" LEST WE FORGET " Remembrance Day Nov 11th

On my way to the studio this morning, I rode past the Manufacturer's Life Insurance building in Toronto and was very emotionally moved by what I saw. .

There are 11,483 Canadian flags on the front lawn of this building and were planted as a gesture of thanks and remembrance for all of Canada's fallen soldiers since the days of the Boar war up until the present. They are a tribute to our fallen heroes and their families whose sacrifices for our freedom will never be forgotten.

THIS IS WHY I DO WHAT I DO

Helping people reach their full potential and enjoy the sport. I can not think of a more rewarding profession, and for that I feel truly blessed

Scott... the "Bike Whisperer"


Hi Scott.

It's been a while since you helped me with my track bike set up.  But since you got me set up in a much more comfortable and aggressive set up, things feel much better.  So much so that last weekend I managed 2 silver medals at the National championships in Masters A. Looking back on my racing this year over last, I realize just how much I was cutting off my diaphragm and limiting my breathing in my old set up. With your help and sponsorship to the team this year I was able to reach my potential, so thank you for that.

I have been telling a few riders at the track about the work you did with my set up and I couldn't be happier with it.  Hopefully you get a few new track bike setups as a result.

Any ways thank you again for your help and let me know if you want any testimonial or content for your website. I'd be happy to help since you have helped me so much.

Mark Gilligan


Hi Scott

Paolo here.

Took the bike out a couple of times now.  Wow what a difference.

Bye bye neck strain (for the most part), and the lower back issue I was having is gone.  I used to get off the bike after 40k and be bent over, because it was too painful to straighten my back at first.  Now I simply get off the bike, and my back does not feel tight.  

Definitely a big improvement in general. 

I am looking forward to getting those before and after adjustment sheets you mentioned, as I now am hooked on to the power of proper fitting.

Thanks so much Scott,

Paolo

Hey Scott,

I went on a 1.5h loop up Royal York that I like to do in the mornings. It was magical! Not even a trace of pain in my knee or anywhere else for that matter. I feel very connected to the bike and all that stuff people always say, but what I couldn’t really tell during our session was how much better my spin is.

As you know, I ride fixed gear, descending is so fluid now. I always used to feel like I was fighting the bike trying not to bounce during fast spins, now it feels like the air is all that’s holding me back. Spinning is the best part of riding fixed gear on the road and now thanks to you my spin has gotten 10 times better!

Finally, another aspect that wasn’t so clear during the session is how much better being out of the saddle feels now. I guess with the longer stem and improvements you did with my feet, whatever the case, it feels very natural to be out of the saddle now, I’m not fighting the bike all the time and straining to move my feet into the right position.

I’m looking forward to finally be able to get into the season and start bringing on the hours again!

Thanks and take care,

Carsten Nielsen

WANT TO KNOW HOW TO SAVE $$ MONEY ON YOUR NEXT NEW BIKE PURCHASE

The answer to this question is very simple, get a Sizing Fitt done before you purchase and it could save you up to the value of your entire purchase.

How is that possible you say...

As a professional bike fitter, I see a lot of cyclists of all levels of ability and discipline and one comment comes up more often than any other.

"I wish I had come to see you before I bought my bike, It would have saved me a lot of hassle and money"

Some were riding bikes that were not even close to the right size for them and had to purchase a new bike before I could fit them properly. If they had come to have a sizing cycle fitt done beforehand, they would have saved themselves the entire cost of the new bike.

Some clients have bikes that are the wrong geometry or size for their morphology or flexibility and strength and although I can usually get the bike to fit them, the handling is substantially negatively impacted and the visual appearance of the bike is not pleasing. We have a name in the Industry for these type of bikes " Frankenstein Bikes". You've all seen them,  Weird high angled , short or long stems with lots of spacers underneath to compensate for a bike that had too low a head tube for the rider, 

Having to put on reverse angled seat posts and slide the saddle all the way forward in order to get the riders knees in the correct position because the bike they were sold had either too long a top tube or too layed back a seat tube angle for them

Saddles that feel like you are sitting on a bed of nails, handlebars that are way too wide causing all sorts of comfort issues in the upper body.

All these issues cost hundreds of $$ to remedy, and you end up with a bike that handles badly and looks like H---.

Not a pleasant experience when bikes routinely run in the $3000.00 - $10,000 price range now

By getting a sizing cycle fitt done prior to your purchase you will know exactly what you need to know to purchase your bike with confidence and not have to change or upgrade any parts afterwards at big costs.

What is the best size and  geometry for your specific build and riding style

Which makes of bikes best suit me

What is the best size and shape of saddle for you

What handlebar size and shape is best for you

What crank length is best

What stem length is ideal

Your negotiating power goes up because you will know exactly what you need and if the bike doesn't come with the size parts you need you may be able to get them exchanged as part of the deal and not have to pay extra to have them changed after the purchase. Bike shops will bend a little more and exchange parts for free in order to get the sale 

You will also learn how to read bicycle geometry charts, so that you can be better informed on how to compare different Manufacturers bikes

One brands size 54 is not necessarily the same as another brands size 54 and how does a size XXS or XL fit in the overall picture.

So if a new bike is in the cards for you this coming year or you are thinking of buying one for a significant other, Have a sizing cycle fit done and spend your hard earned $$ wisely.. 

CANADIAN TEAM FROM AEROVELO SETS NEW LAND SPEED WORLD RECORD FOR A HUMAN POWERED VEHICLE 139.45 K PH AT BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NEVADA

On Thursday morning, Sept 17th,  Todd Reichert set a new Men's 200M record of 85.71 mph in Team AeroVelo's ETA.

The new record is  2.58 mph faster than the 83.13 mph record set by  Sebastiaan Bouwier of HPV Team Delft in  Velox 3 on  September 14th, 2013.

On Friday evening, Sept 18th, Todd set another record at 86.50 mph in ETA. 

On Saturday evening, Sept 19th, Todd went even faster, recording 86.65 mph. (139.45 kph)

Todd contacted me in January of 2014 because he was having some knee problems that were preventing him from training. I ended up doing a complete refit on his training bike which included a lot of changes to his shoes and feet (see previous posts of Todd's knee tracking before and after his fit.) I also consulted on the design and fitting of the ETA record breaking bike.

I received an email from Todd last week, 

Hi Scott, 

I just wanted to let you know that we've succeeded in crushing the human-powered speed record at 86.65 mph!!

I wanted to thank you for all your help and support with the bike fitting last year. I went through this entire training season without any knee pain on the bike, and I think a huge part of that was due to the fitting work that we did together!

See www.aerovelo.com for more details, and feel free to share our story and images in any of your social media.

Thank you again!

Todd

Congrats again to the team and I wish them  continued success in all their endeavors, Fitt1st is proud to have contributed to this world class accomplishment

Todd Reichert (far right) and his crew with ETA

Welcome back Miranda 5 Races , 5 WINS !!

Welcome back to Miranda Tomenson, who returned to racing after a year off due to a knee injury from jamming her knee while running during a half Ironman last Fall.

Miranda competed in her last race of the season on Sunday at the Lakeside Triathlon in Lakeside On., part of the Multisport Canada Series. Miranda had completed 4 Sprint triathlons earlier this year winning all 4 but wanted to finish off the season with a longer Olympic distance race to see if her knee would hold up with no pain for a 10 km run.  Congrats Miranda, it appears you are well on your way back and good luck in the 2016 Pro season

For a complete report you can visit Miranda's blog at
 http://mirandatomenson.blogspot.ca/2015/09/season-recap-and-lakeside-tri-now-i.html