What an evening we had with Floyd Landis on March 30th to celebrate the opening of my new training facility, M2 Revolution.  The evening’s events included a 50min Cycling class, an interview with Floyd, and a mix and mingle afterwards where people had an opportunity to share words, pictures, and signing items with a generous Champion. 

In between various press interview prior to our event, I was able to enjoy quiet time with Floyd.  Floyd was as advertised – straightforward, frank, and very gracious. 

We chatted about everything, the Tour ’06, its various stages, the strategy and tactics; training likes/dislikes, his current status with cycling and the legal process, his health status and recent hip surgery  – again, very straightforward and candid. 

Indeed, Floyd appeared as refreshingly normal….until he got on the bike and participated in a class. 

We had arranged so that his wattage was displayed on a large plasma screen so the class and many people who had come to view the event could observe.  Admittedly not in shape, and tired from a 4am wake-up to catch an 6am flight, this did not prevent Floyd from smacking down wattage #s that the Studio’s CycleOps bikes had never before seen.  Ten minutes into the “warm-up” Floyd was cruising along at 300+ watts, cadence smooth and nicely calibrated – if not for the powertap measuring his power and the plasma screen display, one would not have been able to appreciate this display of strength. 

5 minute “tempo” intervals saw Floyd working at 450-470 watts, with 30second accelerations at 500+ watts – pedal stroke never forced, smooth and uniform.

Tidbits and observation from speaking with Floyd and watching him in class:

• Favorite thing is to climb – just loves to climb.
• In shape he can sustain 400+ watts for an hour.  Tour weight 148 pounds.
• Stage 16 implosion in the Tour was more a cause for embarrassment than disappointment.
• Gave no thought after Stage 16 debacle to simply trying to win a stage – focus was still on winning the Tour, however improbable.
• “Riding long, hard, and steady is something I am good at.  They (the Tour riders in Stage 17) should have known that.”

• Very frustrated with what he perceives as an unfair legal agenda against him.  Emotional ride has gone from initial shock, to anger, to frustration, to one where he will present his case and accept whatever fate may have in store.

• Floyd is very relaxed one on one and in small groups, but is uncomfortable in crowds, which made him a great sport considering the throngs at the event dying to see him up close.

I must say that I got a kick out of how Floyd, even in the midst of a jam-packed class, video people, photographers, some 50 gawking spectators, just got down to banging out an obviously hard effort.  There were surreal moments where I would see his familiar grimace from the Tour, yet in the midst of our very own class!  Riding his bike and riding it hard are what he loves to do, and what he does so well.

Too much fun I have to say.