I’ve been doing a lot of classic XC skiing this winter. I hooked up my road bike to my Computrainer last week and noticed that I was comfortably spinning at a higher cadence than usual and my spinscan had jumped by 10 points. I’ve been riding for many years and my numbers are usually quite consistent.
I think that I strengthened my hip flexors with the skiing and it carried over to help my cycling form. Anyone else notice this?
Cheers,
Marc
I’ve always believed downhill skiing has helped my bike descending tremendously. The weight transfer and body lean are similar.
Yep, if you ski lots of classic, it is easier to spin high RPM due to stronger hip flexors. You should find that it will help your running too. Classic skiing helps the “recovery phase” of both biking and running (ie lift leg forward). Skate skiiing seems to help the “push phase” in both running and cycling.
I noticed the same thing today. I do a roller ride where I do set of 10x1 min in the aero position at 115 to 120 RPM. I usually find it tough to maintain the RPM And stay aero, but after lots of classic skiing in the past two weeks, it seemed easy this morning.
It’s funny how different skiing and any other aerobic activity are… does anyone notice this??? I can be in top running and riding shape and then get out and ski 8k and be exhausted at the top of every hill. After about five times out I finally feel like I’m back in shape a little and my technique is getting there, LUCKILLY I live 300 yards away from some the most fun and hilly trails that MN has to offer, but some of the best as well…
I have also read that skiing is the most comprehensive triathlon training cross training that you can do because of the total body workout, feet, calves, quads, hips, abs, back, shoulders and forearms… well looking at that it’s no wonder that I’m tired!!
PS. while talking about form, I’m working this week on getting my hips to move forward? any tips or drills that I should try? thx
Speaking of developing form, does anyone have any links to a site describing proper skate ski form? My skating has come a long way, but i’ve yet to find anything describing good form - ie - poling, weight distribution, any of that stuff.
Trigirl, push your shins towards the front of your boots by bending at your ankles. Your whole body will will move forward from your hips in doing so.
Nipsy, I can’t refer you to the a website, but my friends Dave McMahon and Lise Meloche from xczone.com, have put together the definitive DVD when it comes to modern XC ski technique in both skate and classic, featuring footage of none other than Beckie Scott (Salt Lake City Gold Medalist) and husband Justin Wadsworth. You gotta get this video. It is not just instructional but very motivatioal. Check out the photo gallery for a preview:
One way someone once described getting my hips forward while skiing (i guess easier to imagine while classic skiing) is imagine you’re a guy and you’re trying to pee in a cup at the end of your skis. Just make sure to not arch your back. Ski technique is something that is pretty hard to tell someone, but, check out www.fasterskier.com for some stuff.
“I can be in top running and riding shape and then get out and ski 8k and be exhausted at the top of every hill”
Technique is so important in skiing. I x-country ski with some people that totally easily smoke me on any run but I’ll easily beat them x-country skiing. I call it my winter revenge.
That makes you lucky at this time of the year, I have the opposite problem, I remember being on my college ski team, with no experience except being a runner on the cross team, and then getting beat by all of the skiers who did it in high school- it might have been their payback to me now that I think about it.