One of my favorite events of the year is now underway in Alaska. The 2018 Iditarod sled dog race began over the weekend, with top mushers setting out on a 1000-mile (1609 km) race across the heart of the state. But while the event is typically a cause for celebration, this year it begins amidst uncertainty and controversy.
As usual, the race began with its ceremonially start on Saturday down the streets of Anchorage and ending at the Campbell Airstrip. From there, the mushers traveled to Willow for the restart yesterday, with the racers now out on the course proper. The leaders have currently arrived at Finger Lake, which sits at the 123 mile (197 km) mark, indicating just how fast the top sleds are currently moving.
This year's race is shrouded in controversy as the sport wrestles with its first doping controversy. Last fall, it was revealed that four-time champion Dallas Seavey had four of his dogs test positive for a banned substance, although he wasn't banned from racing as there as no evidence that Seavey himself had injected the dogs. The dogs were found to have traces of tramadol – an opioid painkiller – in their system.
The Iditarod's governing body has made a change to the rules, now holding musher's responsible for the dogs on their team and what they have in their system. In protest to how the entire situation was handled, Seavey has chosen to skip this year's event, putting the Iditarod's rising star on the sideline. Instead, he'll race in another event in Norway instead. That isn't the only shadow being cast over the 2018 Iditarod. As usual, there have also been accusations of cruelty to the dogs, with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals making claims against Seavey as well. Investigations found no evidence to support those claims however, but there will always be questions regarding the sport amongst some animal lovers.
As if that wasn't enough, long-time sponsor Wells Fargo has ended its relationship with the Iditarod as well. Officials say they believe animal rights groups used false information to influence the decision by the major bank which caused it to withdraw support. All of this leaves the future of the Iditarod somewhat in doubt, even as the 2018 race truly gets underway.
With Dallas Seavey out of the race, that leaves his father Mitch as the leading candidate to win the event again. But, there will be some strong contenders to watch including Aliy Zirkle, Ray Redington, Wade Marrs, and Nicolas Petit. With the race barely underway, the current leader is Linwood Fiedler, although there are at least 7 or 8 more days of racing until a winner is actually crowned.
We'll be keeping an eye on the race as it unfolds int he days ahead. As usual, it should be an interesting one to keep track of, as just about anything can – and does – happen.
As a runner who puts in quite a few miles each week, and mixes in both road and mountain biking on a regular basis, it is safe to say that my legs sometimes take a beating. It is not uncommon for me to walk around with sore muscles on an almost constant basis. In fact, it has gotten to the point that I almost don't notice anymore and have just learned to deal with it in day-to-day life. But, a new tool has shown me that there are ways to help manage this pain and even prevent injury and soreness in the process.
The TheraGun G2Pro is a device that somewhat resembles an electric drill, but with hard rubber balls – called "AmpBits" – on the end. When turned on, the AmpBits rhythmically move up and down like a small, yet powerful, jackhammer. And when they're placed against your muscles and joints, they provide a deep tissue treatment that can help relieve soreness, fatigue, and chronic pain.
Physical therapists have used similar tools as the TheraGun in the past, but they often have proven ineffective simply because they are so painful to use. But, this device uses a unique form of both frequency and amplitude to trick your brain into shutting off its pain receptors, allowing you to use the TheraGun for far longer than you normally would be able to tolerate. The result is that you can give yourself a deep tissue message just about anywhere and at anytime.
When I received a test unit to review, I have to admit I was somewhat skeptical. The TheraGun has garnered quite a following with NFL, NBA, and Major League Soccer players, but I wasn't sure exactly what it could do for me. After using it for a month however, I've come to appreciate what it brings to the table and how it can help outdoor endurance athletes too. The TheraGun G2Pro can be used in three ways: to warm-up, to stay loose, and to recover after a workout. The product works great as part of a pre-exercise stretching routine, using it for 30 seconds or so on each of the muscles you're going to be focusing on. This helps to get the blood flowing in those areas, which are often stiff and sore from previous workouts. For me, that usually means running a mile or two before I really start to find my groove, but with the G2Pro, I felt like I was already well on my way to being warmed up before I ever headed out the door.
