I was introduced to PowerCranks in 2003 by Frank Day (the inventor) at the gigantic Wildflower Triathlon event in California.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = \"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office\" />

Being very elated after my victory in the 20-24 age-group, I decided to check out all the stalls.  I tried out the PowerCranks on a stationary bike.  Instantly I was impressed, comprehending what tremendous benefit could be gained by using them as a training tool. I found them a delightful challenge, having to lift the heavy suckers up!

I first put them on my bike in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = \"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags\" />America but I didn’t probably start training on them until I went back home to New Zealand. I did a 30minute ride first off and was a bit jerky and uncoordinated but it was a lot of fun and I got a kick out of it.

I did a few one hour rides with them and soon progressed to riding 90mins. The burn in the quads was enormous but I loved it! It was unlike anything else I have ever experienced and it felt like I had been riding hard for hours. I absolutely love the quality of using these superb PowerCranks and the immense satisfaction they provide.

I then started doing 2 hour rides and then would switch my bike to its normal cranks to do a further 2 hours. My legs started to get stronger and accustomed to these crazy cranks, however I kept upping the mileage to keep the challenge alive.

Four years later, I am riding up to 6 hours on them and still it is an awesome challenge.

I am currently preparing for Long Course Duathlon World Championships. I enjoyed an upbeat 3hour ride with my PowerCranks last weekend. I held 35kmph on the flats without much strain and then climbed a mountain range on them. It is seriously a primo workout climbing a mountain range on PowerCranks. I feel like I am in the best shape of my life and ready to let it rip in Virginia next month.

I have my ideal set up now which includes 3 bikes. A bike with the PowerCranks set up permanently, another road bike with normal cranks and a time trial racing bike. I used to do everything on one bike.

I do my speed work on normal cranks, time trial training sessions and races on my time trial bike and anything that is long and steady on the PowerCranks. After all the hard yards on the PowerCranks I find that getting on the time trial bike I can fly.

Cycling has become my forte. Successful races I have had lately which I can contribute to training on the PowerCranks over the last 4 years are the 2006 ‘Rangitiki River Loop Classic’ where I broke away from the lead pack with 25km to go on a long climb with ease.  Hill climbing is a lot easier after training on PowerCranks.

I also had the second fastest ride in New Zealand Duathlon Nationals. After a mediocre run I went from 10^th to 3rd on the cycle leg.

 
The support from PowerCranks has been tremendous. Living outside of the US has been no problem. Customer service has been top self. There have been a few incidents where I have needed the PowerCranks to be repaired and I have been very impressed at the quick and efficient service. I hate to go long without my favourite training tool!