Wiggins' physique

[a_n_t]

because their muscle strength and endurance is so much depleted by being in a constant state of ultra thinness?

You don't need strength to be quick on a bike, you need power. 2 different things.

 

[Chuffy]

So you are suggesting that to be a really good climber / distance bike rider, Pros need to be stick thin to keep weight down but need performance enhancing products / stimulants because their muscle strength and endurance is so much depleted by being in a constant state of ultra thinness?

No. Pros do not need dope to compensate for being really thin. They take dope (EPO, typically) to increase the oxygen carrying capacity of their blood, which in turn improves performance.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

No it isn't - it's simply what happens when you hit your optimum power to weight ratio as a professional endurance cyclist.

I am 5"10 and 57.8 kg currently, so I must be in optimal shape too then?

Oh and by the way, I'm not taking drugs either, my thyroid was damaged so I have the metabolism of a small rodent instead. These guys might just be naturally thin like me!

And .............?

And you don't need to be taking anything to be like that. As I said, some of us are just naturally thin.



.....I haven't read all of this thread, ok?

 

[black'n'yellow]

I am 5"10 and 57.8 kg currently, so I must be in optimal shape too then?

Absolutely (although you sound a bit too thin, tbh) - but providing you also train around 25-30 hours a week, then you will certainly be in optimal shape...

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I am 5"10 and 57.8 kg currently, so I must be in optimal shape too then?

Oh and by the way, I'm not taking drugs either, my thyroid was damaged so I have the metabolism of a small rodent instead. These guys might just be naturally thin like me

You must be really thin... how is your muscle mass? I do a lot of training (swimming, cycling and running) and I'm 5'5" and 61kg. I probably have more upper body muscle than when I was just a cyclist (when I was 57.5kg at my lightest), but I really don't have a lot of body fat (reckon I could stand to lose a maximum of 2kg if I really wanted to do so).

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I was nicknamed Skelator in P.E. at school.....

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I was nicknamed Skelator in P.E. at school.....

Ah, okay!

 

[GaryA]

I can well see how wiggy got the 'sticks' nickname... I never looked like that even at the height of my late-twenties running obsession. I remember religiously using skinfold calipers from work to measure bodyfat for years..I stayed around 4-5% for 8 years but looked like I had spray-on skin. Didnt realise how freaky I looked at at the time (self deception) 6' 2" with largeish upper body 78kg. Ive stayed about 3kg heavier since then but it makes a surprising difference to appearance I'm reliably informed

 

[Smokin Joe]

Pro cyclists are incredibly fit, but not healthy.

 

[400bhp]

They are velcro. It's the latest thing: he attaches his helmet to them to save weight on straps.. Just see, we'll all have them soon.

Only if they are carbon.

I believe the steel ones double up as scouring pads.

 

[asterix]

So why is it only the top Tour Pro riders that look stick thin and not your average endurance cyclist whether professional or not?
The answer to that question may be self evident.

I met some guy who was an audax hill climbing specialist, obviously an amateur enthusiast. I was in the same cafe on a ride*. Although there was nothing wrong with his appetite, he would have made Wiggo look positively obese!

* we hadn't really got to the hills! When we did he just vanished ahead..

 

[albion]

Pro cyclists are incredibly fit, but not healthy.

Discounting fractures, skin grazes etc they are all incredibly healthy.

It is no coincidence that slim people live much longer.