Using the device mid-workout allows some athletes to keep the blood flowing to their muscles and joints, preventing them from tightening up. For instance, an NFL quarterback could use it on his shoulder during halftime to help keep the arm loose and ready to go for the second half. This wasn't as much of a concern for me, as I wasn't going to stop running or cycling to use the TheraGun, but it makes sense for athletes who find themselves in these types of situations.
Finally, you can use the G2Pro after your workout and shower, during your cool-down phase, to help your muscles relieve tension and tightness. The user can spend 15 minutes or so using the AmpBits on their legs and arms for instance and it ultimately should help them to not only feel better, but avoid longterm soreness and even prevent injuries.
I can honestly say that the device worked as advertised. The soreness in my legs was greatly diminished and I felt much better prior to my workout the next day as well. During my test phase with the TheraGun I also avoided picking up any nagging injuries and didn't aggravate any existing ones either.
Using the device is easy and intuitive. You simply pick it up, select the right sized AmpBit, turn it on, and apply to your sore muscles or joints. That's really all there is to it. How long you use it is entirely up to you and is based on what you're doing. As a post-workout massage, I found that it delivered a powerful impact to my sore muscles that was at times painful, but in a "hurts so good" kind of way. And afterwards, the relief was quick and evident. Best of all, the next day when I headed out for my next run or ride, my legs felt fresher.
The G2Pro is a high quality device, but it is also fairly pricey too. At $599, it is more expensive than what most people can afford. But serious athletes will find it it well worth the value. Not only do you get the tool itself, but it comes with four different size and shaped AmpBits, two rechargeable battery packs, and a charger. Those batteries are each good for about 40-45 minutes of use, which should be about 2-3 full sessions of post-workout therapy.
The TheraGun and all of its accessories fit nicely into a high-quality carrying case that looks extremely professional, which is of course the point. This is a device that physical therapists, personal trainers, and other sports medicine professionals will want to have at their disposal. It can and will deliver real benefits for their clients, and can make a huge difference in managing pain on a daily basis.
The TheraGun G2Pro is available online in a variety of outlets, although Amazon is the one that I found had it most readily available.
For most people, the thought of running a hundred miles sounds absolutely ludicrous. For others of us, it is something we'd love to aspire to. This video is for the second group of people. It features Brendan Leonard of Semi-Rad fame as he prepares for, and eventually takes part in, the 102.9-mile (165 km) Run Rabbit Run ultra in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. For anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming an ultra-runner, this video is both eye opening and inspiring at the same time.
The Trans Sierra Norte is a three-day enduro mountain bike race that takes place in the Mexican highlands near the town of Oaxacan. The race features more than 3000 feet of vertical gain and loss as competitors zip along on trails that are thousands of years old and used for commerce between villages. In this video, we travel to Mexico to witness this race firsthand, soaking up not only sights and sounds of the region, but also the amazing culture and traditions along the way too. Welcome to the Ride of the Dead.
A British ultrarunner by the name of Jamie Maddison has become the first person to cross the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert in Kazakhstan on foot. The 29-year old endurance athlete spent 30 hours traveling 70 miles (112 km) while enduring intense heat throughout the journey, which took place in October.
Maddison began his run in a the town of Birlik, which located on the western edge of the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert. He made a nighttime stopover mid-run because the driver of his support vehicle was having a difficult time navigating in the remote area and was himself getting dangerously tired. The following day Maddison resumed his expedition, reaching the end point at a river that borders the desert, and plunging in to cool off.
In an interview discussing the expedition the ultrarunner says that there were certainly times when he wanted to give up. Just 32 miles (51 km) in he thought he would have to call it quits after exhaustion started to set in. After running up and down dunes for hours on end, and enduring 97ºF (36ºC) heat, Jamie says he could feel his vision closing in around him. He describes the experience as time slowing down and putting one foot in front of the other took a tremendous effort. He also says that when the expedition was over, there was much of it he couldn't remember at all.
Maddison also says that if he were to do things over, he would have went at a later time of the year when temperatures weren't quite so harsh. He has spent years traveling in Central Asia, so he felt prepared for the desert crossing, but even then the intense heat still caught him a bit off guard. For others attempting a similar challenge he recommends taking your time, studying and researching the region fully, and preparing as best you can for the challenges you'll face in the field.
You can read the entire interview by clicking here. Congratulations to Jamie on undertaking and completing this tough expedition.
