Vern

Having successfully completed Ironman Wisconsin 2006 I felt I
owed you a letter of appreciation. When I came to you back in
October 2005, I was training very hard. As it turns out, I was
training too hard and improperly. Your Lactate Threshold test
should be the first place any aspiring endurance athlete starts
their training program. The LT test showed where I needed to
get my heart rate to effectively train and compete at long
distances. It was unbelievable to watch the positive changes
in my heart rate during the first 3-4 months of training. In fact,
once I got my heart rate where it needed to be which taught my
body to burn fat instead of glycogen, I went from 184 lbs to 167
lbs in 45 days! I maintained that weight loss throughout the
program by adding muscle as I lost more fat. My body fat  got
down to 9.5%. Not bad for a 39 year old.
More importantly, your experience in endurance training was
vital to my training. You knew exactly how fast to bring me along
and warned me repeatedly not to over do it. I had trained by
myself for previous events and never made it to the start line
from over-training injuries. I trained with you, racking up more
miles and stayed injury free up to the final weeks.
People who say the proof is in the pudding should call me at
any of the #s below. You were on the course in Madison and
saw me passing lots of people in the marathon. I am not that
good of a runner. However, I was better trained than 99% of the
people out there and it showed as I had great energy level
remaining on the run.You hit the taper on the nose. People
lookat my finish line photo and see the HUGE smile and say
that I don't look like I just worked out for 14:25 and they are
right. I actually had more in me. I felt great at the finish and recovered incredibly well post-
race. I know how I felt at the finish line and it was worth 10 times whatever I paid you
throughout the year.
Please do not hesitate to have anyone interested in your services call me for a reference at
anytime.

John Robinson
Executive Vice President
Meridian Real Estate
Indianapolis, IN


Thanks for the fit session.  I rode 37 miles on my TT bike Sunday and felt great. I feel like I
can now get my lungs open and breathe a lot better.  The position also feels a lot more
comfortable.  It also seemed like I could also get a lot more power down to the back wheel!  I
am now excited to try this position out on a 40k TT this season.  I will keep you posted on my
TT progress this season.  


Christopher Clarke
Clarke Engineering Services, Inc.





My experience with Vern LaMere exceeded all my expectations.
The session was so much more than simply a bike fitting.  The level of knowledge and
professionalism was impressive.  I was linked to a computer for an in depth evaluation,
during which he adjusted my seat, aerobars, and stem to maximize power.
My racing times improved significantly as a result of Verne's expertise.  He analyzed my form,
positioning, and pedal stroke, offering suggestions on every aspect of biking performance.
Verne even made adjustments to my bike cleats after examining my feet for pronation or
biomechanical inefficiencies.
I strongly encourage all bikers, regardless of their ability level, to meet with Verne for a proper
bike fitting to ensure
both comfort, efficiency and stronger rides.   
Furthermore, he is a delight to work with.

Cheryl Hart
Team USA
All-American Triathlete and Duathlete
Silver Medalist World Triathlon & Duathlon Championship
Louisville, Kentucky



Vern,

Thanks for everything. My bike fitting with you was simply
AMAZING! Your knowledge and expertise on the bike was by
far the best around. I’ve gone from dreading the bike, to
loving it, instantly. Your fit made me so much more
comfortable, but more importantly it made me a heck of a
lot faster! Just recently, I competed in the Ironman World
Championship 70.3 in Clearwater, FL.  I was the youngest
athlete in the entire world field. I am 100% certain that without
you, I would have never ever been able to even qualify for this
prestigious race. Everyday I am getting stronger and stronger,
and by next year I hope to raise the bar even higher, with your
help of course! Kona here I come!

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID
=2006611180321

Long Phan
Triathlete
Age 18
Carmel, IN

Vern,

Thanks for your time and your service. The saddle height adjustment has made a huge
difference in my power output. Thanks again. I can't wait to race!

Bob Brooks


Since the fitting I have had some killer performances, including the Cat.1/2 district RR title
this year.  I have also upgraded to a Cat.1.  Thanks for all your help!  The bike feels great!

Brian Baker


Count this as another one of your success stories.  Since I have sought your counsel, I have
clocked my 3 best TT times, with each one getting better in progression.  I thank you greatly
for this. Now that the bike feels comfortable for the most part, I am putting out better speeds
without discomfort (other than chafing).
The last 40K TT that I did was a minute less than the same course the week before (and the
week before I had done a PR).  My time last week was 58:06.  I didn't kill myself either,
although it was hard at times.  The hardest part was being disciplined enough to ride within
my goal pace.  
Mike Restivo
TT Specialist


"I came from a mountain bike background; when I started racing road I used a similiar setup
on my road bike, saddle set back and low. I was skeptical about paying for a proper fit, but the
experience exceeded my expectations. Vern jacked up my saddle by 3 cm, which in turn
jacked up my racing by 3 categories."

