RBR Newsletter No. 390 04/23/09 Go to this issue's Comments Back to newsletter archive Subscribe for free delivery by e-mail This Week's Content Weekly Dispatch:  Sorry, Wrong Number Cycling Shorts:  World's Lightest Production Bike Scott's Spin:  Old Story Classifieds:  (3 new) Coach Fred:  Why Can I Exceed My Max Heart Rate? Road Racing Roundup:  Hamilton "Not Done Yet" Jim's Tech Talk:  Cool New Gear at Sizzling Sea Otter Try This on Your Next Ride:  Measure Your Improvement RBR eBookstore:  April Bestsellers ______________________________________  RoadBikeRider.com Newsletter Issue No. 390 - 04/23/09:  Sneak Peek at Cool Gear ISSN 1536-4143 Produced almost every Thursday by RBR Publishing Company. E-mailed without cost or obligation to more than 62,500 roadies around the world.   ______________________________________   NEW MOTHERS DAY SPECIAL - Bicycle Jewelry - FREE SHIPPING FREE SHIPPING on all jewelry orders. Use coupon RBRMFS New fun Scrabble Tile necklaces $18. http://www.BicycleGifts.com ______________________________________   1. WEEKLY DISPATCH   ED'S NOTE:  I don't own a cell phone for several good reasons, and now I've come up with another one.   A friend -- a guy I admire for his passion for cycling -- frequently e-mails me with details of his rides. He does everything from short jaunts to the village coffee shop to day-long brevets to solo tours lasting a week or more.   I've noticed a disturbing trend. This strong and capable rider mentions that rides occasionally end in the family car. Because the weather turns bad or because the ride is tougher than he expects or because he simply doesn't want to grind once again through the final uphill miles to the house, he phones his wife.   "Come get me, please," he says. And that's that ride's end.   An old cycling truism says, "The surest way to a DNF is to have a support vehicle."   Why? Because it's so easy to call it a day when difficulties begin, as they will on just about every ride of decent length. You get tired, you get hot, your butt is sore, your feet hurt. None of these things would normally stop a rider that has no alternative but to carry on and finish.   But watch out when that comfy, air-conditioned van is just behind. Or when you have a cell phone in your jersey pocket.   I've been riding for 37 years and can recall just 2 rides I didn't finish. There may be others but none have stuck with me like these.   One was because I could no longer pedal. Broken hip. I couldn't call for an ambulance but a driver who stopped did.   The other was a 12-hour time trial in upstate New York. We were riding as many laps of a big loop as we could within the time limit. The start/finish was in front of a village motel where I had a room.   The July day got hotter, food stopped digesting, I felt a little woozy and at the 159-mile (256-km) mark with several hours remaining, I decided to make a pit stop. My room was right there, 40 meters off the course.   I looked in the bathroom mirror. I didn't look so good -- a whiter shade of pale, with sweat dripping. Better cool down a bit. I plopped into an overstuffed chair in front of an air conditioner blowing on "high."   Half an hour later, I woke up. My head felt better, my stomach seemed okay, but now my body was dry and stiff. I thought about going back into the afternoon heat for 3 more hours of hilly riding. Then I imagined 101 reasons why it wouldn't be a good idea. So I didn't.   That happened 3 summers ago and I'm still not over it. I'm sure I could have completed the 12 hours even if only at an ambling pace. That would have made me a finisher, not a quitter.   Why don't I have a cell phone? "Because somebody might call me," I joke. But there's an even better reason: I might call somebody.   Ed Pavelka Editor, Publisher, Taskmaster   Comment    o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   2. CYCLING SHORTS Quick Tip:  Stow Your Warmers.  Arm warmers are great in springtime. You can start wearing short-sleeve jerseys again but protect your arms against morning or evening chill. When the temperature rises you can peel the warmers down around your wrists where they can be pulled up again if you get chilly. Or you may want to take them off and stow them in a jersey pocket. Here's the technique we like. You can do it when stopped or while rolling down the road if you're comfortable riding no-hands for several seconds and conditions are safe. Grab the top of the left warmer with your right hand. Peel it down and off your arm. It's now in your right hand. Fold it a couple of times or just wad it up. Then use your left hand to peel down the right warmer. Pull it over your hand and let go of the left warmer so it remains inside. Now tuck the 2-in-1 warmers in your pocket. This way you won't lose one -- although it's possible to lose them both! Everti Bicycles is claiming that its new 11.4-pound (5.17-kg) titanium Eagle is the world's lightest production bike. But if you weigh more than 180 pounds (81.8 kg) and don't have a spare $9,995, forget it. Kurt Kock, owner of the British Columbia bike company, tells bikebiz.com that "many of the components on this bike are designed for riders under 200 pounds so we feel it is best to suggest a rider weight limit around 180 to keep everything well within the manufacturers' warranties." Component highlights include SRAM Red shifters and derailleurs, Zipp cranks and handlebar, KCNC cassette and brakes, Ritchey WCS seatpost and fork, and Selle Italia SLR saddle. The feathery frame comes with a 25-year warranty. See the Eagle at http://www.evertibikes.com/eagle.htm   The Barenaked Ladies play in Council Bluffs on the eve of the 37th Register's Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa. And knowing what we know about RAGBRAI, that won't be the only time bare-naked ladies are playing. This year's 442-mile (712-km) route goes through relatively hilly southern Iowa on July 19-25. The usual 10,000+ riders are expected for the rolling party, which bills itself as the world's largest and longest bike touring event. Hopeful riders are now waiting for the lottery selection on May 1 to be officially registered. For a look at the 2009 route, click http://www.ragbrai.org/route.html   Noted cycling expert-cum-movie critic John Schubert says, "Grand! A bike designed like the Bilenky Viewpoint from the 1940s. Some well-designed tandems, unicycles with no seats, solo recumbents, nice looking racing bikes, great demonstrations of bike handling, and much, much more. Wow!" He's talking about the classic black-and-white lehokola a slapohyby-historie in this 5:40 YouTube video. ______________________________________   Overheard:  "Pretty soon we're going to have to make bicycles out of water." -- Bob Burns, Trek attorney, on U.S. legislation drastically limiting lead in products (e.g., bikes) intended for kids 12 and under. Currently, the lead-containing brass used in Schrader tire valves exceeds the tighter standard, which the bike industry is fighting. ______________________________________ RentaBikeNow.com is a new North American rental service that offers bikes, accessories and tours through a network of bike shops. By selecting a destination, dates and type of bike, travelers to the U.S. or Canada can search among various styles of bikes -- road, recumbent, MTB and even kids' -- and then reserve the one that suits their needs. Bikes are presented online with specs and rental prices, along with shop information. The U.S.-based company says it plans to expand its network worldwide. http://www.rentabikenow.com   Product recall:  Specialized is recalling about 3,000 Roubaix Comp and Roubaix Pro road bikes from the 2004 model year. The problem is a faulty cable stop on the down tube. It can loosen and cause loss of bike control. Two crashes have been reported, resulting in bone fractures and surgery. Only bikes with a single rivet fastening the cable stop are being recalled; those with a double rivet are not. The problem bikes were made in Taiwan and sold in the U.S. from September 2003 through August 2004 for between $1,600 and $4,000. If you have one, stop riding it and take it to a Specialized dealer for a free repair. More info when available will be at http://tinyurl.com/dkz736   Product recall:  Rack maker Thule is recalling Fit Kit numbers 3068 and 3069 used in conjunction with its 460 and 460R Podium Foot Packs. Bolts provided may be brittle and break with or without a load, allowing the rack to detach from the vehicle. Not good when cruising down the highway. The Fit Kits were sold at bicycle, sporting goods, and automobile supply stores between January 2008 and March 2009. If you have an affected rack, stop using it until the bolts are replaced. Recall details are at http://tinyurl.com/crs7dc   RBR Review Crew member Fred Zahradnik, who doubles as about.com's GPS expert, has posted an update to his test of the Garmin Edge 705. Dr. Z has put more than 2,000 all-conditions miles (3,200 km) on this priciest of cyclecomputers and he's still finding lots to love. Premium Site members can read his reviews of 2 lower priced Garmin units -- the Edge 605 and 305 -- in the Product Test archive. Everyone can check his about.com update at http://tinyurl.com/cm7amk o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   3. SCOTT'S SPIN   Old Story   I'm a victim of elder abuse.   It happens every time I ride with younger, stronger cyclists. (I'm also a victim of, uh, younger abuse, but that's another story.)   Do you suffer from this silent scourge? There's one way to find out.    Fortunately, I work for a company that publishes pamphlets on a wide range of critical health topics, including Body Hair Removal, the ever-popular Irritable Bowel Syndrome and, yes, Elder Abuse.   "Is someone hurting you?" begins the Elder Abuse pamphlet. "Yes," I reply, "the 22-year-old with 3% body fat and no job whose chain gets stuck on the 13 cog whenever he takes a pull."   Clearly, this pamphlet is onto something. Let's read on:   Pamphlet:  There are many ways someone can hurt you.   Let me count them -- hills, crosswinds, attacks, refusing to stop for nature breaks every 30 minutes.   Pamphlet:  Does someone you know control what you do, who you see, or where you go?   Check -- I have to ride in the back, in the gutter or in the wind. I'm not able to see anybody but the butts of the slowest riders. I'm forced to go on the same route Saturday after Saturday.   Pamphlet:  Does someone you know treat you like a child and make major decisions for you?   Yup -- "We're leaving now . . . Better eat while you can . . . No, we're not stopping to pee again."   