"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - LA and The Hour

According to today's NYT (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/24/business/24bike.html), it looks like LA is doing some serious planning for an attack on the hour record.

i'm confused: why would anyone do 2 attempts, let alone 2 attempts separated by only a few weeks?

i'm confused: why would anyone do 2 attempts, let alone 2 attempts separated by only a few weeks?

Is the first one a warm up?

Any way you could post the article so we don't have to register with yet another newspaper?

Thanks! :)

Koffee

It's pretty much standard to set up several times to attempt the hour record. You have to have officials there to verify your distance, and it's not like you can just call them up the night before and ask them to come out. Plus, you're basically saying "here's the exact date/time/place where I'm going to set a new world record." If you asked a marathon runner to pick a specific time and place to set a new record, they'd think you're crazy. By setting multiple dates, it's not an all or nothing proposition. If his legs just don't feel great the first time, he's got another shot at it.

So Many Miles to Cover and So Little Time to Do It
By JOHN MARKOFF

Published: January 24, 2005

SOLVANG, Calif., Jan. 20 - On a sunny Southern California afternoon, a crowd gathered in a hotel parking lot here to watch Lance Armstrong and his team complete its daily six-hour training ride.

Though it appears to be a solo effort, bicycle racing is clearly a team sport. In Armstrong's case that team effort extends to an informal group known as F-One, an array of sports physiologists, computer engineers, aerodynamicists, as well as bicycle, helmet and clothing designers, which met for the first time this year on Thursday.

Indisputably the world's best cyclist, Armstrong, the six-time winner of the Tour de France, has been hinting broadly that he might take a year hiatus from the event he has dominated since 1999. He has also speculated that his next goal may be a sporting challenge virtually unknown in the United States until now.

For the rest of the world, however, the Hour Record, as it is known, holds as much magnetism as ascending Mount Everest. The object is for a solo rider to ride as far as possible in 60 minutes on a banked velodrome.

The record was first set in 1893 by the Tour de France founder, Henri Desgrange, with a mark of 21.95 miles. Since then, many of the world's cycling greats have taken turns assaulting the standard. Chris Boardman of Britain, a time-trial specialist, most recently set a mark of 30.721 miles in Manchester, England, in May 2000.

The event is attractive to Mr. Armstrong because it plays to many of his strengths: he is domineering in time trials, a category he has defined by his ability to produce extraordinary amounts of pedaling power over long periods.

"I think it would be an amazing spectacle," said Morris Denton, an executive for Advanced Micro Devices, one of Mr. Armstrong's sponsors. "If you look at the crowds Lance draws in the United States and you think about what would happen if you put some kind of marketing effort behind this event, it would be immense."

Mr. Armstrong has said he will not announce his intentions until April at the earliest. However, the plotting began here last week in a windowless hotel conference room for an attack on the Hour Record.

Johan Bruyneel, who is the coach of Mr. Armstrong's team, and Bart Knaggs, the president of his sports management company, Capital Sports and Entertainment of Austin, Tex., assembled the group to begin discussing the complex strategy and design issues that need to be solved.

Mr. Knaggs made clear to the group in his opening comments that no decision had yet been reached on which races Mr. Armstrong would attempt this year.

"Right now it's an idea," he said. "It's a four-minute-mile kind of thing, but we don't have it on the calendar yet."

The colorful history of the event is divided between an "athlete's record" originally set at 30.71 miles on a traditional track bike by the Belgium cycling legend Eddie Merckx in Mexico City in October 1972, and another record set using the most advanced technology.

The Merckx record went unchallenged until Francesco Moser broke it in January of 1984 at 31.57 miles, using a technologically advanced bicycle and a radical aerodynamic position.

Mr. Boardman then set the record of 35.029 miles in September 1996 in Manchester, only to have the Union Cycliste Internationale, the bicycle racing sports organization, set new rules in an effort to rein in the pace of technology.

