Yesterday saw Bike Science – Planet X team riders Lisa Greenfield and Paul Horsfall perform our first ever metabolic profiling sessions at Bike Science Bristol. Jon Riley of TrueZone testing visited to show us the “New Leaf ” metabolic profiling system in action and give our team riders the opportunity to gain valuable information on which to base their early winter training.
The testing procedure is non-invasive (no blood samples are taken) and works by comparing the levels of carbon dioxide in the air with the levels exhaled by the rider as they perform at a known level of output. The test involves a sub maximal ramp test (there’s no falling off the bike knackered or throwing up in a bucket unless you REALLY want to go that hard). During the test, the rider is asked to pedal at a steady power output (Powertap power meters are used to ensure accurate power measurement). At regular intervals the intensity is increased as the rider’s exhaled air is sampled. The New Leaf system then records and determines the following…
1. Power Output
2. Heart Rate
3. Number of calories burnt per minute at each intensity
4. Percentage of calories obtained from carbohydrate metabolism at each intensity
5. Percentage of calories obtained from fat metabolism at each intensity
This information is absolutely key to any athlete intending on competing in any aerobic sport.
Training intensity and calorific requirements can be accurately calculated allowing the athlete or coach to perfectly tailor their training to suit their fitness levels and goals.
Treat yourself to your best season ever in 2012 by starting your winter training with ACCURATE information.
Bike Science are offering metabolic profiling testing in Bristol on Saturday the 26th of November – open to ALL LEVELS of rider at any level of fitness.
“This is more than just a race report to cover my Kona experience. With regard to the actual physical
challenge the swim was hard as I was in a large pack and we were all swimming at the same pace
so there was lots of jostling around in the choppy water. The bike went well it and for the most
part I felt strong and biked well within my capability. It was of course very hot, breezy along the
cost and very windy turning off the coast up the turnaround. At Hawi I served a four 4 minute
penalty for drafting (on a climb!!) along with 20 other cyclists, there were big groups on the course
so drafting on the hills was a problem. My vision started to go at mile 80 and I had developed a
blinding headache and a ferocious thirst, I attempted to take on board more fluids from this point on
but my stomach was cramping. I made it into transition and headed out on the run but I knew I was
in trouble. My vision was very poor and my legs and feet were cramping badly. I made it to mile 4
before I was overcome. Fortunately the Doctor who had been looking after Julie Dibbens was close
by and I was shipped off to Medical to fro the treatment of the hypoglycaemia.
However if the truth be told the reason why I DNF’d at the biggest event of my life was down to
arrogance, this was the first race I had started really believing I had a chance to do well. Ordinarily
I make the start line hoping I make it round but with my performance in Lanzarote and a summer
of hard and focused training I had an over inflated feeling of self belief. This led me to make bad
decisions I didn’t monitor my fluid intake on the bike, I didn’t eat anywhere near enough. I didn’t
acclimatise properly, I underestimated the affect the humidity would have and I didn’t hydrate
well or fully prepare the days preceding the race.I had begun to believe my own hype and it is this
that makes it hard for me to climb on that plane home tomorrow and face my friends and family
who have provided the most amazing level of support I have ever experienced. I feel like I have let
them all down and if I had been more humble then I would be greeting them with a result to be
proud of rather than limping back with excuses!!!So the most important lesson I will take from this
experience is that I remain an (almost middle aged) woman from Tetbury who swims, bikes and runs
a lot because it makes me smile and feel alive. I will come back from this stronger, more focused
and with a renewed understanding of what it takes for me to achieve my goals, and who knows I
may find myself back on these shores again……..