Pamphlet:  Does someone you know make fun of you, insult you or call you names?   All the time -- "Are you ever going to take a pull? . . . Can't you boot your tire with your AARP card? . . . Nice shift, Methuselah, did they even have derailleurs when you started riding?"   Pamphlet:  Does someone you know break or destroy your things?   Yes -- if by "things" you mean legs or spirit.   Comment   (Scott Martin's eBook, Spin Again, contains 181 of his witty, sometimes wacky, and occasionally heart-felt observations on road cycling. Enjoy 3 more by clicking here.)   o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   4. CLASSIFIEDS Also see the Classified Ads page on the RBR website and please support these advertisers that help make this newsletter free for you. ______________________________________    NEW 15% OFF at http://www.Cycling-Videos.com New Lower Prices, Large Selection: Spinervals, Train Right CFR, many more. Sharpen Your Fitness for Race Season. We Carry IBIKE Power Units - Use Code RBR409 ______________________________________   Order Your "3 Feet Please" Jersey Today! Send A Direct Message To Motorists. It May Save Your Life. Free Shipping. http://www.3FeetPlease.com ______________________________________   UltraSpeed high-quality Kevlar-bead folding road bike tires, $19.16 each, with -20% 'RBR' code at checkout. http://www.NiceBikeTires.com ______________________________________   Try ROADIE - CycleAware's New Bar-End Mirror   Finally, a mirror that's worthy of your ride! See it and   you'll know why. Just $20 at http://www.CycleAware.com ______________________________________   Ride like you mean it!  WEAR WOOL.  Performance + Comfort + Durability. Everything you need from head to toe. All U.S. made. Custom too! http://www.joneswares.com ______________________________________   CompuTrainer - World's #1 Electronic Ergometer/Trainer Guaranteed to increase your road speed 2 mph (3.2 kph) Spring Sale: $200 Discount plus 0% Financing! Free Interactive Video. Click http://www.computrainer.com ______________________________________   Also on Classified Ads, these Roadie Ads: 2008 Trek Madone 5.2 (new this week) Wanted: RBR cycling writers  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   5. COACH FRED   Why Can I Exceed My Max Heart Rate?   Q:  According to the "220 minus age" formula, my maximum heart rate is 170 beats per minutes. I can reach this number whenever doing hard intervals. Not long ago, I got up to 173 bpm while being chased up a hill by a pit bull. How come I'm able to ride at my maximum and even exceed it? -- Paul L.   Coach Fred Matheny Replies:  Max heart rate is the greatest number of beats per minute you can attain during an all-out top-end effort -- like a sprint for your life up a steep hill with Fluffy hot on your heels.   You can't hold max very long -- just a few seconds -- because your muscles and energy delivery system quickly tire.   And, of course, it's logically and physiologically impossible to exceed your max. By definition, your heart can't beat any faster. Of course, the sight of a slavering pit bull on the attack might change that.   You're exceeding your calculated max heart rate because the "220 minus age" formula produces a number that is almost always wrong. It's accurate only by chance because it's a statistical average.   There's only one way to find your max with certainty and safety:  By having a medically supervised stress test.   In a lab setting, the technician will gradually increase the resistance on a stationary bike until you simply can't continue pedaling at the specified rate (usually 80-90 rpm) no matter how hard you try. The resulting heart rate will be close to your true max if not right on it. It depends on your motivation to push yourself 100%.   It's possible -- although not recommended -- to do your own test if you have a heart monitor. Ride faster and faster up a gradual hill. When you feel you absolutely can't go any harder, sprint! The highest pulse rate displayed will be close to your lab-determined max.   Even riders in good health should have medical supervision during such a test, and they certainly should never do it alone. Realize too that sprinting all-out while trying to read the numbers on a heart monitor can be dangerous.   In the end, max heart rate isn't even essential for training purposes. It's much more important to know the highest heart rate you can sustain for 30-60 minutes. That's your lactate threshold (LT) heart rate. Generally, the closer you ride to it in a given workout, the more productive that day's training will be.   Comment ______________________________________   Make the Most of Your Training Time   RBR's 2 newest training eBooks are from David Ertl, a USA Cycling Level 1 coach who specializes in helping riders gain the most from every ride they take. Hundreds of RBR roadies are already benefiting.   In Training for Busy Cyclists, Coach Ertl shares his proven methods for becoming a stronger, faster cyclist in just 3-5 hours of training per week. And because he knows that almost no one can ride as much as they'd like, he shows how to find more time for cycling in a busy life.   In 101 Cycling Workouts, Coach Ertl guarantees that you'll never again feel stuck in a rut or become bored with training. This eBook provides an almost endless variety of ways to stay motivated and keep improving -- on the bike and when crosstraining or weight training.   "The important thing to remember," Coach Ertl contends, "is to continue to stress your body in new and different ways. That's how you will improve -- by continually changing your routine and throwing different workouts at your body."   Both eBooks help you make it happen. To read excerpts and see the tables of content, visit the RBR eBookstore. Order today and download instantly from your RBR account.    o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   6. ROAD RACING ROUNDUP Gleaned from news sources worldwide. Credited where exclusive. The 15-year pro career of Tyler Hamilton ended with the star-crossed rider's retirement last Friday. The reigning U.S. road champion cited a history of clinical depression and use of an OTC herbal medication to treat it, admitting that he knew the product contained DHEA, a steroid on the banned list. This being Hamilton's second doping violation, he stands to be banned from competition for at least 8 years, a penalty that would effectively end the 38-year-old's career. Despite voluntarily quitting, it's expected that he will use legal means to seek a sanction that recognizes mitigating circumstances so that he won't be barred from all involvement in cycling. For a well-written analysis of Hamilton's latest transgression (with a link to a timeline of his up-and-down career), see Bonnie D. Ford's espn.com article at http://tinyurl.com/d2xcv   OVERHEARD re. Tyler Hamilton "He has had a cloud over his career for a while now and the sport is better off without him." -- Pat McQuaid, International Cycling Union president.   "I am aware that depression can profoundly affect a person's life, health, friends and family, which is why all of us here at USA Cycling wish Tyler the best in his personal struggle with this illness." -- Steve Johnson, USA Cycling's CEO, adding that Hamilton will nevertheless be penalized according to anti-doping regulations.   "There is no good reason to take DHEA. This is a very foolish drug to take because it is readily detectable, but it has no performance enhancements." -- Dr. Paul Scott, whose lab reviewed the testing procedure for Hamilton's B sample.   "I think in Tyler's case he does not deserve to be sanctioned to the degree that he will be. There is nothing that shows he tried to get an advantage." -- Michael Ball, owner of Team Rock Racing, which Hamilton has ridden for since last year.   "I know people will be angry with me and depression is something I need to take care of. I didn't do it at the right time or in the right way, and I'm sorry for the negative spotlight." -- Tyler Hamilton   "It's a beautiful sport. Cycling's not done with me yet." -- Tyler Hamilton ______________________________________   RBR's QUESTION of the Week   What's your verdict on Tyler Hamilton?    We give you 5 ways to answer at http://www.roadbikerider.com/poll, where you can also find an archive of previous poll results. Please click, vote and come back to finish reading. ______________________________________ Former World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound, long at odds with Lance Armstrong, says the rider violated Article 5.4.1 of WADA's International Standard of Testing and should pay some consequences. Pound, speaking to cyclingnews.com, said that if an athlete wanted to defraud an anti-doping exam, half an hour would provide ample opportunity. (Armstrong's absence while taking a shower at the time of a March sample collection has been put at 20 minutes.) According to Pound, "You can catherize [using clean urine], you can drink tons and tons of water, you can do all sorts of things to spoil or affect the test. So that is exactly why you have this rule" against leaving the sight of the tester. As for a violation that the French Anti-Doping Agency could declare next month, Pound said, "If [Armstrong's nonappearance] counts as a refusal, that is the same as a positive test. If it just counts as a missed test, then three of them in the space of 18 months would count as a positive as well." ______________________________________   Overheard:  "I think in this case it was a small mistake and the most valid response would be to just give a warning, a reminder for other riders. It seems it is no longer anti-doping, but persecution." -- Cedric Vasseur, former Armstrong teammate and now president of the Association of Professional Cyclists. ______________________________________ Yesterday's Fleche Wallonne classic was won for the 3rd time by Davide Rebellin (Serramenti). The 37-year-old Italian played smart tactics coming in to the scary-steep Mur de Huy finishing climb and won by 2 seconds over Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) and Damiano Cunego (Lampre). Rebellin pointed to his head after finishing the 195 km (121 miles) as if to say he'd used it to defeat his much-younger challengers.   Classics veteran Sergei Ivanov (Katusha) won Holland's Amstel Gold Race in a 2-up sprint with Karsten Kroon (Saxo Bank). Robert Gesink (Rabobank), who was dropped by the pair on the climb to the line, hung on for third place in the 258-km (160-mile) race as the bunch closed fast. Said 2008 winner Damiano Cunego (Lampre), 5th this year at 8 seconds, "We waited too long to bring them back. Things slowed for a minute and we lost precious seconds." For Russia's Ivanov, 34, it was "the biggest win of my career. We will celebrate tonight. We will drink vodka."   