Yesterday I posted a holiday shopping guide for hikers and backpackers, sharing my picks for the best gifts for those groups of outdoor enthusiasts. Today I'm back with a selection of items for the outdoor athlete in your life. Whether they are a cyclists, mountain biker, or trail runner, we have some some suggestions on what they want this year. Here are my favorite gear items for the active outdoorsman and woman.
Apple AirPods ($159) For listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks during a run or ride, Apple's iPods are quite simply the best true-wireless earbuds I've come across so far. Lightweight and offering great sound, the AirPods have excellent battery life (5 hours), are a breeze to set-up, and come with a handy charging case that extends their life to more than 24 hours. They also fit comfortably in your ears and have yet to fall out on any of my workouts. Osprey Duro 6 Trail Running Pack ($110) Every trail runner needs a good pack to take with them on their workouts. That pack not only allows them to carry extra gear and supplies without hindering motion, but it should play a vital role in keeping them hydrated too. The Osprey Duro 6 is vest-style running pack that is comfortable to wear, offers plenty of capacity, and won't slow you down when things start to get intense.
CamelBak Palos 4 LR Hydration Pack ($75) Staying hydrated on a mountain bike ride can be a real challenge, and while some riders like to carry bottles on their bikes, a hydration pack is often a better option. CamelBak's Palos 4 LR is a lumbar pack that offers plenty of capacity, the ability to carry 1.5 liters of water, and even comes with an integrated tool organizer. And since it sits low on the back, it leaves the riders shoulders and arms free to control the bike.
Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Running Shoes ($120) Altra's zero-drop, natural-fit running shoes have become a favorite with nearly anyone who has tired them. One of the company's flagship models is its Lone Peak 3.5, which is a wonderful option for trail runners looking for good traction, plenty of support, durability, and agility in a single package. Put them on once and you'll wonder what took you so long to try Altra's to begin with.
Light & Motion Vibe Pro Bike Light ($60) Staying safe out on a bike ride means staying visible, and few lights help you to do that better than the Light & Motion Vibe Pro. This light quickly and easily connects to any bike, offers 100 lumens of light, and comes with onboard sensors that detect motion and automatically turn on when placed in the mount. Battery life is a solid three hours of runtime between charges and at $60 it is an affordable piece of mind for any cyclist.
Buffs ($20-$45) I've been touting the usefulness of Buffs for years now, and I continue to stand by those sentiments. The most versatile headwear on the planet, Buffs are a must-have for any outdoor athlete. They can be worn as headbands, bandanas, kerchiefs, balaclava, and many other items, making them indispensable in both the heat and cold. Made from high-tech fabrics designed to wick moisture and keep sweat and dirt from getting in our eyes, I rarely ever leave home without one in my pack.
G-Form Elbow and Knee Pads ($70) Lets face it, crashes are a part of mountain biking. They happen to everyone from time to time. But, you can limit the damage by wearing protective gear from G-Form. The company has been making compressions shorts, tops, and knee and elbow pads for years, and they remain a must have for any rider. The Pro-X Elbow Pads and Knee Pads are my recommendation, although adding a pair of Pro-X Compression Shorts is a good idea too.
Powerdot Smart Muscle Stimulator ($249) After an intense workout, even the most well conditioned outdoor athletes need to go into recovery mode. But now days, we're a lot smarter about focusing on that recovery and we have a slew of tools to help us get back to training and competing more quickly. Take for example the Powerdot, a muscle stimulator that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and allows athletes to target their recovery process more intelligently. Simply attach the Powerdot to the muscle group you want to work, select that same group from the smartphone app, and let it do the rest.
There are a lot of different motivations for why people run. Some of us use it as a way to stay fit, others find it relaxing and therapeutic. Some use it as an escape from other areas of their life. Such is the case for Lithuanian trail runner Gediminas Grinius, uses running as away to calm himself from the post-traumatic stress disorder he feels after serving in as part of the military in Iraq. He witnessed some harrowing events there, and now he runs to help deal with the trauma of that war. His story is both inspirational and touching. Check it out below.
Route 66 is an iconic highway that runs for 3940 km (2448 miles), beginning in Chicago and ending in Santa Monica. Along the way, the route passes through Illinois, Missouri, Kanasa, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. In this video, ultrarunner Max King takes to the highway to explore its towns and wide open landscapes. What better way to see the "Main Streets of America" than on foot?
