"Don't Stop Believing" Journey to Ironman

My Son Cycling Across the U.S.--Pedal for Peace 2008

R to L--Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua; Pedal for Peace Route; Son Ryan in white and friend Pete.

PEDAL FOR PEACE 2008

I wanted to share some exciting information about my son Ryan. Just today he began a cross-country bicycle adventure with his friend Pete Driscoll. They departed San Diego, and will wheel their way back to New England within the next two months. They plan on 65 days of riding. It's a completely self-supported endeavor, done on a just-graduated-from-college student budget! That means lots of open-air camping and sleeping on friend's couches when they can.

The best part of the trip is that my son took the time to build a web site--Pedal for Peace 2008--to turn the ride into a fundraiser for FINCA International and their Village Banking system of microfinance for the world's most impoverished people. The money Ryan is able to raise through Pedal for Peace 2008 will directly support microfinance loans to the very poor in Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua. Most of the loan recipients are women, and sometimes the loans are for as little as $50. $50, however, can help buy additional chickens so the women can see the eggs, or perhaps buy shoe repair equipment to launch a small business. These loans often make the difference between families eating or not.

Ryan spent six months in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. (Haiti is the poorest.) He attended university in Managua, then moved with FINCA field workers to live in Nueva Guinea for several months to help establish village banks in this remote region. He saw directly the positive impact microfinance has on the very poor, particularly women. He plans to go back to Nicaragua for three months when he returns from the ride.

I'm very proud of my fine son, and hope you will check out Pedal for Peace 2008 and donate if you are so moved. The site is up in partnership with FINCA, and the donation link goes directly to that organization--no middle man. And since 98%+ of the loans are repaid, it is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Be assured the money raised goes to help those who live as the poorest of the poor through no fault of their own.

  I'll be posting updates as they come in. Here's the first! Pete and Ryan dip the bike wheels in the Pacific Ocean. They will end their ride when they are able to dip the wheels in the Atlantic when home again in New England!

Riding My New Rocket--I Mean My Kuota K Factor

Here's a picture of my new baby just to remind everyone of just what a beauty she is! That said, this flippin' bike is a rocket!!! I have never ridden anything so fast in all my life.

My training has been going really well, especially on the bike. The Endurance Nation (EN) bike protocol is very challenging, but I can see it working in several ways. My overall speed for this time of year for a three hour ride is up 1.5 mph. That's usually where I am mid-season. Riding with a power meter also challenges me in ways I never thought imaginable. During threshold intervals, I'm actually pushing 22-24 mph on the flats? Are you kidding me? I'd maybe do that in a pace line in years past, eventually being spit off the back. :)

The EN bike training has me riding back-to-back workouts with three hours on Saturday and two hours on Sunday. Lest you think I'm just out there taking in the scenery, here's what we do.

Saturday--3 Hour Ride
Warm Up: 30' Easy
Main Set:
2 x 30' (5' EZ) @ 90% of functional threshold (FT)
10' z1
1 x 20' (4') @ FT.
Remainder @ 80-85% of functional threshold

Sunday--2 Hour Ride
Warm Up: 20' Easy
Main Set:
30' @ 90% of functional threshold (FT)
10' z1
1 x 20' (4') @ FT
Remainder @ 80-85% of functional threshold

OR

Warm Up: 20 Easy
Main Set:
1 x 30' (10') @ 90% of functional threshold (FT)
10' z1
3 x 6' @ FT, 3' z1
3' @ 105% of FT, 4' z1 (Hold on to your hat for these!)
Remainder @ 80-85%

The rides are followed by a 30-minute run. Let me tell you, this kind of riding gets you in shape quick. With the power meter, I know my EXACT watts, and pace myself accordingly. It's like riding in three dimensions. You have to learn to pace it right on the varying terrain, and keep the effort up to make your goal watts. It's a challenge, but I can feel my rides getting stronger every month.

Can't wait for the weekend already! Wheeeee!!!!! 

Bike Fit Series--Final Post--Nolan Watts Recaps His Experience at ATA Cycle

In the final post of this series, we hear from our volunteer Nolan Watts, as he recaps his experience at ATA Cycle. I’d like to sincerely thank Nolan for his time, allowing us to film, and helping us all learn what an expert bike fitting is like. Nolan is churning up the roads in the Boston area on a beautiful Look 496. We wish him many safe, fast and happy miles.

Hope this series was informative and enjoyable! I know I had a great time doing it, and did I ever learn a lot!

