Coach Carter

Last week, I had the opportunity to visit the wind tunnel for the first time. Two of my athletes, Seb and Juliette, had decided to visit the tunnel in order to refine their time trialling position. In time trialling, most of the power output cyclists produce is needed to overcome wind resistance (as much as 75% in fact), so getting the position right on the bike is vital to make the most of the energy you expend. However, its not as easy as just presenting the smallest area to the wind as you can: lower at the front end can compromise your ability to pedal the bike - its the interplay between your aerodynamics and your physiology. Simon Smart, owner of Drag2zero gave his expertise on the former, while I went along to provide Seb and Juliette some guidance on the latter.

I have read a lot about wind tunnel testing, but seeing the process in action was enlightening. As a sport scientist, I understand the need to change one small thing at a time, but that requires a lot of patience on the part of Simon and his team, as well as the athlete sitting there in the (hot) tunnel for 2 hours straight. Painstaking precision and measurement, photos taken of each small adjustment made, and accurate measurement of how much resistance to the wind the cyclist presents.

Naively, many cyclists going to the tunnel expect THE answer - "what is THE best position for me to be in on my bike?". Simon does not give that - the trip to the tunnel is the start of a process to answer that question. On leaving the tunnel, the 3 of us had the information we needed to inform how we tackle that 'aerodynamics / physiology' balance: so next step, into the lab, where we will look at the various position options, and how each of those impacts on the tolerance to exercise.

Wind tunnel testing is not something I ever did as an athlete - five years ago when I was putting time and energy into refining my bike position, this kind of technology was out of reach to the domestic level athlete. I was fortunate to be working in a sport science department that could at the very least offer video analysis and the advice of a biomechanician! If I had my time again, spending 2 hours in the tunnel would be 'a must' - saving hours of deliberation over position and equipment purchases.

I am just grateful that I can experience this process now as a coach - and make sure the athletes I work with are able to take these opportunities to refine performance. With the season not too far away now, its exciting to see the benefits in action!