In a couple of weeks, the biggest and toughest sailing race in the world will get underway in Alicante, Spain. That's where the Volvo Ocean Race is scheduled to begin on October 22, with seven teams setting out on a 40,000 nautical mile, 11-leg journey that will visit six continents and cross three oceans in the process.
Currently, the teams are preparing for the grueling event, which will take upwards of eight months to complete. But before they can set sail on their globe-spanning adventure, they first need to get their ships to the starting line in Spain. That process is known as the Prologue, and while it is a non-scoring leg of the race, it is an important one none the less.
Yesterday, the Prologue was set to get underway near Lisbon, Portugal, but unfortunately there was practically no winds to assist them out of the shipyards there. So, instead the start of the leg was moved to Gibraltar, where the ships made their way under power before raising their sails.
Once at the new position, they discovered a light wind that could help them truly begin the Prologue, with all seven ships now en route to Alicante. This gives them a few days to shake down the boat and work out the last of the kinks before truly embarking on the voyage. This leg will cover 680 nautical miles, with higher winds expected across the Mediterranean.
Upon arriving in Alicante, the teams will have a few days to wrap up their final preparation before the In-Port race begins on Saturday, October 14. After that, the countdown will begin for the actual start of the race eight days later.
When it comes to grueling events designed to test the endurance of the athletes taking part, the Volvo Ocean Race ranks near the tip. This year's course will be particularly challenging, as the teams will spend more time in the treacherous Southern Ocean. That won't be easy, particularly as the days and weeks grind on.
As always, it should be interesting to follow the race as it unfolds. Find out more at volvooceanrace.com.
Meet Mirna Valerio a dedicated runner who will break all of your stereotypes of what a runner should be. In this video, brought to us by REI, we meet Mirna and learn about what motives her to get out an run. But she doesn't just go for casual jogs around the neighborhood. She is an endurance athlete who competes in long distance events, pushing herself to her own physical and mental limits. What makes her different than the other ultra-runners out there? She just so happens to have a body type that isn't typical for runners, and for that she often catches a lot of flack. In fact, the video opens with a stunningly rude and demeaning email she received from someone calling her out as a fraud. But that is just the kind of fuel that gets her going. If you watch one video today, make it this one.
Once again, I know we've been posting a lot of news from the Himalaya lately, and already have one article about ongoing expeditions there from earlier today, but considering the general interest in this story, I thought it was worth giving it its own post.
Yesterday it was widely reported that Spanish mountain runner Kilian Jornet has set a new speed record on Everest. While that record comes with a number of qualifiers, there is no doubt that Kilian's 26 hour ascent is an impressive feat to be sure. Especially when you consider that he began having stomach issues at around 7700 meters (25,262 ft), but pressed on anyway. But, it seems Jornet might not be down with the mountain just yet, despite having already put on such an amazing performance.
On his descent, Kilian still suffered from his bout with the stomach illness, so rather than going all the way back to Base Camp, he stopped in Advanced Base Camp for some much deserved rest. While there, he ran into Adrian Ballinger, who reported on the encounter on his Facebook page. This is what Adrian had to say.
"#pro - if you don't follow @kilianjornet, stop reading this caption and go follow him. I'm lucky to be surrounded by some amazing athletes on a daily basis. But Kilian...wow. Today he made a 26-hour push from Base Camp to the summit of #Everest, without supplemental oxygen. This is superhuman. But three things make it even wilder. First, he suffered gastro distress throughout the summit push but somehow suffered through and still stood on top. Second, he thinks he can do it faster and hopes to recover in time to make another attempt before this season ends. Third, after 30+ hours awake and enduring real suffering, he still graciously signed autographs in ABC before sleeping or eating. I am so blown away, humbled and inspired for my attempt. Congratulations Kilian! #everestnofilter#everest201"
In other words, it looks like Kilian is already thinking about making another run at the summit and improving on his time. But, he's not thinking about coming back in the fall or returning for Spring 2018, but will instead try to recover now, and if the weather window is good, make another attempt at the speed record in the next few days. If that happens, it would be even more remarkable than his first summit.
