Most of you know Steve right? Guest writer here at OCA. Masters category road racer and genuinely one of the nicest guys you could meet out on the bike. The part that you probably don’t know is that he is obsessed with cycling performance. He has quietly been putting together a Cycling Performance Lab and has already been helping a BUNCH of you with your pedal stroke. Well the Lab is up and running. Check it out.

Steve (left) getting to know John’s history before the process begins.  

OCA: Who are you Steve?
SA: I am proud to call my parents first generation Americans, immigrating from Scotland.  Traveled constantly as a youth due to Dad’s career…England, California, Germany, Arizona, Alaska (HS grad) then Florida and finally Arkansas.  Came to NWA to attend UA when dinosaurs roamed the earth.  Couple chemical engineering degrees led me to a career in environmental hazardous waste remediation for 25+ years.  An opportunity to retire presented itself and the door did not hit my backside as I headed back to NWA to explore the next chapter.

Locating measuring points.

OCA: What is your cycling background?
SA: Fell in love with cycling early…at 9 years old, Christmas present was the coolest Schwinn Stingray with the perfect sparkle green paint scheme…riser handlebar…banana seat..small front wheel and bigger slick on back…oh yea.  Purchased first “good” bike in college and rode from campus to Lake Wedington to escape and maintain sanity from engineering curriculum.  Embraced serious triathlon competition in my 30’s to get fit again.  Got lost in career and life raising a family for too long, until I re-discovered my love for cycling in my late 40’s.  About ten years later, I’m still loving the sport…the competition…the fitness…the personal challenge…the camaraderie…the synergism of body and machine.

OCA: What is Cycling Performance Lab?
SA: Synergism of body and machine.  I’m fascinated with that concept; it’s really that simple.  I have spent a PhD’s worth of hours studying and experimenting how to optimize the bike position for performance.  Let me be clear:  I do not conduct “Fits.”  There is no disrespect intended by me saying that.  Bicycle fitting is important and there are many capable experts in the NWA area.  Fitting provides a cyclist a position which allows them to ride without discomfort and without injury as the primary goal, and performance as a secondary goal.  My focus is the reverse…how to make someone faster through bike position and pedal stroke mechanics.  Comfort contributes to performance and injury is to be avoided at all costs, but those goals can be accomplished while positioning a cyclist to maximize their performance.

OCA: Why call it lab?
SA: Simple.  I take a scientific/engineering approach to performance on the bike.  The Lab is equipped with 1) a 3D imaging system to measure every body angle dynamically 2) two powermeter systems which measure the efficiency of the pedal stroke 3) a fitbike which duplicates any bike thereby allowing dynamic adjustment of all bike parameters including seat angle, saddle type, stem length/angle, etc.  Remember earlier:  synergism of body and machine.  Equations do not work when the human body and mind are involved.  These tools allow a collaborative effort between the cyclist and myself to find their unique, optimized performance position.

John watching himself pedal…well…while pedaling.

OCA: What have you learned so far?
SA: Here is what I’ve learned working with cyclists.  There is no magical bike position which makes an average rider good, or a good rider great.  However, a bad position will reduce a great rider to good and a good rider to average.

Just a little bit of data…

Final Thoughts
Steve is obsessed with cycling performance and better yet obsessed with helping others realize their own optimal position to become faster and more efficient. The proof is in the pudding. I know a bunch of you who are working with Steve right now. I can attest that Steve’s clients have been doing some damage on group rides lately. To find out more about Steve’s services and rates scroll down.

CYCLING PERFORMANCE LAB

STEVE AUCHTERLONIE

PH: 816-914-1976
Email: auchterlonie@sbcglobal.net

SERVICES

PODIUM:  INCLUDES CAT 1/2, 3 AND 4 SERVICES, $300

As the name implies, this is the ultimate combination of services and the price is discounted almost 15%.  Purchase the Podium level service up front, or a cyclist is provided the opportunity to upgrade from either the Cat 1/2, Cat 3 or the Cat 4 service to the Podium service, within the 90 days.

CAT 1/2:  CdA/POWER OPTIMIZATION, 4 HOURS / $100

Available in the near future.  Rather than go to a wind tunnel, stay in the area and optimize power production while minimizing drag.  This is an intense collaboration between the cyclist and Steve.  Using a direct force power meter and an Ibike Newton, a series of tests will be conducted on the cyclist’s own bike and equipment to find the optimal combination of power and drag for the cyclist.  Obviously, this is critical for time trial cyclists and triathletes, but road racers should consider using this service to “steal free speed.”

CAT 3:  PEDAL STROKE OPTIMIZATION, 2-3 hours / $100

An efficient pedal stroke is the proverbial silver lining to the cyclist.  Improving one’s pedal stroke has the greatest potential to make a cyclist faster.  Using a Pioneer power meter, a fit bike and a Computrainer, the first step is to measure the cyclist’s current pedal stroke for efficiency.  Step two is to practice how to improve the cyclist’s individual pedal stroke with real time results recorded electronically.  The final step is to adjust the bike position to optimize an efficient stroke.  Interim and final reports are provided with electronic printouts of the Pioneer pedaling charts and recommendations on how to improve the cyclist’s specific pedal stroke.

CAT 4:  DYNAMIC POSITION, 3-4 HOURS / $150

Performance-based bike position using dynamic, 3D infrared imaging system and detailed shoe/cleat analysis.  Dynamic 3D system measures all critical anatomical angles and lengths of the cyclist while riding on the bike.  Collaboration between cyclist and Steve coupled with accurate data and visual observations develop a bike position to optimize performance.   Changes are made to position based on collaborative effort between cyclist and Steve.  Finding the optimum position CAN NOT be achieved in a one time visit.  It’s a process.  The Cyclist rides the new position for 2-3 weeks then visits Lab for follow-up appointment.   Based on the Cyclist’s feedback, additional changes are made, if necessary.  Unlimited meetings and communication with Steve are included for a 90 day period, until the position is optimal.  A 90 day money-back guarantee is provided.  Final reports include electronic 3D imaging files, and electronic reports summarizing all data, observations, changes, bike measurements, cyclist measurements and recommendations.

CAT 5:  STATIC FIT, 1-2 HOURS / $50

Comprehensive bike fit including basic shoe/cleat position, setting saddle position using static methods, positioning handlebar extension and height based on rider specific goals and comfort.  Final Fit report provided to document bike measurements, changes, observations and recommendations.  Cyclist rides new bike position for 2-3 weeks then communicates with Steve how he/she feels on bike.  Follow-up appointment included, if necessary.  30 day money back guarantee provided.