, I have a post called "The Best of GoPro and the Best and Worst of David Henderson"
This post is really my best and worst video experiences related to biking and bike racing (I tried to be heavy on the "best", but that is of course subjective).

Yet I feel that have I evolved this blog into a bit of a free coaching blog as well.  I would say that my top ten thirteen posts related to coaching would be as follows:

1.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/10/psychology-for-competitive-cyclists.html

2.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/11/psychology-for-competitive-cyclists.html

3.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/05/do-this-and-you-will-win.html

4.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/05/question-of-day-week-uh-year-concerning.html

5.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/05/lemonds-sizing-chart.html

6.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/05/heat-management-or-how-to-race-when-its.html

7.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-care-for-or-treat-road-rash.html

8.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-to-glue-on-tubular-bicyle-tire.html

9.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/07/what-when-and-how-to-eat-for-cycling.html

10.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-determine-your-lactate-threshold.html

11.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/08/dude-your-crank-lengths-fine-you-just.html

12.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/08/bike-safe-my-survival-tactics-for-road.html

13.  http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/09/aerodynamics-in-cycling-and-how-to-be.html

I have also learned quite a bit about the HD Hero camera and how to edit, share, and archive high definition video.  For reference see this and this.

With that covered, I should announce that not only is the year over, but so is my racing career.  And that's ok.

I am proud not only of my racing accomplishments for 2010; I am also proud of the contents of this blog.  Yet, they don't pay the mortgage or any other necessary living expenses (although I've tried... believe me). 

It's all good. I just need to focus on work and my kids.   If anyone has raced at a Pro 1-2 level you know how racing is. If you are going to be serious about it, it is necessary to devote your life to it. I've done that.   Blood, sweat, and tears.   Literally.  And now it's time for a new chapter for me (I'm no spring chicken).   I'll always love all things bike related though.


I plan on still doing more posts on this blog over time.  I will probably do a bit more coaching stuff.  I do have a large video project in the works currently.  (It's a completely new idea and I don't think it has been done before as I plan to).

My primary goals for 2011 is to develop contents for a new blog.  This one.   And of course ride my bicycle for fun whenever possible.

Oh yeah, if you are thinking about getting a video camera that can film both above and below water, shoots 5 MP stills, time-lapse photography (2,5, 10, 30, 60 seconds), several different video resolutions/sizes, and high-speed 60 frames/second, and can even record your biking adventures, click here to learn more at my blog post:
http://myworldfromabicycle.blogspot.com/2010/09/buy-best-high-definition-video-camera.html

Happy New Year everyone.  PEACE AND LOVE!

Friday, December 24, 2010

The Giro Della Montagna Criterium

I have produced two videos for this blog post (actually 3, I just added a new one at 9:20 Dec 26, 2010).  The first is my "short" version at 1 minute and 51 seconds and my second video is my long version at 5 minutes and 7 seconds.  The 3rd video is 8 minutes and 3 seconds and is without any transitions/interruptions and no background music. 

I'm posting all three and adding a request from viewers for their opinions as to which is best, and what I could do to make them better.   Feedback would be valuable for me for future video projects.  I really would like to make videos that not only capture the excitement of bike racing, but are actually worthy of viewing. 






A little about the race: First here's the race results.  (This race is the Pro 1-2.  results near the bottom of this link.  I, David Henderson was officially 14th.)

Here's my watt data.  First a race overview below:
And an image of the finish data from the last 8 minutes and 28 seconds of the race below:


And here's the course below (St. Louis, Missouri) 

Here's the race flyer below: (My videos on this post are from the Giro Della Montagna Criterium which was held Sept 5, 2010).
To learn even more about these races, click here to be taken to the website that is pictured below:
It has been requested that I give a bit of supplemental commentary  to the above videos and direct my comments to the topic of race tactics and the like.  All righty then.

The most valuable thing that I can say about the 1st video is my quick field position change (:47 to 1:10).  I went from almost the back of the field to the front in a matter of 23 seconds.  I did this tactically correct.  I used the timing of course location, point of the race (in duration/time), and physics to know when, where, how and why. 