Before he can do this, he'll first need to rest and fight off the gastro distress he's been dealing with. With high winds on the mountain today, he wouldn't be able to go up anyway, and with massive summit pushes now underway, it would probably be best for the endurance runner to wait for the crowds to clear out. That would make Friday or Saturday a perfect time for another push, provided he's feeling up to it. Will it happen? We'll just have to wait around to find out.
In this video we join endurance athletes Jeff Browning and Jessie Haynes as they set off to complete the 170 mile trail through the Owyhee Canyonlands of Oregon in just four days time. That's 42.5 miles per day through some very remote and rugged wilderness for those keeping track at home. The short documentary takes us into the canyons with the two men, as they push themselves to the limit in this stunning landscape that look like quite an outdoor playground. The video is fantastic end-to-end, but it is worth it just to listen to Jeff and Jessie try to figure out their current pace at the very beginning of the film. It turns out, math is very hard when you're exhausted.
We haven't heard much from Spanish mountain runner Kilian Jornet since he returned from his speed attempt on Everest this past fall. But of course we all know he wasn't just standing still and resting on his laurels. In this video, we follow him as he attempts to complete the Seven Summits of Romsdalen in Norway in a single day. This tough 77 km (47.8 mile) route features 9000 meters (29,527 ft) of vertical gain and takes mere mortals like the rest of us the better part of a week to finish, particularly in the winter. Can Kilian conquer the course in record time? You'll have to watch the video below to see how he fares.
Yesterday the news broke that Kilian Jornet has abandoned his plans to make a speed attempt on Mt. Everest due to very poor weather conditions on the mountain. Deep snow made him cancel that attempt, but while his dream of a speed ascent may have been postponed, they are no over. Clearly he will return again in the future to have another go at the world's highest peak.
In this video we get a bit of a recap of what Kilian has been up to over the past couple of years. It is a review of his Summits of My Life project to date, with a bit of inspiration to help us all move forward. It is a nice tribute to one of the greatest mountain athletes on the planet today, and definitely worth a look for those who follow his exploits.
One of the current Himalayan expeditions that we've been watching closely has come to an end before it ever even had a chance to really get started. It was announced earlier today that Spanish ultrarunner Kilian Jornet has pulled the plug on his attempt at a speed record on Everest due to poor weather on the North Side of the mountain.
In a quote that was sent out via a press release a few hours ago, Jornet says “During the first few weeks we were acclimatising well and the conditions were good. However, when we were getting ready to prepare the attempt the weather began to change. There were some heavy snow storms and a large accumulation of snow. As a result, although we were in good physical shape, there was a high risk of avalanches and in the absence of good safety conditions it was impossible to climb.”
Apparently, the expedition was actually nearing its conclusion when the decision was made to go home instead. There hasn't been a lot of news from Kilian or his team, but it seems acclimatization was going very well, and he was extremely happy with his progress. Unfortunately, heavy snow has been falling on the mountain over the past couple of weeks, and that was making the route much more dangerous. So much so that they made the wise choice of cancelling the summit attempt and going home instead.
Kilian says that he has learned a lot from the experience and will now return to Spain where he'll evaluate how this expedition went, and decide from there how to proceed. He has already indicated that next time around he'll do a few things differently both in preparation and acclimatization once on the mountain. He had spent three weeks training at 6500 meters (21,325 ft) which will give him a better understanding of the Everest environment the next time around.
Honestly, an attempt in the spring would probably provide more stable weather conditions, but Kilian would then have to contend with a lot more people on the mountain. For most of the time that he was there, he had Base Camp all to himself. We do know that Japanese climber Nobukazu Kuriki is also there for a solo bid on the mountain, but he didn't arrive until last week. It is unclear whether or not the heavy snow will impact his attempt to summit Everest, which will be his sixth time trying to accomplish that feat.
For now, we'll have to wait to see how Kilian does on Everest. Remember, he's never climbed an 8000 meter peak before. Hopefully he'll get another crack at it in the future. It will be interesting to see what an athlete of his caliber can accomplish there.
Since I was out of the country for the past few weeks, I wasn't able to follow this year's Tour de France as closely as I would normally like. As usual, it was filled with lots of unique achievements, impressive individual performances, and crazy events. But, judging from the reports, it was also a race that lacked much in the way of drama, as Team Sky's Chris Froome rode to a third victory with few challengers emerging.
