Thursday, July 2, marks the start of the 50th Fitchburg Longsjo Classic. It is the longest running race in North America and is also an NRC calendar race. Everyone who is anyone has won or raced this New England Classic, Lemond, Tyler Hamilton, Lance Armstrong, and Robbie King.

The first stage of this four day stage race is an Individual Time Trial (ITT.) To prepare for this time trial I borrowed both a disc wheel and an aero helmet from Craig Gaulzetti at International Bicycle Centers (IBC.) I have used the wheel in the past and it is fffffffffast! I was not sure if I wanted to use an aero helmet but Craig assured me that the benefits would be apparent in my ITT times. I was not convinced so we set up and experiment.

In the photo below you will see me crossing in front of the front register at IBC Boston. This served as the finish line.


The next photo shows me crossing "the finish" with the aero helmet.




True to Craig's insistence, the aero helmet allowed me to run around the store faster. I did a loop of the first floor space 0.2 seconds faster with the helmet than without it. That means I can save over 10 seconds during the 14k TT. Irrefutable proof that technology like rounded plastics can save our lives. Now I know Andy Jacques-Maynes won't pass me until late in the TT.

Thanks Craig and IBC.