Drunk "hooligans" spat on riders, attacked team cars and created piles of trash during Paris-Roubaix on April 12, prompting calls for crowd control before next year's edition. The mayor of the small French town that's home of the famed Carrefour de l'Arbre sector of cobbles (written about on the Premium Site by Les Woodland) said he might prevent use of the road if organizers can't, as cyclingnews.com put it, "control the massive, drunken crowds from laying waste to the countryside." Paris-Roubaix is owned by Amaury Sport Organization, whose stable of races includes the Tour de France.   In what's termed a cost-saving move, Team Rock Racing fired 3 riders -- Michael Creed, Caesar Grajales and Chris Baldwin. Explained team owner Michael Ball, "In personally funding the team each month, I've had to make some very difficult choices based on the long-term interests of the team." Rumors of Rock's total disbandment still circulate, with Tyler Hamilton's doping violation being another blow. Ball, owner of the Rock & Republic fashion jeans company, is known to be seeking a cosponsor to keep the U.S.-based team alive.   It gets worse for Rock Racing. Yesterday the team was pulled out of New Mexico's Tour of the Gila, a 5-day race that begins on April 29. "There just isn't enough money for us to be able to get there," Ball told cyclingnews.com. "We will still be out there racing but we have select races that have the best return for the sponsors. A year ago I threw money at the team and now it's different -- very humbling."   Bleeding from lacerated lips and with broken teeth and spinal fractures, Daryl Impey was pushed across the finish line to win the 45th Presidential Tour of Turkey on Sunday. The Barloworld rider tangled with Theo Bos (Rabobank) in the final kilometer and was on the ground for 20 minutes before he could remount to finish. Because the crash happened within 3 km of the line, Impey was given the same time as the stage winner and kept his overall lead of one second over Davide Malacarne (Quick Step). Bos, blamed by Impey for pulling him down, also was injured but has not been penalized (yet) by officials. See the nasty incident (Impey is in the race leader's yellow jersey) at http://tinyurl.com/c8ybtw ______________________________________   Overheard:  " Why would have I taken myself down? I would like to have a conversation with [Impey] and tell him my side of it. I've got no reason to hide from him, though I do understand that he's quite angry." -- Theo Bos ______________________________________ Scott Nydam (BMC) broke away with another rider just 12 miles (19.3 km) into the 124-mile (200-km) Tour of the Battenkill in eastern New York state on Sunday. And the peloton rarely saw him again. Nydam rode the second half of his breakaway solo to win the hilly first-year race that included 8 sections of unpaved roads totaling 30 miles (48 km). The tough conditions in "America's Queen of the Classics" caused more than 3 dozen flats, and of the 158 starters only 62 finished. Floyd Landis (OUCH) was to be the headliner but didn't start due to a lacerated shin. One day earlier, Evelyn Stevens (CRCA/Radical Media) took the women's 62-mile (100-km) race by outsprinting 6 breakaway companions.   Levi Leipheimer, riding without any Astana teammates, won the 69-mile (111-km) road race at the Sea Otter Classic. The 3-time Amgen Tour of California champ jockeyed with a strong Bissell team before easily putting those riders into places 2, 3 and 4. "I just tried to stay in the race as long as I could," Levi said. "There were a lot of breakaways I was chasing down. I said, well, if I don't get this breakaway, at least I tried. I got good training out of it." He's expected to return to Europe on May 2 and start the Giro d'Italia a week later.   It's reported that 866 professional cyclists are registered with the UCI this season. That's a 21% decrease from 2008 and a 29% drop from 2007. The 18 ProTour teams account for 476 riders while 390 are registered with continental teams.   Monday is said to be the go, no-go decision day for the 25th annual pro cycling championship in Philadelphia. According to a newspaper report, the budget for this year's race on June 7 is $500,000 short of meeting expenses. The economic downturn is the main cause, of course, and for the first time the city is billing the event organizers for police and clean-up services that were provided without charge. The popular race, known for its fearsome Manayunk Wall and hundreds of thousands of festive spectators, is said to generate $15-20 million in revenue for Philadelphia, but the mayor is facing a $2 billion budget shortfall in the next 5 years. "It is not the city's fault," said Jerry Casale, a co-founder of the race. "The city has been a great partner for 24 years. Everybody is facing an economic crisis." Details at http://tinyurl.com/c3s8ph o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   7. JIM'S TECH TALK   Cool New Gear at Sizzling Sea Otter   The annual Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, is a hot time for cyclists and cycling companies. And it was really hot this year, as weekend temperatures were so torrid that some of the races had to be shortened.   Tech-wise, the Sea Otter provides a rare chance for rank-and-file riders to see scores of displays of upcoming products -- and even try some to give manufacturers important feedback.   Monterey isn't far from my home in Santa Cruz so I was there each day to check new goodies and do some racing.   This report is pretty long and we don't want to overwhelm the newsletter with it. So if you're interested in products coming on the road market for 2010, please click to the rest of the story on the website.   I had a productive visit with tech guru Devin Walton at Shimano. And speaking of hot, the new Ultegra ST-6700 group sure is. I'm hoping to receive a review sample soon.   The new Ultegra sports much of Dura-Ace 7900's functionality at a reduced price. Ditto for the new Ultegra WH-6700 tubeless clincher road wheels, which I also hope to test ride and tell you about.   There's also a new Dura-Ace tubeless wheelset, the 7850-C24-CL. I was wishing I could borrow them for my road race. They feature 24-mm-profile carbon/aluminum rims. This sheds another 100 grams and increases compliance over the already velvety-smooth scandium rims used in D-A tubeless wheels up till now. The 7850 wheelset is priced at about $1,400.   Shimano says that a review sample of the Dura-Ace Di2 electric drivetrain is possible, but the stuff is so new and in demand it may be a while. So I spent about 10 minutes shifting one of the trainer-mounted, Di2-equipped Orbea demo bikes.   You have to try Di2 to appreciate it. It's so precise that the shifts are like magic, especially up front. Dura-Ace's new hollow chainrings are the stiffest yet, so deflection during shifting is a non-issue. Credit also goes to the narrower Di2 front derailleur cage (possible because Di2 is self-trimming to prevent chain rub) and the electric worm-gear-driven movement. The result is the fastest, cleanest front shifting ever. The motor is so powerful you can even switch rings while standing and applying pressure.    Devin told me that Shimano's original estimate of battery run time is proving too conservative. In real-world use, he says, riders are getting about 1,500 miles (2,400 km) before recharging.   (Incidentally, the way to get Di2 at a reasonable price is on a complete bike. In some cases a Di2 bike might not cost much more than if it had regular mechanical Dura-Ace.)   I'm also in line to review Shimano Custom Fit shoes. These aren't brand new but they're still interesting because of the heat-molded uppers. Devin showed me Shimano's new line of triathlon shoes. They share many features with the company's road shoes and should please the tri crowd no end.   I spoke with Hutchinson about their new tubeless road clincher tire, the Intensive. They said they'd send samples if I keep bugging them, which I'll do.   The Intensive is wider and heavier than the current Fusion 2. It's designed for longer wear and an even smoother ride. The long-promised and lighter Atom tubeless clincher is still not available.   In other road tubeless news, rumor has it that rim-maker Alex is going to offer individual rims that'll let us home-shop mechanics build our own tubeless wheels.   Slime has just released their first sealant for road tubeless, called Slimepro, and Cantitoe Road has a new foaming sealant called CaffeLatex. Foaming means the sealant doesn't need to be sloshing around to do its job. Liquid sealant works fine as long as the wheels are rolling but may not reach a leaking hole if you're stopped.      SRAM showed a revamped 2010 Force road group. The components borrow several features from the top-of-the-line Red group. Included is a "unidirectional finish" (instead of woven) for carbon parts, which SRAM says adds strength and provides a better surface for graphics. Also, the new Force brakes feature 6000-series alloy, modeled after Red's forging.   Despite the upgrades, SRAM says group retail prices will hold steady at $1,399 for standard GXP (2,097 grams) while the version with a BB30 crankset (1,957 grams) will go for $40 more.   Zipp showed a new 303 tubular wheelset made to handle abuse as harsh as in Paris-Roubaix. Zipp terms these carbon wheels "comfortable with the cobbles" despite having an aerodynamic profile. A pair weighs 1,182 grams and retails for $2,285.   CycleAware (an RBR advertiser) showed their new Roadie bar-end rearview mirror that's simple to install and worked nicely at their booth. They gave me a sample to try. For years I've used one of CycleAware's tiny lens-mounted mirrors in my sunglasses.   And, because RBR's coffee commentary received so many responses in the last 2 weeks, you may be happy to hear that CycleAware also showed a new $20 insulated stainless-steel bike bottle that fits in a standard cage. Now you can take your favorite brew on your morning commute.   Out on the race courses, I finished about 13th in my age group in the road race. It was this season's first truly hot day (98F; 37C) and I couldn't handle it. Lots of guy couldn't -- about half the field dropped out.   Two days before, I took 4th place in the circuit race. I had no chance to win but I really should have finished 2nd or 3rd, except for making the really dumb mistake of covering just about every attack. Old habits die hard. But hey, at least I won the field sprint.   