Now, Mr. Armstrong must decide which record he wants to break.

"You have a philosophical decision to make," said Jay T. Kearney, a sports physiologist who is a vice president at Carmichael Training Systems, a company in Colorado Springs that oversees Mr. Armstrong's training regimen each year.

That is not the only decision the F-One group is faced with. In a presentation before the group last week, Mr. Kearney laid out a matrix of variables, each of which could have a drastic impact on Mr. Armstrong's chances.

For example, while Mr. Boardman set his records at sea level, Merckx rode at a velodrome at high altitude in Mexico City. In detailed charts, Mr. Kearney showed the group how moving the challenge to higher altitude significantly cuts air resistance, making it easier for a rider to go faster. The benefit of lowered air resistance is balanced by the decline in maximum oxygen uptake, which declines at altitude, even for elite athletes like Mr. Armstrong.

Air pollution, or even a cheering audience exhaling carbon dioxide in an enclosed stadium can have a measurable effect on rider performance, Mr. Kearney told the group.

In Las Vegas during a recent appearance at a media event, Mr. Armstrong showed a keen interest in the Hour Record. He rattled off the distance that Boardman had gone in his 2000 "athletic" attempt to the one-hundredth of a kilometer. He suggested that one exciting way to try to capture the record would be to make a first attempt at sea level in Madison Square Garden. Two weeks later, he would tackle the event at a higher altitude, perhaps in Salt Lake City in a sporting center that is a favorite of speed skaters and has produced many records for that sport.

At the meeting here on Thursday, the F-One design effort was just beginning.

"You need to tell me whether you need 60 days, 120 days or 500 days to be ready," Mr. Knaggs told the group.

In addition to thinking about the possibility of the Hour Record, each representative made progress reports on preparations for the new Discovery Communications Pro Cycling team, which replaces Mr. Armstrong's United States Postal Service sponsor this year.

The F-One group is made up of Carmichael Training Systems; Giro, the helmet maker; Nike; Trek bicycles; the wheel builder Hed Cycling Products; the computer chip maker Advanced Micro Devices; and the aerodynamicist Len Brownlie.



I'm putting a link here, so I don't violate copyright policies (as it is a case with many Internet-based forums... ;)):

LINK HERE... (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/24/business/24bike.html?oref=login)

i'm confused: why would anyone do 2 attempts, let alone 2 attempts separated by only a few weeks?

Obree did 2 attempts. Only he didn't wait a few weeks between rides. He did the second one the day after his first. And broke the record on a home-made bike made from washing-machine parts :eek:

Obree did 2 attempts. Only he didn't wait a few weeks between rides. He did the second one the day after his first. And broke the record on a home-made bike made from washing-machine parts :eek:

Sadly, Obree's Record Hour runs were changed to Hour Event records due to a change in UCI rules dictating bike specs.

Looks like the two attemps are there so he can play with the whole high altitude/low altitude thing.

Thanks for the link!

However, if he does it in such a glittery-glitzy way in Madison Square Gardens, I swear, my eyes will be rolling so hard they will probably leave my head, roll down the street, out onto Lake Michigan, and into Canada. I can just see it now... uuugh.

I hope he goes for it. It would certainly be a change for him, and I'd be interested to see him do it. I think it would be more challenging to do at higher altitudes, so I hope he chooses a higher altitude.

Koffee

Obree did 2 attempts. Only he didn't wait a few weeks between rides. He did the second one the day after his first. And broke the record on a home-made bike made from washing-machine parts :eek:

and drank yak's milk.

so you think if he broke it the first time, he'd cancel the 2nd attempt? i'd have tremendous respect for anyone who attempted to increase their own record.

i'd really like to see armstrong try, and i'd love to see him succeed. whaddaya think odds are on his advancing the record?

I hope he shoots for it at MSG...I will make it a mission to be there. Since I live about 90 miles outside the city it shouldn't be too hard. I can't imagine it will be too hard to get at least one seat in MSG for a guy riding a bike in circles.

