Fit Clinic recap.

Fit Clinic with Ironman Coach Kristen Hislop

a big success!

We had planning a Fit Clinic for some time now. Local Ironman Coach Kristen Hislop was our fit subject as we evaluated her comfort and power on the bike and watched improvements as we adjusted her fit.

History

Kristen has been fit/looked at by three other fitters in and around the area over the years and still is having some problems.  Injury and your overall fitness play a huge roll in ones current bike fit.  Kristen has had her fair share of injuries for sure, but some of the issues we discussed didn't really stem from injuries.

Points of Contact

The three critical points of contact in a bike fit are the foot/shoe/pedal interface, saddle and hands.  These are the points at which every rider contacts their bike.  They are also the most common points of pain and complaint among any cyclist out there.  Kristen made it known that her saddle was uncomfortable (and it was the third one she had been on), the feeling of reaching too far for her handlebars and the presence of some shoulder discomfort.

Assessment

What I had noticed during the flexibility assessment was Kristen's hips being uneven and some leg length discrepancy.  A stress fracture in her left leg put her in a boot for 14 weeks last year and caused a bit of muscle atrophy.  On the bike, as she was positioned, Kristen was producing 40% of her total power with the left leg and a whopping 60% of her total power with the right leg. She also displayed some shrugging of her shoulders, knee movement and rocking of the hips while pedaling.

Amazing Motion Capture

We shot some video quickly and analysed it to demonstrate what the software can do.  The technology coupled with a good eye for fit can do some pretty amazing things for the cyclist.  Using our SICI Fit Cycle, I made two adjustments to Kristen;s fit right off the bat.  First was the crank arm length to quiet the knees and hips down while pedaling.  Second was the saddle itself.  Kristen had expressed some nose pressure and discomfort.  I chose to put a new saddle on for her to see what we came up with.

Results

The results were pretty astonishing.  No more rocking, shoulders and neck were no longer tense, back flattened out and pelvis rotated forward.  A couple more things can be done to help Kristen out, but with these vital adjustments we balanced the power distribution in her legs: After the fit - Left leg 49% of total power production and Right leg 51% of total power production.

Simply amazing!  I guess we will have to continue this fit with more adjustments!

Take a look at this annual fit membership we discussed at the fit clinic presentation.

Our Fit Clinic was very well attended on January 10th, 2014.  We were fortunate to have great sponsors come aboard to help out.  Chatham Brewing brought beverages for tasting,  99restaurant supplied the great food and Starbucks caffeinated everyone.

A run down of brief injury history, we then touched on flexibility assessment and foot assessment of Kristen.  Final small adjustments of Dartfish motion capture software.

Attendees previewing SpinScan before fit adjustments.  A couple of minor adjustments later, we have a significant change in power output and comfort. 

Thank you for all that came to the clinic and made it a success.  A very big thank you to our sponsors Chatham Brewing, Starbucks and Hislop Coaching.  See you at the next clinic coming soon.

Free Fit Clinic!

Free Bicycle Fit Clinic View this email in your browser Witness Kristin's current fit being analyzed and adjusted while the fit process is explained. Comfort and performance are huge gains, but more important is injury prevention! Chris Pitts, owner and Cycling Analysis Professional of Elevate Cycles, will go over a full fit with attendees. Tools include: Dartfish Motion Capture - 2D analysis for precise measurements with most advanced video technology. Spin Scan with Computrainer - shows torque output throughout the pedal stroke aka efficiency. Cyclologic Cycling Analysis, Serotta Fit Theory and Bike Fit. RSVP... Why Buy from Elevate        Power Training        Shop Online        Fit Studio Thank you to our sponsors Hislop Coaching, Starbucks & Chatham Brewing! Copyright © 2014 Elevate Cycles, All rights reserved. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences

Take a Kid Mountain Biking 2013

Saturday October 5th, 2013 was more fun than the weather has been.  A bit wet and overcast.  Perfect day for some trail riding for the kids.  We arrived at the Luther Forest Trails @ 9:30 am and set up ready to support the morning riders.  Turned a couple of wrenches, pumped some tires and spread the word of Elevate Cycles and the local trail scene.  Met a bunch of new faces and future riders.  Thank you all so much for coming out.  We had a blast!

Cross Season?

Is Cross Season really upon us?  Where did the summer go?  Since the last post (which was too long ago), the weather really did not get much better.  The cold rain went straight to extremely hot and humid.  There was a couple of weeks that were absolutely amazing where we had some great rides.  That was about it!

Now we are starting CycloCross season and couldn't have asked for better weather..  A bit sloppy at times in the trails with nice cool nights.  So I sit with a neck brace on while writing this.  Pinched nerve flared up!  I hope this doesn't last long.  One can only hope that this will pass so I can get back on the bike and have a better race at Spa Cross on October 20th.  On top of that,  I need to ride to keep my sanity.

Since we are on the subject of racing.  There is quite a bit going on in the area.  NYCROSS is having a weekly Thursday night grass crit series.  HRRT is having Tuesday night Mtn. series in Central Park Schenectady with only a couple of nights left.

Elevate Cycles and Saratoga Cycling Club group riders brought back the Thursday Night Malta Crit loop. Last week was the first night and we had a good turn out.  Thanks to Eric F. for bringing this long tradition back.

Hope to see you out there.

Thank you for all the support.
Chris

What's with the weather? Elevate Thursday 6/6 ride.

Two weeks since our last post and we are still talking about the weather.  What gives?

Was a bit rainy and cold for the Saratoga Lions Club Duathalon on Sunday May 26th.  Didn't stop Elevate Corporate teams taking 1st and 3rd.  Great day!

Most of the storms held out for the Saratoga Tour De Cure this past Sunday.  It was a hot one and we were busy helping riders out for most of the day. All in all, fun day had.

So this week brings the Black Fly Challenge on Saturday 6/8/13.  A few Team Elevate members are participating and we are hoping that the weather holds.  Not too sure from the looks of this:

This is the New York State Severe Weather Facebook page image they posted.  We fingers crossed.

Which leads us to tonight's ride if the rain drops hold.  The Elevate Thursday ride for 6/6/13 is a cross ride if anyone is interested in joining us.  Tour  out to the Scout Camp and then around the Park and some other places.  The rest of the ride can continue on the pavement once we hit the Scout Camp.  Hard rain at start cancels group ride on pavement.  Check the Facebook page later today for route link details.

In Full Swing

Let's "Tri" to make the best of the weather..

Even if it is May 25th and we are waking up to rain AGAIN!  Not just rain, but rain with 45 degree temperatures.  Not what you would expect for the Memorial Day Weekend.

Good luck to all our racers this weekend.  Dan @ Killington Stage Race (Snow in the forecast).  Steph and Kenny @ Cooperstown Tri (canceled the swim  and made it a Duathlon, due to the 6 degree drop in water temp down to 50 degrees on Friday).
Chris, Sue, Terry, Melissa and Braelin @ Saratoga Lions Club Duathlon (stay warm everyone).  Stay safe and warm, good luck to all our racers and Pedal Hard!

Welcome to the Elevater!

Hello and Welcome!

We've been having so much fun lately that we wanted to get everyone else involved. To that end, welcome to the 'Elevater.' We're planning on using this blog to keep you up to date on what's happening in the Elevate world: the shops, the team and any other random thoughts that come into our heads. Whether sharing a photo and a write up about a bike that has us excited or a tale of racing triumph and tragedy, we hope you'll enjoy this window into our world.

Cheers from your friends at Elevate Cycles!