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M2 Conference in Madrid

October '08

I am just now back from Madrid where I traveled as the guest speaker at a conference on the subject of Power-based Cycling Training.

It is interesting for me to note that it was 20 years ago that I left my job as a marketing rep for IBM and traveled to Spain as a cycling neophyte to begin what I imagined would be an adventurous but relatively brief experiment in sport.

For more on the trip and conference you can check out these links:
Indoor Cycle Power Training Introduced in Spain

I would judge the conference to have been a great success based on the quantity and quality of influential persona - 72 attendees w/ prestigious coaches from the tri and cycling worlds, including one coach who at the end of the conference watched his pupil win that day's stage in the Vuelta.

The conference was kicked off with Eurosport Television's Antonio Alix introducing me to the audience. A friend and training companion of some 20+ years, Antonio is an accomplished triathlete, cyclist, and masters runner (2hr37min at age 41), and is known for his insightful sports commentary.

I spoke for some 3hrs (exhausting) and Josu Larrazabal the coach/trainer of Pro Tour Team Euskaltel for about 45minutes. It was interesting to have spent a couple of hours with Josu the previous day comparing training notes.

The cycling culture in Spain, and Europe in general, is more conservative than its US counterpart. The concept of Power-based training is quickly taking seed in Spain and with its vast cycling aficion it is ripe for growth.

The benefits of power-based training are so patently demonstrable that to ignore its feedback is to get left behind. The Spanish tri-world is similar to its world-wide brethren - eager and anxious to soak up new ideas and technology.

I also spent some time at Festibike, Spain's equivalent of Interbike but held at an outdoor venue and with a huge array of complementary cycling events - Spain is crazy about cycling.

Finally, after a 10 year absence, it was pretty cool to ride and collect wattage data on many of my old cycling routes which carry so many vivid memories. Various of these routes I first discovered while struggling mightily to stay in contact with some of Spain's top professionals (Once, Clas, Lotus teams) in the late 80s early 90s.

Funny how practicing sport can effect such indelible impressions - a nice trip.

M2