Alex Dowsett's hour attempt

[Cathryn]

Alex Dowsett is in Mexico for his hour attempt on Wednesday (is that the 3rd?). Hoping he does it - he's had a rough season and I always think he seems like a nice bloke.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/do...as-he-acclimatises-for-hour-record-in-mexico/

I don't understand why he's doing it at altitude? Whenever I ran at altitude when we lived in California, I always found it brutally hard. Does anyone cleverer than I have the answer?

 

[midlife]

At altitude the density of the air is less dense so less aerodynamic drag. Downside is less oxygen for respiration... With enough haemoglobin the altitude wins

 

[fossyant]

Air density is lower. Hard work on lungs, but potentially quicker

 

[DCLane]

Bear in mind he lives at altitude in Andorra, so has already got used to training at that level. Whether he can make it work is different.

He's been posting regular Youtube updates about his preparation: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlexDowsettOfficial

 

[Cathryn]

Thanks for the altitude info, people. I guess that's where running and cycling at altitude differ. And good point about Andorra being high up already.

 

[13 rider]

He is slightly acclimatised as during the season he lives in Andora at the a slightly high level than Mexico . Was going to do it in Manchester but the velodrome is having a new roof . So altitude it is thinner air versus less power which wins .
Lots of vids on his YouTube channel thigh club
Edit beat too it by @DCLane

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Thanks for the altitude info, people. I guess that's where running and cycling at altitude differ. And good point about Andorra being high up already.

The body adapts to altitude , it compensates. I’d estimate whenever I’ve gone over 6,000 to 7,000 metres in altitude it takes 3-4 weeks to acclimatise. If you went to altitude and acclimatised you’d find the running just as easy as where you currently live.

For the hour record to work at altitude he will need to be fairly well acclimatised. Going from sea level to significant height and immediately trying for the record would not work.

 

[midlife]

The body adapts to altitude , it compensates. I’d estimate whenever I’ve gone over 6,000 to 7,000 metres in altitude it takes 3-4 weeks to acclimatise. If you went to altitude and acclimatised you’d find the running just as easy as where you currently live.

For the hour record to work at altitude he will need to be fairly well acclimatised. Going from sea level to significant height and immediately trying for the record would not work.

Despite all of Peter Post's cash I think that was Roy Schuiten's downfall....

 

[Cathryn]

For the hour record to work at altitude he will need to be fairly well acclimatised. Going from sea level to significant height and immediately trying for the record would not work.

That’s what bewildered me. But I forgot he lives in Andorra!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Article about Dowsett, the hour and haemophilia
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/01/cyclist-alex-dowsett-hour-record-attempt-haemophilia

 

[Cathryn]

Article about Dowsett, the hour and haemophilia
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/nov/01/cyclist-alex-dowsett-hour-record-attempt-haemophilia

Great article, thanks for flagging it. Crossing my fingers for him tonight.

 

[T4tomo]

Hmmm, live stream on iPlayer doesn't seem to have got going.... It should have started by now?

 

[T4tomo]

Ah now up and running....

 

[ColinJ]

3.287 seconds down after 102 laps.

Is he holding himself back so he can really go hard at it for the last few minutes...?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

3.287 seconds down after 102 laps.

Is he holding himself back so he can really go hard at it for the last few minutes...?

He said he was going to keep it controlled first 30 mins, then open the taps somewhat in second half.