Whats the point of even calling yourself an indoor cycling time trial specialist if youre not going to adhere to some basic best practices. Im constantly seeing people show up to these events with zero preparation and expecting to just wing it, and its infuriating.
Do you think its acceptable to just hop on the ergometer with whatever bike shorts you happen to be wearing, without even checking if your cleats are properly secured, and then proceed to ride with a cadence thats all over the map. And dont even get me started on those who insist on wearing earbuds and listening to music while they ride, as if the sound of their own breathing and the whir of the flywheel isnt distraction enough.
Whats the minimum level of preparation and attention to detail that you think is required to even be taken seriously as an indoor time trial rider. Is it too much to ask that you at least warm up properly beforehand, and make sure your bike is properly fitted and adjusted to your body. And what about the actual ride itself - do you think its possible to achieve a truly competitive time without a solid pacing strategy and regular monitoring of your power output.
And while were on the subject, whats the deal with all these pseudo-scientific training plans and expert advice thats always being peddled online. Are they actually worth anything, or are they just a bunch of nonsense designed to separate gullible riders from their hard-earned cash. Can anyone actually point to some real, peer-reviewed research that backs up the claims made by these self-proclaimed indoor cycling gurus.
Id love to hear from some actual experts in the field, rather than just a bunch of armchair quarterbacks and wannabe coaches who think they know it all just because theyve read a few articles online. What are some real best practices for indoor cycling time trials, and how can we separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to training advice and equipment recommendations.