Newsletter Issue No. 834
November 1, 2018
PDF version for Premium Members is here.
Anti-Aging: Going the Distance in Your 50s
By Coach John Hughes
In last week’s column Anti-Aging Training in Your 50s, 60s and Beyond I described the training principles that apply to all of us older riders (I’m 69). This week I’ll discuss how to ride an endurance ride in your 50s. What’s an endurance ride? Lon Haldeman holds multiple trans-continental records. His first endurance ride was 10 miles as a kid to the nearest town. And then 20 miles. And then 30 miles. An endurance ride is any ride long enough to be a challenge to you. Read more.
Why Weight Training Is Vital for Aging Cyclists
By Fred Matheny
How do you increase the amount of power you have available, especially as you age? Why should age rob us of the benefits of all our interval training, climbing and endurance rides? Is there any way to retain the fitness that we’ve built through the years? The answer lies in the muscles that propel the bike down the road. Jim Martin, Ph.D., a leading cycling researcher, says, “Maintain muscle mass at all costs, and you’ll retain function regardless of age. Muscle mass and fiber type account for 88% of performance variations regardless of age.” Read more.
Why Use a Power Meter? Interview with Josh Matthew from Power Meter City
By Lars Hundley
My day job is still in the ecommerce world as it has been since 1998, selling gardening products online. I recently met Josh Matthew, who also works in ecommerce. I was thrilled when I found out that his business, Power Meter City, is directly related to cycling. I rarely meet someone who is familiar with both of my big interests. We hit it off immediately via email, and Josh agreed to answer some questions about power meters for our readers. Read more.
Ask the Bike Fitter: Sit Bone Pain
By Rick Schultz, MBA, DBA
A question recently came in regarding pain and sit bones. A good saddle helps solve several potential causes of pain. These include but are not limited to pain caused by (a) old and worn out saddle, (b) saddle too soft/too hard, (c) too much padding, (d) no cutout for soft tissue, (e) wrong design, etc. But if the saddle itself is ok, we need to look at other possible causes. Read more.
Pearl Izumi Escape Softshell Lite Gloves Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
It’s always a struggle to keep my hands and feet the right temperature when the seasons are changing. Finding the right gloves for that transition from Fall to Winter has been a challenge. Either the gloves are not warm enough or too warm and my hands are sweating. That’s until I tested Pearl Izumi’s Escape Softshell Lite gloves.These gloves are available in both men’s and women’s. Read more.
Cycling Past 50 Bundle
In this 4-article series Coach John Hughes shares what you need to do as you age into your 50s and beyond – using cycling and other exercises – to increase your longevity and improve your enjoyment of life!
These articles apply whether you are just taking up cycling and exercise or you’ve been a cyclist for years and intend never to stop. Learn more.
Cooling Down After Intense Exercise
By Gabe Mirkin, MD
“Cooling down” means that after you exercise intensely, you slow down and exercise at low intensity for a while before you stop exercising for that session. The scientific literature is controversial on whether cooling down helps to reduce next-day muscle soreness to help muscles to recover faster. I believe that cooling down may help you to heal faster from muscle soreness after intense exercise, which allows you to recover faster from intense workouts. There is some evidence that cooling down augments your immune system response to help muscles fibers heal faster from the Z-line damage caused by hard exercise. Read more.
Product Review: Tifosi Veloce Light Night Fototec Reader Glasses
By Jim Langley
I’m giving Tifosi’s Veloce Readers our highest rating because to me, they’re the perfect glasses, that provide everything I need in cycling eyewear and at a sweet price, too.
In fact, I can’t think of anyway that they can be improved. And, believe me, I gave it my best shot to try to find issues. Read more.
Cycling Tips from the Pros: Sleep to Succeed
By Coach John Hughes
“Sleep is the most powerful recovery aid out there,” says retired American cyclist and 2012 U.S. Road Race champion Timmy Duggan.
A study recently found that most athletes don’t sleep enough and one in four suffer from a significant sleep disorder such as trouble falling asleep. My clients often have trouble getting enough sleep for one or more reasons. In the 21st century many people are trying to get more done, to fit more thing into already packed days. Read more.
Readers Speak: Laundry Solutions to Keep Athletic Clothing Smelling Fresh
Last week we asked which laundry detergents or cleaning methods readers used to keep their cycling clothing from stinking, and we got a large number of reader comments and replies.
We organized them all and grouped them here, so you can see what’s working for other cyclists. If you’re looking for a new method to try to keep your cycling gear clean and fresh, you’ll have plenty to choose from here. Read more.
Question of the Week
Do you get enough sleep to recover and stay healthy?