The Hour *** spoilers ***

frenchfighter

Paul 8v

No double disk? Interesting

The_Boy

RichN95 wrote:

Matthias Brandle (of Tour of Britain fame) is going to have a crack a week on Thursday (30th) in Aigle. His TT pedigree is somewhat uninspiring, so we shall see how he goes.

Thought the bit in bold was a little unfair on first reading, but a quick check on cqranking suggests otherwise. Which in a weird way actually makes this attempt all the more interesting to me - gives us a chance to see exactly what Jens' time means in the context of the rule changes.

frenchfighter

“I am 100% focused on this project, which is very close to my heart. I have decided to try my luck because I have been impressed by Jens Voigt since I was a young child,” Brandle said in a UCI statement about the record attempt.

“His personality and style have made a mark on me. To attack over and over again, in all conditions, and fight to exhaustion knowing that the chance of winning is small has also become my trademark. After he made his successful assault on the Hour, I thought he had fulfilled his dream, and within just a few weeks I surprised myself by starting to have the same dream. Just imagine if I have what it takes to fight against the clock and the metres.”

takethehighroad

pinarello001 wrote:

RichN95 wrote:

Matthias Brandle (of Tour of Britain fame) is going to have a crack a week on Thursday (30th) in Aigle. His TT pedigree is somewhat uninspiring, so we shall see how he goes.

Televised?

inrng sez UCI YouTube

Paul 8v

We really are rather spoilt by the amount of cycling you can get on the TV/Internet now. I never had sky when I was younger but I can't remember them ever showing Obree or Boardman's efforts back in the day and it was quite a big deal. I may be wrong though

pinno

Cheers TTHR.

Daz555

frenchfighter wrote:

Bit puzzled by the design. Faster than a British cycling pursuit bike? I wonder.

mrushton

Lightweight wheels, nice. Aigle is the UCI HQ, IAM are Swiss so a lot of sense to use that velodrome. Wonder if Assos will provide the kit? Quite liking how the new rules have suddenly generated so much interest in The Hour, whether it's in kit or riders. Almost seems like they queuing up to give it a go.

Yellow Peril

Aigle seems to be the 'drome of the moment.

Paul 8v

mrushton wrote:

Lightweight wheels, nice.

Ah, so they are, good spot

mrushton

That ribbing on the rear wheel is the giveaway. Bertie uses them rebadged as Zipp - I suspect he/Saxo actually have to buy them. Given the Swiss backing of the team I can see why they are badged as DT

Daz555

The bike though? As mentioned earlier, those frame sections look to be the kind you need on the road due to cross winds. Also why have spokes in the front? Maybe this is not the bike he's riding at all?

Paul 8v

I did see a picture of him riding it but it could possibly be just for training

Pokerface

Daz555 wrote:

The bike though? As mentioned earlier, those frame sections look to be the kind you need on the road due to cross winds. Also why have spokes in the front? Maybe this is not the bike he's riding at all?

The bike he's using will be due to sponsorship. Scott provide the bikes for IAM and as Scott don't make a dedicated track frame, they have put this together. No, it won't be faster than a BC superbike or probably faster than a host of dedicated track frames.

And normally a double disc setup would be fastest. Lightweight actually make track discs (front and rear) so we might see that on the day. Mavic track discs are probably the fastest in the world though. Again - possibly not using due to sponsor conflicts.

If he wanted a genuine chance to beat the record, he'd be riding on a better velodrome at higher altitude with better equipment. These attempts are more PR exercises than serious attempts IMO.

johnboy183

Just had a thought Colin. Is there an equivalent record for para-cyclists? Something you'd be interested in doing?

Pokerface

johnboy183 wrote:

Just had a thought Colin. Is there an equivalent record for para-cyclists? Something you'd be interested in doing?

Yes there is. And yes I am. It's a 100% certainty that I will have a crack at it before I retire. I'm hoping to do it this year actually. Maybe, just maybe... in conjunction with Wiggo's attempt. Will require 6 weeks of dedicated training on my part.

A mere 42KM will break the record in my category. Sounds easy... but it really isn't.

johnboy183

Liking this especially the possible hook up with Wiggo. You will have to keep us all informed

Pokerface

johnboy183 wrote:

Liking this especially the possible hook up with Wiggo. You will have to keep us all informed

It would make my life a lot easier in terms of having all the necessary UCI people there. And hopefully it will be in a good velodrome at altitude. And hey - maybe even a little extra exposure! It'll be down to BC and Wiggo's crowd if they let me tail on. And if I can get permission from my coach. I'm focussing on track for the next 2 years so it should work with my training. We shall see....

inseine

Pokerface wrote:

johnboy183 wrote:

Just had a thought Colin. Is there an equivalent record for para-cyclists? Something you'd be interested in doing?

Yes there is. And yes I am. It's a 100% certainty that I will have a crack at it before I retire. I'm hoping to do it this year actually. Maybe, just maybe... in conjunction with Wiggo's attempt. Will require 6 weeks of dedicated training on my part.

A mere 42KM will break the record in my category. Sounds easy... but it really isn't.

That's interesting to hear. How far do you think you can go compared to your best 25 time? Interesting to know if you think it's faster or slower than the road.

kingstonian

Pokerface wrote:

johnboy183 wrote:

Just had a thought Colin. Is there an equivalent record for para-cyclists? Something you'd be interested in doing?

Yes there is. And yes I am. It's a 100% certainty that I will have a crack at it before I retire. I'm hoping to do it this year actually. Maybe, just maybe... in conjunction with Wiggo's attempt. Will require 6 weeks of dedicated training on my part.

