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Olympics BMX

IronDad

Aug 19, 08 21:53

Post #1 of 21 (742 views)

Olympics BMX	Can't Post

Pretty cool... and I think Day was tested at the US Olympics training center and put out over 2,000 watts... more than anyone ever tested including Marty Nothstein.

BMX...don't diss it... look what it did for McEwen!
___________________________________

http://irondad06.blogspot.com/

http://irondad.blogspot.com/

S McGregor

Aug 19, 08 21:57

Post #2 of 21 (734 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Several of the top US riders were tested. They are exceptional physiological specimens, aside from their technical skill. Day certainly was wise in his prep.

Steve

www.PeaksCoachingGroup.com

Uncle Arqyle

Aug 19, 08 22:12

Post #3 of 21 (724 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Screw Mcewan, look what it did for Sven Nys! Its pretty cool to watch, makes me wish I still had my circa 1980 Redline with the V-bars, the v-bar pad, the stem pad, the top tube pad and the mag wheels. ooohhh yeah.

fulla

Aug 20, 08 1:45

Post #4 of 21 (677 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [Uncle Arqyle] [In reply to]	Can't Post

julian dean is from a bmx background too..

ericM35-39

Aug 20, 08 3:02

Post #5 of 21 (646 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

As a former BMXer, and recently at that, I can attest to the athletic ability of those guys.

On a side note, I've always wondered how BMX has helped me in triathlon. I now know why I could never make it to the next level on the track after succeeding in triathlon: I'm way too slowtwitch.

How many Kona qualifiers and NBL/ABA Grand National doubles out there? I'm one.

cartsman

Aug 20, 08 3:24

Post #6 of 21 (631 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Britain's lead-out guy in the track cycling team sprint, Jamie Staff, is an ex-BMXer. Set the fastest ever first lap as part of the GB gold-medal winning effort last weekend.

Also Shanaze Read, who is world champion in women's BMXing, become world champion in the women's team sprint in 2007 in only her second-ever track race and after only 6 weeks of training for it.

I guess that the ability to generate huge amounts of power at a very high cadence is pretty transferable!

carlosf

Aug 20, 08 10:45

Post #7 of 21 (493 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I'm super glad to see BMX made it to the Olimpics.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/...;channelcode=sportcy

As a former Skateboarder in the 90's :) I'am very happy to read that Skateboarding will be in the 2012 Olympics in London (link)

HeidiC

Aug 20, 08 10:59

Post #8 of 21 (470 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

BMX is a great way to get kids started in cycling. It's fun, infinitely more "hip" than riding around in lycra, and they learn great bike handling skills. My son did BMX for a few years and I'm convinced that the skills he learned there are what saved him when a car ran him off the road while he was on his road bike. More than that, though, he had a great time riding around the track and learning the various skills, especially jumping. He was always so timid, but BMX really brought out a fearlessness that we had never seen.

I remember how impressed my husband (the fanatical cyclist) and I were by the pros at the first big BMX race we went to. While not as extreme as Beijing, the track had a longer, steeper downhill start than most tracks and those guys were absolutely flying, speedwise and jumpwise. I think at that time, Mike Day, currently the top rider in Beijing, was racing as a 12 Expert. That doesn't make me feel too old.

beachlaser

Aug 20, 08 11:56

Post #9 of 21 (422 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [carlosf] [In reply to]	Can't Post

well as an ex BMXer from the beginning ('76) that was a "must watch" 40 minutes of non productivity. Very cool tracks now, NOTHING was even close to that!

SpencerDC

Aug 20, 08 12:10

Post #10 of 21 (395 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Wow, I'll take back everything I was thinking when I saw it was going to be included. I hope the announcers cover some of this stuff during the racing as I don't think a lot of us are aware of the power these guys and girls can generate at 1000 rpm. If it's not all over, maybe I'll check it out. Thanks for the post.

indytri

Aug 20, 08 12:19

Post #11 of 21 (374 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [SpencerDC] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Semi-finals and finals should be on the NBC prime time coverage tonight. The video does not do that track justice. We built a replica of the track here at the Chula Vista Training Center, and that second straight is terrifying just to look at. I was luck enough to get to so some laps on the track( i took the women's 2ns straight the Men's is out of my league jumping wise and a ride to hospital was all i could think about when i was looking at the jumps), the start ramp is a blast, you're going so fast by the time you hit the bottom.

