Jim gets Carter's TT rig ready for testing.
An inside view of the A2 wind tunnel.
The turbines that pull air through the wind tunnel.
Carter, ready to get the day started.
A closer look at some of the turbine blades.
Getting the bike in place.
A custom pedestal and mounting system was developed specifically for bikes.
Locking the bike into place.
A net guards the turbines to prevent anything from being sucked through.
A view looking into the wind tunnel through one of the massive turbines.
Constant adjustments are made based on Carter's feedback and the data that's being collected.
There's a small observation window on the side of the wind tunnel.
Jim is constantly measuring and adjusting the handle bar set up.
Carter acclimates to a new setup.
They stress hard data here.
Everything can be observed and documented via video from outside the tunnel. The bike is tested by itself with a variety of wheel setups. On the other monitor the desktop wallpaper displays another speed machine that came through for testing.
Jim discusses the finer point of "turtling" with carter. Basically a specific way of positioning the head and shoulders to produce a more aerodynamic posture.
Carter is all ears to the advice he's receiving from Jim and the A2 staff.
Hand position is one of the most important aspects of creating the most aerodynamic position possible on a bike.
Carter put in a lot of miles over the course of the day.
A view of Carter from outside as the wind tunnel pulls air over his body.
A side view of a proper time trial cycling position.
The A2 Wind Tunnel has a fun multicolored flame like paint job.
A giant system of metal screens and meshes keeps anything that gets pulled in along with the air from infiltrating the tunnel.
The day is filled with constant bike adjustments.
Everything from power output to wind resistance is tracked and compared from session to session.
Stretching is important, Carter is on and off the bike through out the session.
The wind tunnel software allows for side by side comparisons of the positions Carter has experimented with.
A close look at the Campagnolo TT shifters.
Striking a pose with his Pinarello Graal.
Carter is using the exact equipment he will have available in competition.
Carter helps with some product development too, testing the aerodynamics of some Giordana Cycling Apparel in line garments.
Carter dons the new EXO System kit to test it's wind cheating design.
Carter rests his legs while wheels are changed out.
The EXO System jersey is designed to fit best in the cycling position. It appears short when standing, but once Carter is on the bike it fits perfectly. Eliminating excess material, and preventing wrinkles and folds in the material that cause wind resistance.
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Photo Shoot: A2 Wind Tunnel
I was lucky enough to sit in on a wind tunnel session for BIssell Pro Cycling team rider Cater Jones at the A2 wind tunnel in Mooresville, NC. He was dialing in a new, more aerodynamic Time Trialing position for the 2013 season. Capturing images for potential promotional use.
