ideas crystalize while at LT

The Velotron is installed but not up and running yet: however, while hitting UNDER OVERS (LT intervals) in the basement this week (at 5.40 am), my mental wheels are spinning, thinking of ways to combine a dissertation, with my own interests in cycling.. I am developing a kernel of an idea for the D.Sc research project that I can carry out at work with my patient population, perfecting the frankensteining before I test our local athletes.. Observation#1: there is little normative data regarding right/ left lower extremity differences in power output / spin scan using Velotron or Computrainer Observation #2: there is no normative data in the scientific literature searched so far, regarding the same data in injured cyclists or injured athletes (some information re: Biodex isokinetic testing: not functional testing using real-world equipment, especially bikes) Observation #3: such data could be helpful in determining a) normative right-left differences in an uninjured population: b) sub-clinical diferences, potential problems: c) observation and analysis of a recuperating athlete post-surgery or post-injury: d) developing rehabilitation guidelines for cyclists or injured athletes using Velotron / Computrainer in conjunction with physiotherapy protocols: e) testing the effect of an intervention strategy (weight training, plyometric training, cycling specific training etc) on a normal and /or injured population.. oh the wheels are spinning indeed.. the first session of school is postponed until Feb 2009, so I have time to dwell on this a little.. oh yea, and to figure out the Velotron! 7 days to departure for China.. Tour of Chongming here we come.. and warm up that sake for me would ye?..

SSWC 2007: one god, one gear (38x16)

Still bummed that we didn't get into 2008 california race.. despite getting up at 2:45 a.m. to do so..Never mind: beer, kilts and fat tyres in Aviemore have made for some enduring memories Check out the website for the results, youtube for the funnies.. http://www.sswc2007.com/

link from one of my patients: or "how being injured sucks.."

http://karlgrossman.blogspot.com/2007/12/empathy-experience.html

velotron

google it if you don't know what it is.. www.google.com from next week, it will become a part of my office@ MSPT in sag harbor: and will be a wonderful tool for bike-fit (road, CX, MTB, tri-geeks all welcome!), computrainer testing and training, injury assessment and re-assessment following intervetion. Admittedly there will be a steep learning curve, but following a F.I.S.T. certification in June, and a lot of homework, I expect to be able to get up and running (or cycling) to include it in my dissertation and thesis for 2009. www.RMUoHP.edu is steering me towards a D.Sc in Orthopedics and Sports Physical Therapy and I hope to be able to use the VELOTRON for the benefit of cyclists, patients and therapists alike..comments and research ideas are welcome..

belly full of porridge, 4 weeks to china

Loading Mc Cann's steel cut porridge in after 3 hours riding the south fork of Long Island in the wind, musing upon riding solo as the lone ranger along the shore this morning: I spent 60 miles imagining how in the name of god I will manage to do this ride at an intensity that will leave my tongue hanging by my chin, and my quads jiggling like jelly with fatigue: At least I am mentally training for my upcoming 5-day stage race in Chongming Island, off the coast of Shanghai.. I still am not quite sure how I got talked into this race: Lucretia, my old team mate from EAS / Aquafina / Lipton caught me at a weak moment, home with 103 degree temperature, foaming snot and rasping lungs.. she must have thought I was in training, instead of in bed.. 4 weeks later, I have a few long mountain bike rides under my belt, or bum, as it were, and a moderately intense crash course in training courtesy of my good friend and trainer Jen. (http://www.jayasports.com/) I am working on the foaming thing, this time on the bike, mostly in the basement as work days are currently longer than daylight allows, while squishing in a ride or 2 each week to work, though the woods in the early light.. I wish the race was on cyclocross or MTB single speed bikes, I feel so dialed into the RIG right now.. Ah well: I have intermittent daydreams of holding my own as a part of the Kraft Genie / Champion systems team, but mostly, I dream about tucking in behind some big meaty australian chick and hanging on for dear life.. 4 hours tomorrow: I will definitely be taking that one into the woods, with Dennis for good company and whatever other loonies want to wear out their shorts in the early spring, Easter Sunday morning: www.noaa.gov is calling for 45 degrees and should be beautifully sunny, sandy spots are hard packed still, single track is tight, rolling and challenging on the RIG and the beech groves out by the dunes in Amagansett are calling. Should be going to mass: ah well, this is my kinda mass..More porridge in the pot..