TrainingPeaks Visits the D3 Multisport Energy Lab
Friday, February 4, 2011 at 3:06PM The TrainingPeaks team got a pretty cool offer from one of the coaches who uses the software to train his athletes. Mike Ricci, head coach of D3 Multisport invited us to check out the new D3 Energy Lab, located in Boulder, Colorado. Not being a group to pass up ANY opportunity to put in some time on the saddle, we quickly jumped at the chance.
When you walk into the Lab, there's a foyer area and then it opens up to a huge back room. There were eight Computrainer set-ups arranged in a semi-circle (obviously so you could make faces at each other, right? Not that we did...). There are also a couple of treadmills in the back for those looking to do a brick workout. The back side of the room is a big mirrored wall and the front has two 47" flat screen TV's and a large projection screen in the middle. While we were riding, we could watch the all the Computrainer data for each person on the projection screen or the tv, if you needed a distraction. Add in a stereo system to drown out the sounds of hard breathing and tires spinning so fast they sound like mini-jet engines and it's an awesome set-up.
Once Mike and Pam helped everyone set up their bikes, they pulled up a 10k time trial so we could all just hammer it out against one another. There was some pretty serious smack-talk going on before the start but once they started the clock, it was a mere 14 minutes before developer Lance Niles broke the D3 Energy Lab's time trial record and put a (temporary) stop to the chatter.
Here's where it gets cool. The first 3 people finished, then started cheering on the rest of our team. The way the lab is set up really facilitates that kind of stuff, from telling someone they can push a higher wattage to counting down the seconds as they try to beat the course record. It's like riding in a race, but you actually get to be a part of everything. You see the first guy cross the line, you cheer on the last guy across -- all without getting off your bike. Pretty awesome.
Needless to say, we had a blast. You can see more of our pictures here. We'd recommend it to any group of friends or co-workers to go check out. Although Mike wasn't technically "coaching" us on the ride, it seems like it would be a great place to train, because your Computrainer data is immediately available to the coaches, so they can give you instant feedback, but since it's in a group setting, it spreads the cost out pretty significantly. Fun and economical? Tough to beat. There are also options for private lessons and drop-in passes in case your co workers don't all happen to be cyclists and triathletes.
You can read more about D3 Multisport and the Energy Lab by visiting their website. Not located in Colorado? Mike Ricci has training plans available through TrainingPeaks.
Reader Comments (3)
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Very similar setup at www.dearbornhealth.com in Waterloo, Ontario since about 6 years ago. The picture is projected using a digital projector onto a movie-quality screen about 10 feet across, so it's very immersive experience. With three large fans facing the riders, great sound system and Computrainer courses from around the world plus custom ones, these setups, like the D3 one you described, are THE way to train indoors in wintery climates.
Hey Jim,
Thanks for letting us know about the setup in Ontario. It sounds awesome! It seems like facilities like this are popping up all over the place. Like you said, it's great, because it's an awesome alternative for athletes who can't ride outside for whatever reason (weather, time of day, etc.).
- Courtney