The biggest challenge to Froome's dominance was expected to come from Team Movistar's Nairo Quintana. The Colombian rider has looked strong in the past two Tour's and seemed poised to break out this year with a performance that would push Froome to the limit. That never happened however, and for the most part it seemed that Quintana struggled to keep pace. In fact, if not for a herculean effort in the final few days, he would have finished off the podium altogether. He did manage to claim third place, finishing behind Froome and Romain Bardet of Team AG2R.
For Froome, this was his third win in four years. His string of dominance began in 2013, although he crashed out of the race in 2014 and was unable to defend his championship. Over the past two years however he has looked untouchable, with every challenger being turned away. His most vulnerable moment came this year however, when the British rider (by way of Kenya) actually ran up the slopes in Stage 12 of the race after his bike frame broke during a crash. It was an odd scene to say the least, but it showed his fighting spirit and unwillingness to give up in the face of adversity – something that has helped endear him to cycling fans who have been slow to embrace the champion.
In other Tour news, Tinkoff rider Peter Sagan went home with the Green Jersey once again. The current world champion showed why he is one of the most talented and versatile cyclists in the world, easily amassing enough sprint points to outpace his rivals. Russian rider Rafal Majka claimed the Polka Dot Jersey for the King of the Mountain's classification, which is given to the best climber each year, while Aussie Adam Yates took the White Jersey awarded to the best young rider under the age of 25.
While I didn't get to see much of this year's race, the complaints I've ready mostly center around the fact that there was almost no drama at any point. Froome's rivals didn't challenge him much at all, and it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that he would win the Tour by the midway point of the event. That doesn't make it very interesting to watch. Some of the riders were clearly playing safe since the Olympics are now just a few weeks away, and they'll be competing for gold in Rio instead. But still, it would be nice to see someone – anyone – attempt to unseat Team Sky and their leader. Sadly, we'll now have to wait until next year to see if that can happen. At this point however, it looks like barring an accident, the only person who can beat Chris Froome is Froome himself.
It is tough to explain exactly why I – and other cycling fans – love the Tour de France to someone who has no interest. But this video, from Specialized Bikes, goes a long way to explaining it. It is three weeks of intense competition with some of the best back drops anyone could possibly ask for. It is a challenge that requires both mental strength and physical endurance, and it is perhaps the toughest bike race in the world. You'll discover all of this and more in the clip below, which serves as a good introduction to Le Tour to newcomers, but a wonderful reminder to those of us who already love it as to to why it is such a special event each year.
July is here, and that can mean only one thing for cycling fans – the 2016 Tour de France can't be far off. In fact, the most famous and popular bike race int he world gets underway tomorrow, with some very familiar names expected to battle it out for the win.
The race will officially begin with a 188 km (116 mile) stage that runs from Mont-Saint-Michel to Utah Beach Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. This is unusual for a couple of reasons, not the least of which is its length. Typically, the first stage of the race is a short time trial that helps to establish who will ride int he famed Yellow Jersey for the early stages of the race. This long, opening day ride is part of the Tour's attempt to shake things up however, with some changes to the format designed to inject some energy into the early days of the race.
Expect the day to belong to the sprinters. None of the eventual contenders are likely to vie for the stage win, or put themselves in jeopardy in the early days of the race. There are sprint and climbing points to be earned however, so those looking to go after the Green or Polka Dot Jerseys will be in the hunt early on.
And just who can we expect to be in the Yellow Jersey heading towards Paris in three weeks? Two-time winner Chris Froome is the odds on favorite, although the course does favor Nairo Quintana as well. If both men can stay healthy, we can expect some epic duels in the mountains in the later stages of the race. Should they falter or face injury, the race opens up to dramatically, giving a new rider the chance to take center stage.
As long-time readers know, I'm a big fan of Le Tour, and usually cover it extensively throughout the month of July. I know that there are some of you who don't appreciate the race as much as I do however, and simply tolerate my TdF updates. For those folks, I have good news and bad news. The good news is that I won't be following the race nearly as closely as I have in the past, so there won't be daily updates on the event. The bad news is, I'm leaving the country to a remote region next week, so there won't be any updates at all for awhile. Personally, I'm bummed I won't be able to watch the race on a daily basis, but duty calls and other adventures await.
Fans of the race will be able to get all the news and information they need at the official Tour de France website. Good luck to all the riders.
