Weekly Wednesday Ride from B&L

Our weekly ride continues to grow nicely and today's last day of 2008 was no different. Despite what it looks in the pictures, the morning was brisk with patchy fog that made it feel colder than it is.

I personally had a tough time getting going today and decided to fall back from the group as we reached Rancho Santa Fe. Matt and I rolled through and cut only one little section of the ride, but we spun up the coast to Leucadia and then I turned around.

I think the two days of surfing and riding have taken their toll and I'm a bit fatigued...that and not eating enough!

Tomorrow's ride up Palomar doesn't sound good to me right now...but we'll see how the day develops.

IMBA's new proposed rule needs your online vote

After years of work, IMBA has succeeded in getting the US National
Park Service to propose a change in an outdated rule that so far has
banned access by bikes on most trails in the NPS system. The proposed
new "Rule" will allow Park Superintendents and their staff to decide
which--if any--trails can be accessed by its bike-riding visitors.
The Rule Change does NOT allow bikes in any one Park; it merely
places in the hands of the folks who best know each respective Park
the decision for whether/how to allow bikes.

Even if you're not passionate about trail riding, I hope you will
take a moment and help out the cause. The government is currently
gauging public support for this proposed change. Click on the link
in the email below and register your support for this Rule Change.
It's simple and quick.

http://go.imba.com/site/R?i=_jI2cWiT3WKFkZyhPPmUdw.

CYCLISTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

Bike Writers Collective

CYCLISTS' BILL OF RIGHTS

WHEREAS, cyclists have the right to ride the streets of our communities and this right is formally articulated in the California Vehicle Code; and

WHEREAS, cyclists are considered to be the "indicator species" of a healthy community; and

WHEREAS, cyclists are both environmental and traffic congestion solutions; and

WHEREAS, cyclists are, first and foremost, people - with all of the rights and privileges that come from being members of this great society; and

NOW, THEREFORE, WE THE CYCLING COMMUNITY, do hereby claim the following rights:

1) Cyclists have the right to travel safely and free of fear.

2) Cyclists have the right to equal access to our public streets and to sufficient and significant road space.

3) Cyclists have the right to the full support of educated law enforcement.

4) Cyclists have the right to the full support of our judicial system and the right to expect that those who endanger, injure or kill cyclists be dealt with to the full extent of the law.

5) Cyclists have the right to routine accommodations in all roadway projects and improvements.

6) Cyclists have the right to urban and roadway planning, development and design that enable and support safe cycling.

7) Cyclists have the right to traffic signals, signage and maintenance standards that enable and support safe cycling.

8) Cyclists have the right to be actively engaged as a constituent group in the organization and administration of our communities.

9) Cyclists have the right to full access for themselves and their bicycles on all mass transit with no limitations.

10) Cyclists have the right to end-of-trip amenities that include safe and secure opportunities to park their bicycles.

11) Cyclists have the right to be secure in their persons and property, and be free from unreasonable search and seizure, as guaranteed by the 4th Amendment.

12) Cyclists have the right to peaceably assemble in the public space, as guaranteed by the 1st Amendment.

And further, we claim and assert these rights by taking to the streets and riding our bicycles, all in an expression of our inalienable right to ride!

"See you on the Streets!"

Download .pdf and distribute!

The Cyclists' Bill of Rights. |

The Cyclists' Bill of Rights.

All Content © Competitor Group, et al. All Rights Reserved. No content may be used without permission.

Wednesday Ride from B&L

Well, we doubled our population from the first week of this ride to 6! The Christmas Even day ride was a bit chilly but given that it was supposed to rain, who can complain! We had guest riders from Canada and Georgia on the ride. And, I forgot to give out the Capo goodie that I had brought along to give out to a random rider for a random reason at a completely random time. Well, here's looking to next week...and I promise to give out the Capo goodie then. Weather permitting that is!!!

