Mount Cootha Challenge

Well done to Martin Corkey for his completion of the Mount Cootha challenge.
Martin has been training exceptionally hard and has improved immensely.

Jesse Kerrison competing at Omnium Nationals

Congratulations to Jesse Kerrison for competing in the national omnium titles over the weekend.

Jesse finished 6th overall (out of 24), including a great win in the scratch race over world champion Caleb Ewan.

Keep up the great work Jesse, good luck in the new year!

Cycling & Lombard's Paradox

The motion of cycling can be split into 2 phase: the 'power phase' and the 'recovery phase'. The power phase begins when the leg is in a flexed position (top dead center - TDC) and continues through to when it is fully extended (bottom dead center - BDC). '

A: Top Dead Center (start of power phase)

B: Bottom Dead Center (end of power phase and start of recovery phase)

With regard to moving the leg through the phases, two muscles groups are primarily concerned with motions about the hip and knee joint; The Quadriceps and Hamstrings. Both of these muscle groups are 'bi-articular', meaning they span across both the hip and knee joint. The action of the Quadriceps group involves flexion of the upper leg about the hip joint and extension of the lower leg about the knee joint. In comparison, the Hamstring muscle group extends the upper leg about the hip joint and flexes the lower leg about the knee joint. When comparing the actions of these muscle at their respective joints, it can be seen that they are antagonists of each other (their actions oppose each other).

During the 'power phase' of cycling, both the upper and lower leg extend at the hip and knee joint, respectively. To initiate this movement, both the hamstrings (hip extension) and quadriceps (knee extension) must be active. This situation is referred to as 'Lombard's Paradox' as both muscle groups are active at the same time with each respective muscle apposing the desired motion at one joint. The situation is opposite during the 'recovery phase' - the quadriceps are needed for hip flexion and the hamstrings are needed for knee flexion. Once again, 'Lombard's Paradox' arises.

The reason this phenomenon can exist without compromising smooth and efficient motion is because each muscle group is able to selectively control how much force it produces across each joint. The locations at which the muscles insert into bone also assists in allowing this paradox to occur.

Battle of the Border

The VELO Battle on the Border is one of Australia's biggest cycling festivals and Queensland biggest competitive Tour. Since 2009 pedal power has taken over the majestic Tweed Coast for 4 days of cycling action. The VELO Battle on the Border Cycling Festival consists of the Tour De Tweed 4 Stage Competitive Cycling Tour and Tweed Daily News Gran Fondo multi distance social rides

Important Dates:
Registration & Welcome Dinner: FRIDAY 29th APRIL 2011
Stage 1: Terrible Time Trial (Sat)
Stage 2: Rapid Road Race (Sat)
Stage 3: Epic Road Race (Sun)
Stage 4: Cracker Criterium (Mon)

Divisions:
Elite A / Elite B / Elite C
Masters A / Masters B / Masters C
Womens A / Womens B
Juniors U17 / Juniors U15
*division fields will be restricted and must meet minimum numbers to have own race.

Participants:
Must be a current member of Cycling Australia

Melinda McLeod Bike Crash

Melinda racing in World Series Race comes unstuck. Ouch! Good luck next week at Worlds Melinda.

Cycling Post Ride Analysis!

Very good!

Beginner Rides.

Meet at Murrarie Cycling Track 6am. Cost $10.

Lance Armstrong Tribute.

Lance Armstrong Tribute: Good

Improve Your Cycling

Three ways that improved core stability will improve your cycling:

1. Less lateral hip rock during pedaling. (Therefore more efficient pedaling. When you watch the great cyclists ride, their hips remain still)
2. Better posture on the bike (therefore more efficient pedaling and more aerodynamic positioning)
3. Better force transfer from your whole body to the pedals.