The is an article at Cycling Today about a study at The University of Kent that had results that said that taking acetaminophen decreased times in 10 mile time trials by 30 seconds.  That is a pretty large number.

The results of this study and one other, said that the acetaminophen reduces pain and allows the rider to hold a higher exertion level at higher temperatures.  That is an interesting part.   Higher output at higher temperatures.

I think there needs to be a larger study group.  The first study had only 13 riders and the 2nd, repeat study, had 11.  These guys were riding around a 26 minute time, so they were super great cyclists.  But still, the results were amazing.

I heard a podcast about the effects of over dosing Tylenol/acetaminophen and it is ugly. Especially in children.   Too much and it does severe liver damage.  Not a very good drug to be taking when dehydration is common occurence.

Anyway, it is interesting.  Funny how a normal pain relieve, over the counter, anti-inflammatory can be used as a “doping” product.   Funny, as in strange, not funny as humorous.

I’ve been sort of following the Cape Epic this year.  I know a couple people riding the race, plus I have it in the back of my mind I might do it sometime eventually.

I saw that Christoph Sauser and his team mate, Jaroslav Kulhavy, had some flat tire problems and were using plugs to fix them.  I’m a big proponent of using plug.  I say that, but haven’t really had the bad luck enough, or more accurately, haven’t raced enough, to have to rely on them for fast flat fixing.

Plugging tubeless tires is really the best option for fixing a flat.  When I am racing, or just riding on a course, where flatting tubeless is going to be a concern, putting in a tube is usually just a band-aid for an eventual disaster.   I guess upping the pressure to a nearly unrideable pressure might ease some of the tube flat issues, but that isn’t a great option for racing.  Tire pressure is key.

I’ve ridden plugged tires for a long time.  Not just finishing a race/ride, but for weeks after.  A plug is pretty much a permanent fix for a small slice or pinch in the tire itself.

Sauser says he is using Dynaplug.  I didn’t know about them.  He says that once sealed, it is permanently sealed.  They look like they have a very good product.  I am going to have to try them.   Hopefully I’ll be riding my MTB soon enough again, and it a race situation, where they might come in handy.

Dynaplug repair kit.