Litespeed Launches First Consumer Rebate Program

SportsOneSource.com - Sporting Goods Business UPDATE

Litespeed Launches First Consumer Rebate Program
SportsOneSource Media Posted: 12/17/2008

In response to a tightening economy, the makers of Litespeed Bicycles are launching the industry’s first ever direct-to-consumer rebate program. Specialty hangtags are being distributed this week to all Litespeed dealers to launch and promote the campaign, in which parent company American Bicycle Group (ABG) will send a rebate check for up to $350 to any consumer who purchases a qualifying Litespeed bicycle frame, frameset or complete bike.

"While our consumers’ strongest relationships are most often with their local bike shop, their personal satisfaction is our constant focus, and we want to do what we can to provide those cyclists relief from a tight economy and say thank you for their purchase," said ABG CEO Peter Hurley.

Direct-to-consumer rebates will be given to individuals who buy a 2008 or 2009 model Litespeed bicycle frame, frameset or complete bike in any of their three technology levels through February 2009. Litespeed models are designated by three levels of technology, which are denoted by a T1, T2 or T3 symbol on each bike.
With the purchase of a Litespeed T1 design, buyers receive a $350 rebate check. With the purchase a T2 design, buyers receive a $300 rebate check. With the purchase of a Litespeed T3 design, buyers receive a $250 rebate check.

"Litespeed truly delivers the best titanium product available. This is because we manipulate our material far more and far better than any other company, in any industry, across the globe,” said Hurley. “We are dedicated to our craft and to the consumers who buy our product, and we want our rebates to go beyond the traditional bike discount or the free t-shirt."

San Diego City Street Division Services - Service Request Form

San Diego City Street Division Services - Service Request Form

This is a page the City of San Diego created for the public to report street areas that need repair.  Great idea....let's see if they actually respond to it. 

But this is a good tool to have if it works.

New Study Reaffirms That Cars Make People Fat

New Study Reaffirms That Cars Make People Fat | Autopia from Wired.com

New Study Reaffirms That Cars Make People Fat
By Dave Demerjian EmailDecember 15, 2008 | 4:00:00 PMCategories: Urban Planning & Development

The correlation between exercise and health certainly isn't new, but it's still startling to be reminded of the role transportation plays in our sedentary lifestyles. Walking, Cycling, and Obesity Rates in Europe, North America, and Australia, a recent study from the University of Tennessee's David Bassett and John Pucher of Rutgers, shows an irrefutably strong connection between the way a country gets around and the weight of its population.

"Countries with the highest levels of active transportation generally had the lowest obesity rates," the study concludes, defining active transportation as walking, biking, or taking transit. "Walking and bicycling are far more common in European countries than in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Active transportation is inversely related to obesity in these countries."

In the United States, the news is especially bad. Just nine percent of US residents walk to get where they need to go, one percent ride a bike, and two percent take the bus. Our obesity rate, at a whopping 25 to 33 percent, is the highest in the world.

Compare the US numbers with those from a handful of European countries, and the relationship between transportation and health becomes even clearer.

Latvia: 67% of the population uses active transportation, 14% obese
Sweden: 62% active transportation, 9% obese
Netherlands: 52% active transportation, 11% obese
Canada: 19% active transportation, 23% obese
Australia: 14% active transportation, 21% obese
United States: 12% active transportation, <25% obese

On average, European walk 237 miles and cycle 116 miles per year, while their US counterparts walk 87 miles and bike 24. That translates into a fat burn of five to nine pounds per year for Europeans and two pounds for Americans. Looking at it another way, the Swiss walk an average of 9,700 steps per day, compared with 7,200 for the Japanese, and 5,900 for residents of South Carolina, USA. The obesity numbers correlate just as you'd expect.

While it would be easy to simply chalk these numbers up to American laziness and gluttony, it's not that simple. True, Americans drive more – and have been conditioned to do so – but that's in part because they live in a country where homes, workplaces, schools, and shopping are spread out over a wide area. Europeans, on the other hand, are more likely to live in or near a compact city center more conducive to transit and other active transportation forms. And even if Americans wanted to leave their cars in the driveway, there are fewer bike lanes, walking trails, and commuter trains to support alternative transportation.