Previous Posts
Series Introduction; The Laser Jig, and the Argon Fit Bike
Introduction to the Retul Fit System
Using the Retul Fit System In Time Trial Bike Fitting
Dartfish Video and Choosing A Bike Frame
Husam Sahin of ATA Cycle Riffs on Bike Fitting in the U.S.

ATA Cycle
Husam Sahin, Owner and Master Fitter
93 Thoreau St., Concord, MA  978-369-5960
1173 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  617-354-0907

Husam Sahin is known across the country as the go-to fitter for cyclists serious about getting the proper bike, whether they be recreational riders or Olympic athletes. In fact, Husam recently fit USA Olympic triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker who will compete in Beijing this summer, as well as his wife, Canadian champion Alicia Kaye. Customers fly to the ATA Fit Lab from all over country to work with Husam. He uses the cutting-edge technologies including the Retul Fit System and Dartfish videos.

 

 

 

Bike Fit Series--Post 5--Husam Sahin of ATA Cycle Riffs on Bike Fitting in the U.S.

Welcome back to the bike fit series!

Husam Sahin, owner of ATA Cycle and master bike fitter, today discusses the challenges faced by bike fitters trying to build a profession and carve out a living here in the U.S. He makes the case for why every fitter needs to be expertly and extensively trained over time, and how the profession as a while needs to be better compensated.

Previous Posts
Series Introduction; The Laser Jig, and the Argon Fit Bike
Introduction to the Retul Fit System
Using the Retul Fit System In Time Trial Bike Fitting
Dartfish Video and Choosing A Bike Frame


Final Post Tomorrow
Customer Nolan Watts Reacts to the Fit of His New Look 496

 

ATA Cycle
Husam Sahin, Owner and Master Fitter
93 Thoreau St., Concord, MA  978-369-5960
1173 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  617-354-0907

Husam Sahin is known across the country as the go-to fitter for cyclists serious about getting the proper bike, whether they be recreational riders or Olympic athletes. In fact, Husam recently fit USA Olympic triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker who will compete in Beijing this summer, as well as his wife, Canadian champion Alicia Kaye. Customers fly to the ATA Fit Lab from all over country to work with Husam. He uses the cutting-edge technologies including the Retul Fit System and Dartfish videos.

Bike Fit Series--Post 4--Dartfish Software and Talk on Picking A Frame

Today, we’ll take a look at the Dartfish Video software that master fitter Husam Sahin uses to guide bike fit calculations. Dartfish is another amazing piece of technology that enables Huasm  to determine if cycling posture and pedaling mechanics need improvement. Dartfish reveals problems with joint motions and displays pre and post positions simultaneously using overlay functions that can fade in and out. This software can also show if changes made to the bike affect technique or dynamic fit--for example how an increase in seat height can increase ankle plantar flexion. Between Dartfish and Retul, Husam is able to provide a perfect bike fit, and more often than not solve problems his customers have endured, sometimes for years on end.

In this post Husam also comments on making a frame choice.

DARTFISH VIDEO SOFTWARE AND BIKE FRAME DISCUSSION

Previous Posts
Series Introduction; The Laser Jig, and the Argon Fit Bike.
Introduction to the Retul Fit System
Using the Retul Fit System In Time Trial Bike Fitting

Coming Up
Husam Sahin, Owner of ATA Cycle Riffs on Bike Fitting in the US
Customer Nolan Watts Reacts to the Fit of His New Look 496

ATA Cycle
Husam Sahin, Owner and Master Fitter
93 Thoreau St., Concord, MA  978-369-5960
1173 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  617-354-0907

Husam Sahin is known across the country as the go-to fitter for cyclists serious about getting the proper bike, whether they be recreational riders or Olympic athletes. In fact, Husam recently fit USA Olympic triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker who will compete in Beijing this summer, as well as his wife, Canadian champion Alicia Kaye. Customers fly to the ATA Fit Lab from all over country to work with Husam. He uses the cutting-edge technologies including the Retul Fit System and Dartfish videos.

Bike Fit Series--Post 3--Using Retul In Time Trial Bike Fitting

Welcome back to the Bike Fit Blog Series!

In this post, we'll see two videos documenting the final stages of the time trial bike fit using the Retul Fit System. We’ll watch our volunteer Nolan Watts get wired up to be analyzed. The Retul sensors on the rider's body allow master fitter Husam Sahin to make the corrections that take Nolan from his before to after position on the bike. We’ll also learn a bit more about how the Retul system works overall.