BMX is a great sport, I'm bummed it never got to do it when i was a kid, didn't pick it up till i was in my 20s. I think it's inclusion in the Olympics is going to help cycling as a whole. Hopefully it gets great coverage tonight and we see kids popping up at the track to try it.

HenryB

Aug 20, 08 12:35

Post #12 of 21 (345 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsDN8NYggJ0

IronDad

Aug 20, 08 13:41

Post #13 of 21 (304 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [indytri] [In reply to]	Can't Post

USOC (U.S. Olympic Committee) coaches and trainers in Colorado Springs coax the riders to try things like ice baths and recovery drinks, and they've tested all possible combinations of cogs and cranks. The U.S. and several other teams experimented with roadie-style skinsuits, which the BMXers hated. They did like fitting SRM power meters to their practice bikes, mostly so they could compete for the highest max-wattage score. Jason Richardson holds the record, 2,328 watts, but Robinson's 1,927 gives him the highest strength-to-weight ratio--an astonishing 27 watts per kilogram. "Nobody's done that in Colorado Springs," King says proudly. "Not [gold-medal track racer] Marty Nothstein--nobody."

Link

Sorry... it was Richards... regardless... wow!
___________________________________

http://irondad06.blogspot.com/

http://irondad.blogspot.com/

indytri

Aug 20, 08 13:55

Post #14 of 21 (287 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I can personally vouch Mikey has maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad power off the gate.

Rahzel

Aug 20, 08 14:16

Post #15 of 21 (257 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [IronDad] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Anyone know why these guys don't weat skinsuits, or at least something that is more aero? It seems like, if the garment can be just as safe as the loose-fitting stuff they wear, why not? Is safety the reason?
-----------------------------------------------
Blog | My 2008 Giant Trinity Alliance
2009 races: Triple T (Ohio) | Muncie Endurathon | Ironman Wisconsin

indytri

Aug 20, 08 14:18

Post #16 of 21 (253 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

Mainly style...guys don't like them.

Rahzel

Aug 20, 08 14:19

Post #17 of 21 (249 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [indytri] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I suppose if they all wear baggy clothes, then it's still an even playing field! :) Thanks!
-----------------------------------------------
Blog | My 2008 Giant Trinity Alliance
2009 races: Triple T (Ohio) | Muncie Endurathon | Ironman Wisconsin

indytri

Aug 20, 08 14:28

Post #18 of 21 (232 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Pretty much...i think there also a bit of an unspoken truce on it. I'm not really sure in the end it would make a difference in the race.

HeidiC

Aug 20, 08 17:46

Post #19 of 21 (177 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The pants they wear are "leathers," like motocross racers wear. It's kind of a nylon/leather combination, with a lining, so that you are less likely to get burns when you go sliding across the track, which you inevitably will. They really aren't as baggy as they look--when you put them on, they are even kind of tight. They aren't required by the rules, but, even though they are incredibly warm, it really is the safest. The rules do require long sleeve shirts and long sleeve pants, no matter what level you're at.

ericM35-39

Aug 20, 08 18:05

Post #20 of 21 (154 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [indytri] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I've always wondered how aero tubing, deep dish wheels, drafting etc. would affect track speed, especially third and fourth straight. I know BMXers are very resistant to anything non BMX, but you have to wonder.... might be the difference between being in position for a pass in turn 3 and not being in position, or blocking/keeping your opponents out of position to pass you.

SRM really helps gearing and analysis of match burning.

In fact Greg Romero was one of the first to use modern training techniques and the "coaching" concept with his athletes. I bet they resisted that too. But look at M. Day now... he seems to be peaking. His comments on how it's all so natural and he doesn't understand it lead me to believe he's never experienced a peak at an "A" race and doesn't understand it yet... but he will.

IronDad

Aug 20, 08 18:24

Post #21 of 21 (129 views)

Re: Olympics BMX [Rahzel] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To

"The U.S. and several other teams experimented with roadie-style skinsuits, which the BMXers hated. "

http://www.bicycling.com/...3-12-17686-6,00.html
___________________________________

http://irondad06.blogspot.com/

http://irondad.blogspot.com/