This is more than just a race report to cover my Kona experience. With regard to the actual physicalchallenge the swim was hard as I was in a large pack and we were all swimming at the same paceso there was lots of jostling around in the choppy water. The bike went well it and for the mostpart I felt strong and biked well within my capability. It was of course very hot, breezy along thecost and very windy turning off the coast up the turnaround. At Hawi I served a four 4 minutepenalty for drafting (on a climb!!) along with 20 other cyclists, there were big groups on the courseso drafting on the hills was a problem. My vision started to go at mile 80 and I had developed ablinding headache and a ferocious thirst, I attempted to take on board more fluids from this point onbut my stomach was cramping. I made it into transition and headed out on the run but I knew I wasin trouble. My vision was very poor and my legs and feet were cramping badly. I made it to mile 4before I was overcome. Fortunately the Doctor who had been looking after Julie Dibbens was closeby and I was shipped off to Medical to fro the treatment of the hypoglycaemia.
However if the truth be told the reason why I DNF’d at the biggest event of my life was down toarrogance, this was the first race I had started really believing I had a chance to do well. OrdinarilyI make the start line hoping I make it round but with my performance in Lanzarote and a summerof hard and focused training I had an over inflated feeling of self belief. This led me to make baddecisions I didn’t monitor my fluid intake on the bike, I didn’t eat anywhere near enough. I didn’tacclimatise properly, I underestimated the affect the humidity would have and I didn’t hydratewell or fully prepare the days preceding the race.I had begun to believe my own hype and it is thisthat makes it hard for me to climb on that plane home tomorrow and face my friends and familywho have provided the most amazing level of support I have ever experienced. I feel like I have letthem all down and if I had been more humble then I would be greeting them with a result to beproud of rather than limping back with excuses!!!So the most important lesson I will take from thisexperience is that I remain an (almost middle aged) woman from Tetbury who swims, bikes and runsa lot because it makes me smile and feel alive. I will come back from this stronger, more focusedand with a renewed understanding of what it takes for me to achieve my goals, and who knows Imay find myself back on these shores again……..”
A fresh batch of demo bikes from Planet X and On-One just landed in our Bristol showroom!
The only location in the South West where you can see, test ride and be accurately fitted for Planet X and On-One’s extensive range of bikes.
Each bike purchased from Bike Science includes a FREE 45 minute pre-purchase sizing session and a FREE set up on the bike upon collection (or half price Retul fit on collection). Our appointment only service guarantees you’ll get the advice you need AND THERE’S NO CHARGE.
Just arrived! A limited stock of Powertap Pro+ complete wheel systems including Joule 2.0 computer and coded heart rate strap. All you need to start training with power. Start you preparation for the 2012 season with the most accurate power training information available.
JUST 6 systems available at this price – £749 – RRP £1080
We all know that winter miles = summer smiles, but how can you as a rider get the very best out of your valuable winter training time?
Metabolic profiling is an ideal tool for determining where to target your training for the best possible gains. Start your winter training the best way possible
We’re please to announce our first metabolic profile testing date at Bike Science Bristol – Saturday the 26th of November.
With a simple VO2 Metabolic assessment you can cut out the guess work and make sure you are getting the most out of every session.
You will find out how many calories you are burning at a range of intensities and what percentage is fat or carbs (essential information for any endurance rider or triathlete). You’ll discover where your aerobic and anaerobic thresholds are and how they determine the zones you need to train in to get the best results.
We’d recommend using one of these sessions to set your training zones early in the winter, then re-testing as the season approaches to assess improvements made.
Team Bike Science Planet X rider Lisa Greenfield jets off for Hawaii today for her first crack at “The Big One” – The Hawaii Ironman world champs. The course should suit Lisa’s biking power. With an age group win at the Lanzarote Ironman behind her already this season, we’re excited to see how her first race in Hawaii goes. Follow Lisa’s progress on our facebook page throughout the week. Go Lisa!!
“Well there is just over a week to go before the big race on the big isle. I am now officially in “taper” and i’m going completely mental, managing to fill my days with work stuff but find myself dreaming in every other spare minute of what it’s going to be like bumbling along behind the awesomeness of the Wellington, Dibens and the like. Final sessions are going well and feeling really strong and positive, let’s see of that remains as the countdown continues….Any top tips from previous Kona participants would be gratefully recieved LG”