Newsletter Issue No. 950
January 28, 2021
The Mental Side of Cycling: An Example
By Coach John Hughes
In the column about Hank Aaron and the mental side of sports I described how Hammerin’ Hank used mental skills to set a record of 755 home runs that stood for 30 years. Here’s an example of how mental skills apply to cycling. Read more.
Outside the Box Quick Tip on Tire Inflation
By Jim Langley
Before I get to this week’s OTB quick tip, I’d like to thank everyone who joined the chain chatter the past two weeks. As I sit down to write this, great comments are still being dropped on last week’s Tech Talk, Part 2 about cleaning and lubing chains. There were already a bunch with cool tips and tricks on Part 1, too. Read more.
Hank Aaron and the Mental Side of Sports
By Coach John Hughes
“Baseball is 90 per cent mental. The other half is physical.” – Yogi Berra, 18 time Major League Baseball All-Star
Hank Aaron the home run king died on January 22, 2021 at age 86. He broke Babe Ruth’s record of 714 home runs and held that record for 30 years. Aaron’s mental skills were one of the keys to his success. Read more.
Bike Hearing
By Stan Purdum
Sooner or later, all of us who ride bicycles on the road get yelled at by passersby in motor vehicles. Typically, those doing the yelling are teenage boys, usually crammed in the front seat with others of their ilk, though occasionally they are older persons, but almost always of the male persuasion. Read more.
Virtual-Based Trainer Racing Notes
By Rick Schultz
Due to the COVID-19 lockdown and now winter, I’ve transitioned to indoors for cycling exercise.
Last year, I did a quick review on several of the new (at the time) video/virtual-based training systems – see Rouvy vs. Fulgaz vs. Tacx vs. CVRcade: Apps Compared. Now, a year later, all of these systems have become more mature, more feature-packed and generally better in every aspect. I’ve stuck with 2 applications for my virtual training, Elite’s MyETraining (for training and trainer maintenance) and Rouvy (for all racing and training). This is not to say anything against the other systems, these are just the two applications that best fit my needs. Read more.
UnTapped Salted Cocoa Gel and Waffle – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
When I received the company’s email announcing the launch of a cocoa version gel and waffle I was all over it. For those who’ve read my nutrition product reviews, you know my love of chocolate. Both products did not disappoint. Like the other UnTapped products I’ve previously reviewed, there was a nice mild flavor. Not an overpowering sweet chocolate flavor that might cause digestive issues during hard rides. Read more.
Elite STERZO SMART Steering Riser Block for Zwift Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
If you want a Zwift racing advantage or just want your avatar to catch a sweet draft around Watopia, Elite’s STERZO SMART Steering Riser might be your dream come true. With quick installation, just unbox, place under your front wheel, pair with Zwift, and ride. Yes, literally that simple. Read more.
Energy Flask – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
If you use gels to fuel your rides or runs you know firsthand how messy those empty packets can be when you stuff them in your pocket. Also, sometimes you don’t want to consume the whole packet at one time, what do you do with the remaining gel? What about the cost? Energy Flask has a solution to all the above. Read more.
Gaining a Mental Edge
Gaining a Mental Edge: Using Sports Psychology to Improve Your Cycling can teach you the same skills. Most cyclists can get greater improvement from investing some time each week in practicing mental skills than they could investing the same amount of time in training! This is especially true after age 40. Coach John Hughes demonstrates how sports psychology can be another tool in your toolbox to help you improve your cycling, just like effective training, good equipment and healthy nutrition. Gaining a Mental Edge is set up as a workbook with a progressive set of skills to practice and master. Just as you can practice specific cycling skills you can also practice and learn specific mental skills. Winter when you are riding less is an opportunity to gain a mental edge.
Question of the Week
Think you’ll race or ride any organized events this year?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
Bicycle Retailer: Shimano takes over neutral support at Tour de France
Cycling Tips: NBC Sports is Shutting Down. How Will We Watch the Tour de France?
Outside: Optimal Methods for Never Recovering After Your Workout
VeloNews: The Grind: The wider the tires, the wider the bars. Am I wrong?
End Note
