HPC joins RBC riders for evening outdoor bike rides

“Can they ride outside ?” “Sure, CompuTrainer workouts are hard, but how do they translate on the road ?” and “What are ‘watts’ and why are they important for road cyclists ?”

Pierre Pelletier, Susan Hefler and other HPC riders after the Reston Bike Club Thursday evening ride in Herndonride
Pierre Pelletier, Susan Hefler and other HPC riders after the Reston Bike Club Thursday evening ride in Herndon

These are all valid questions Ashburn and Hamilton bike lawyer Doug Landau was asked this month. The trial lawyer triathlete had avoided injury during this severe winter by training indoors at the HPC center in Herndon, taking Compu Trainer classes with Susan Hefler and Peirre Pelletier’s outstanding junior and masters road cycling trainees. Lawyer Landau learned that watts measures work, and getting more watts out of your bike (and legs) without spiking heart rate translates to more efficient cycling patterns, gear choices and fitness. Landau also learned that some of Hefler’s middle and high schoolers can put out more wattage than a small power station !

So, now the answers to the questions: Yes, both Susan and Pierre can kick my butt inside AND outside. Their trainees, are usually at the front of Reston Club rides and they are usually “putting the hurt” on the rest of the peloton out in Ashburn, Broadlands or Ashburton Farms. CompuTrainer classes really get the legs and lungs in shape, because unlike spin classes, the computer controls the inclines and you are riding your own road bike, not a spin bike with a spinning flywheel. If you don’t put in the effort, the wheel does not turn in a CompuTrainer class. Lastly, watts are important for road cyclists, duathletes and triathletes, as they help you gauge how much speed you are getting for the gear, heart rate or perceived effort. Needless to say, this winter’s training ha been and eye opening and lung/leg burning experience for Lawyer Landau !

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