First, I choose to advance myself near the end of the race (this is when it is clearly critical).  Secondly I choose the uphill side of the course because I would get more purchase for spending energy going up a hill vs going down a hill (speed from power related to aerodynamics and gravity).  Third, I began my advance immediately after the corner.  I was already going near full hard coming out of the corner.  Instead of letting off and staying in the draft I remained full throttle (a body in motion tends to stay in motion) and charged up the left side.  I could see that the pack wasn't all strung out in a straight line (this meant the pack was not at full speed.  It is best not to advance when a field is single file).  Lastly I tried to reinsert myself into the draft with ease before a turn.  I try not to advance through turns, but racing sometimes requires this. 

The most valuable thing that I can say about the 2nd video is toilet paper.  It's one of the primary reasons that I started from the back (I was late to the line).  Let me explain.  I arrived at the race with just enough time to prepare for the race, which included "heaving a Havana" or "taking the Browns to the Super Bowl" (also known as "putting one through the hoop" or "pulling into defecation station").

To my chagrin all of the port-a-johns were out of toilet paper except for possibly one.   A lady had entered it just before me.  I had determined that all the others were sin paper.  That particular stall was my only hope.   All I had to do was wait for her to exit to find out. 

So I waited.  And I waited.  And I waited.  More than 10 minutes later nothing.  I even knocked a few times just to make sure that she hadn't fallen in.  I couldn't believe that she hadn't come out!  It was near 90 degrees outside......  and the smell!  Good God man! 

Well, she never came out (as far as I know, she's still in there).  I did come up with a solution, but I will leave a little mystery here.  My advice to all (including myself) bring you own toilet paper to races.  It is not uncommon for port-a-johns to run out of paper.  In fact, it's probably a good idea to hit a public restroom somewhere just before arriving at the race site if possible.

Finally, the third and last video shows the last eight minutes of the race.  It might of have been nice to show the last ten minutes because basically I was following Brad Huff (pro- Jelly Belly).  He told me to stick with him and I did, which lead to us getting into a break-a-way. 

I made at least two errors.  One, I was touching my breaks on the lower two turns.  This actually wasn't necessary.  A few times I was ok, but overall I was poor in my confidence.  The other error is a bit more forgivable.  I didn't see the field catching us just before the last 2 turns.  I wasn't looking back at all.  I was just concentrating on making it through the last 2 turns.

You can see in the video that Brian Jensen bridged up from the field to us and then attacked my group just before the bell lap.  Brad Huff reeled him back in and countered him.  All I could do was keep my speed up and reattach gradually.  Brian did eventually surrender, and my group of three were quickly swallowed up in the turns and following sprint. 

After the race Brad said that if he hadn't been in the break that probably the field (several pro riders) wouldn't have chased quite so hard and Brian said that we all would have had a better chance had he not attacked us and instead we all worked together. 

Who knows, it's not terribly important.  There were two riders up the course who were successful, and we all gave it a good try. 

For another perspective of the race read Steve Tilford's account.



Here's a few still images (more can be found from the link above).

The above image is a frame grab from my HD Hero camera that was mounted to my bike.  This image can be seen in the longer video clip above around 4:35, which is the last corner of the race leading to the final sprint.  Pictured here is Eric Young who won the field sprint.

Some other notable riders in this video include Brad Huff @ 4:00, Brian Jensen@4:10, Steve Tilford @ 4:33, Daniel Holloway @ 4:36.

Of course there are many other fantastic racers beyond my short list, including Jonathan Jacobs who actually won the race!  He's not in my video because he was to busy winning this race with his break-a-way companion, Robert Bush.

Click here to learn more about the camera I use to video my races. They can do much more than just record cycling!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Stuff you need so that you can ride in the winter

I generally love cycling.  The cold.... not so much.  Some additional gear is required to survive the cold when cycling. 

In this blog post I list a few items that I think are necessary or will at least help you survive Jack Frost nipping at your you know what. 

The cool thing is that you can click on the image and actually buy the product from a highly respected distributor at a price that will be very difficult (if not impossible) to beat.  

Consider buying from your local bike shop first if possible (preferably Cyclextreme) .  

