Category: Biometrics

List: Sensors (June 2015)

Data is the starting point of every analysis. Here’s a list of sensors I am currently using.

Power meters:

-Power2Max (first gen. after minor change): very basic, reliable, quick reaction to intensity changes. Spider-type.

-Pioneer (second gen.): pedaling technique visualization (useful especially indoors, less so on the road). Crank-type.

-Garmin Vector 2: some advanced metrics (though of doubtful value during ride). Pedal-type with pod.

-PowerTap P1 (ordered): pedal-type.

Biometric sensors:

-SmO2: Moxy: NIRS sensor giving raw data of (remaining) O2 saturation in blood flow of muscles. Currently the only sensor for home use to actually show what’s going on in the specific muscles, although it is still a somewhat indirect measure that requires interpretation. Potential to show you how to warm up most effectively, what systems your weak points are, whether you are really at your limit, etc. Learned for example that my left and right legs are so completely different even when riding at a 50% to 50% balance. Possibly revolutionary to training.

-HR: Garmin (chest, ANT+), 4iiii (chest, ANT+ and BT), Mio (arm, ANT+ and BT).

-LT: BSX insight: was only able to do few rides so far: I do not seem to be the only one with connection issues. Concept of measuring LT might not be the holy grail anymore when you can now have SmO2 data instead.

Data collection:

-NorthPoleEngineering WASP-B with iOS app.

The thrill of riding indoors

To many, indoor cycling is the most boring way to ride a bike. Some will admit that it’s nonetheless a very efficient way to train, like during the winter months, even if they’d actually prefer rain and snow.

But how could indoor cycling be thrilling?

I actually agree that riding on one of those aero bikes you see unused in hotel fitness rooms which never fit my body size, or riding on a mediocre trainer with its low inertia and constant resisting feeling like walking through mud, or even the average roller where you simply put your road bike on and have the freedom to pedal and balance or fall, is suicidally unbearable.

Until I found a nice enough roller and a somewhat acceptable turbo trainer. Which kinda turned my world upside down.

No stinking cars driven by narcisstic maniacs, no waiting for red lights that screw your exercise and data, no waiting for the elevator to get to the ground floor in the first place, no concerns about weather, no pollens, no summer heat, no darkness, no pedestrians, no broken parts that you can’t repair without special tools, no punctures that make you walk home, no need to keep in mind to spare some power for the last uphill road to get home, no need to carry food, no helmet, no gloves, no feeling of creeping along compared to the thrills of my motorbike and racing car, no stupid races with random cyclists either real or on STRAVA.

Instead: Exact exercise protocols and beautiful data for most efficient training. Ability to watch and analyze graphs of biometric and power data in realtime on multiple real computer displays to see the effects of adjustments to e.g. pedaling technique as they are implemented. Ability to read on a kindle or to study classical music recordings to make double use of my time. Ability to ride until exhaustion on every ride without fear of not making it back home. Or to watch TV if I’m really lacking motivation.

Absolutely thrilling and beautifully efficient at the same time.  Everytime. On every ride.

Some might question how indoor riding could be thrilling at all and how anyone could be serious about performance without racing. I’d probably have thought similarly myself. Until I learned that that was all stupid bias and prejudice.