Husam also has some valuable words setting up a racer’s power position as perfectly as possible. He also talks about the relationship of power and aerodynamics.

USING RETUL IN TIME TRIAL BIKE FITTING

FINAL TIME TRIAL BIKE FIT ADJUSTMENTS

Previous Posts
Series Introduction; The Laser Jig, and the Argon Fit Bike.
Introduction to the Retul Fit System

Coming Up
Dartfish Video and How to Pick A Frame
Husam Sahin, Owner of ATA Cycle Riffs on Bike Fitting in the US
Customer Nolan Watts Reacts to the Fit of His New Look 496

ATA Cycle
Husam Sahin, Owner and Master Fitter
93 Thoreau St., Concord, MA  978-369-5960
1173 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  617-354-0907

Husam Sahin is known across the country as the go-to fitter for cyclists serious about getting the proper bike, whether they be recreational riders or Olympic athletes. In fact, Husam recently fit USA Olympic triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker who will compete in Beijing this summer, as well as his wife, Canadian champion Alicia Kaye. Customers fly to the ATA Fit Lab from all over country to work with Husam. He uses the cutting-edge technologies including the Retul Fit System and Dartfish videos.

Thank You
A huge thank you to Nolan Watts, who was kind enough to allow us to film his bike fitting. Nolan is tearing it up in the Boston area on a gorgeous Look 496. We wish him many happy, safe, and happy miles!

 

Bike Fit Series--Post 2--Retul Fit System Introduction

Welcome back to the Bike Fit Blog Series!

Today, master bike fitter and owner of ATA Cycle Husam Sahin introduces us to the cutting-edge Retul Fit System. We'll see just how sophisticated this software is, allowing Husam to examine riders in 3D. Through all the sensor points that are analyzed on our test subject, Husam discovers a serious knee tracking problem that needs correction.

I can tell you from my own experience that being fit with Retul is an amazing experience. The thoroughness of this system is second to none. Husam claims that I'm likely one of the first 10 women in the country to be fit with it! I can tell you that because of Retul, and the entire process Husam uses, my new time trial bike fits like a glove. Right out of the store, and not one thing needed tweaking or re-adjusting.

Today's Post:
Introduction to the Retul Fit System

INTRODUCTION TO THE RETUL FIT SYSTEM

Previous Posts
Series Introduction; The Laser Jig, and The Argon Fit Bike.

Coming Up This Week
* Using the Retul Fit System In A Time Trial Bike Fit
* Final Time Trial Bike Adjustments Using Retul
* Dartfish Video and How to Pick A Frame
*Husam Sahin of ATA Cycle Riffs on Bike Fitting in the U.S.
* Customer Nolan Watts Reacts to the Fit of His New Look 496

ATA Cycle
Husam Sahin, Owner and Master Fitter
93 Thoreau St., Concord, MA  978-369-5960
1173 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  617-354-0907

Husam Sahin is renowned across the country as the go-to fitter for cyclists serious about getting the proper bike, whether they be recreational riders or Olympic athletes. In fact, Husam recently fit USA Olympic triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker who will compete in Beijing this summer, as well as his wife, Canadian champion Alicia Kaye. Customers fly to the ATA Fit Lab from all over country to work with Husam. He uses the cutting-edge technologies including the Retul Fit System and Dartfish videos.

It's The Bike Fit Blog Series!

Welcome to the Bike Fit Blog Series!

For the next several days, I will be hosting a video tutorial on bike fit with master fitter Husam Sahin, owner of ATA Cycle located in Concord and Cambridge, MA. Husam is renowned across the country as the go-to fitter for cyclists serious about getting the proper bike--whether you are a recreational rider, triathlon age grouper, time trial specialist, or Olympic athlete. In fact, Husam recently fit USA Olympic triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker who will compete in Beijing this summer, as well as his wife, Canadian champion Alicia Kaye.

Customers fly to the ATA Fit Lab from all over country to work with Husam. He uses cutting-edge technologies including the Retul Fit System and Dartfish videos. We'll take a good look at both. In fact, Retul was recently selected by USA Triathlon as the fit system for it's national program.

After being fit for both my road bike and new time trial bike by Husam, my feeling is if you want the perfect bike (and I mean the perfect bike), he's your man.