Oh yeah, and the operator of this blog is rewarded by here-within linked to companies with rare gemstones, emeralds, exotic trips (or maybe that was exotic animals) and I think somewhere in the fine print there was something about my own private island (or maybe that was,  I must indenture myself as a pirate on an island).  Whateve....... just buy this stuff and go ride in the cold.  By making a purchase, you'll feel all warm and tingly, whenever you think about how you single-handedly stimulated the economy.
This is a North Face Cable Fish Scarf (proximal to a "A Giant Neck Sweater"Sorry that was the closest I could find)  It's not traditional cycling winter wear (as I know it), but I just learned that for a select few it is.  If there is any doubt click here to see the evidence. 


Wrap the Cable Fish Scarf around your neck for reliable warmth on cold, wintry days. It’s fashioned from a blend of wool and acrylic for a perfect mix of insulation, breathability and durability, leaving a scarf that will defend against the cold while keeping you itch-free. Match it with the Cable Fish Beanie for a great look and warmth that will stem the flow of heat loss from a key area of your body.  $35


For the Ladies:  The Pearl Izumi Women's Select Thermal Tights are designed for maximum warmth and comfort for cold weather running or riding. $70



For the Men:  The Pearl Izumi SELECT Thermal Tights is designed for maximum warmth and comfort for cold weather activities. $65

 Craft Pro WS Gunde Short Lg Black $32 (Also called Gore Wind Stop Gunde Boxer)
The ultimate base layer for cold and windy conditions. Our Gore WS Gunde Boxer features Gore’s lightest ever windproof, 4-way stretch fabric panel to date. Gore WS is strategically applied to Pro Zero fabric in order to maximize protection where you need it and ensure moisture transfer from the skin. Minimize your layers while protecting your core with our new Gore WS Gunde Boxer.

For All:   Pearl Izumi Barrier Skull Cap - Featuring our PRO Barrier fabric, the Barrier Skull Cap provides maximum wind and water protection for cold weather runs in inclement weather.  $29.99



For All:   The Pearl Izumi PRO Barrier Balaclava is made with a combination of windproof Barrier fabric along with wicking Transfer and UltraSensor fabrics that keep the elements out while you stay dry.  $35.



For All:  The Pearl Izumi PRO Transfer Headband is the headwear of choice when you need your ears covered but anything more is overkill.  $20



The Pearl Izumi Elite Thermal Cycling Toe Covers are a classic must-have toe covers set the benchmark for cool weather protection and have been updated with reflective logos.  $20



Pearl Izumi's Thermal Knee Warmers feature PRO Thermal Fleece fabric on the front for warmth and a lighter fabric on the back to vent excess heat.  $35



The perfect balance of protection and insulation you need for milder winter conditions.  $49.99



Pearl Izumi ThermaFleece Arm Warmer - The soft plush ELITE Thermal Stretch fabric of the ThermaFleece Arm Warmer provides warmth and comfort to keep the arms protected and warm in cold weather.  $29.99


For the Men:  The versatile Pearl Izumi Men's Elite Barrier Convertible Cycling Jacket is a wind and water resistant shell jacket quickly converts to a vest, and features connected zip-off sleeves $100



For the Ladies:  Women's Pearl Izumi Elite Barrier Convertible Jacket - This jacket converts to a vest, the zip-off sleeves are connected for the ultimate in convenience, packability, versatility and protection from the elements. $99



For the Men (a little warmer):  The Pearl Izumi Men's Elite Thermal Barrier Jacket is a classic that returns with new materials and design. We strategically place Barrier fabric over the Thermal Fleece body to resist wind and water.  $120

 
For the Ladies (a little warmer): The Pearl Izumi Women's Elite Thermal Barrier Jacket is windproof and water resistant, the comfortable and highly breathable W s ELITE Thermal Barrier Jacket provides lightweight core and thermal protection.  $120



For the Men (this may also work for women with 5 fingers):  The Descente Wombat Cycling Gloves offer protection for your hands when the weather isn't working with you. Their articulated knuckles, pre-curved finger construction and non-slip silicone. $27.93



For All:  The Pearl Izumi Select Softshell gloves are our warmest wind proof, water resistant running gloves, keeping you comfortable and warm on the most blustery of days.  $45