It was a cool experience racing on the famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca racetrack and in front of such a big crowd.  racetrack and in front of such a big crowd.   Hmmm, wonder how much difference Di2 and those new D-A wheels would have made . . . .   Over and out till next week!   Comment   (Jim Langley has been a cycling professional for 37 years, ranging from shop mechanic to technical editor of Bicycling magazine. At RBR he's the author of Your Home Bicycle Workshop and moderator of the "Roadie Rap" technical forums on the Premium Site. Check his personal website at http://www.jimlangley.net, his Q&A blog and updates at Twitter. Jim's streak of consecutive cycling days has reached 5,579.) ______________________________________   We welcome you to join RBR's Premium Site for access to 259 web pages of exclusive road cycling advice, information and entertainment. Just $24.99 per year for 24/7 access, including 3 bonus eBooks and a 15% discount on all products in the RBR eBookstore. Check all the bennies!    o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   8. TRY THIS ON YOUR NEXT RIDE   Measure Your Improvement   A good training program should make you stronger. But if you don't have an objective way to gauge improvement, you won't know how well your program is working -- or whether it's working at all.   The best way to know is to use a power meter and periodically perform tests at different distances. Watts are an objective way to measure increases in power output regardless of the wind and road surface.   No power meter? How about a heart monitor? If you have one or can borrow one you can come pretty close to objectivity. The trick is getting enough data points over several months, and there's no better time to start than on your next ride. Here's how: Establish one day every 2 weeks for testing.  Follow an identical protocol each time: a rest day before the test, same diet, same warm-up.   Use the same 3-mile (4.8-km) stretch of road.  Ideally, it'll be sheltered from the wind and won't have traffic control devices. Or, use a loop 4-5 miles (6.4-8 km) around.   On test day, warm up well.  Then ride the course out-and-back like a time trial or go around the loop. The idea is to negate the wind's effect by riding both into it and with it.   Watch your heart rate.  Keep it just below the number where heavy breathing turns into panting. This isn't a flat-out time trial, but it's close.   Record the elapsed time in your training diary.  Also note your average heart rate and any environmental conditions (wind, temperature) that may have affected the test. Weather factors will vary from one test to another, but they'll average out during several months. Chart your times on graph paper or a computer program. If your training is effective, you'll see a definite curve of progress (lower times) and ability to sustain a higher heart rate. If not, you'll know that your program needs changes.   Comment   o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   9. RBR eBOOKSTORE   Premium Site annual members automatically receive a 15% discount on every eBook, eArticle or other products in the RBR eBookstore.   HOT List:  April eBook Bestsellers   1.  101 Cycling Workouts -- never get bored or stuck in a training rut, by Coach David Ertl   2.  Training for Busy Cyclists -- how to become significantly fitter & stronger in just 3-5 hours of riding per week, by Coach David Ertl 3.  How to Make a Chain Catcher -- positively stop your chain from missing the small ring and falling onto the frame during front shifts (eArticle)   4.  Your Home Bicycle Workshop -- design & equip a home shop you'll love spending time in for years to come, by Jim Langley 5.  Bike Fit -- new 4th edition of Coach Arnie Baker's illustrated guide to bike selection, setup and riding position for road and MTB   6.  Strategy & Tactics for Cyclists -- secrets to success from the coach of Olympians and winner of 200+ road races, Arnie Baker   7.  Andy Pruitt's Medical Guide for Cyclists -- the original manual for professional bike fit, injury diagnosis & treatment by Andy Pruitt, Ed.D.   8.  Keep it Real - In Your Indoor Cycling Classes -- certified Spinning instructor Jennifer Sage makes sure indoor classes transfer to the road   9.  Fred Matheny's Complete Book of Road Bike Training -- SAVE! The Coach's 4 training eBooks all under one cover   10.  Spring Training for Roadies -- build the bridge between winter and your best season yet, by Coach Fred Matheny   Find these helpful "how to" cycling publications, and 33 others, in the RBR eBookstore.    o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o  o^o   Thanks for reading and for your support of RoadBikeRider.com. Look for newsletter No. 391 on Thursday, April 30. Meanwhile, enjoy your rides!   Click here to access your RBR account where you can: manage your newsletter subscription manage your customer account manage your Premium Site membership To automatically delete your address from our mailing list, simply send a blank e-mail to leave@roadbikerider.com from the address where you receive this newsletter. We'll miss you but you won't hear from us again. ______________________________________   Business owners! Your Commercial Ad will be delivered to 62,500+ road cycling enthusiasts via this weekly newsletter, and it will appear on our website with your logo or product photo. Get info here.   Roadies! Sell your spare bike and gear on our website for just $5. Click here. ______________________________________   This newsletter is a product of RBR Publishing Company:      Ed Pavelka, president      Fred Matheny, VP emeritus      1617 Kramer Rd.      Kutztown, PA 19530 USA      RBRPublishing@roadbikerider.com   All material is copyright © 2001-2009 RBR Publishing Company. All rights reserved.   Back to top Go to newsletter archive Subscribe for free delivery by e-mail   Comments Archived comments are "read only." Replies aren't able to be posted.   Coach 4/23/09 06:53:47 AM Riding with a cellphone   I always ride with a cellphone, in case of emergencies, & encourage all the riders in our group to carry one too. The group I ride with on a Sunday can get quite large, & because I help organise the ride, I like to make sure everyone gets back safely, or when there's a mechanical and the group is spread over a few kilometres, someone can call me to advise where they are (we generally loop well into fairly remote rural areas, so it's a safety issue). Personally, I haven't yet felt the need to call for a pick-up - I have gotten to the point on a long ride where I think "Not this hill!!!", but it's never crossed my mind to bail and get a ride.   Lloyd 4/23/09 09:31:31 AM Amen   You said it all !! A lot of reasons to carry one, and all it takes is a little will power to not make that "Come get me call" The ascent to my house at the end of a ride involves 500 feet of alititude gain in a tad over 2 miles, and there are many times after a long hard ride, and usually a lot of hills are involved considering I live in upstate NY, and I am grinding, pushing, suffering up that last 2 miles... but I always finish...   rick 4/23/09 07:12:02 AM cell phones   ah, but if you consider the inconvenience you are giving the person on the other end of the line, most people will still stick it out so as not to drag their loved one out. Cell phone for me.   Joe P 4/23/09 07:14:54 AM Cell Phone   I ALWAYS carry a cellphone on my rides. And I NEVER use it. It's only there for a cycling emergency...mine or someone else's. Better to be safe and ride knowing help in an emergency is a phone call away.   drew 4/23/09 07:15:18 AM cell phone   you do what's right for you, but for me a cell phone is as important as a spare tube and a helmet. it's a safety issue....in fact, my wife would probably be a bike dis-courager instead of an encourager if i didn't carry one. drew   Carl D 4/23/09 07:59:27 AM Riding with a cellphone   Six weeks ago, I crashed badly, alone and in the middle of nowhere (or as near to it as you can get in Southern England). The phone meant I could call for an ambulance rather than wait hoping for a car. I'll always carry a phone now and will have to rely on will power to finish! I have now joined the fractured femur brigade. Tips on re-hab very welcome!   Fernando A. 4/23/09 08:06:25 AM not so sure   Maybe in your neck of the wood not having a cellular phone is ok but where I live is a no-no. too much traffic and a "very concern wife". any way you are right if you know that the end is just a call away but that why humans have will. Last august I was riding the Blue ridge parkway and there was a 9 miles hill and I told the guy in the van to pick me up in his way up and he told me that when I commit it has to be all the away up. So I accept the challenge and 3 hours latter I top the hill. I have never regret those 3 hours.   Wayne S 4/23/09 08:17:10 AM Cellphone - Provides Freedom   I have never used a cellphone to get back home. It's a matter of pride. I have however rushed home due to a family emergency thanks to the cell phone call (We have a code so I know I have to answer the call). I have also called for help on several accidents during group rides. I will never go without a cell phone.   StillRiding40YearsLaterThough 4/23/09 08:27:53 AM Carry a cell phone?   My first time of calling for a ride home: I was 17, I had ridden west into a strong wind for 7 hours to visit a college 75 miles from home. I had a 19" Schwinn Varsity (I am 6'6") with a canvas backpack and tennis shoes. I brought a blanket to sleep somewhere on a golf course across the street. Late in the afternoon, it started to rain. "Hello, Mom?" (Oh, cell phones weren't invented yet.)   Michael 4/23/09 08:33:37 AM cell phone on a ride   I was very concerned to read your comments, not because you don't want to take a phone, your choice but by your attitiude to not completing a ride because you had heatstroke. A few years ago I pulled out of a 140km ride at the bottom of a 1000m ascent because it was 43 degrees and I was already overheating at the bottom of the climb. Pulling out was the hardest thing I have done on a bike for a long time, but not as difficult a time as the 4 people who ended up in hospital, one with renal failure after they decided to continue.   MK 4/23/09 08:51:17 AM Not Carrying a Cell Phone?   I'm a women and frequently go out for very long rides by myself. I for one would NEVER think of NOT carrying a cell phone. I'm not talking about quitting, I'm talking about safety!   