Today's Post
I'll do a brief intro to the series, then we'll take a look at two pieces of fitting equipment Husam Sahin uses in his initial fit assessments:

The Laser Jig
and the
Argon 18 Fit Bike

INTRODUCTION

THE LASER JIG

THE ARGON FIT BIKE

Next Post
Retul System Intro

Upcoming Posts

Using Retul In A Time Trial Bike Fit

Final Time Trial Bike Adjustments Using Retul

Dartfish Video and How to Pick A Frame

Husam Sahin, Owner of ATA Cycle, Riffs on Bike Fitting in the U.S.

Customer Nolan Watts Reacts to His Experience at ATA Cycle

 

ATA Cycle

Husam Sahin, Owner
93 Thoreau St., Concord, MA  978-369-5960
1173 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA  617-354-0907

Here She Is! My New Kuota K Factor SL

Here she is! My brand new Kuota K Factor SL. Truly, I didn't think it could get any better than my Kuota Kredo road bike, but this...this...I had no idea. Why didn't anybody tell me how much of a difference a time trial bike can make???? This machine rides like a missile! I doubt I will ever get as fast as this bike can go.

What blows my mind the most is how lightweight it is. It's crazy how much I can feel the difference. Talk about responsive! After the first ride where I needed to get used to everything, I now feel solid as a rock on it. It climbs like a mountain goat, and is just so steady and fast. I also seem to feel a bit less fatigue on it than my road bike.

I am so over the moon with the fitting process and service I received at ATA Cycle, that I am creating a nine-part bike fit blog video series featuring the work done by owner Husam Sahin. It's quite an experience to get fit by Husam The guy has people flying in from all over the country for fittings. In fact. he fit USA triathlete Jarrod Shoemaker on the bike he'll ride in Beijing at the Olympic games. He also fits Jarrod's wife, Canadian champ Alicia Kaye. She was in the shop when I picked my bike up the other day.

ATA uses the brand new Retul fit system, and we'll see it at work in the upcoming series. It's about to be announced by USA Triathlon that Retul has been chosen as it's fit system for its national program. I'm probably one of about 10 women in the country who have been fit with it. Result? That TT bike fits like a glove. First time out, and there was no tweaking to be done. No neck or shoulder discomfort, and I rode for three hours with no soreness anywhere. My road bike I bought from him was the same experience. The bike fit series will start within the next day or two.

Here's my new rocket!

How Much Annoyance Can You Stuff in One Ride?

How can one ride have so much good, and so much bad spread over a measly three hours?

The Good
Rode my brand new Kuota K-Factor TT bike for the first time! (Pix coming!)  The thing weighs nothing, seems to climb like a goat, and is altogether a totally comfortable, gorgeous ride. I'm over the moon about how it handles, how it fits, how it rides.

The Bad
Rode my brand new Kuota TT bike for the first time! I have been doing triathlons for many, many moons, but that was the first time I ever rode a tri bike. Ever. (Well, you know a friend's around the block once years ago...) Why didn't y'all tell me I was going to be a freaked out mess figuring it all out!

The Good
I have compact cranks on this new bike, and I know I am going to LOVE them. It was exciting to learn the new gearing and what to do when.

The Bad
I have compact cranks on this new bike, and there was a lot of friction in my head about the gearing. My road bike is an old comfy shoe, and this was all about starting the learning process of how to shift and when.

The Good
Second time out with the PowerTap and I was ready to give it another go understanding how the workout would unfold from my experience of one ride with the PT last week.

The Bad
Second time out with the PowerTap, but this time it was on the NEW bike. I could not freakin' SEE the read out AT ALL. NOT AT ALL! The glare, the sunglasses, my blindness, it's not in the right place, etc. Occasionally, I'd get a glimpse of what I was doing, but I tremble to see what actually went on when I load it in Cycling Peaks and review the workout. Vexation.

The Good
Gorgeous day, and it's Patriot's Day/Boston Marathon weekend here in MA. We live in the middle of it all, and ride out past the Battle Green and out to Concord past the North Bridge and points west.

The Bad
Gorgeous day, and it's Patriot's Day/Boston Marathon weekend here in MA. We live right near the Minuteman National Park. Think that's a draw on Patriot's Day when there are renactments all weekend long????? There are hoards of tourists by the thousands descending on these two towns. I am in the middle of my 15' at Functional Threshold  (or what I "think" is FT because I can't see the freakin' numbers), and I hang a right to keep a loop going and there are cars a mile long looking to park. The cop is making it worse. THEN, all the way home there are miles and miles of cars stopped, and clogging up the 2-lane road, and swerving left and right.

Oy, oy, oy, oy, oy!

All in all, I wasted so much energy today. Too much newness, sensory input, and unfamiliarity all at once.

Going to try again tomorrow!