TDF '08 and query

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StevieB

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Any keen cyclists out there? Anyone taking an interest in the Tour de France this year? I am getting back into cycling for fitness at the moment (after mangling my elbow playing squash) and wondered if anyone had experience of a heart rate monitor for fitness?

I will be doing alot of turbo training indoors (due to time constraints) and wondered if a HRM was worth the expense. Not going for a full power meter but something like a polar F6. would be interested in whether it lacks functionality others would have liked to see for static turbo training. I could go for the next model up (F11) but cannot see the need at least on paper. Any thoughts welcome. Have been an avid reader of cyclingforums for a while, but those guys are pro's and much more advanced than my beginners query!

TDF seems to have descended into its usual doping circus again this year with 3 riders positive for EPO so far and one team withdrawing - Mark Cavendish seems to be the only good thing so far for me, good to see he is in form with Beijing only a few weeks away.

Steve.
 
Stevie,

My only experience of HRMs has been the Polar Edge (now long gone - bought 1993) and the X-Trainer Plus (also long gone - bought 1998). The Edge was basic 2 (or 3?) zone with audio alarm for out of limits. I upgraded to X-Trainer Plus as it had record and download to PC facility. Also offered cadence and speed through wheel and pedal sensors. Excellent training tool.

I used this one for years and trained for Ironman Europe with it. Sadly they won't put a new battery in it for me any more and sent me an upgrade voucher (as a long standing customer) which SWMBO in one of her tidying frenzies threw away!

I looked at the new models and was bewildered by the range. Reading this http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/polar_f11_heart_monitor.html I would suggest if you plan to any interval/pyramid training it might be valuable. Other than that the F6 seems good value.

On the subject on turbo-trainers - in the late '90s I was working in Thailand for 6 weeks in the run up to a long distance triathlon - so I took my bike and TT (roads not safe) with me. I did regular 2 hour TT sessions and was very proud of myself :D until I met a top-level woman at Ironman Hawaii in 2000 (I wasn't competing). She had moved from Hawaii to a cold part of the US to live and regularly did 6 Hour sessions on a TT in front of the telly :shock: . She came 2nd in her age-group so it shows that level of dedication does pay off.

Enjoy your training and don't take it too seriously
Phil
 
Thanks for that Phil, sounds like you are far more advanced than me! I am using the bike as a fitness tickover tool while I cannot play squash, but want to make best use of it during that time. I think the F6 will be fine for what I am after.

Many thanks for your detailed response. 6 hours in front of the TV I could probably do, 6 hours on the bike in front of the TV certainly not! :wink:

Steve.
 
Hi Steve,

Used to do lots of touring and racing (time trials) mainly riding a fixed wheel. Never tried a heart rate monitor - in my day you just got on your bike and rode it :lol: Nowadays the bike's in the loft :( Keep saying I should get it out :-k

Despite the usual doping problems, I think the Tour is quite good this year. Watch it every evening on ITV4. Cavendish and Millar have both done well - that Cavendish goes like a bloody rocket :shock:

Cheers :wink:

Paul
 
Aye, lets hope he is a clean rocket! No reason to doubt otherwise, seeing him and Bradley Wiggins in the Madison at the world track championships it was all I could do not to stand and applaud at the TV - putting the lap on everyone within the last 10 laps took phenomenal strength and speed! Really looking forward to the olympics now:D

Steve.
 
Indeed, I was following the live feed on www.letour.com but didnt post in case you liked to watch the ITV4 coverage without knowing :wink: Gotta be a contender for a victory in Paris also if he can survive the Alps, but with Beijing on his mind I have a sneaky feeling he might drop the tour for this year (he has nothing to prove) and try again next.

Steve.
 
I have the Polar F11, it does loads of stuff that you don't really need. I would however recommend a HR monitor, they are good for making sure that you don't over do it. It is also good to be able to see your fitness improve in terms of recovery rate and it counts the calories ! The F6 is a good device make sure that you get the chest strap (transmitter) as part of the deal
Peter.
 
StevieB":2gga2yfa said:
Gotta be a contender for a victory in Paris also if he can survive the Alps, but with Beijing on his mind I have a sneaky feeling he might drop the tour for this year (he has nothing to prove) and try again next.
Click to expand...

Yes, it must be a bit of a quandry for him. He is clearly a very good team player and must be a bit torn between letting down his Columbia Team in the Tour and his UK team in the Olympics. It's unfortunate that the timing of the Tour and the Olympics has clashed - if he wants to prepare well for the Olympics he really does need to come home soon.

Cheers :wink:

Paul
 
StevieB":1cdn7uyh said:
Now anyone know where I can get some motivation.... :shock:
Click to expand...

It's in the big tins, right next to the elbow grease. :roll: :wink:

It's OK I don't need a coat, too warm out side.
 
DaveL":1gtpczhe said:
StevieB":1gtpczhe said:
Now anyone know where I can get some motivation.... :shock:
Click to expand...

It's in the big tins, right next to the elbow grease. :roll: :wink:

It's OK I don't need a coat, too warm out side.
Click to expand...
...and the box of sparks (that's for when you come off!! :lol: ) - Rob
 

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