Camping

Training Camp is always fun because it makes you feel like a little kid again. I think all of the riders can attest but won’t admit that it seems like Christmas for “big kids” because of all the new clothing and equipment. This year each of the riders were welcomed with a large duffel bag that I call a “body bag”, full of the very good looking Giordana and Merrell clothing. With all of the diversity in the types of race clothing, I think I wear a different outfit for every temperature degree change. I may also never have to do laundry again. Just kidding.

The new Prince bike rides and looks amazing. I thought it would be hard to improve on the Paris from last year, but Pinarello seemed to do it again this year. I almost don’t want to train on the new bike back in the bad weather in Seattle.

It’s impressive how well the team and staff get along. I have heard and would be willing to believe our team has one of the best team atmospheres in the domestic peloton. Everyone who is part of the team is very approachable and willing to answer questions that younger riders like myself often have. I can’t wait to see the results that our team unity will bring this racing season.

My 10 days spent at training camp in Santa Rosa were great. There’s nothing like training in a good place amongst great people. After witnessing all the great new things, it is evident that Team BISSELL will take it to the next level this year.

-Morgan Schmitt

Indoor Training

Well, due to the specific nature of the region I live., ie we get lots of snow and whatnot, well, I've been spending quite a bit of time on the indoor trainer.

Surprisingly, I've been able to surpass my fitness level of past winter's where I spent more time on the actual pavement.

Specifically, I've taken the "quality vs. quantity approach" and have been focusing on addressing each training zone rather than limiting myself as in years past to the much heralded "base" approach.

The only drawback I can see at this point is that I'm carrying around a little more weight in the ol' mid-section due to overall reduction in energy expenditure that you achieve riding for shorter durations inside.

Looks like I've got some dieting to do in the next month.

-Burke Swindlehurst

SSPSTYNBLTIM

With all the talk of illegal substances in the sport, it's wise be wise to avoid speaking of LSD in this first sentence. Thankfully, in this instance, LSD refers to Long Slow Distance rather than lysergic acid diethylamide. Duh.

This time of year is definitely chalk full of these sorts of rides. It's typical to be on your bike for a third of your waking hours! In fact, I just finished a week of training where my shortest ride was four hours, and the week's total was just shy of 30! LSD is a slight misnomer though. "Long" and "Distance" are fairly accurate, but "Slow" isn't necessary the exact truth. Now don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not going out and trying to crush it with tons of sprints, TTs, huge power outputs, hill climbs, and the like. When the weather is cool and the race season is bobbing just out there on the horizon ( i.e. now), I simply like to find a strong, steady pace that I can maintain for a whole bunch of hours, yet still know that I'm pretty darn worked when I pedal into my driveway. If slow were the operative word, I'd be leaving too much in the tank and not making enough gains for my base. For me and the majority of other riders out there, this time of year is all about boosting our base endurance. With a race season that kicks off in full force with the Tour of California in mid-February and runs through September or even October, it's vital to get in this base training so that we're not burnt like toast in May.

In fact, that's maybe what it should be called. Steady Strong Pace So That You're Not Burnt Like Toast In May… or that well known acronym: SSPSTYNBLTIM

-Teddy King