For All:  The Pearl Izumi PRO Thermal Leg Warmers offer full coverage with our anatomic fit to eliminate bunching through your full range of motion.  $45



For All with 2 feet:  As the 'original air-flow design sock', the Aireator is the sock that kicked off the air-flow rage years ago. Today, the Aireator still leads in durability, wicking, drying, and air permeability. $6.93



Sunglasses are necessary in the winter.  These are my favorties:  Oakley sunglasses define a mixture of art and technology.  $110


This is a serious light.  The more the merrier:  The new Minewt.250 Cordless raises the bar of what a one-piece, modular bike light should be. This compact light features best in class lumen per dollar ratio, tool-less quick release mounting, and with 250 lumens on tap, punches out enough light to hit the trail. The 250 Cordless optic design incorporates a reflector and Borofloat lens custom tuned for bike riding. This combination delivers a superior beam pattern when compared to total internal reflectors. Three light levels plus flash mode and USB charging round out the Cordless 250’s features. $129
 
Do not ride at night without this (or one like it)!:  High powered LED's and a proprietary collimator allow you to be seen over a mile away. Internal reflector provides visibility even when the light is off. $24.99



When it's real cold out, this is what I ride:  If it's important to you to make every workout count, the Fluid2 trainer is the most valuable weapon you can add to your indoor training arsenal.Our engineers designed the Fluid 2 to capture real road feel through the use of a 2.75 lb individually precision balanced flywheel for more momentum and stability of your rear wheel. We've also adjusted silicone fluid levels for better resistance and improved the position of sealed cartridge bearings for better inertia and an ultra quiet.  $299.99





The Trakblock II is a wide, stable platform to level the front of the bike when riding a trainer. $11.93



If you have been a really good girl or boy, Santa might bring you this:  Light, fast, stiff durable. All carbon rims and R2R spoke design provide excellent strength and stiffness. 40mm profiled rim, profiled carbon spokes and hub flanges provide optimum aerodynamics. Lists at $2,999.99 and is on sale right now for $1899.99


Or if you been mostly good and only a little naughty you might get these instead:  Directly inspired from the Ultimate, the Cosmic Carbone SLR is quickly becoming the wheel to beat for aerodynamics clincher wheels. The optimized 52mm carbon/ aluminum rims are extremely light and flow perfectly onto the profiles R2R carbon spoke design. The perfect blend of aerodynamics, lightweight, stiffness and ease-of-use. Pictures just don't do these wheels any justice! Once you get your hands on them, you wont let them go!

Well, I better stop listing stuff because I'm thinking about buying one of each item.  Well....... I've already gotten most of these, but it's always nice to have a spare.  *wink*   *wink*


I almost forgot (and Santa most likely will too because he hasn't biked in years.... hence his big gut), you'll be needing some tires for your sweet new wheels!


I have never used these particular tires, but they are a great brand name:    GP Attack & GP Force - NEW and faster than ever ! Front and rear tires have different tasks. Steering and braking forces are transmitted on the front, while the rear transmits the driving forces and bears the majority of the cyclist's weight. Subsequently, the two tires in the Continental tire positioning system (TPS) have been designed differently. GP Attack Front Tire The tread compoundis designed for excellent grip, both on dry and wet roads. $112

 
I can verify that these are excellent racing clinchers:  Corsa CX has proved successful in road races all over the world, but the new EVO version is bound to even greater success. With a handmadetubular structure for superior performance and comfort, it has also got a special latex inner tube that increases its elasticity and puncture resistance. Further features are the Kevlar SiO2 3D Compound with added silica - for reduced rolling resistance and better grip in the wet Our new high density casing - a true 320 tpi $64.95



I can also verify that these are excellent tubulars:  The Zipp Tangente, the first tire developed in the wind tunnel. In its tubular incarnation, this tire simply flies. To cut through the wind, we've used our patented ABLC dimples to mitigate the "un-aero-ness" of a round shape at the wheel's leading edge.  $89.95



Musten forget the tubular glue:  Rim cement for gluing tubular tires. 30 gram tube. Enough for 1-2 tires.  $3.95

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