Nick 4/27/09 05:04:39 PM Boogeyman   That's right, the boogeyman is real and so are the people that jump out of bushes and assault female cyclists riding by. Don't be silly and accept your gender role.   UP Guy 4/23/09 08:53:50 AM Medication effects on heart rate   To control my tremor, my doctor prescribes 25mg of Toprol XL tabs once a day. This also limits my ability to get my pulse high. When I was taking the Toprol, the highest average heart rare for over nine rides was 112 and max was 135 (This was much lower than prior experience). With the consent of my doctor, I went to 1/2 tablet (12mg) for six days and cut it out completely. Three days later, on a 45 mile, ride my average heart rate was 126 and peak was 157. My tremor has returned. However, for training effect and performance am I better without the Toprol?   John 4/23/09 09:38:40 AM Ride support   The most powerful ride support/motivator is knowing if you quit, that you will have to wait around until your ride buddy finishes; and having to explain yourself to your comitted friend. This can push a rider through the worst of bonks and discomfort. It is also the most secure plan for if you need critical assistance....provided you don't get separated. If separated, then riding partners really should have a plan for communication.....and a cell phone can be a good back up plan.   Michael Jacob 4/23/09 09:41:45 AM ED'S NOTE: I don't own a cell phone   When something breaks that you can't rig on the fly... When there's an accident and emergency response is needed... When a cyclist has a medical "event" without an accident and it's the type of event you can't just "tough it out"... When someone at home needs to reach you on an urgency, for example, concerning a child.... Cell phones are one of those things that you might need only on rare occasions, but when you do you're really glad you have it.   Ken Stadden 4/23/09 09:46:58 AM About that "not quitting" hangup...   Ed! It's only a bike ride. It's not a religion; it's not a great cause; it's not even a minor country. In the great scheme of things, cycling belongs wherever the whim of the individual puts it. At 58, after many years of racing and riding centuries (and several double centuries), I realize that absolutely nobody else in the world cares whether I finish a ride (not a race), and my wife actually likes it when I call her and ask her to "rescue" me on occasion. I only call once or twice a year when weather or fatigue become a factor near the end of a long ride. (She is a cyclist too and I do the same for her.) There is no harm our egos or to the enjoyment of spectators (there aren't any). Besides, the training benefit of that last few miles can be nil or even negative. Also, erasing a few dog-tired miles helps us keep cycling just a tad more like fun. In fairness, I enjoy RBR immensely and am glad you're a devoted cycling nut-case, or none of us would have RBR to read and rant on.   Toledo Reader 4/23/09 10:01:50 AM Your Friend is a wuss   I carry a cell phone on every ride. I have used it several times to call 911. I only have used it once to call someone for a pick up. That was on a cold winter day when I started puking every 15 minutes. I would be embarrassed to call for a ride and then tell someone about it. The cell phone has nothing to do with your friend not finishing rides. My guess is he plans to quit before he even starts. He just doesn't know where. He needs to toughen up. One of the greatests joys of cycling is pushing yourself through a challenge. Your friend cheats himself every time he presses send from the dounut shop. Cells phones are indispensible in an emergency and for that reason carrying them should be encouraged.   TN Bikerider 4/23/09 10:03:15 AM Glad I had a cell phone   I carry a cell phone on every ride, but rarely use it. Glad I had it though on an August charity ride a couple of years ago when I suffered from from heat exhaustion about five miles from the finish. A call to my wife for a pick up kept a very unpleasant situation from becoming a life threatening situation.   kurtdriver 4/23/09 10:13:37 AM You should have a cell phone   "I couldn't call for an ambulance". Ed, if you come upon someone needing help, say for a heart attack, diabetic coma, or an accident, you would be unable to call upon an ambulance. Relying on others is, at once, both a form of cheating and unreliable (What if your strategy, of relying on others becomes widespread?). Cheers, Kurt   El Hammermeister 4/23/09 10:14:03 AM Cell Phones are a Miracle   I case of emergency they are worth their weight. If you are frequently calling your wife for a ride home, then I would say your wife does not extract the same price for the favor mine does. I haven't had to call for several years now.   Don 4/23/09 10:15:49 AM Maximum heart rate   The 220 minus age formula for the heart rate max can be way off. For myself, that formula gives a maximum 0f 147. Last week, I did my yearly determination (running, not cycling)and it came out to be 171, which is in line with previoius years.   jhc 4/23/09 10:17:45 AM get thee behind me...   Please. One's will does not begin or end with convenience. We are what we repeatedly do, said Aristotle. Your rides to completion define you, not your incomplete rides. You might want to talk to someone about that. I've carried a cell phone for years. The option to be reached by children or spouse or the need to ask for help for myself or someone else is the thing. If your sense of independence is threatened by a phone, fine. Lets not make a federal case of it, eh?   Lucky Man 4/23/09 10:50:28 AM An understanding wife   I carry a cel phone. My Wife told me not to call unless it is an emergency, and she told me if it's and emergency call 911. I had a crash last October. Broken ribs, compression fracture of the spine, broken clavicle... I called her, she went out with the van and picked up my bike. I was really glad I had that cel phone.   El Hammermeister 4/23/09 11:22:19 AM So how is the bike?   And get well soon to you, too.   Karl 4/23/09 10:57:15 AM Safety First   I carry a cellphone for safety reasons and my reasoning was validated this past weekend. I was on a ride when I happened around a S curve in the road that has a slight downhill tilt to it. At the very bottom I see a crumpled mass of human body and bike. As I pulled up the crumpled mass of body tried to stand up and what looked like a waterfall of blood poured down his face. He quickly melted back to the ground. For some reason the normally crowded road was empty and I was alone with someone obviously in need of help. Luckily I had my cellphone for just such an emergency and was able to call 911 who were there in minutes. I carry mine because if/when I am in the same situation, I would hope someone would do the same for me.   59Romulus 4/23/09 11:10:09 AM Agree completely with no cell phone   For me all cycling is an adventure, even my 19 mile round trip commute. I never know for certain what awaits me out the door and down the road. Whatever it is I want to handle it myself to conclusion. I don't want or need someone else to get involved because I called them on a cell. Therefore, I don't own a cell phone and I would not take one with me if I did.   Doug "Tig" Ford 4/23/09 11:22:46 AM No phones on rides? Amen!   I must agree with Ed. I would be tempted to call my wife to rescue me from unpleasant rides if I had an easy way home. Instead, I tough it out, just like I've been doing the last 21 years of riding. The rewards are immeasurable. We never learn or gain anything by choosing the easy way out or while everything is pleasant, be it on the bike or with life in general. I can see someone having a phone for emergencies, but we did fine before cell phones, and besides, most of the people I ride with have them. The last thing I want during my rides is an electronic ball and chain. Sorry, that is NOT freedom.   Bruce 4/23/09 11:27:39 AM JIM'S TECH TALK   This new column sounds like just another "Bicycling Magazine" article about bling I can't afford or am not interested in, a poor replacement for Uncle Al's often valuable articles.   Ed Pavelka, RBR editor/publisher 4/23/09 12:23:20 PM Variety coming   Hang on, Bruce, it's been only 2 weeks! Jim had written an article for this week more in keeping with Uncle Al's approach to tech topics, but because Jim had attended the Sea Otter I asked him to give us a report on that instead. So blame me, not Jim! Tune in next week to read the piece you didn't see this week. I hope you'll like it better.   rider 4/23/09 11:28:57 AM Cell phones = safety   Your reasons to not own a cell phone are yours and that works for you. However, writing an opinion that someone is wimping out because they have a cell phone is irresponsible. I carry a cell phone whenever I ride because stuff happens. I'm also responsible for several group rides, and if something happens and we need an emergency vehicle it is my responsibility. I've used my cell phone to ask for a pick up during a ride one time: when it started raining and thunderstorming, we knew it wasn't going to end for many hours, and it wasn't safe to ride in the rain. I'm sorry you have a problem with that, but I have a very big problem with your opinion on this matter.   Elrey in Orange County 4/23/09 11:31:15 AM Tyler Hamilton & DHEA   "There is no good reason to take DHEA. This is a very foolish drug to take because it is readily detectable, but it has no performance enhancements." -- Dr. Paul Scott So, if DHEA has no performance enhancements, why is it's use banned?   dennis 4/23/09 11:32:27 AM No stinin' bail   I got a phone a year and half ago mostly so I can let my wife know I'm OK, which she truly appreciates. It never occurs to me to use the phone to bail on a ride. The time it really gets hard on a ride is when it really gets good.   odedbc 4/23/09 11:35:18 AM It's a lost battle   First: almost everyone has got a cell phone. Second: the comfort of knowing in case of need you are not alone, outweight all other cons. This fact alone aloow me more freedom in changing course or extending a ride when I feel like, and I need only a short call to let my loved ones be acknowledged of my late return. . El Hammermeister 4/23/09 11:36:58 AM How DO You Manage Your Cell Phone on the Bike?   