PowerWatts Blog

From previous blog posts the impression may be that we are solely a racing-oriented training system. This is only partially true. Only a small percentage of our clients are racers. The rest are motivated cyclists who wish to get the most out of their time and training by using the most efficient system possible.

The group setting in which our PowerCoaches push, motivate, cajole, inspire and threaten (just kidding) our clients is second to none. These short but intense classes help cyclists improve their short and intermediate-term power, their climbing ability, their ability to push the pace at the front of their local group rides and even can help them become less fatigued over moderately long rides.

We also offer outdoor group rides that teach riding etiquette, group riding skills, cornering, climbing, descending, pacing and many more subtle lessons learned from our Master PowerCoaches. We can even help introduce beginners safely to the world of cycling by teaching them the basics of shifting and the use of clipless pedals indoors on our multi-adjustable bikes before bringing them outside.

We also offer core-strengthening classes that address the imbalances that may occur with prolonged cycling hours.  Pilates is also a service that many cyclists enjoy, and for those whose needs are specific, we offer one-on-one training tailored to their needs.

This past weekend several of the team racers journeyed to the beautiful Charlevoix region of Québec to compete in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Charlevois stage race.  Based in Baie-St-Paul, competition was fierce, but Sylvan Adams won the overall classification convincingly in the Masters C category.  Dave Albert had a strong first two stages, but ultimately faltered in the steep climb at St-Irénée.  It was an intense experience that redefined the racers’ definition of suffering…

Video of the criterium: GP Charlevoix criterium

A road race can finish in a flurry of action, aggression and speed in the form of a field-sprint.  This is the most dangerous time in a race.    With riders battling for position and speeds reaching 60+ kph, the smallest touch of wheels can lead to dramatic crashes and broken bones.

For the strong rouleur-type riders, a solo or group breakaway is a preferred tactic.  A Breakaway, or break in short, is when a small group of riders or an individual have successfully opened a gap ahead of the peloton (wikipedia).  Timing is of the essence, for if a break is attempted too soon, it will likely be caught by the peloton since there is more distance over which to eat away at the gap created by the escaping riders.  Essentially, a break is a type of Team Time Trial where riders from different teams attempt to stay away from a fast moving, larger group (the pack).

It is advantageous for the break to be comprised of several teams in order to neutralize the peloton.  If a team is represented in a break, they are less likely to chase it.

Should the group manage to stay away, there will usually be a sprint to the finish from both the breakaway and the trailing pack (known as a field-sprint).

Thus far in the 2010 road season, the PowerWatts-Moishes team has proven to be adept at getting riders into breakaways, and the Masters C riders have been smoothly controlling the pack in their leadouts to the final pack sprints.  Keep up the good work!

The 2010 road season is underway with a variety of events taking place on weekends and even midweek.  There are probably no two events which are more diametrically opposed than criteriums and time trials.

The criterium specialist has excellent bike handling skills for the very frequent cornering, a well developed tactical sense to enable them to be well placed to respond to attacks and conserve energy and nerves of steel for the chaotic and crash-prone finishes which often accompany these events.  They also have the ability to exert themselves at very high power outputs  for short, intermediate and long bursts in order to stay competitive within a peloton moving, at times, in excess of 50 kph.

The time trialist is another beast entirely.  He, or she, has primarily the ability, and desire, to push at a high level of power for long periods. Their efforts are very controlled, but very hard nonetheless.  They have the ability to hold an aerodynamic position for almost the entire length of their race, often without even breaking the position to drink.  They tend to have high-tech equipment, such as wheels, handlebars and frames, which aid them to cut through the air like a knife’s edge.

PowerWatts training includes training which simulates both types of riding:  steady state vs bursts.

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The team had another series of successful races.  Sylvan Adams finished 3rd in the C race AND 2nd in the B race at the GP Brossard criterium on May 2.  The following rainy weekend, he won the Granby 19 km time trial.  Dave posted a 2nd place in the Masters B category on his new TT 1.0 PowerWatts bike.

