So how come pro cyclists have this problem?

[Zoiders]

Just been reading some observations from a journalist who has spent some time with top pro cyclists at the TdF etc.

He observed that the vast majority of them struggled to climb even a small flight of stairs without getting very short of breath. Yet these are the same guys who go zipping up the Alps etc! Doesn't make sense really as I would have thought they'd be super-fit and climbing stairs would be a doddle.

Any ideas about this?

I think it's piffle that's being misread.

No one mid tour is going to be full of the joys of spring and bounding around like a loon off the bike, if you or I were up against it like that day in day out that you might find the stairs a struggle after as well.

Of course they could bound up the stairs if they wanted to most of the time, just not on command for some journalist mid race.

 

[fossyant]

I missed a few posts about breathing. Control breathing out, breathing in takes care of it's self. Control breathing ! Really hard, but key to go fast.....

 

[lukesdad]

I missed a few posts about breathing. Control breathing out, breathing in takes care of it's self. Control breathing ! Really hard, but key to go fast.....

It is hard and its not a key. Its part of the picture.

 

[rustychisel]

Many pro cyclists wouldn't walk up a flight of stairs if you pointed a gun at them (or a loaded doping control inspector, for that matter). The reason, like so many, is partially based on fact and more on lore.

Walking, running, jogging, and steps or stairs employ differing muscle groups in the legs, and it used to be said by soigneurs that it was bad for racing cyclists to exert other muscles than their 'cycling' muscles. The masseurs used to claim they could 'feel' it when a cyclist had overtaxed his calf muscles, in particular, and tightened up the legs. Being traditionalists and just a little impressed by gobbledygook many cyclists still use only the elevator.

It was also said by soigneurs that shaving before a big day of racing 'taxed the strength', and for that reason you'll often see pros turn up to the start line with a day or two's stubble. It has nothing to do with whether they packed the razor, that's for sure. Funny thing is, of course, other riders notice the signs and often mark the man...

 

[Arsen Gere]

I'm with GrasB on this. I suspect that the oxygen kinetics in a trained athelete, along with the aerobic bias in his muscles probably lead to a short response time between the demand from the legs and the response from the lungs.
So an untrained person takes longer before their body realises it needs more 02 and hopes it can just wing it.
I can't find any evidence to support this though.

 

[Monsieur Remings]

Just a guess for starters: there are different kinds of fitness. I might be able to cycle x hundred km but I can't run 50 metres. My muscles are all wrong for a start.

+1

Excellent thread. Now it all makes sense. Wish the OP could find a link somewhere..? Or a reference or title?

 

[Herzog]

Many pro cyclists wouldn't walk up a flight of stairs if you pointed a gun at them (or a loaded doping control inspector, for that matter). The reason, like so many, is partially based on fact and more on lore.

Walking, running, jogging, and steps or stairs employ differing muscle groups in the legs, and it used to be said by soigneurs that it was bad for racing cyclists to exert other muscles than their 'cycling' muscles. The masseurs used to claim they could 'feel' it when a cyclist had overtaxed his calf muscles, in particular, and tightened up the legs. Being traditionalists and just a little impressed by gobbledygook many cyclists still use only the elevator.

This^

Cyclists never walk when they can be transported, never stand when they could sit, and, most importantly, never use the stairs.

 

[PeteT]

+1

Excellent thread. Now it all makes sense. Wish the OP could find a link somewhere..? Or a reference or title?

Unfortunately I can't - see earlier post.

 

[Bicycle]

I'm jumping onto this late, so I've missed all the science.

However, on my 21-mile commute in days gone by I'd be breathing like a busted boiler on the first, sharp hill up to the main road.

There were hills along the way (into and out of the Severn Valley) but nothing made me puff like that first climb.

I am not a racer and have never been close to being one, but I am pretty fit.

 

[VamP]

Old TDF maxim is, why walk when you can stand still, why stand when you can sit, why sit when you can lie down.

It's all about preserving whatever energy you have for what is yet to come.

I'm with Zoiders on this one.

 

[Globalti]

It's because cyclists develop such strong cycling-specific muscles and the remainder waste away through lack of use. I can ride 100 miles and although I used to do a lot of mountaineering, my fitness is now 100% cycling specific so if I climb a mountain I suffer, especially on the downhills. My legs will be screaming for 3 days afterwards.

 

[albion]

Not many 1KM sprint bikers here are there?If your average cyclist was a club runner he would do the 5KM or 10KM

 

[Crankarm]

This is what happens when you spend your life taking EPO, testosterone or making blood transfusions .

 

[Fiona N]

Following on from what GB has just highlighted, Ive been long of the opinion that cyclists overlook their breathing. Much emphasis is placed on the heart and muscle development, and building them to perform,but how many work on their breathing. When I used to swim competitively the coaches drummed into us the importance of the lungs and how to make them work to their max. Im not saying the pro s do not train in the same way, probably far more advanced now, but for sure your average club rider does not IME.

Can t say Ive seen many threads on breathing in the fitness section on CC either.

This brings to mind an interesting (scientific) paper I read about controlling heart rate with breathing and 'tricks' to keep a low HR. ONe that I tried in the 'controlled environment' of the turbo in the garage was 'omm-ing' - humming a mantra while on the turbo. This is quite amazing at it's ability to drop your heart rate - apparently it works by changing the breathing pattern which in turns relaxes muscles which aren't actively engaged thus reducing oxygen demand thus HR drops. I would warm up at about 150w for 15 mins which got my HR to about 70%HRM, then start the omm-ing and when I got the frequency right, my HR would gradually drop about 10bpm for the exact same wattage. Using it in the recovery between intervals was even better in terms of the speed you dropped the HR down.

Tricky to do while in a race of course, but time trailling....of course, you might get some funny looks or some followers, never know

 

[tigger]

Following on from what GB has just highlighted, Ive been long of the opinion that cyclists overlook their breathing. Much emphasis is placed on the heart and muscle development, and building them to perform,but how many work on their breathing. When I used to swim competitively the coaches drummed into us the importance of the lungs and how to make them work to their max. Im not saying the pro s do not train in the same way, probably far more advanced now, but for sure your average club rider does not IME.

Can t say Ive seen many threads on breathing in the fitness section on CC either.

Couldn't agree more