We all want to be faster. In order to go faster, you have four choices – increase power; reduce your weight, therefore improving your watts per kilogram; improve positioning and aerodynamics on the bike; or buy fast, and usually expensive, equipment.
Anyone already training with a well-designed training plan is investing in the power increase, which hopefully will coincide with a reduction in body mass, so what’s next? Aerodynamics!
In the past decade, top bike, wheel, component, clothing and helmet manufacturers have been investing heavily into research and development of their products, and the wind tunnel is where they optimize these products for speed, or, more technically speaking, a reduction in drag. Non-disclosure agreements abound, meaning technicians of wind tunnels across the world are privy to lots of cool secret information!
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It really is free speed. Last week, Ben Day of DaybyDay Coaching observed an already fast athlete save a further 16 watts by the end of the session in the tunnel. This may not sound like a lot, but think how hard and how long you have to train, or just how much you have to spend on equipment in order to gain 16 watts at your lactate threshold.
The FASTER Performance Center, a boutique bike shop/recovery center/wind tunnel combo, located in Arizona, relies upon Aaron Ross as the director of technology and biomechanics (he’s a bike fitting and wind tunnel technician guru). Combining his knowledge with 'shred' after shred of wind tunnel runs has given Ross the experience to understand how the invisible wind reacts to different shapes. What can we learn from his knowledge? Day takes you inside.
Don't forget to check out more of our Training Day by Day features.
You can read more at BikeRadar.com
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