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Live Chat With Julie Dibens

She answers your questions about becoming a better cyclist

Morning Campers. Gearing up for a live chat about biking! whoop whoop

by jdibens 10/9/2012 6:52:10 PM
no geeky questions though!

by jdibens 10/9/2012 6:53:45 PM
@TriathleteMag @juliedibens What do you feel makes the biggest difference in training for a turning out a pro-level bike split vs AG level?

by mmehnert1 via twitter 10/9/2012 6:54:31 PM
Hey Michelle. I think the biggest thing is just being specific with your training. Look at what your goal/race is and tailor your training to that race. If you are training for an IM your focus should be on steady state riding more than Vo2 type intervals

by jdibens 10/9/2012 6:57:34 PM
@TriathleteMag do you have cycling benchmark sets? If so, how often do you do them? And what are the sets?

by JohnFell4 via twitter 10/9/2012 6:58:32 PM
For real...how important is training with power? Necessity?

by Yorek 10/9/2012 7:01:02 PM
Power is a useful tool, but isn't something you should become reliant on. I have raced a couple of times in the last few years when my power meter hasn't worked, so i've had to go on feel. It can also be a limiter sometimes...instead of pushing to a new level, you might just hold the watts at your current fitness level. So in answer, i think it is grea to use but not all the time

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:02:58 PM
I need to know how many cookies you eat after a hard bike ride?

by Linsey Corbin 10/9/2012 7:03:40 PM
Hey Montana. great question and if i told you that i'd have to kill u! But it's more than one

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:04:10 PM
This one is from Kristin Wylie: What is your opinion on training inside versus riding outside? Is it hard to get the speed outside when all your training is on a trainer or in spin class?

by ahersh 10/9/2012 7:04:26 PM
@TriathleteMag @juliedibens power is an objective metric that you can use to compare to your perceived exertion.

by matsteinmetz via twitter 10/9/2012 7:05:33 PM
Riding indoors is great for focused specific sessions. There are no distractions or no outside influences that can vary from day to do. It's also a great way to test your mental strength. I like to do both indoor and outdoor riding at all times throughout the year.

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:06:34 PM
@KurtHoy @juliedibens @triathletemag what is your biggest piece of advice for a first time Ironman participant? Doing IMAZ in 40 days!

by ErikaMyers via twitter 10/9/2012 7:06:46 PM
race day is not a magic day, you are not going to be able to get out there and all of a sudden swim faster, push more watts on the bike, or run quicker just cos it's race day. You should have a good idea from your training on your current fitness levels. Listen to that, and race smart. In your first IM, your first goal should be to finish. That was my goal in kona 2010 :)

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:09:07 PM
@TriathleteMag @juliedibens wait wait, I just wanna know A) Dibs' fave sushi spot in Kona and B) her guess at @Mirindacarfrae's bike split!

by endurants via twitter 10/9/2012 7:09:33 PM
A)I'm not a big sushi fan. had a bad experience my first time! B) it's so dependent on conditions but if it's similar to last 3-4yrs i'd say 4:59:31 ...or around there

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:11:18 PM
Why do you hear about pros getting fitted and re-fitted year after year. Especially on the same bike? Has there physiology changed that much season to season?

by DPSTri 10/9/2012 7:11:27 PM
Julie's position in 2009. Hands low , head up.

by ahersh 10/9/2012 7:12:58 PM
I have made some pretty big changes in my fit since Clearwater in 09. We are going to post some pics to show the difference. I think as pro's you have to keep looking at ways to get faster, and bike fit is one way you can do that. I think of it as free time that maybe other girls dont look at getting

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:13:32 PM
the same goes for equipement choices. Their are always advances, you have to try and stay ahead of the curve, else u are giving up seconds or minutes here and there

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:14:11 PM
Bike fit is one thing that i really think is worth spending the time and money on. And i'm not just saying that cos @matsteinmetz is sat next to me :)

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:14:58 PM
Julie overhauled her position in 2010. Notice the difference between the 2009 shot and this one from Kona 2011.

by ahersh 10/9/2012 7:15:05 PM
@TriathleteMag they get fit often as they gravitate towards their ideal position, their fastest position. It takes time for them to adapt.

by matsteinmetz via twitter 10/9/2012 7:16:24 PM
@TriathleteMag so, you make change to the position and it takes them a yr before they posture and ride it like you want them to...then...

by matsteinmetz via twitter 10/9/2012 7:16:34 PM
@TriathleteMag @juliedibens let's talk cadence on the bike. I know everyone is diff but higher cadence 90-100 or 80-90? Good to train both?

by triJRO4 via twitter 10/9/2012 7:18:32 PM
i have worked with @matsteinmetz since 2010 not only on fit, but also he has helped coach/advise me the last couple of years. He is also Crowie's bitch, and has helped Rinsta improve her bike this year

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:18:36 PM
Yep everyone is different. But you have to find out what works for you. You can do some simple tests to see what you are most efficient at. Also look at what your natural cadence is. I will get back from some 4-6 hr rides and more often than not my avg cadence for the ride is 82.

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:21:44 PM
Have you taken Dream Crusher off any jumps yet?

by Chris Corbin 10/9/2012 7:21:48 PM
@TriathleteMag and shoulders. This is something I think could help anyone who is experiencing discomfort from the aero position.

by matsteinmetz via twitter 10/9/2012 7:22:43 PM
CC, thanks for chiming in! Dream crusher is strickly roadie for now!

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:22:57 PM
Tips. The was aerodynamically superior for Julie, but also allowed her to relax across the front end. This relieves stress in neck, back,

by matsteinmetz via twitter 10/9/2012 7:23:02 PM
Hi Julie. What type of training do u focus on in the off season? More strenth or cardio/endurance?

by BostonTriPop 10/9/2012 7:23:35 PM
The last couple of years i have been training for the Abu Dhabi tri in march which has a 200km bike in it. So my winter training has been revolved around that. I'll typically take 2 weeks off after my last race, then do 2 weeks unstructrued training. Then i'll build back into things. There is def a bigger focus on strength and conditioning in the gym, but that is also something i like to keep in the program all year round

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:25:32 PM
Pic of @juliedibens and @TriathleteTech doing the triathlete.com chat. I'm feeding her all the answers:) p.twimg.com

by matsteinmetz via twitter 10/9/2012 7:27:15 PM
From LeAnn Schrotzberger: Is the best way to get stronger on hills just to ride more hills?

by ahersh 10/9/2012 7:27:16 PM
Hills: yes riding hills will probably make you better at riding hills. U can just ride them or do hill repeats. If you dont have hills you can easily replicate them on the trainer. I lived in houston for 2 yrs after college and had never seen a hill :)

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:29:01 PM
Thats all for today folks. Same time same place manana, and we can chat about how to race specifically here in Hawaii. Later

by jdibens 10/9/2012 7:31:30 PM