We should be careful not to make the findings of this report another reason to American bash. Yes, we as a nation need to drive less and hop on a bike once in a while. And yes, there needs to be a cultural shift away from the automobile culture. But the government needs to come to the plate too, but building an infrastructure that supports alternative transportation.

HyperPower Protocol

I am organizing a power development training protocol to test training
theories using a power meter.

There is some controversy regarding the origins of this protocol, how it
was developed and by whom.

Based on the little bit of research I did, this protocol traces back to
the French national running coach who developed an off-season intensity
training for his athletes, which shifted the quantity-focused training
paradigm popular at that time.

The original protocol used a series of micro intervals that focused on
30 seconds of intensity followed by 30 seconds of rest, which fit into a
macro interval that built based on the duration and profile of the event
athletes were training for.

There have been a number of modifications on this protocol and the one
I'll be testing reduces the micro-interval to 15 seconds on and 15
seconds off.

I am currently searching for a minimum of 4 test subjects who must be
competitive cyclists, solid category 3 or better, and who can commit to
meeting one night a week for 6 weeks.

The location of the test will be at Nytro in Encinitas. The training
protocol will be held from 5 (sharp) till 6:15, out by 6:30 pm on
Wednesday nights.

The subjects will be field tested prior to, 3 weeks into and post the
training protocol to determine their power profiles and to measure
gains. The field test uses Hunter Allen's power test protocol.

An example of what is to be expected may include the following:

1. January 3 or 4th: power test to determine the athlete's power profile based on the power test and assign critical functional power (CFP) level.
   
2. Session one, January 7 at 5pm sharp: macro intervals of 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 20min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 5min at 200% CFP, cool down. Micro intervals will be 15sec on/15sec off at below 50% CFP.
   
3. Session two (one week later): 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 25min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 7.5min at 200% CFP, cool down.
4. Session three (one week later): 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 30min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 5min at 200% CFP, cool down.
5. Power test (January 24/25): during the weekend after the third session do a mid-way power test.
6. session 4: 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 30min @ 150%-175% CFP, rest, 10min at 200% CFP, cool down.
7. Session 5: 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 35min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 10min at 200% CFP, cool down.
8. Session 6: 5min @ 150% CFP, rest, 40min @ 100%-125% CFP, rest, 12.5min at 200% CFP, cool down.
9. Power test (February 14/15): during the weekend after the final session do a power test.

Athletes are encouraged to train "normally" during the week but to treat
the Wednesday afternoon sessions as a target training event, arriving
well rested, hydrated and motivated.

Changes to this protocol may happen based on a number of reasons,
including how an athlete responds.

Athletes are responsible for their own equipment, must own a properly
functioning power meter, indoor trainer, bike and equipment. Athletes
are responsible for their own transportation and associated costs.
Athletes must agree to assign rights to have their personal information,
such as name, date of birth, wight, height and other physiological
information, media including all images, videos and likes, digital,
non-digital and otherwise, to Raceplan.

Protocol begins the first Wednesday of the new year, January 7, 2009,
with the initial power test to be performed on Saturday or Sunday,
January 4, 2009.

Wednesday Morning Rides from B&L

The good folks at B&L Bike and Sport in Solana Beach and I started an alternative Wednesday morning, social but moderately-paced group ride, leaving the shop no later than 8:15 and returning by or around 9:45.

Our goals are 1. to ride!, and 2. to attract others to the ride who want a nice, moderately-paced group ride on Wednesday morning before work. Those who want to ride more have several options that will add more miles during the ride by splitting off or adding more miles after we get to the shop.Today, we covered this route....left B&L by 8:10 and were back at the shop, with coffee in hand, by 9:45:On today's ride were Dan Breyer and Jeff Rowe (both (B&L Managers) and me!