PJ

Here's a nice story on Merckx's hour record:

http://www.torelli.com/home.html?http://www.torelli.com/owen/eddyhour.html&1

Merckx said that the hour record ride was "the hardest ride I have ever done" and that it's something that no man wants to do twice.

I hope he shoots for it at MSG...I will make it a mission to be there. Since I live about 90 miles outside the city it shouldn't be too hard. I can't imagine it will be too hard to get at least one seat in MSG for a guy riding a bike in circles.

PJ

I'll be camping out in front of the MSG as long as it takes just to get in... I live less than a mile from there... ;)

If Lancy pants goes for it in MSG, I would fly to NY just for that. I'll never live down my regret of never seeing MJ play basketball. I still have a chance with LA.

If you want to see MJ play, let me know the next time you're in Chicago. If he shows up at the club, I'll get you a pass. He's always doing a pickup game there when he's in town. He's still got it.

Koffee

However, if he does it in such a glittery-glitzy way in Madison Square Gardens, I swear, my eyes will be rolling so hard they will probably leave my head, roll down the street, out onto Lake Michigan, and into Canada. I can just see it now... uuugh.

Koffee

Do you think he should do it in private?

No. I'd like to see him do it on a track, like here in Northbrook at the velodrome or someplace like that.

Koffee

The track has to be UCI-approved.
Koffee, I always enjoy your posts, but Northbrook is something like 401 meters long, and has almost no seating.
This event will be huge. And its impact on track cycling could be huge, too...if done right.

It would be cool if every track in the US established its own Hour Record.
I challenge anyone to ride for an hour on our 200m merry-go-round.

In this months Cycle Sport they have a brief note about a Doc that has a computer program that has LA beating Chris Boardmans record by 2k. The scenario is that Lance will attempt it at altitude while CB's record was done at sea level. This part had me confused:
What is the advantage (if there is one) of attempting this at altitude as opposed to sea level. The air is thinner at higher elevations making it harder to breath so wouldn't it make more sense to attempt this in denser air? Is the less dense air that much more of an advantage to drag?

I don't think that ticket in MSG is going to be that easy, if the public is even offered any. Aren't most attempts at the hour record done in semi-seclusion, i.e. not in front of a big crowd?

I'd say he could probably fill a healty sized dome for this sort of thing. We Americans love our big, one-time events.

Is the less dense air that much more of an advantage to drag?I don't know the exact numbers, but I remember reading something about the amount of effort required to continue accelerating on a bike. Essentially, the faster you go, the harder it becomes to get that extra 1 mph because of drag.

Sadly, Obree's Record Hour runs were changed to Hour Event records due to a change in UCI rules dictating bike specs.

The UCI had a hard-on for Obree from the get-go. Bastards.

I don't think that ticket in MSG is going to be that easy, if the public is even offered any. Aren't most attempts at the hour record done in semi-seclusion, i.e. not in front of a big crowd?

I'd say he could probably fill a healty sized dome for this sort of thing. We Americans love our big, one-time events.

That's why he wants to do two, IMO... One for the sport and all interested to see him brake the Hour record... The article mentions that the presence of so many people exhaling CO2 into air can affect his performance negatively... OTOH, don't forget how much roaring thunder, noise, and applause the MSG can generate motivating Lance even further, not that he needs it ;)...

The second one, at altitude in Colorado, will be a closed event on a newly designed and built track just for the purpose of the hour ride, and he will break the MSG record by a decent amount...

Then again, these are just my speculations... ;)

Or, he might just two rides to brake both records, one UCI-sanctioned, on a traditional bike, and the other, non-UCI, on some kind of technical wonder bike... ;)

http://ida.physik.uni-siegen.de/menn/hourrec.htm

I think this would be great for cycling. This would bring even more interest to the sport and let people know that there is more to cycling than the TDF. I think it's equally important for Lance to do some of the classics to drive this point home some more.