Ryan Rish
Age 30, Cat 1
Newark, Ohio
Savage Hill Cycling Team


Vern,

I have about 300 hundred miles in now and I wanted to let you know how pleased I am with
the new set-up. I have never been more comfortable on my bike. My only regret is that I put off
having a professional fitting done for so long. The results are well worth the investment. Had I
done the fitting before purchasing my “dream” bike I wouldn’t have ended up with the wrong
size frame.

I sincerely appreciated your diligent efforts and the amount of time you spent with me. I could
really tell that you were legitimately concerned about me and making everything as perfect as
possible. As an older rider, I felt I was getting the same attention that a Cat 1 rider would get. I
liked that.

Howard Aughinbaugh
Indianapolis, IN


Vern LaMere is renowned in bike fit technology and application.  I have used him with existing
bike adjustments as well as custom designed bikes.  My son is a Cat 1 cyclist and still
growing, and Vern’s dynamic expertise has allowed him to compete on an international level,
allowing for a fast comfortable ride.  His digital video and computer analysis is just one of the
fascinating details used to maximum efficiency.  Simply put, I ride faster and more efficiently
than before!

Guy East
Founder
Team Clydesdale


The whole experience working with Vern LaMere has been a positive one. He uses computer
digital analysis to dial in your optimal riding position.  This method allows more precision
than static measurements that most fittings use, but also takes into account various body-
segment positions while riding.  Personally, I ride with a toe down position which affects not
only my frame size but also my positioning on the bike. The digital videos taken while I was
riding were able to identify and account for my pedaling style much more than static methods
or standard photographs could.  Vern is great to work with and will take all the time
necessary to get you in the best position to ride your fastest.  

Mike Morris
20 year Triathlon Veteran
Roanoke, VA



Just want to drop a note and say Thanks for the bike fit! You did a great job because the bike
fit perfect. I ride uphill, downhill, sprint and time trial really well and have nothing to complain
on!

I have now done two weekends of racing and got 2nd at the Ceraland Spring Classic, just
beaten in the sprint by one of my team mates. This weekend I did 3 races in the Indiana
North Stage race. I got second on the circuit race Saturday 1min down of my team mate that
we let go and I could not close the gap. I finally got of the group 2 laps to go and dropped the
field with a minute to get 2nd place. Later the same day I won the TT of 5 mile. Today was a
36mile Road Race - a very windy race and hot. I was the strongest also today and won the
race in a two man break away. So it was a really good week.

May Britt Hartwell
Indianapolis, IN
4-19-04


Vern,

Thanks for all your help a couple weeks ago.  The bike fit is great.

I had a sprint race this past Sunday and my bike leg was the most improved.  I was 8th out of
a total field of 480, and was able to save a bit for the run and was 5th in the field...getting me
6th
overall.

I'm convinced that the race performance was a direct result of our testing.  1 - the bike fit
allowed me to ride more efficiently (something I felt on my first ride after the fit); and 2 - I was
able to use the heart rates we set to determine when to back off a bit on the bike to save for
the run.   Very encouraging results and money well spent.


Phil Mishka
Triathlete



Hi,
I wanted everyone at Roark to know how pleased I am with the bicycle that you built for me.

The fit is great, and it is so light I have to sit on it to keep it from floating off the ground.

Yesterday I did 51 miles at an average speed of 19.  Not too bad for an old lady who just
started riding again in March.

The day before I tested the hill climbing ability by riding 30 miles of back to back river bluffs.  It
was awesome.  No trouble keeping up with the guys.
And-it is beautiful.
Thanks to everyone who worked on it.  You are true craftsmen and craftswomen.

Gail Mugler



I am a USCF cat 3 masters (35+) bicycle racer, primarily participating in road races, with a
few criteriums sprinkled into the season.  As a member of the M.O.B.squad cycling team I
have the opportunity to ride many miles at a fast and furious pace.  So proper fit to the bike is
critical for optimizing my performance.  I have been riding competitively for about 6 7 years,
and have
Never been more comfortable or confident with my position on the bike, due principally to the
results of the NIFS (Human Performance Lab) bike fit session.