Highlight of today's ride were running into friends Don, Jeff and Randy in The Ranch and Jeff's Banana Peel Yellow Brick Road Shoes that added to the level of visibility and safety for our already safe and highly visible ride!

PEZ Test: Capo Forma's Winter Kit Reviewed!

Pez Cycling review of my employer, Capo Forma.

PezCycling News - What's Cool In Pro Cycling

PEZ Test: Capo Forma's Winter Kit Reviewed!
Tuesday, December 09, 2008 3:38:14 AM PT

by Richard Pestes

Regardless of their home base in California’s Bay area, the guys at Capo have created one of the better lines of winter kit available. Using tried and true fabrics for function and durability, and fine tuning their designs and fit to dial up the style, the 2008/09 winter line is their best yet.


Here’s a look at the Capo winter jacket, winter bib shorts, long sleeve jersey, arm & leg warmers, gloves, wool socks – and the funkiest head warmer I’ve seen outside an HR Puffin Stuff episode...





Gary Vasconi and Rob Carbone started Upland Sports Group just about the same time as PEZCycling hit the airwaves – almost 7 years ago. While Euro-designed kit works in Europe, a lot of it doesn’t fly with American consumer tastes, so although they originally planned to import and distribute high-end Italian and European cycling kit to America, they also quietly started an inhouse line called Capoforma to deliver Euro-styled gear made with US-specific designs and sensibility (ie: less gut-cut and no neon - !)


The Capoforma line has been evolving over the past 3 years and really catching on around the country, to the point that Upland Sports is now fully devoted to just one brand – their own. The name was officially shortened to “Capo” for Interbike 2008, but the line has gone the opposite – with a full and robust range of technical cycling kit offered for all seasons.



Interbike 08 saw the Upland Sports’ booth completely devoted to the Capo line.


Most of the line is made in Italy at the reknowned factory of Maglieria MB di Marcello Bergamo north of Milano, because Gary & Rob prefer quality over low price – and that’s exactly what you get with the entire Capo line – high end cycling clothing that is durable, stylish and very functional.

Now let’s get to the Winter line…


DIAVOLO Roubaix Bibshort - US$200, Sizes S - XXL
Let’s start with the bib shorts because nothing can impact your ride quality like a pair of bibs. Even though Capo got the design right a long time ago, they’ve continued to upgrade the chamois with some of the very best available – Gary and Rob recently returned from the world-class Cytech factory in Italy where the main topic of conversation was (you guessed it - )… chamois!





And aside from the chamois, the Diavolo winter bibs are made of all Roubaix 245 gram fleece lined polyester - including the straps and back. So they stretch with you, add extra warmth against the winter chill, feel great against the skin, but breathe enough to help prevent over-heating.

As expected, the legs have the sticky silicon gel gripper to keep ‘em from sliding up.




Cytech’s MLDA (Anatomic – 4 Density) chamois (exclusive to Capo in 2008) is the stuff of smiling cheeks – it has 4 densities of foam, strategically placed on a crescent moon shaped all way stretch elastic interface (that’s a fancy way of saying chamois). EIT features silver ion elastic to prevent bacterial buildup. The all way stretch means it moves with you - not against you – so you get less friction and abrasion in yer privates.

The fabric is custom made in Italy and Gary says it’s a “6 hour chamois – great for long distance rides.”


Milano Hat, Arm & Leg Warmers - US$50 (one size), $40 (s-m, l-xl), $70, (s-m, l-xl)

No self respecting roadie would be without the proper colored arms, legs and head.

The multi-use Milano hat features a SuperRoubaix top for warmth, and stretchy poly band to hold it in place and cover your ears. The top is open, and can be closed with the drawstring, or fully opened and pulled down to cover your neck, mouth and nose – how many cycling caps do that?



The arm and leg warmers are again made in Italy to top quality specs, and built for racers or anyone wanting a full “Euro” look.

