5 things skiers can learn from a new cycling hour record to become better

There are some disciplines of sport that are constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible and thereby changing the entire sport. In August, semi-pro cyclist Dan Bigham broke the hours record while being noticeably not as powerful as previous record holders. He showed that if you take into account every aspect that makes up the result, then you can become faster than a stronger competitor.

No surprise his pacing, thermal acclimatization and training strategies can be very useful for every xc skier not only to become faster, but also to be happier on the track.

Fact: Dan Bigham is not a pro athlete. He is lucky to make his passion for cycling a full-time job, working with a pro team as a performance engineer.

- It’s possible to spend more time on your favorite sport by finding those who are as passionate about it as you. There’s no doubt a community that has formed around xc skiing – whether in person or virtually. Training with a local club, making ski friends, travelling for races and training camps - it can help you live your passion.

You should also spend more time learning how to wax your skies and to maintain equipment 

Fact: Thermal acclimatization is critical. The velodrome where Dan set the record was heated to 81F for optimal air density, but that also won't overheat the athlete. Even with these moderate air temperatures, Dan lost 2.1 liters of fluid. It took a lot of research and training under special conditions to be prepared for this fluid loss.

- As a skier you might think that it’s not the case, but it’s a very common mistake to overdress, sweat a lot and cramp. So finding the right number of cloth layers would optimize body core temperature during the race, and you would need to drink significantly less fluid. It’s a good sign to feel just a little cold at the start of the marathon - at a race pace the body heats up.

Fact: Negative splits are another key to performance! Dan is the only hour record holder whose first 15 minutes split was slower than the final 15 minutes. It’s nearly impossible to ride at the exact same pace for an hour, so it’s better to keep a tiny reserve and empty the tank in your final effort. 

- Don't go full gas from the start. It's important to keep extra reserve throughout the race. If you think of 2-4 hours marathon strategy, then going 1-2 minutes faster on the first hour may lead to losing 3-5-10 minutes on the next hours 

Fact: Aero is almost everything. Even Dan was pushing an impressive 350 watts for an hour, but this is still low relative to professional cyclists who are capable of 400+ watts. And yet Dan has outperformed many pros. How could he do this? Dan focused on aerodynamics and marginal gains. He took an exhaustive approach experimenting with body position and equipment to find the best possible setup so he was about 20% lower air drag compared to the previous record holder! Secret waxed chain increased drivetrain efficiency and special combo of a clincher tire and latex tube decreased rolling resistance  

- It can be surprising for many, but being aero is also essential in skiing. Lycra ski suit is not only a mandatory piece of equipment for pro skiers, but it also makes you go faster with less air drag and contact area. Being small on downhills can also speed you up. And get rid of a hat with pom pom.

Ski wax is also a huge factor to be faster or slower on the track. Having two race ready pairs of skis for a marathon is a great idea. Just choose the fastest one in the morning.

Fact: It took Dan seven attempts in the past eight years to become the fastest in the world. In pursuit of that we were fully focused on riding a TT bike on the velodrome. 

- Don't hurry, take your time to become a master of a specific discipline that you like. With the right approach you will progress every season. Set season goals and follow them.

Zihi can help you meet your skiing goals, whether they are the hour record or just making sub4 Birkie