423: Potluck Discussion – Heat Training, Back Pain, and Grant’s Big Crash

Heat training, cycling-related back pain, and race safety protocols form the core of this discussion. Heat training provides physiological advantages, such as increased plasma volume and potential EPO responses, yet excessive protocols often sacrifice training quality; effective acclimation requires consistency rather than extreme, damaging sessions. Back pain among young cyclists frequently originates from chronic poor posture during daily activities, which causes glute deactivation and forces smaller erector spinae muscles to stabilize the spine during high-torque efforts. Furthermore, the recent Boulder Roubaix crash underscores the inherent risks in mixed-discipline racing. Disparities in rider skill levels, tire pressures, and equipment choices on technical dirt sections create unpredictable environments, often leading to high-speed pileups. Addressing these issues requires a focus on proper bike handling, consistent off-bike mobility work, and strategic gear selection to mitigate injury risks in competitive settings.