Internal Mono(b)log

This landed in my inbox the other day.  It looks pretty cool, especially for folks without crank based power meters.

Wahoo Fitness Expands Line of Bluetooth Bike Accessories with the RPM Cadence Sensor

Wireless, magnet-less and lightweight sensor seamlessly integrates cadence data to the cycling app of your choice

Atlanta, GA—December 26, 2013 – Wahoo Fitness, the leader in iPhone™ powered cycling, introduces the RPM Cadence Sensor. RPM is a lightweight and hassle-free way to track cycling cadence. With a convenient magnet-less installation and feather light weight of only seven grams, RPM can attach to any bike instantly displaying cadence data via popular cycling apps. RPM is available now for $49.99 or bundled with the RFLKT Smart Bike Computer for $149.99.

The RPM Cadence Sensor connects wirelessly to the user’s iOS device through Bluetooth 4.0 technology sending cadence data to top cycling apps like Wahoo Fitness, Strava and MayMyRide. Unlike most speed and cadence sensors, RPM is magnet-less making setup an ease. LED lights flash when connected signaling wireless connection is active; eliminating the chance of logging a long ride just to find out no data was captured. The sensor does not need to be charged and will run on one coin cell battery for up to two years, allowing the sensor to remain on the user’s bike between rides.

“RPM is a great option because it’s hassle-free, lightweight and doesn’t require any additional hardware to connect to the user’s phone or bike,” said Chip Hawkins, CEO of Wahoo Fitness. “The sleek design, magnet-less install and long battery life provide a simple and efficient way to add cadence data to all the other metrics you monitor like heart rate, speed, distance, power and time.”

Wahoo Fitness RPM Cadence Sensor features include:
•    Pairs with the Wahoo Fitness app, or popular cycling apps Strava and MapMyRide, to track and display cadence data
•    Compatible with iPhone 4s, 5, 5s, 5c, iPod Touch (5th generation), and iPad (3rd and 4th generation)
•    LED lights flash when sensor is connected to the iOS app and ready to go
•    Two magnet-free mounting options are included for an easy installation (3M tape or mounting sleeve)
•    Replaceable battery does not need to be charged between rides and runs for up to 2 years

The RPM Cadence Monitor is available now at WahooFitness.com for $49.99 per unit.

This is a great panel discussion – definitely a good watch.

Discussion panel with Chris McCormack, Sebastian Kienle, Andi Boecherer & Rinalds Sluckis – YouTube.

Ok…. yes it’s exciting that there’s a potentially new carbon fiber material out there that’s stronger and lighter and sustainable, but their 1st product:

The first product, called FXR (Front Xtended Range), is designed to be mounted in between aero bars and carry a Speedfil A2 bottle.

Weighs in at:

just 20 grams compared to competing systems weighing 25 grams

Karbon Speed launches all-new Flax Carbon Hydration Product Line for 2013 » Endurance Sportswire.

Now come on… 5 grams?  I really did laugh out loud.

Extending this small piece into the full size of a bike frame and I start getting a little excited.  Say there’s 100x the quantity of carbon fiber in a frame than this little prototype.  That’d be a savings of 500g – that’s pretty serious.

TrainingPeaks is offering an advanced 3 day course for coaches on how to use and maximize their athlete’s use of TrainingPeaks.

TrainingPeaks University will take place March 8-10 in Boulder, Colorado.

The topics covered look great.  Almost enough to make me wish I was a coach..

.. almost 🙂

While I was out on my run today a track came on my mp3 player that had lyrics about making wishes.  It got me thinking: “If I were granted any 3 wishes and I knew they’d come true what would they be?”  It’s a common enough question and one that’s had people pondering for years.

The few cliche answers came to mind: super powers, good health, money, etc. and these were all dismissed as cliche pretty quickly.  Then I landed on “win kona”.  Yea I laughed too, don’t worry, it’s ok. 😉  But then I thought about it and backed off that to just “race in Kona”, thinking about that I backed off again to “knowing that I would qualify for Kona”.. again I backed off.    The most I could be happy with was “train strong, not get injured and race as hard I was able”.

My mental process for the step-backs was: knowing that I could do “X” because of the wish, “X” became a given, not a challenge and without the challenge the achievement was hollow.   Qualifying for Kona or just racing to the best of your potential at a given time with a given training base  is a goal to be achieved.  When achieved you can feel pride in that accomplishment.   Having it handed to you, without the challenge,  just makes it meaningless.

I guess that’s why I would never consider doping.  I wonder if those who dope are so blinded by the tinsel of the win that they forget the meaning of it.

I love the things that run through my mind when I’m training 🙂   Train hard my friends.

Well this is a different spin on the “one and done”.

WTC Announces End Of Ironman NYC.

Can’t say I’m terribly surprised.

They could go just slighly upstate and have so much better of an event for a lot less cost (think Catskills Mountains).

Wow! This looks pretty cool!

ICEdot: This yellow sticker is like OnStar for your helmet – Bike Rumor.

Well, I dunno about superstition or psychosomatic benefits, but in my “laboratory of 1” I can say, for certain, that I can tell the difference in my previously injured shoulder between wearing and not wearing KT tape for long swims, rock climbing, etc.

Frankly, I don’t care how it works, but I’m happy that it does!

Olympians Showcase Superstition With Mysterious Kinesio Tape, Scientists Doubtful | Singularity Hub.

ElliptiGo is running a contest with the prize of a new ElliptiGO 8C valued at $2500.  Pretty sweet!

I’ve never tried an Elliptigo, but given that I HATE dreadmills and elliptical trainers in the gym (BORING!) this could be a great device for low-impact workouts post race/injury.

Here’s ElliptiGO’s press release on the contest.

Pedal power – The Big Picture – Boston.com.

Some nice cycling images to start your day.