[CR]More Lemond ....

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
From: "Bianca Pratorius" <biankita@comcast.net>
Date: Sun, 2 Sep 2007 05:56:18 -0400
Subject: [CR]More Lemond ....

Lemond also has an interesting take on human horsepower and professional racing. According to Greg, historically in pro races like the tour men were capable of producing 380 watts of power and a few could make up to 420. He said he believes in human evolution but nothing could convince him that suddenly in the mid early 90's tour riders could be calculated to have been producing an average of 420 and a high of 490. Of course training methods weren't so vastly different in a few years, nor did the body evolve much. Funny though, Lemond also mentions that the 2006 tour calculations did show that top tour riders were producing 380 watts bringing this tour once again in line with historical outputs. He also mentions that the aero time trial helmet only works when you hold your head level. Everytime he lowered his head the rear piece acted as a sail and when he raised his head it became a parachute. Some studies have shown that even more standard helmets with rear extentions can cause neck injury in a crash. A safer helmet should have no rear "aero" protrusion. Something like the original Bell Biker with the rounded rear is probably safer than the recent stuff.

Garth Libre in Miami Fl USA