My cell phone habitually rings when I am trying to ride through a rough and busy arterial section of my commute, or when I’m trying to hang on to my team during a little romp through the foothills. In either case, I have a hard time getting to the phone before it stops ringing. I can stop, dig the phone out of my pack or back pocket, take it out of the ziplock plastic bag, call back, listen to their recorded message, then leave a message, … then they call me back, only to find out that it isn’t that important… By that time I’ve lost five minutes, or the team is almost back to the coffee shop. But I want to know if someone in my family needs me if I’m out on the road. So here’s what I do. Tell me if you have any other ideas. I just tell my wife and kids to call and if I don’t answer, leave me a text message. If it’s really important KEEP CALLING. If not, I don’t stop to answer.   philocyclist 4/23/09 11:45:20 AM Carry a cell phone, Ed!   I used to not carry a cell phone, but now I do. But not for me; I carry a cell phone for my friends. I was on a ride when one of my friends had a heart attack. Fortunately someone had a cell phone and could call an ambulance. (Imagine what would have happened to you, Ed, had no one stopped with a cell phone.) I also feel like I owe it to my wife and kids. If something happens and I'm going to be home late, or I can't make it home at all, I can at least let them know. So I carry a cell phone. I have yet to end a ride early because I have one, though. My wife cooperates on that front: were I to call her and ask for rides home for trivial reasons, she'd get pretty annoyed pretty quickly.   steve 4/23/09 11:53:07 AM no phone?   I have only called once, 2 flats and and asthma attack; It was too much. Also, I try and make my rides a loop not a "there and back", that way when I roll out of my garage I am on my way home!   Holly 4/23/09 12:08:04 PM Ditch the Coffee   CLEARLY, chocolate would be the preffered choice for cyclists wishing to pick up a little push from caffine. Especially given that your article stated that only a few milligrams will do the job. I have tried knocking back a mug of coffee before a ride, only to feel I was vibrating with a distractingly strong buzz much of the ride. After reading your article, I baked some rich chocolaty brownies, which I now use as my pre-ride fix. And they taste SO much better! Am I right in presuming that a GUY wrote that coffee article? Gals know well the many benefits of dark chocolate, not the least of which how chocolate helps the rider power up the steep hills of the Columbia River Gorge here on the border of Oregon and Washington.   Fernando A. 4/23/09 12:08:53 PM thank you   I had the same doubt of Paul L. Now I know that the calculated HR is not the max HR. you have no idea how many times i have slow riding and/or training because i have reach the CHR!!!! Keep the good work!!!   Swobo 4/23/09 12:11:07 PM DNF's   I had one of those in high school track some 30 years ago & I'm still not over it. Love your spunk & attitude!   MSchott 4/23/09 12:42:37 PM Max HR; Theory V. Practice Max HR varies with fitness level. Nutrition, fatigue level at time of test, hydration, blood volume and a few more internal factors effect actual maximum heart rate. BION, medical pros aren't very aware of or able to control, all of their patients' day-to-day activities. So, even a stress test by a cardiologist won't necessarily cause one to reach max. It will be close, but, with all the dots lined up, it may actually get a few beats higher.   Larry 4/23/09 12:57:03 PM ED'S NOTE: I don't own a cell phone   This article is just plain foolish. I own a cell phone for emergencies. Hardly anyone knows the number, I rarely use it, in fact it's rarely ever turned on. That makes me a Luddite to all my friends and coworkers. I don't care. But you can bet that when I'm on the bike, I have my phone with me. That's exactly what it's for. Real emergencies. And "come get me, I'm tired" is not an emergency. But if breaking a hip on the bike didn't convince you of the obvious need to carry a phone, then nothing probably will.   don 4/27/09 04:08:26 PM i don't own a cell phone   my comments exactly.. we go from 50 to 80 mile rides sometimes longer dependent upon conditions when we go out and hope we did our homework before we go for no mech problems etc .. don't care about support and don't bother calling just to say hi are you riding your bike?? gee i bet you heard that one before...!! just a good workout train and ride...   Fred Hoffman 4/23/09 12:59:43 PM Unfinished rides gnaw at you   I'm with you, Ed. There has been only one ride I didn't finish in the last 25 years...a cross-Nevada ride on Hwy 50 that started at Lake Tahoe. Gave up in Austin, in the middle of Nevada. Called the wife. Bless her, she drove all the way from Sacramento to get me. And despite doing much longer rides (such as Seattle to Atlantic City), I still have this yearning to go back to Austin and ride into Utah.   Sandy Scott 4/23/09 01:15:45 PM The other side of the story   There is also the phenomenon of elder abuse. I, as a 69 year old rider, just relish beating up on the young studs. I often initiate breaks and can do my share of pulling in the high twenties and low thirties with a bit of a tailwind! Don't cry about getting abused by the youngsters. Train harder and kick their butts like I do!   Steve 4/23/09 01:17:17 PM Jaw-Dropping bicycle video   This video is of Danny McAskill, a college aged Scott who is the best Trials bike handler I have ever seen. The video production is first rate as well. The first time I saw this, I was speechless. http://freecaster.tv/1000006/1007689/danny-macaskill-april-2009   MW 4/23/09 01:17:31 PM Cell Phone   EXACTLY! I don't like cell phones either due to many reasons of one being just that. Toughening up and riding home even with the tail between the legs is just an extra workout. This is the way to go when riding with others. I can however understand having one on hand if soloing on real lonely roads though. Aloha to all.   Sandy Scott 4/23/09 01:23:23 PM Max Heart Rate Comment   To further illustrate how inaccurate the often quoted formula of 220 minus age is for determining max heart rate, I hit 195 last year in the final sprint of our state road race championships. My age at the time was 68 making my theoretical MHR a mere 152 - a heart rate that I can pedal at for hours.   Terry 4/23/09 01:40:26 PM Ed's note:   Hey Luddite, Do you ride a single-speed so you won't be tempted to downshift for a hill? Technology always has an upside and a downside. Carry a cell phone "just in case"....   Ron in Mariposa 4/23/09 01:43:50 PM Ed's Note on cell phone: Keeping My Wife Happy   I dislike cell phones, but my wife asked me to please carry one on my rides in case of an emergency. So I do. I have never used it to call her or anyone else on a ride to come rescue me and I ride over 5,000 miles per year on mostly rural roads. I have, however, used it to call and let her know I would be late: That goes a long way towards keeping her happy. For me, carrying a cell phone is a small price to pay for the contribution to harmony in our marriage and I would like to think that I would do so even if my wife did not request it--I believe that it is the small thoughtful acts of partners in a marriage that carry the day. As for you Ed, I am starting to wonder how responsible you are as a "journalist" spreading "wisdom" about cycling, given your apparent obsession about riding no matter what--e.g., overdoing your hip replacement recovery and now this thing about cell phones. Perhaps you should closely evaluate your philosophy about riding.   Ed Pavelka, RBR editor/publisher 4/23/09 02:08:00 PM Philosophy about riding   Hmmmmm . . . . evaluating now . . . . hmmmmmm . . . . Okay, philosophy's fine! Now that that's done, I'm leaving for a ride. No cell phone, though. Sure hope I haven't jinxed myself!   Sierracanon 4/23/09 02:01:54 PM Elder Abuse   I belong to a cycling club, and most of the "elders" in that group can ride circles around most younger riders (including myself). One member racked up 16,000+ miles on club rides last year. Sometimes I have to work pretty hard to keep up with this group of retirees!!   Kirk Newell, Kirk' Bike Shop, Inc. 4/23/09 02:24:40 PM Cycling Safety   This is a pretty lame excuse for not carrying on phone on your rides. Not carrying a cell phone is both unsafe and irresponsible. Get with the times. If you don't have enough restraint not to use it when you don't need it, then you need to improve your self-diciplinary skills.   Bike boy 4/23/09 02:33:05 PM Maximum Heart Rate   I'd love to understand better the theory of Max. HR. I am 60 and do one hour Cyclo-X races with a HR of well over 160, sometimes 190. I've done competitive sports all my adult life. My resting HR is 50-55. My VO2 Max is 45 ml/kg. I've done a stress ECG administered by a cardiac specialist for 15 min with a Max HR of 180. I've coached elite rowers (I rowed at a national level for almost 40 years), who Max. HR was 220-230 doing hill climbs. As a personal trainer I use Max. HR, based on resting HR, and find that it works except for elite athletes. I'd like to have something for those 'outliers' - any suggestions.   Fred Matheny 4/23/09 03:50:24 PM heart rate   On the bike, a power meter is the most accurate way to determine how much work you're actually doing. If a rider doesn't have a power meter, heart rate works okay as long as he or she (or the coach) knows their individual heart rate reactions to different stress levels. As I pointed out in the newsletter article, heart rate is highly individual.   Bob W 4/23/09 02:37:16 PM Another reason for cell phones   The safety angle is well covered from the other comments. Another is to coordinate with others who are hooking up in different places along a long ride. What do you do if you have a flat or get to the appointed place and no one's there? I guess you could all drive to the same start, but that defeats a reason for the ride, no? Keep the cell phone for safety and coordination. Work on the mental toughness coupled with good sense about when you need help.   Doug "Tig" Ford 4/23/09 02:42:30 PM Smell Phones: Own vs Use   Most people now have cell phones. Many of us choose not to bring them along during a ride, simply because there is a need to leave behind the trappings of our otherwise busy, stay-connected lives. We've managed to ride safely without cell phones for decades. Now, every time I've witnessed a bike accident, several drivers stop to aid, and will gladly call 911 for assistance if needed. It might be time to learn to live without our security blankets, and leave the fear at home for a few hours each week.   ROB TEMPLIN 4/23/09 02:45:13 PM Scott's piece ...   