Newsletter Issue No. 970
June 24, 2021
Anti-Aging: The Optimal Riding Weeks
By Coach John Hughes
This column is about the optimal riding weeks plural because we’re each an experiment of one. The optimal riding week for you may not be the optimal week for your buddy. And the optimal weeks depend on the times of the year. Read more.
Phil’s Trick to Get Carbon Wheels to Trip Red Light Sensors
By Jim Langley
I’m letting reader Phillip Young steer the Tech Talk sled this week because he took the time to share what seems to me to be an ingenious tip – and even provided photos. His hack is a new one to me, too. Read more.
How Cyclists Can Stave Off Sarcopenia: Part I
By Kevin Kolodziejski
If he had been a cyclist, I’m sure Ben Franklin’s body would’ve looked much different — and so would one of his most famous sayings. If the prodigious writer would’ve been as prodigious a rider, he would’ve been ripped instead of roly-poly and better able to see what was happening to his arms and legs as he aged. So in that letter written a year before his death to the French physician Jean-Baptiste Leroy, he would’ve added yet another inevitability to “nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Read more.
Cramps? Mustard’s No Miracle, But…
By Greg Conderacci
The other day I was struggling through a hilly 200K ride when suddenly severe cramps stabbed my legs. If you’re a long-time fan of Coach John Hughes, as I am, you know why: too old, too hot, too fast, and not enough training, hydration or electrolytes. Read more.
KOM Cycling RPV2 Full-Motion Rocker Plate Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
If you dedicate a lot of time to indoor training, you might consider a rocker plate to add a more dynamic feel and comfort. In late April 2021, KOM Cycling released RPV2, their newest version rocker plate. The RPV2 has a third plate, attached by three roller bearing rails, allowing smooth fore/aft movement. 4.5” of fore movement and 4.5” of aft combine with 13 degrees of horizontal movement for a more realistic ride. A benefit of the motion is it engages the rider’s core muscles vital for any strong cyclist. Two inflatable rocker balls control the horizontal motion and adjust the rocking motion by adding or removing air. Read more.
Kora Neema Yak Wool Tank Top Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Over the winter, I reviewed Kora’s Yushu base layer that was excellent for cold weather riding. In May, Kora released the Neema collection that included a vest or, as we call it in the US, a tank top. Available in light grey in both a men’s and women’s version. Wear it as an ultralight base layer under a summer jersey, sweater, or long sleeve tee, by itself for yoga or other off-the-bike activities.. Read more.
How Much Caffeine Do I Need Cycling?
By Stan Purdum
In answering your question, I assume by “need,” you mean “How much caffeine is beneficial to my cycling performance?”
It’s a good question because virtually all the studies on how caffeine affects riding conclude that in general, a limited dose — such as the quantity you might consume in a couple of cups of coffee — can modestly increase your speed and endurance during vigorous cycling. But for most riders, the beneficial effects don’t increase by ingesting more caffeine at the same time. Taking some in later in a long ride might provide a boost, however. Read more.
Using IQ to Raise Your Power (Garmin IQ!)
By Martin Sigrist
I recently talked about what, for me, is the biggest drawback of training with power: getting fixated on numbers.
This can become self defeating, if you know your threshold is 300W then anytime you see a wattage starting with 3 your mind will start telling you its not something you can keep up forever. Read more.
Cycling Past 60 Bundle
In this 2-article series, Cycling Past 60 Bundle, Coach John Hughes shares his personal insight and the current research into how the human body ages, especially past age 60.
- Cycling Past 60 pt. 1 for Health: Reviews the physiological changes with aging, explains in detail how to determine your athletic maturity and appropriate workout levels, describes the different kinds of activities to meet the ACSM’s recommendations and includes sample training weeks.
- Cycling Past 60 pt. 2 for Recreation: Builds on part 1 to describe the importance of intensity including how to gauge intensity, more advance types of training, the importance of recovery and includes different sample training weeks for different times of the year.
Question of the Week
Do you use any IQ apps with your Garmin bike computer?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
YouTube: The Bike Life | Creativity on Wheels in New York City
Bicycle Retailer: Taiwan e-bike exports up 44% in first 5 months, exceed regular bike exports
Cycling Industry News: Bicycle industry sees first stock exchange index tracker, WBR to benefit
Atlanta Journal Constitution: Witness tells of horror as truck rams into Arizona bike race
End Note
