Much has been written about the high cadence (pedalling speed) used by cycling legend Lance Armstrong during road races, the theory being that pedalling faster in a lower gear – known as “spinning” – reduces muscle fatigue over the course of a long race enabling a higher overall speed. It certainly didn’t seem to hurt Lance’s results.
I hadn’t given the theory much thought, but a conversation on a cycling forum prompted me to give it a try on the commute home tonight. Just to see, you understand, to see how it compared to my usual riding style.
I selected a middle-high gear on the largest chainring, then proceeded to spin the pedals like a mad thing along the flat section of my homeward route.
My speed was normal or a bit higher and my cardio-vascular system was working harder than normal … but the legs definitely felt fresher for longer and I was able to maintain the speed for the whole length of the flat, which was new and a real surprise. I don’t really track my average speeds as traffic is too variable along the route, but I think I would have done pretty well there.
I died off on the hilly section at the end and shifted down to lower gears on the middle chainring, but I still tried to maintain the high cadence by shifting gears. I can’t be totally sure, but I think it helped even there.
I’m officially impressed now and will try to maintain this style from now on.
I’m told that it will have two benefits in the long run. First, spinning reduces fatigue and so will enable me to ride longer without sacrificing speed. Secondly, spinning plus strength will give me a higher maximum spring speed. Also, in the short term, it should enable me to accelerate on a climb more easily and more rapidly.
Who would have thought that (seven times Tour De France winning) Armstrong bloke knew what he was on about?