Just as the 2016 Tour de France is set to get underway, officials at the world's most famous bike race have announced new plans to thwart potential cheaters in this year's event. Along with the battery of drug tests that they'll be given, riders will also face an array of high tech gear – including thermal cameras – that will be on the look out for "mechanical doping" as well.
In recent years there have been some allegations that certain riders – including two-time TdF winner Chris Froome and world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara – have been competing with a hidden motor in their bikes. The accusations come following impressive individual performances by those riders, although there has been no proof so far that anyone on the pro cycling circuit is actually using such a device.
Earlier this year, Belgian cyclist Femke Van den Driessche was caught using such a motor at the cyclocross world championships. The 19-year old looked to have a promising career, but she now faces a six-year ban from the sport. Now, the Tour is looking to avoid a similar scandal while also trying to dodge another major black mark on a sport that has had so many controversies over the years, including countless doping scandals.
The thermal imaging cameras will allow judges to look for heat signatures on the bikes of competitors. A hidden motor will generate plenty of heat, which should stick out like a sore thumb on these special cameras, making it obvious who is using such a device.
These small motors don't create a ton of power, but they do assist already great riders, allowing them to pedal faster with less effort. This comes in handy when climbing hills or out racing sprints for instance, while keeping riders fresher throughout the race.
TdF officials say that the use of these motors may be the greatest threat to the sport ever. In fact, they claim that they are fighting for the very future of cycling itself at the moment. Those are strong words when you consider the number of doping scandal that these officials have seen over the years. Still, they are stressing how serious they are taking this issue, and how they are moving forward with efforts to prevent it from happening.
By sharing the news that thermal cameras will be employed to prevent mechanical doping, the riders have been warned. But, this being cycling, I wouldn't be surprised if someone tried to get away with using one anyway. We'll just have to wait and see what comes of this. Hopefully it'll be a good race this year completely free from controversy.
With as much running and cycling as I do, I've become a convert to the benefits of compression. Not only do I feel like it helps me to perform better out on the road, but recover faster after my workouts as well. These benefits come from the fact that compression gear helps to stimulate the flow of blood to our muscles, while reducing lactic acids as well, bringing some excellent benefits along with it.
One of my favorite companies that provides compression gear for my workout is SKINS. In colder weather I frequently wear a pair of their tights, and during the warmer month I break out the SKINS shorts. Later, I'll even don a pair of recovery tights to help get my legs ready for the next workout the following day. Recently, I had a chance to check out the new DNAmic Compression Shirt as well, and true to form it delivers positive benefits too.
Like SKINS compression tights and shorts, this short sleeve shirt is designed to help stimulate the flow of oxygen to our muscles, helping to improve performance in the process. In particular, this shirt is meant to aid the muscles in our shoulders, chest, and core, providing more power and faster recovery post workout.
It is tough to quantify the "more power" part of that equation, but I can definitely attest to its ability to help speed recovery. After a workout with this shirt, I still felt the effects of a workout, with tired muscles and lots of lactic acid build-up. But the impact of those workouts diminishes much more quickly, and I feel less sore when I start my next exercise session as well.
One of the other benefits of wearing compression gear is that it prevents the muscles in your body from vibrating and moving around too much while moving. That helps to keep the wear and tear on those muscles to a minimum, which is a large part of where the post-workout soreness comes from. But since this shirt fits like, well, a second skin, there isn't much room for your muscles to move about much, which is part of the reason why it is so effective. But it can take a bit to get use to the fit of the shirt, which is tight, but not uncomfortably so.
The DNAmic shirt brings some other nice benefits to the table as well. For instance, it is made of fabrics that wick moisture away quickly and easily, keeping you dry and cool in the process. That can play a big role in staying comfortable while exercising too. On top of that, the shirt offers 50+ UPF protection from the sun too, which definitely comes in handy on those outdoor workouts.
If you're not already a convert to the compression movement, what are you waiting for? You'll find a lot of nice benefits from wearing this type of gear, both on your legs and upper body. This shirt is a also a great place to start, as it can be worn on its own or under other equipment and still get maximum performance. And at a pice of $89.99, it is also a reasonably priced product for how high quality it is. Yes, you'll find some options that cost less, but in my experience that apparel isn't nearly as durable or effective as the products that come from SKINS.
