Powercranks Season 2

[Chris Helwig]

Last season I used Powercranks from November until February. They seemed to work well as my winter test numbers were by far the best they had ever been last winter. Unfortunately the clutch broke in them and by the time I got the warrantied the season had pretty much started.

I got my new cranks and just started on them this week. My impressions are similar to client experiences. They aren't quite as hard the second season of using them. The first time I used them last year I could barely do 20 minutes. Today was my second ride on them and I managed 1hr and 20 minutes. The hip flexors started to fail a bit after 45 minutes but overall the ride was decent. My speed was decent, only about 5 minutes slower than I would be on my race bike for the same route. As I sit and type my hip flexors are a bit "numb" but ok.

I plan on riding my race bike on weekends until the first salt hits the road and then doing all my outside rides on the Powercranks. Indoor rides I will likely ride my race bike. I plan on using them all Winter except for Training Camps. If test numbers and performance are good then I will also use them 1-2 times per week in season.

[mann83]

We'll all do one-legged ints beside you for 2+ hrs. Not. Enjoy the pain.

[Chris Helwig]

Been on the cranks for about two months, but it has been on and off again due to the weather. All my outside rides have been on the cranks, but with all the snow my outside riding has been limited. Got on them last Monday and did 1.5hrs that nearly killed me. Today we got out and I did a little over 2hrs and they actually weren't that bad. I think I am finally adapting to them. Part of it is also the mental attitude. I was super pumped to ride after so much trainer time. Also Sica was riding behind me and he likes to critique other's powercrank riding so I was trying extra hard not to do too much pedal, pedal coast. I think next ride I should be able to do 2.5hr and then soon afterwards up to a full 3hrs.

[Chris Helwig]

I found this last year on the cranks as well. I would have one very good day on the cranks, and then quite a bad one. Today was real tough. Did 2hrs again, but I was one hurtin unit. Blair was at my place for the ride and I think the presence of others as motivators made me go too hard and not warm up properly. From there it was a slug fest, mentally and physically tough. Let's hope my Friday ride turns out better :)

[Chris Helwig]

Great ride on the cranks today. Did 2.5 hrs with Sica and Mooney. Key to success today was an easier start and better warmup. Other key was checking my ego and trying harder to stay in zones. 3hrs here we come!!

[Wanna B]

Sunday's PC ride was for the inaugural PC Sprint Championship with myself, Sica, and of course Chris. We did the 6 sprints and I got 2 firsts and 3 seconds. Based on Sica's finishes I think the order was Wanna B, Helwig and Sica for the podium places.

[Chris Helwig]

I don't think you do placing points when only 3 people are sprinting :) I think I won 3 of the 6 sprints to your 2 wins and Sica's 1. :eek: