davefoley.com - bike racing
Cycling - Is it really a team sport?
We have all heard about how bike racing, road racing in particular, is a team sport. Really? I am not so sure. While "teamwork" is an integral, and almost essential part of nearly every bicylce road racing victory, who wins the race? The awards are always done on an individual basis. If your teammate wins 10 races, do you get an upgrade? I didn't think so. How about when one of your mates is caught urinating on Mrs. Hatethefuss's bushes prior to the start of the Tour of the Unknown Cul de Sac Criterium? Did you and your "team" get disciplined, or just the guy with the Porta-phobia?
My observation is that cycling teams are more like urban gangs than real sports teams. We wear the our "colors" and "leaders" rise to the fore in a usually undefined selection process, just like in a gang. In the streets, we work together toward common goals, but many times allegiances are tested, and intra-gang rivalries result. The spoils are sometimes shared, but not always.
To be continued... time to get on the trainer
Training and Racing in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Other
Vacation 2003 Workout Journal - MTB training is SoCal. Includes lots of crummy, useless data that was collected without a power meter.
Dave's TT times Various events over the years. No Power Meter data though...
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