A mere 42KM will break the record in my category. Sounds easy... but it really isn't.

Mate, if you go for it then hats off to you, and please keep us informed of your plans etc. It doesn't sound easy at all, that is a fair clip to keep up for an hour.

dennisn

Pokerface wrote:

johnboy183 wrote:

Just had a thought Colin. Is there an equivalent record for para-cyclists? Something you'd be interested in doing?

Yes there is. And yes I am. It's a 100% certainty that I will have a crack at it before I retire. I'm hoping to do it this year actually. Maybe, just maybe... in conjunction with Wiggo's attempt. Will require 6 weeks of dedicated training on my part.

A mere 42KM will break the record in my category. Sounds easy... but it really isn't.

Not trying to sound ignorant but I sort of am. How are the para cycling categories figured out? By degree of disability(if you will)? Or is that only or even part of the equation? That sort of thing. :?

Pokerface

dennisn wrote:

Pokerface wrote:

johnboy183 wrote:

Just had a thought Colin. Is there an equivalent record for para-cyclists? Something you'd be interested in doing?

Yes there is. And yes I am. It's a 100% certainty that I will have a crack at it before I retire. I'm hoping to do it this year actually. Maybe, just maybe... in conjunction with Wiggo's attempt. Will require 6 weeks of dedicated training on my part.

A mere 42KM will break the record in my category. Sounds easy... but it really isn't.

Not trying to sound ignorant but I sort of am. How are the para cycling categories figured out? By degree of disability(if you will)? Or is that only or even part of the equation? That sort of thing. :?

Yes - 5 progressively more severe levels of impairment for solo bikes. Then a separate category for visually impaired (tandems), several for wheelchair users (Handcyclists) and a couple of more severe CP categories (Trikes). Simplistic answer but that more or less covers it.

Pokerface

inseine wrote:

Pokerface wrote:

johnboy183 wrote:

Just had a thought Colin. Is there an equivalent record for para-cyclists? Something you'd be interested in doing?

Yes there is. And yes I am. It's a 100% certainty that I will have a crack at it before I retire. I'm hoping to do it this year actually. Maybe, just maybe... in conjunction with Wiggo's attempt. Will require 6 weeks of dedicated training on my part.

A mere 42KM will break the record in my category. Sounds easy... but it really isn't.

That's interesting to hear. How far do you think you can go compared to your best 25 time? Interesting to know if you think it's faster or slower than the road.

I'm not really a 25-mile hour TT specialist on the road. I did a course-aided 57min this year but wasn't in peak condition. I expect my track time would be very similar to my road time but slower than a perfect road TT (wind and course-aided). Obviously, picking the right gear is tantamount. I plan to do some testing over the winter to see if I can do it once I build up some track fitness.

specialgueststar

Hello again (I've seen you out a few times on a local chaingang) more ignorance here - in the five categories are there varying degrees of how much power you can produce in both legs - I have no idea if you can generate power in your left leg or whether it is a momentum effect ?

ugo.santalucia

Pokerface, OT but what do you think of Alex Zanardi? In Italy is considered God, but he doesn't seem to get much credit over here... is it because hand bike is not big in the UK or else?

RichN95.

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Pokerface, OT but what do you think of Alex Zanardi? In Italy is considered God, but he doesn't seem to get much credit over here... is it because hand bike is not big in the UK or else?

Foreign parasports people don't get much coverage any way. Other than Pistorius few would be able to name one. Zanardi may be the next best known.

ugo.santalucia

RichN95 wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Pokerface, OT but what do you think of Alex Zanardi? In Italy is considered God, but he doesn't seem to get much credit over here... is it because hand bike is not big in the UK or else?

Foreign parasports people don't get much coverage any way. Other than Pistorius few would be able to name one. Zanardi may be the next best known.

I didn't mean in terms of coverage... but for instance he was not invited to the London Marathon, despite being olympic gold for hand bike... as if he was considered some form of Lance Armstrong type...

I always found bizarre how someone not that young coming from Formula 1 becomes that good that quickly... but then again, extraordinary people exist!

shinyhelmut

ugo.santalucia wrote:

but for instance he was not invited to the London Marathon, despite being olympic gold for hand bike... as if he was considered some form of Lance Armstrong type...

I always found bizarre how someone not that young coming from Formula 1 becomes that good that quickly... but then again, extraordinary people exist!

I suspect this is because there is no handcycle category at the London Marathon.

Pokerface

SpecialGuestStar wrote:

Hello again (I've seen you out a few times on a local chaingang) more ignorance here - in the five categories are there varying degrees of how much power you can produce in both legs - I have no idea if you can generate power in your left leg or whether it is a momentum effect ?

Personally, all my power comes from my thighs. Left leg is amputated below knee and right leg has nerve damage below knee. Puts me in a low category (C2 out of 5, 1 being most disabled).

Categories are more or less grouped by disability. C5 is least with riders generally having a single upper limb disability. Missing hand, arm, etc. Sarah Storey in this category for instance.

C4 generally single below knee amputees, or riders with mild CP (thus having weakness on one side). C3 can be dual-below knee, double arm amps, more severe CP. C2 is even more severe CP, above-knee amp on one side, a combination of arm and leg amp, etc, etc. And C1 is the most disabled with a combination usually of problems or very severe CP (but still able to ride a solo bike).

There is no specific power measurement for any category. However, when you are classified they test a wide variety of things from range of motion to balance to relative strength in various muscle groups. A scoring system then decides what category you are in.

Lastly, you are also observed on the bike to see how you ride, your balance and things like that. This can sometimes change your category.