learning physics through mtb, and how I will get faster

[Ryan Gibson]

This might be worthy of a quote in one of those "sh*t cyclist say" videos on youtube, but it is a fact that the more power to weight (bike and rider), the faster you will go (bikehandling skills removed). I am not ashamed, haters hate, but I want to get faster and I am going to do an experiment over the next 60 days involving paleo eating.

 

The backstory: I am 6'1" and currently 178lbs; fit and conditioned. At times in my life I have been a bulky 215lbs, and as light as 170lbs. I have been riding a lot over the last 15 months since moving to Norcal, and steadily getting faster through better handling skills and fitness...and along the way have noticed one factor that seems to have more influence over my speed than all others=weight. I have fluctuated from 170lbs last fall to 180lbs this winter, and noticed how potent those 10lbs are in how fast I can go, my stamina and recovery. While good light equipment definitely makes a difference, I am becoming convinced that body weight is more determinative.

So, I am pretty lean and fit at 175lbs, and when I look down the Cat 2 starting line I usually see other similarly built racers....but when I look forward to expert/Cat 1, it is a different breed and level of conditioning. I would say your average Cat 1 6'1" racer is more in the 160-165lb range. I want to get to being somewhat competitive in Cat 1, so I am going to go to 165 and see what happens. How am I going to do that? Paleo.

I have generally been a protein based eater for a long time, avoiding excessive carbs unless exercising, but still enjoying myself, drinking moderately, and splurging from time to time. My younger brother has been eating paleo for years and swears by its overall health and lifestyle benefits, in addition to helping him control a joint disorder (Ankylosing spondylitis). While talking with a fellow racer recently, one who is in top form and regularly wins Cat 1 races, he mentioned his success with paleo eating, modified for athletes, which basically means it doesnt apply when excercising (you fuel with carbs and processed foods).

 

So, here goes, lets see how this works...plan is to drop 2-3lbs a week. While that would not be really hard to do if disciplined while not training, it might be tough to train and drop that much that fast without becoming fatigued. I will track it here weekly, and report on the performance results too.

[Jim Hewett]

Good luck, Ryan.  I think 1-2 lbs a week might be a more realistic goal, though you will lose a decent amount right away when you decrease your sodium intake (less water retention).