A masters cycling team is often a mixture of age-groups, genders, goals and equipment.  Although common uniforms are a must, it  is rare to see an entire team riding the same helmets, shoes, and bikes.  Our team is no different.  However, this year we come one step closer to a homogeneous, professionally equipped team with PowerWatts road bikes.  Several of our members have received carbon fiber road and TT frames on which to train and race during the 2010 road season.  Masters D racer Claude Breau is enjoying his new PowerWatts RD 1.0, a lightweight carbon fiber frame with an integrated seat mast, Campagnolo record components and fast lightweight wheels.

PowerCoach, masters B racer and team manager Dave Albert is very excited to be racing time trials aboard the PowerWatts TT 1.0, a sleek and aerodynamic frame.  It will see action for the first time at the Grand Prix Granby individual time trial on May 8th.  Equipped with a mixture of Mavic, Profile, Shimano, SRAM and HED components, Dave is aiming to repeat his podium of last year and hopefully end up on the top step.

Another impressive road machine is the Opus Vivace, which is a beautifully equipped bike that Dave is training and racing on for 2010. The new Shimano Ultegra 6700 components and Mavic Cosmic Carbone SL Powertap 2.4 wheelset make it an ideal training tool to monitor and analyse  performance by monitoring power output on the road in real-time.  The aerodynamic profile of the rim increases flat and rolling-terrain speed, and it’s excellent strength makes this wheelset an great choice for our infamous Québec roads.

We will be making many of these products available exclusively to our clients in the near future.  Stay tuned!

It was a windy but successful day forTeam PowerWatts-Moishes on Sunday, April 25th at the Grand Prix Sainte-Martine road race. First place in the Senior 3 category went to new recruit Mathieu Gautier.  In the Masters B (40-49) race, Master PowerCoach Dave Albert initiated the winning breakaway with 45 km to go and took the win in a long, 300 m sprint against the remaining racers in the final kms.  Teammates and PowerCoaches Mark Comaniuk and Michel Courval were instrumental in controlling the peloton as the breakaway gained time.  An unfortunate move by another racer sent Courval to the pavement in the pack sprint, but he emerged with only a few bruises, vowing to return and make his presence known in subsequent races.  

The 50-59 category saw a lot of white, grey and black PowerWatts uniforms on the podium as Mark Dichter outsprinted his breakaway companion.  The pack sprint saw  3rd place go to Garry Garbarino, 4th to Sylvan Adams, and 6th to Bernard Vives.

Our Masters women also scored a 3rd place (Joanne Breau) and 4th (Linda Gagné).

Interest in racing has been increasing amongst the clients of PowerWatts. We would also like to congratulate  Dan Lundenberg, Richard Epstein, Jimmy Monopoli, JF Pouliot, and Jonathan Kaufman for participating in this event.

Congratulations to all!  The winter PowerWatts training is paying off already!

Ride 1 Thursday, May 13 – 50-60km approx 2hrs (9am from studio)

(Estacade, St. Catherine locks, south shore farm roads)

Ride 2 Friday, June 11 – 70-80km approx 2.5-3hrs (9am from studio)

(Victoria bridge, Grande Alle, towards Chambly)

Ride 3 Saturday, July 10 – 90-110km – 3-4hrs (9am from studio)

(Victoria bridge, St. Remi – Hemmingford)

Ride 4 Sunday, Aug 15 – 120-135km – 4-5hrs (9am from studio)

(St. Catherine locks, south shore Rougemont/St. Bruno)

Ride 5 Thursday, Sept 2 – 90-100km 4-5hrs (9am from Sutton)

(Drive to Sutton Parking lot and ride Jay Peak loop)

Off to Israel where we will ride from the north to the south in a country filled with rich history! Then to Mallorca, the Spanish island with the best riding in the world! Check out the blog to find out more about our travels and training camps.

Powerwatts Team events will shortly appear in this category

Powerwatts training at Premier Studio has made a profound difference in my life. The training has allowed me to significantly increase my fitness and lose weight. It also introduced me to the bicycling world. The trainers are all knowledgeable bicycling experts who, with great kindness, cajole us into completing seemingly impossible training programs. The Powerwatts trainer are also extraordinarily nice people who make coming to Powerwatts fun and entertaining. I have seen Powerwatts training assist all levels of cyclist – from the novice to the most experienced. I recommend Powerwatts for anyone who wants top-notch cycling training during our long Montreal winters, regardless of level.