The session was by far the most comprehensive, measurement and data driven bicycle fit I
have every experienced.  The video and computer aided biomechanical analysis provides an
objective assessment of riding position and pedal stroke efficiency (spin analysis). There is
virtually no subjective "eyeballing" of position or pedaling technique.  Changes in position
and technique are suggested, new video is taken, and results of the changes are
immediately compared to the original data set.  Assessment of benefits of the changes can
then be evaluated.  Also, video is taken from different views (side and front).  Knee and foot
alignment at different crank arm angles from the front view provides information about pedal
stroke.  By viewing the video frame by frame it is possible to critically analyze each movement
of the pedal stroke.  All the video is recorded and provided to the rider for future reference.  
Numerous anatomical measurements were taken pertinent to the bike fit, including femur
and tibia length, as well as overall leg length. Particular attention was paid to cleat set on
cycling shoe and evaluation of foot pronation and supination (to determine if wedging in
needed).

Throughout the session each measurement was explained to how it related to cycling
position and power generation.  Detailed instructions were provided during the entire
session.  I was very comfortable and confident about the quality of the interaction with the
bike fit specialist.  Several specific questions or concerns I had about my cycling position
were specifically addressed even though not part of the "standard" dynamic bike fit package.

I believe the changes that were made in my cycling position as a result of the fit session have
put me not only in a more aerodynamic position but also in a position where transfer of
power from me to the bike is optimized.  I feel stronger, more comfortable, and more capable
on the bike.  Overall I am very pleased with the results of the session and would highly
recommend it to any bicyclist, whether recreational or racer.  Sometimes you don't know what
you don't know, and the fit session was very revealing to me of several weaknesses in my
position.

Preston Conrad
USCF Cat 3 Master
Coaching Testimonial:

Read what athletes are saying about Vern LaMere’s Coaching Services.  Athletes are
excelling beyond what they thought possible!  


8/2/04  DAVE RABER HAS ACHIEVED #1 RANKING IN DINO SERIES SPORT CLASS!!  He
has since moved up to the expert class and putting the hammer down on those guys!!

Here’s a response from Dave Raber, a local mountain bike race I coach, to an e-mail I sent
congratulating him on his racing…

You should be happy.  You are the one responsible for these great results.

Definitely some strange looks when I have ice bags on my chest, A/C on as high as possible,
and playing motivational music.  I think some guys think I’ve lost my mind or that I’m just plain
stupid.  Then, I roll up to the start line and most of them are absolutely soaked with sweat
and looking half spent.  I, on the other hand, have not broken a sweat yet and feel fresh….and
not going to dehydrate.

I think I will keep all of this under my hat.  I am paying good money for this cutting edge
advice.  I am paying for results.  Fit tech is my secret weapon!

Race went VERY well!!  I did indeed do the body cooling routine.  That is so HUGE!!

Won my age group.  Probably finished in top 5 or very close to it overall.  My climbing was
what separated me today.  No one in my age group could hang with me on the climbs.  All
this even though it was a bit muddy so not ideal for my strengths.  The climbing was the
trump card today.  Putting salt in H2O bottles was big too...kept me from any cramping.  VERY
positive day!  1st lap was faster but the 2nd and 3rd were almost identical...no final lap
fading.  In fact, I felt very strong on the final lap...like I could really hammer it.  This is
new/different.  Your training is doing this.  Keep it coming.

I am shocked at the significantly lower hr on the final lap even though my time was not
lagging.  I did feel very relaxed even though I was hammering well.  I do remember feeling
gleeful because I knew I had ~1 minute on the closest guy in my age group.  They were
nowhere within sight.

I give you the credit.  I have been close to the overall winner of each race (1-3 mins instead of
6+ minutes), I rarely (if ever) get passed, and I’m feeling better during the later stages of the
races.

Thanks Vern!!


8-18-04
Excerpts from recent race (Ferdinand)…
I felt better than any race EVER.  I was climbing so so well it was sick!  NO ONE could climb
with me.  After the first climb, I was beating everyone in my age group by serious margins and
it only increased throughout the race.  I was contending for a top 5-7 overall and an EASY
agegroup win by over 2 minutes to the 2nd place in my age group…

I can't go on about how good I felt.  I was singing your praises during the race.  I felt the sweet
suffering pain.  It was amazing……

Dave


If you would like to improve your cycling performance and comfort contact:

Vern LaMere, M.S.,
FitTech, Inc
317-491-5205

Testimonials