As usual, Scott is spot on with his column - and funny! Hanging out in So. Cal. (where many of the 'old men' hold their own with the younger crowd), I can fully appreciate Scott's perspective - I think I'll head down to the local police department to file my own report of elder abuse by my two wheel 'tormentors'. Cheers, Rob Templin   Scot 4/23/09 03:05:29 PM cell phone   I have to agree with what most others are saying. I carry a cell phone for emergency purposes. Whether it's for my emergency or others. I don't want to call my wife to come get me, I will save that for a true emergency. It's like the boy that cried wolf. But I've also never considered calling her to come get me and I doubt she would unless it was a true emergency. :) Your friend must have a good wife.   Ted 4/23/09 04:33:21 PM WEEKLY DISPATCH: not carrying a cell phone   I loved your piece about not carrying a cell phone. I've been riding for over 30 years now and have never carried a cell phone. I've only had 2 really bad accidents which left me unable to ride back, one was a broken hip and the other was a broken collar bone and in both cases I had motorists stop and help me out. People frequently ask me if I carry a phone and I say no and they're amazed. How do they think I got by the last 3 decades without one? I've learned from just doing local rides as well as longer tours that you can frequently depend on total strangers to help you out.   Dr. Mark 4/23/09 04:43:31 PM cell phones on rides   I used to get kidded about carrying my cell phone with me on rides until one day when my group came upon a cyclist who had crashed, dislocated her elbow and had a possible (later confirmed) wrist fracture. Having emergency training, I was able to assist in stabilizing her. Having the phone, we were able to arrange emergency transport. You don't have to use the phone just because you have it but just like a spare tube or a helmet, there are times when you'll be glad you have it.   Mark 4/23/09 05:02:51 PM Cell Phone Use   I enjoyed your dispatch about cell phones. I've used it to call for my support vehicle (my wife, of course) exactly once, after my third spoke broke as I began a 14% climb. I hadn't yet learned from your newsletter that Clydesdales like me shouldn't be on 16 spoke wheels. It would have been a long walk home without my phone, and I regard it as a safely tool, not a way to escape an unpleasant ride. Instead, I use another method to keep riding motivation. As I said at mile 130 of the Davis Double Century - "I told too many people I was going to do this to quit now". I won't even do a neighborhood warm up without my phone in my pocket. If I crash like you did, I don't want to depend on someone else's phone to get help.   Seth Shaw 4/23/09 05:22:24 PM Curious   Ed: I'm curious why you haven't gotten over the ride you had to abandon. Accepting your limits and planning for emergencies (how about a thunderstorm?) are far more compelling than opting never to carry (let alone own) a cell phone for fear of failing too easily. You're an incredibly tough and accomplished rider, but, at 62 (63?)it's time to shed this machismo.   Peter H 4/23/09 05:50:31 PM Keeping my cell phone handy   Dear Ed, I have to disagree on the cell phone issue. I would not go on a long ride without mine. Being a purist about the independence of the ride is not a good enough reason to lie in the ditch on a country road with a broken leg or a bleeding laceration after getting hit by a pickup truck, or to become hypothermic after an unfixable equipment problem in 35 degree weather, or a variety of other low-probability but high-damage events. I haven't had to use my cell phone on a ride yet, but I never go out without it. You keep writing 'em and I'll keep reading 'em! All the best, Peter Hollenbeck   Steve L 4/23/09 05:58:34 PM Cell phones??   Sometimes the phone call actually is the end of the ride. I take off in one direction and go for distance, then call home for a ride back. It is more fun seeing new places, rather than making a circular route that starts and ends at my door. Try it.   Bill from Russellville 4/23/09 06:28:13 PM Tech   "This report is pretty long and we don't want to overwhelm the newsletter with it. So if you're interested in products coming on the road market for 2010, please click to the rest of the story on the website." Which "the website"?   Ed Pavelka, RBR editor/publisher 4/23/09 08:15:04 PM Newsletter location   The current newsletter is always on the RoadBikeRider.com home page. That's where you'll find the remainder of Jim's new products report this week. Archived newsletters beginning in January 2009 are at www.roadbikerider.com/newsarchive.htm  Issues earlier than No. 375 (everything earlier than January 2009) are archived on the RBR Premium Site. Info about membership is at www.roadbikerider.com/inside.htm   System6 4/23/09 07:07:35 PM Max HR   If you have a cycling computer with HR monitor, you'll find your max HR soon enough. Mine has pegged at 186 +/-1 over many rides including all-out efforts in races, and it has hit this level numerous times but won't go higher. By the 220-age calc, I'd only be in the low 170s, so the rule is crude and I probably get some benefit from riding hard on a regular basis. As your article points out, though, max HR is, as a practical matter, of little value. When I see the Garmin registering in the mid 180s, it's only confirming what I already know: I'm not going to be doing this much longer. More important is the sustainable HR. I know that I can keep an average of around 170 for up to 90 minutes. If I need to ride longer than that, I've got to lower the average or I'm likely to pop. Conversely, if the average HR is running below 165, I'm probably loafing a bit.   nctam 4/23/09 07:21:28 PM Cell Phones   I'm with the "carrying" camp. I ride in a rural area. Weekday mornings I may see an average of one car an hour and will periodically complete a 3 hour ride seeing only one car. Carrying the phone is a no brainer. Plus my hubby greatly appreciates a call at my half-way point. I have a friend who once discouraged unwanted attention from a truck full of boys by whipping out her phone and pretending to make a call (unfortunately she was in one of our many dead spots, fortunately truck boys didn't seem to be aware of that fact!) -- I have a feeling you guys don't usually worry about such unwanted attention.   Eric W. Snider 4/23/09 08:18:25 PM cell phone cycling   I've had a cell phone less than two years. I've only used it once while cycling. That was when I was "just" commuting, a 5-8 mile ride depending on which route I take. My chain broke 3 miles from home. I could have walked an hour. The phone let me walk only 15 minutes and get a ride the rest of the way. I like the security of the phone in case of emergency. Tired legs, sore butt, strong head wind (so far) has not been an emergency.   Steve 4/23/09 10:03:47 PM Cell Phone   I carry a cell phone. I resisted carrying an electronic umbilical but my wife is one of those worst-case-scenario types and if I am late getting back from a ride because I stopped to rest or look at scenery, she would assume that I was lying in a ditch somewhere bleeding slowly to death. I finally relented and started carrying. Six weeks ago I hit a dog and crashed hard breaking my pelvis. My wife was at work and I didn't want to bother her. So I called a buddy and he came and picked me up and brought me home-the only time I've ever had someone pick me up from a ride. When she got home from work four hours later I caught hell. Shoulda called her, shoulda gone directly to the hospital, etc. Bottom line: After a week in the hospital, 6 hours in the OR getting some custom titanium and 6 weeks of rehab, I'm doing well in my wheel chair. I've got another six weeks of rehab before I can ride again. Moral: it's not whether you carry a phone or not, it's what you do with it.   Peter W. Polack 4/23/09 10:13:32 PM Riding Without a Cellphone   Amen, Ed! Having a cellphone reminds me of that cartoon from the Bullwinkle and Rocky show, Tooter Turtle. WhenTooter would get in a jam, which was basically the plot of every episode, he'd cry out to the wizard to bail him out. The wizard would chant, "Drizzle Drazzle Drozzle Drome, time for this one to come home." and bring Tooter back to safety. So if you call for a ride whenever the going gets tough, you don't seem to ever learn anything but to use your cellphone. And you don't have much in the way of post ride stories to tell if they all end in, " and I called for a ride".   Westly . Australia 4/23/09 10:35:22 PM Cell or not to quit   What a smart move not finishing that 24h ride Ed. You were obviously dehydrated and close to all out of energy, with a stubborn mind to continue you may have ended up with a broken hip a few years before you unfortunately and sadly did. A quitter instead of a finisher ?, no that is in your own mind I don't think so. winclox@optusnet.com.au Making the right choice, cell phone in the pocket or not, could save you and others a lot of unnecessary work and anguish. Listen to the body and ride another day.   Lee 4/24/09 12:11:19 AM Ed's note   I think you are being selfish i have seen a phone save to many riders to not carry one ,it not all about you. I've also see bushfires called in ,there to many reasons not to carry one.   Marty 4/24/09 12:54:27 AM Cell Phones   I do own a cell phone. I resisted getting one for many years even sharing some of the feelings you have expressed. And yes, I have used it to shorten a ride. My schedule often requires that I squeeze rides between commitments. Every once in a while I have underestimated my road time or had mechanical problems have prevented me from completing the ride in a timely manner. Its nice to have a way to call someone to let them know I will be late, or call to get a ride when being late isn't a good option. My wife also appreciates knowing I will be missing dinner because I decided to stretch my ride on a particularly good afternoon. Cell phones are not "all" bad.   Michael 4/24/09 06:06:02 AM Mobile phone   You don't carry one? I wouldn't ride with you, or want you in my group.   Walt 4/24/09 06:18:06 AM Ed's Cell Phoneless Rides   Ed, Loved your story. This sight needs more like it. Walt   Walt 4/24/09 06:25:36 AM Cell Phones   Was in the bike shop business for a number of years and one day a customer walks in and his face and arms are all scabbed up bruised. What happened? Talking on the cell phone. Worst part of the long story as he told it was that the caller was his mother-in-law.   Frank Mlinar 4/24/09 07:52:03 AM Scott's Spin - Old Story   I use the time-honored technique, Avoidance, for elder abuse. My problem is younger abuse when I time trial in my age group. I'm the youngest and I usually finish third....of three!   