The leg warmers come with zipped ankles for easy access, and silicone grippers at the top. I’ll admit to catching a few stares when I stopped into my local bank while heading out on a ride. Those leggers aren’t for everyone, so you gotta be ready to own the room.

Worth noting is the quality sublimation of all the Capo kit. It’s done in the traditional manner (not digital) which allows control over how much ink is used (Capo uses double the amount of many competitors). The upside is colors that don’t fade – even after a few years of use and washing – I know because our PEZ kit is made at the same factory (and same process) – and the colors still look new after 4 years.


DIAVOLO S3 Jacket - US$160.00
The Diavolo S3 jacket gets several upgrades this year – including the rolled brush collar, slimmer cut sleeves for a snugger fit, high reflective piping on the seams, and Super Roubaix cuffs that eliminate gapping at the wrist.



The collar is a tall 5cm plus the rolled brush which extends it another cm – resulting in a soft fuzzie against your sensitive neck (chafed necks just ain’t cool). The sleeves are longer than a lot of jackets to accommodate a true cycling position and maintain the coverage at the wrists, and the cuffs hold the sleeves in place, while allowing winter gloves to fit over without bunching, but stretch easily to fit over snugger fitting gloves.

The jacket’s front panel is Windtex 350 gram, it’s water proof and windproof. The shoulders, sleeves and back are Capo’s winter Quattro fabric- they’re lighter, and sans membrane to maximize breathability.

The combo of fabrics result in a lightweight jacket that handles a variety of cool temps, and can be warn simply over a base layer, or over a base and long sleeve jersey for full warmth (my preferred combo for days around 5-8C degrees (40-50F). It feels great, moves with the rider, and reacts well to temp changes. I do think the jacket could stand to benefit by extending use of the Windtex 350 to the shoulders and sleeves, as I noticed cold air getting through three layers on a ride in 7C degrees.





Notice the photo at the top of this story – me in the full kit – you can see how much the piping is reflecting the camera flash – and that’s shot with a pocket sized Canon SD1000, flash on from about 10 feet away. The piping on the seams looks really invisible to the naked eye, but brightens up like a 14year old seeing his first Playboy when the light hits.




There’s plenty of useable cargo space in back – deep pockets you can still reach while riding.




The jacket also boasts a robust two way lockable zip – it’s 6mm wide and fully hidden. The lock actually works to keep the bottom closed, but opens easily when you want to cool off, or access the pockets of your base-layer jersey. It also snaps downflat so there’s no flapping to annoy you or your ride partners. The wider 6mm version is just a lot easier to use when riding with gloved hands, and less prone to snagging and jamming on the seams like a 4mm version does.


DIAVOLO Tuscan LongSleeve Jersey- US$110.00
The long sleeve jersey – maybe the most versatile weapon in a cycling fashionista’s wardrobe – wear it on its own, over a base layer, under a jacket – it fits in anywhere.



The Diavolo Tuscan Long Sleeve is the same cut as the S3 jacket, but with slightly different materials. It’s full fleece lined polyester, no Windtex in front, so it’s lighter and more breathable than the jacket. Like the jacket, the sleeves have been lengthened for the US market, and tapered from last year’s version, so if you’re looking for that Jerry Seinfeld ‘puffy shirt’ look, please move along.

The zip is one way, but still 6mm, and the 3cm collar is not quite as high as the jacket, and there’s still 3 full sized pockets in back.


DIAVOLO Lightweight WindVest- US$130.00



I wore this vest over a short sleeve jersey and base layer for my ride over the Passo Gavia at the 2006 Giro. It worked.
Light enough to stow in a jersey pocket, but hearty enough to shut out the wind on cool days – vented in back with a two way zip – an essential item.


Windglove- US$55.00
Nothing spoils a winter ride faster than cold fingers… unless it’s cold toes. I’m happy to report that Capo’s winter gloves, wool socks and booties pour the coals on this department.



