Newsletter Issue No. 823
August 16, 2018
PDF version for Premium Members is here.
Ask the Coach: Unusual Pain During Intensity Workouts
RBR Reader Will writes, “I am 70 and ride for recreation and health. I normally only ride 10 miles or so five days a week. I have found that if I include some intensity work I can take tours with 40 to 50 mile rides without suffering. Recently when I put out high effort I sometimes get a strong pain in my lower abdomen. This goes away in a couple of minutes of easy riding. Any thoughts?” Before diagnosing any cycling problem, one should be sure one has all the relevant facts. Over the next 12 days I asked Will a series of questions. Here’s what I learned. Read more.
Garmin Falling Off Your Bike? Try the Dog Ears GPS Garmin Mounting Plate
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Imagine riding along and you look down to check your Garmin for speed, power or cadence and all you see is the empty mount. Yep, that happened to me a few weeks back on a group ride shortly after we went over some railroad tracks. My heart skipped a beat, thinking I just lost my Garmin Edge 1000!!! Read more.
The Safe Way to Park a Bike Against a Pole
By Jim Langley
Some of the worst damage to your roadster can come from something that seems harmless: the bike falling over when it’s parked against a pole. I learned this lesson the hard way. It was a long time ago, but I still remember the pain. It happened in 1971, to my first dream ride, an almost full-Campagnolo Raleigh International, with a feathery Reynolds 531 double-butted steel frame. After a ride, I parked the bike against a pole next to the little market I stopped at to get some snacks. Read more.
Don’t miss the latest ebook from Coach Hughes:
Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process
Anti-Aging describes the physiological changes that take place as you age, how to assess your current fitness and the training principles that apply to older roadies.
The book explains how to get the most benefit from your endurance rides. It has sample training plans to increase your annual riding miles and to build up to rides of 25-, 50-, 100- and 200-mile rides. The book explains why intensity training is important, the pros and cons of gauging intensity using rate of perceived exertion, heart rate and power. It includes how to do intensity exercise and different intensity workouts. It integrates endurance and intensity training into an annual plan for optimal results.
Redshift ShockStop Suspension Stem Review
By Rick Schultz
Six or so months ago, I built a ‘gravel grinder’ out of my Giant TCT Advanced road bike. During this time, I have ridden it both on-road and off-road, for off-road, mainly hard-pack trails. So far, everything has worked out perfect on this build. Looking back, the Wolftooth components are rock-solid and the drivetrain selection couldn’t be better. The only drawback is that since I converted a road racing bicycle, the largest tires that fit are 700×28. Read more.
How to Climb Better at Higher Altitudes
By Fred Matheny
The higher you climb, the less barometric pressure, so less oxygen can be absorbed by the blood. The percent of oxygen in the air doesn’t change, but the air’s density does. As a result, there’s less oxygen to breathe. At the top of Vail Pass there’s one-third less oxygen available in a given volume of air than at sea level. No wonder climbing Colorado’s passes is so demanding. Read more.
Weak Muscles Increase Risk for Dementia
By Gabe Mirkin, MD
Many studies show that having excess fat in your belly is associated with increased risk for dementia, but a new study shows that as a person ages, lack of muscle size and strength appears to be an even stronger predictor of dementia than having excess belly fat. Read more.
Question of the Week
Has your bike fallen over and taken damage?