Tim 4/24/09 08:34:35 AM Cell phones   Ed, I found your commentary on cell phones and riding a bit over the top, holier-than-thou. Who cares if you call home and finish a ride early because you are tired, sore, injured, cold, wet, etc...? I thought the point was to get out and ride and have a good time, not try and out "macho" someone because you can't call for a support wagon and are thus committed. Cell phones provide an important safety factor as well in case of injury, accident, or mishap to you or anyone you are riding with.   Grant 4/24/09 09:17:40 AM Tyler Hamilton   Sad about Tyler's latest scrape with doping. Seems to me he really wanted to get caught as he apparently tried a supplement (containing a steroid) for severe depression. He may be depressed but if he really wanted to resolve it an over the counter supplement is likely not as effective as one of the newer anti-depressants. So, Tyler, why didn't you go see your doctor and look at ways to resolve your depression. Sad end to a decent career.   JerryNearSTL 4/24/09 09:41:40 AM Maximum heart rate   At the tender age of 46 I self-tested my max heart rate by challenging my Cat 2 daughter to a race up a very steep, long hill. In a nutshell, the doctor said that little pain was caused by a heart attack. 90% blockage of an artery. Be careful out there.   Eric 4/24/09 10:24:47 AM Ed's friedn   Ed, please write another article about climbing faster or losing weight or how not to get dropped on that fast club ride. Your only friend has a cell phone and you dont, deal with it.   Rob L. 4/24/09 11:27:45 AM Riding with a Cell Phone   I have a strong feeling that you know you are going to hear about it on this issue :-) So I'll pile on! I think you are off the mark on this. I carry a cell phone and have only used it once, when I flatted and found that my hand pump was broken. Carrying the phone in case of emergency (mine or someone else's) is a good practice to get into, just like wearing the ID necklace with my emergency info. As to not finishing your 12 hour TT, judging from your description of your physical state, I think you made the right call (even if that's not what you wanted to do, at the time and in hindsite).   Chuck Graziano 4/24/09 11:40:26 AM Weekly Dispatch   Great topic, Ed, and so true. Last year when my wife wanted to spend a fall weekend on Long Beach Island, NJ, I decided I'd meet her and the kids there and ride down, a ride of 154.3 miles. My route took me inland and nowhere near where she'd be driving. And there was no way I'd be able to direct her to where I was! About 50 miles into the ride, it started to rain and it rained steady for the entire ride. Not only could I not call for a pick up, but I found (from changing a flat) that if I stopped, I'd get a chill, so I had to ride continuously and work hard enough to generate the heat that I needed to stay comfortable. The result of all this: an EPIC ride that I'll always tell stories about, and a great workout since it didn't include snack/rest stops along the way (just a couple of very quick stops to reload my Camelback with Carbo Pro and Infinit from the concentrate that I carried in water bottles.   Larry 4/24/09 12:18:47 PM Who is this newsletter aimed at?   (I can't reply to an existing comment, the button doesn't work.) Tim writes: "Who cares if you call home and finish a ride early because you are tired, sore, injured, cold, wet, etc...?" Exactly. Who cares? I thought the purpose of this newsletter was to educate recreational riders. That means being safe and enjoying cycling. Not bragging about suffering and taking unnecessary risks. For that matter, I find the coverage of "professional" cycling in this newsletter to be pointless. I'm a recreational rider. I couldn't care less about pro bicycling, and I suspect most recreational riders do not either.   Rod 4/24/09 12:25:33 PM weekly dispatch   I carry a cell phone on every ride. This is in case of a real emergency: a crash, unrepairable breakdown or to keep in touch with an inadvertently dropped rider. If I called my wife to come pick me up because I didn't want to finish a ride, she'd tell me where to go. After all, I got myself there, I should get myself out of there. I guess that fellow has a more sympathetic wife!   Easy John 4/24/09 12:28:33 PM cell phone rescue   Say what you want about a cell phone adding an out. But I needed mine when I broke my ankle on a ride.   RfQ Oz 4/24/09 06:24:34 PM Ed's no cell phone reasoning   If you don't have the will power to continue a ride because you have a cell phone, then you better avoid any routes with payphones alongside. Perhaps a cellphone may have helped your 'rescue' with the broken hip should you have been on a less travelled route. It's ridiculous to assert cell phones breed excuses. Weak minds breed excuses.   Andy S 4/24/09 09:47:22 PM Weekly Dispatch   Ed, I think you've got it wrong for most of us who carry a c-phone, especially for those who ride solo distance rides on seldom traveled routes. I don't call or answer during rides even when stopped, and my wife knows not to call unless someone is dying or bleeding profusely. People who want to quit a ride and get an early pick-up have been around alot longer than c-phones. But in the 5+ years with a phone in the group or solo, I can give you 50 or more incidents where a phone brought quicker medical assistance to bike/car crash victims or just a rider down. Even if I use it just once a year to save a life or get someone help, it's worth it. I make my daughter carry one on solo rides(in Colorado moutain passes)because I know if she has a mechanical or other trouble she can get a help and not have to spend the night on the mountain. She's never called, and I've never quit on a ride other than a couple of bike/spoke failures in 35+ years. It's not a technology issue, it's just smart.   Alexbdad 4/25/09 09:41:05 AM Scott's Spin   Very funny, LOL   GT 4/26/09 02:49:25 AM phones   I do carry a phone. Recently it was my wife needing me home because she was ill. I've called Rangers/Police for emergencies & non-emergencies. I stop to use it, so I don't endanger riders around me.   Ankh 4/26/09 05:51:47 AM Job security   I don't deny that under many circumstances, if you have no other option, you can accomplish what you think you couldn't.......or don't want to. However, as a trauma nurse, stupid people are a constant source of bemusement to me, not to mention job security. Lucky for you that driver happened along. And another lap on that fateful ride, and you might have died of heat stroke instead of waking up sore, dry and regretful in your motel room. Ed, you seem otherwise so sensible.   Kate 4/26/09 11:34:39 AM WEEKLY DISPATCH-Cell Phones   Yes, a cell phone makes it easier to want to call for help when the ride gets tough. This is only my 2nd season. I'm old, overweight, out of shape, and haven't a clue about repairs on the road so I carry my cell, just in case. Friday's winds in Elkhorn had me dying to call for a ride as I pedaled frantically to keep the headwind from pushing me backwards. But I didn't, not even when 2 riders going the other direction called out, "It's great going this way!" I was totally wiped out by the time I managed the mere 7 miles home. My legs were rubber, my face was red, and I was gasping for breath...but I made it and felt great about not giving up. My cell phone stayed buried under all my work stuff in my carrier. Every day when I can beat the temptation to call for help - and finish my ride - is a really good day. On the other hand, support for my bike commuting is minimal & those who vocally worry about my doing it are reassured that I do have my cell w/me.   Matt Hoppe 4/27/09 01:56:04 PM Cell Phone   Riding without a cell phone (alone or with someone) for long miles on roads away from traffic (where bicyclists tend to try and get) is just asking for trouble. If all goes terribly wrong and you crash or veer of course or are forced to encounter any of the hundreds of other terrible circumstances bicyclists risk without an immediate way to call for help then you're just asking for trouble. Get a phone - even if it is an emergency only one (every company has a version of this). Embrace technology and don't be such a curmudgeon about it - you don't have to answer it if someone calls.   Nick Skaggs 4/27/09 05:03:29 PM Me too!   I agree with what you've said, and no longer feel so alone! Lets stay Luddites, my friend.   mike 4/27/09 11:21:39 PM never call for a bailout ride   I can't believe a person that rides this much wimps out and calls for a ride when he is tired or when confitions get tough. It actually makes me sick. You never bail on a ride! I have broken my arm twice, and in both cases still finished the ride. I still have problems believing a seasone cyclist would actually call for a bailout ride, or at least admit to it. Holy crap batman is this an indication of something deeper in the way people are living their lives these days......   Minneapolis 4/28/09 04:18:40 PM Cell phones   I agree with others who have posted that a cell phone is a safety issue. I almost never use mine, and don't even have it turned on most of the time, but when I crashed and broke my kneecap last summer, I was able to call my husband immediately and have him come and take me to urgent care. Sure, I could have relied on some stranger to call for me, but it was a remote road and who knows how long I would have been lying there bleeding.   KittySlayer 4/29/09 10:35:53 AM Cell No!   While I occassionally will carry a cell phone with me it is way down on the list of things I stuff in my pocket. Many of the reasons people list are simply not needed. Emergency at home - family should call 911 Tired, rain, snow, etc. - HTFU Worry wart wife - HTFU Mechanical - learn maintenance and do it before the ride Safety from bad people - carry a gun Accident - typically plenty of farmhouses, autos around in my area, just ask for help. I can't imagine calling my wife to pick me up because I was tired. First off she would just laugh and tell me to HTFU. Although typically if I told her I was tired I would be drafting her wheel and she would just pick up the pace a touch to make me really suffer. Amazing we all survived without cell phones as children - even riding on the arm rest in the front seat of the car so we could see over the top of the metal dash. If you need the security blanket of a cell phone fine but don't admonish those that choose to say CELL NO!   Back to top of Comments Back to top of newsletter Newsletter archive Subscribe for free delivery by e-mail