Personally, I love this record. This is what cycling is all about...man against himself. I would definitely be interested in seeing it either live or on TV. I'd love to see anyone try to break it. Think of the pressure. Anyone who seriously wants to try is basically saying, "I think I can beat this record." If they don't pull through it would sure be a tough pill to swallow.

I think Lance has something to prove. I bet he's sick of hearing this stuff about how he's not the best cyclist out there.

Yeah, this is just the kind of thing Lance & his team of experts could accomplish....

The track has to be UCI-approved.
Koffee, I always enjoy your posts, but Northbrook is something like 401 meters long, and has almost no seating.
This event will be huge. And its impact on track cycling could be huge, too...if done right.

It would be cool if every track in the US established its own Hour Record.
I challenge anyone to ride for an hour on our 200m merry-go-round.

I don't necessarily mean Northbrook, but on a some track would work for me. I can see Don King standing next to Lance at MSG with his silvery hair screaming "I pity the fool! I pity the fool!", as he jabs his pointing finger at the mass of cameras. :eek:

Pick a velodrome... any velodrome. There have to be others out there that could work.

Koffee

http://ida.physik.uni-siegen.de/menn/hourrec.htm

I know Mig wasn't short ... but 190mm cranks! OUCH!

Considering MSG was originally a velodrome (where both 6 day races and, surprise surprise, the Madison wre invented) I think it certainly has enough history to support an hour record attempt. I wouldn't fault Lance for choosing to ride there.

Well, glad it WAS a velodrome, but it isn't now. It's some tacky boxing arena for pay-per-view fights with Don King's flunkies. Pick a real velodrome. Or have it at MSG, and convert it back to a velodrome, have track races, and let's restore MSG to it's original glory, and make it a central point for important track cycling races.

Somehow, I just think it's going to turn into a big, glittery, tacky debacle, that's all. If you're going for a track record, why not do it someplace that specializes in track racing, that's all?

Koffee

If you want to see MJ play, let me know the next time you're in Chicago. If he shows up at the club, I'll get you a pass. He's always doing a pickup game there when he's in town. He's still got it.

Koffee

I came to Chicago 3 years ago to see the Bulls play. I grew up watching MJ play for NC then move on to Chicago. I always wanted to see him and the Bulls play. I got 1/2 my wish even if I didn't know any of the players (sure recognized the coach though). Let's put it this way if I had a guarantee of seeing MJ play, you tell me where and when and I'll be there.

I'll do a little snooping and get back to you.

Koffee

It is likely that any effort to break the one hour record will be done in Mexico City, or another high altitude location. And, a "generous" sponsor should be available for a truly high quality track.

Interviews with prior holders of the one hour record indicate that most of them consider it one of the hardest things they have done in their lives. Basically, ride right at their "outer" limit for a full hour. The UCI rules limit "tricks" with the bike or wheels, so a 2005 or 2006 attempt will be made on a bike that is not hugely different or "better" than a bike available in 1985 or 1986. The record will get broken by the rider, and not by technology.

I don't think that ticket in MSG is going to be that easy, if the public is even offered any. Aren't most attempts at the hour record done in semi-seclusion, i.e. not in front of a big crowd?

I'd say he could probably fill a healty sized dome for this sort of thing. We Americans love our big, one-time events.

I can always try and angle the press pass thing...I'm a photojournalist at a daily newspaper and this would definitely be news.

PJ

If it's done, I can't imagine that it would be done LIVE on TV. If he fails after 20 minutes, the program would be a beached whale.


Interesting point: Madison Square Garden is round.
It's kinda like driving on the parkway and parking in the driveway.

I know the ORIGINAL MSG was a velodrome, but I'm sure most of you know there have been like 5 or so Madison Square Gardens... Of course that doesn't mean they haven't/couldn't put down a 'drome in the current one.

