Two Wheel Blogs

Someone asked me today, "what good is a powermeter?" I didn't even respond. I figured anyone asking such a question was at such a different place on the training spectrum relative to me that no amount of discussion could bridge the gap.

Then I thought about my training lately. It seems that my position on the training spectrum is about like watching the tide roll in and out. Every year I am doing something different.

Last year, I purchased my SRM (clearly it was the best for my needs) and with it and some of the hardest training of my life, I shattered every single personal record I know of. I have always been partial to the very individualized aspects of time trials. That SRM helped me remove about 4 minutes from my 40k in a single year, and assisted me in a few respectable finishes. The downside? Well, I wouldn't touch my bike unless I could extract data from the second I hopped on, I didn't like riding outside because the terraine caused fartlek (I love that word) training that was counter to my rigid adherance to strict interval sessions (obviously, I started avoiding riding with others for the same reason), I reduced beautiful scenery and wonderful outdoor smells and sounds to TSS points, IF, and PE.

This year the tide has shifted. I still rarely ride with others, but now when I ride it is more about the ride, not the numbers. The only numbers I can take away from a ride are time (I have no electronics on the bike I am riding this year). Today I went out and rode my single speed 29er on the local trails and set a PR for time on a designated loop. I also crashed once and nearly crashed a second time, I had no idea at all why I was riding so poorly at the time (turns out I was taking jumps a little faster than I normally do). All this in street clothing (no cycling shorts, and a regular t-shirt), and without any electronics on my bike.

What is this all about? I guess just to say that there are a lot of ways to get better at cycling. Especially, if you consider how some people define the term, "better at cycling". Over the years I have defined "better" as any one of the following:

Completing a 60 mile MTB race on a SS without stopping (Ouachita Challenge)
Completing a 40k TT a minute faster than I could before
Completing a 500ish mile week over some of the most awesome passes in Colorado
Completing a 10 mile MTB loop with no dabs
Completing a 30 mile road ride without stopping.

Which year did I have the most hardcore training program? Probably the year that I accomplished the last one on the list...every ride with the club was struggle to stay with the pack and stay alive!

How do you define "better at cycling"?