Seriously – the winter gloves are the most versatile I’ve used – the Windtex material keeps fingers toasty but never sweaty across a huge range of temps from Fall, to Winter, and well into Spring. Its waterproof membrane does the job in rain as well, and although Gary tells me some seepage can occur through the seams, I’ve yet to see it, and my hands are always warm (unless the day calls for double layers).

The long gauntlet opens with Velcro to cover most (all) jacket cuffs, and Capo added rubber grip to the middle and index finger (after my own feedback last year!) so levers don’t slip, and cleaning your tire while riding doesn’t chafe the fabric. They also fit snug, so operating levers, zippers, and computers is no problem.



The stretchable Windtex does the same for the toes as the gloves for your hands, and am happy to ride into my 3rd winter with them. They pull on easily but fit snugly over the shoes, securing in back with a beefy zip and Velcro at the ankle. I like to pull my lycra shoe covers over top, to complete my full PEZ look, but you can wear ‘em with or without – your choice!



Euro Winter Wool Sock- $16.00



Completing the trifecta of warm extremities are Capo’s winter wool socks –available in light and heavy versions. Both feature padded footbeds, are made of soft merino wool in Italy, and are equally suited to keeping your feet warm on and off the bike. If you don’t know the comfort of good wool socks, you should, and at only $16 – you’d be nuts not too.





Finally – with the full Diavolo line dialed in the ‘looks’ department, there’s almost no need to rush through winter just so you can wear the summer kit…


• See the website: UplandSG.com
• Buy it at: RACycles.com
• Buy it at: CompetitiveCyclist.com

2009 Tour of California route

VeloNews | 2009 Tour of California route unveiled | The Journal of Competitive Cycling.

Organizers of the Amgen Tour of California have released details of the 2009 route, a nine-day, 750-mile course that will travel almost the entire length of California, from Sacramento to Escondido. This year's race is one day and about 100 miles longer than the 2008 route.
The route of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.
The route of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.
Photo: courtesy Amgen Tour of California

This year the race will also feature a $15,000 women's criterium, run in conjunction with stage 1 in Santa Rosa.

The February 14-22 race will include a number of new host cities for starts and departures. New cities include Davis, Santa Cruz, Merced, Clovis, Visalia, Paso Robles, Rancho Bernardo and Escondido.

The race will once again feature the important 15-mile Solvang time trial on stage 6. It was in Solvang last year that Levi Leipheimer wrapped up his overall victory, after taking the lead thanks to a stage 3 breakaway with Rabobank's Robert Gesink.

The race opens with a three-mile prologue in Sacramento, followed by a new difficult 108-mile stage 1, from Davis to Santa Rosa.

Stage 2, from Sausalito to Santa Cruz, will pass over the Golden Gate Bridge, a first for the race.
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Stage 3, from San Jose to Modesto, includes the tough Sierra Road climb as well as Patterson Pass.

The route also will include a new hilly stage 4 from Merced to Clovis.

Stage 5 is a 130-mile epic from Visalia to Paso Robles.

After the stage 6 time trial, stage 7 is a tough stage from Santa Clarita to Pasadena, finishing with circuits near the Rose Bowl.

The race concludes with a 97-mile point-to-point stage from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido, in San Diego County — new territory for the race. The final stage includes the 12-mile Palomar Mountain climb.

A press release with route details is here. Check back to VeloNews.com soon for a complete report on the new route.

Boulder business tests for athletic gene

Boulder business tests for athletic genes : County News : Boulder Daily Camera

At age 3, Iddrisu Alidu enjoys soccer, basketball, swimming and bicycling, and that’s all the information his mother needs to keep her son active in sports.

But some parents want more information about what sports their children are genetically suited for, and a Boulder company on Monday began offering families the chance to find out.

For $149, Atlas Sports Genetics, 2845 29th St., will send a genetic sample taken from inside a child’s cheek to a laboratory in Australia. There, technicians will analyze the ACTN3 gene, which has been linked to athletic performance.