I think Armstrong is a good candidate for this competition, because IIRC he is a bit smaller than Indurain and Boardman. Smaller meaning lighter. Lighter meaning less ground/gravitational resistance in the corners.

Weight doesn't have a whole lot to do with the hour record, at all. Its mostly about insane power output combined with aerodynamics. Larger riders tend to to better at things like the hour and TTs (flat) simply because the aerodynamic increase on a slightly taller man is not proportional to the increased amount of power he can put out do to bigger/stronger muscles. Hills are different, because the WEIGHT of a slightly taller rider is a much bigger hinderance than the slight power advantage he has.

[QUOTE=EventServices]If it's done, I can't imagine that it would be done LIVE on TV. If he fails after 20 minutes, the program would be a beached whale.


QUOTE]

Did you see the Mike Tyson comeback fight? Millions of spectators watch a 90 second fight.

Larger riders tend to to better at things like the hour and TTs (flat) simply because the aerodynamic increase on a slightly taller man is not proportional to the increased amount of power he can put out do to bigger/stronger muscles.

Pro peloton beware! For I am taller than most of you... :D

Weight doesn't have a whole lot to do with the hour record, at all.

Not a lot, but it is definetly a factor.
Like I already said, it's not about aerodynamics.
When doing the hour, the rider has to do a lot of corners. A lot.
Weight is a factor in cornering.

Ferrari said that a big reason why Rominger was able to better Indurain's hour distance was the fact that Rominger weighed less.

It would be different if the hour record was done on a flat straight outdoor road, like any road race time trial.

Yes, Pedal.
I see your quote.
But what I know of the game, on top of filling 40 minutes, is that they wouldn't want to go live with a failure.

Not a lot, but it is definetly a factor.
Like I already said, it's not about aerodynamics.
When doing the hour, the rider has to do a lot of corners. A lot.
Weight is a factor in cornering.

Ferrari said that a big reason why Rominger was able to better Indurain's hour distance was the fact that Rominger weighed less.

It would be different if the hour record was done on a flat straight outdoor road, like any road race time trial.

what? it's not about aero? it's all about aero, no? didn't we see like 5k gains in the hour record once they started using ultra aero bikes and all. then when boardman went back to oldstyle merckx bikes he only beat merckx's recrod by like 10m.

Will Lance be shooting for the retro record or the absolute record?

I just read at www.pedalmag.com that a scientist of exercise output has predicted that if Lance goes for the record, not only would he break it but he would smash it by such a margin that it would not be beat for decades. Apparently the European community made quite a big deal about his report and Lance's 'people' contacted him to review the info. I'd venture to bet this will really give Lance more inspiration to go for it. Man I hope he does.

Will Lance be shooting for the retro record or the absolute record?
According to some of the articles, he may do both. At different times, of course.

There's another good reason to do The Hour--after winning six TdF's, a seventh is not as big of a deal media-wise. Doing something different this year would let others shine in the TdF, give LA the buzz from The Hour, and make the 2006 Tour a bigger deal.

Assuming he goes for the hour record, it'll be interesting to see how he rides the single day races. If he rides with training for the hour record in mind, I'm thinking he'll look for chances to make some long break aways. One can hope at least. It would rock to see him busting out from the peloton.

I don't necessarily mean Northbrook, but on a some track would work for me. I can see Don King standing next to Lance at MSG with his silvery hair screaming "I pity the fool! I pity the fool!", as he jabs his pointing finger at the mass of cameras. :eek:

Pick a velodrome... any velodrome. There have to be others out there that could work.

Koffee

That was Mr T that said that wasn't it?

Is it just me, or do famous cyclists seem shoot for the hour record at the end of their major career, i.e. no more grand tour wins seem to be in the offing? Lance's chain-rattling is certainly different in that regard. I have no doubt that he can still rock the hour record, and the peloton.