As I move into some more focused Spring speed work, my Powercranks usage has been reduced to a few sessions a week after I am on the water, and longer sessions on the weekends. I have gotten so comfortable with PC’s that I warm down on them after an on-water workout with a 15-20 min high RPM spin. Previously, any effort on Powercranks would be too hard for warm- down intensity, and I would never think to use them for recovery work. As I have been outside with the warm weather, I am much faster on the bike than I have ever been, even though it is still early in the season. The biggest difference I feel is in my climbing. I have shaved significant time off my hill repeats, and I attribute it to the more efficient pedal stroke and power I have gained from PC’s. This afternoon I spun a steady 1.5 hrs on the Powercranks with an average cadence around 72, about 5 RPM lower than my normal fixed crank rating.
For my rowing, a major advantage of the Powercranks, and my cross training on the bike in general, is how it has helped me keep my weight down. My measurable power on the rowing ergometer went up significantly this winter, and I have maintained and even lost a little weight over the season that I have been on the PCs. I currently wake up at 157 lbs, and I expect to shave even a little more as my diet and training get more focused as racing season approaches. My first “training race” is May 10th, so I have another month or so of solid cycling work, and expect to see even more positive results with my continued Powercranks use.
Junior Rower (1X) and cyclist affiliated with Narragansett Boat Club. Junior at Moses Brown School in Providence, RI.