Families can order the testing kit on the company’s Web site, www.atlasgene.com. After swabbing the inside of their child’s cheek, parents send the sample back to the Boulder office to be processed and delivered overseas, said Kevin Reilly, president and co-owner of Atlas.

In about two weeks, Atlas presents customers with a certificate indicating whether their child is a genetic fit for strength and power sports, endurance athletics or a combination of the two.

“A lot of times, people pick their sports based on influence from their parents, or they might do football or soccer if friends are doing that,” Reilly said.

Children can work toward success in any sport they choose, he said. “But if they’re better suited for something ... that’s good information to have.”

The New York Times on Sunday published a story about Atlas and its genetic test. Reilly said his company made testing kits available to the public Monday, and about 60 families so far have placed orders.

Experts, parents and coaches have both praised and criticized the test. Some support it as a tool to help children excel in sports. Others reject it as “irrelevant” and unethical, or they say one gene doesn’t provide enough information about a person to determine athletic performance.

Reilly said the genetic test should be used in conjunction with other athletic tools and training. Knowing a person’s strength at a young age can help develop skills early, he said.

For instance, gymnasts often peak at a young age.

“So our ability to identify kids for certain sports younger and younger is important,” he said.

And getting children into a sport for which they’re naturally gifted can keep them from becoming frustrated by a game that “they don’t have the best chance or ability to do.”

Researcher: Test results ‘not particularly relevant’

The genetic link to elite athletic performance was brought to light in a 2003 study published in Australia. The study analyzed the DNA of 429 elite athletes, specifically looking at the ACTN3 gene, which has different variants to either instruct the body to produce a specific muscle protein or prevent production of that protein.

People with the R variant of ACTN3 were found to have muscles capable of forceful and quick movements used in speed and power sports. People with the X variant of the gene — which prevents production of the protein — were found to be good endurance athletes.

Carl Foster, co-author of the study and director of the human performance lab at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, said a single gene doesn’t make up a person’s athletic prowess. That’s why knowledge about ACTN3 alone won’t help a person identify his or her best sport, Foster said.

“It’s not just the chance that you get one gene,” he said. “You have to get a lot of them.”

Foster said he doesn’t doubt the Australian lab can correctly identify certain variants of ACTN3 in athletes.

“But the quality of the information they give back to children is not particularly relevant,” he said.

An Olympic long jumper from Spain proved the ACTN3 research inconsistent when his test results showed no copies of the R variant that normally would be linked to success in his sport, Foster said. That proves environment, training and luck also play a role in a person’s athletic success, he said.

Exposing children to as many activities as possible is the way to find their best sport, Foster said.

Coaching to the gene

Reilly and a partner entered the talent-identification business nearly a year and a half ago.

Focus groups of parents expressed interest in genetic testing, and Reilly said his company thought it would be a “nice supplement” to its other athletic-aptitude tests.

As a weight-lifting coach, Reilly said, he would have loved to have genetic information at his disposal.

“A lot of coaches spend time with kids they like — the coachable ones,” he said. “But they are not always the ones that are the most talented.”

Peter Ambrose, director of coaching for Boulder Indoor Soccer, said he doesn’t think a genetic test would alter his coaching.

“Maybe I’m old-school, but I’m just not ready to limit it to one component as to whether a person is going to be successful in soccer,” Ambrose said. “I think you have the ability to become whatever athlete you want to become.”

Ambrose said he believes there’s “some validity to what they’re doing” and is interested in learning about the genes of some of his athletes.

“But I think it’s too little information to decide too much information,” he said.

‘Michael Jordan never had that done’

While watching her 3-year-old son run circles around a soccer field, Joanna Alidu, of Louisville, said Monday that she thinks children need to feel free to do what they love without feeling pressure to excel in something a test identified as their strength.

Athletes for decades have gravitated toward their best sports without using a test, she said.

“Michael Jordan never had that done, I’m sure,” she said.

Reilly said his organization means only to open doors for young athletes, not close them.

“We don’t want to limit people,” he said. “We want to expand people’s horizons.”

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