Newsletter Issue No. 993
December 2, 2021
Anti-Aging: The Week Off
By Coach John Hughes
One of the most obvious changes as we age is we need more and better recovery. In this column I write about recovery in general and specifically the importance of the periodic week of the bike.
Winter’s here and many riders are spending time on the trainer. I’m researching a column on high intensity intervals (HIT), which aren’t for everyone. I’ve written a more general column on Cross-Train for Fun and Fitness this Winter. Read more.
Q&A: Star Nuts and Full Carbon Forks? NO!
By Jim Langley
The interesting tech questions keep arriving, thank you! We aim to answer as many as possible, especially when they have to do with safety. And, Stephen Turk’s does!
Stephen asks about his Cannondale Six13
“I have a 2005 Cannondale Six13 that has a lot of good miles on it. The instructions for its Slice full carbon fork specify a star nut and go on to say… Read more.
Hambini Bottom Brackets – Are They Worth It?
By Rick Schultz
I’ve recently been asked by numerous cyclists about Bottom Brackets (BB’s), Bearings, etc. Their questions arose from several YouTube videos reviewing Hambini’s ‘$300’ Bottom Brackets. Let’s take for example this Hambini Racing BB30 Bottom Bracket for Shimano Crankset. This BB lists for £197 or about $266 USD.
Looking at the details, you will quickly notice that the Outside Diameter (OD) of the BB is sized for a BB30 frame but that the Inside Diameter (ID) says 24mm Shimano crankset. So, one of two things are happening. Read more.
Quick Tip: Add a Cheap, Wired Speedometer
By Greg Conderacci
Recently, RBR launched this new series to enlighten our ultra-cool readers about the benefits of dorkiness.
In Part I, we explored screening your helmet; in Part II, we messed with your handlebars; in Part III, we reflectorized your machine; in Part IV, we prepped you for flats; in Part V, we praised electrical tape; and in Part VI, we recommended kinesiology tape for sore knees; and in Part VII, we raised your aerobars; and in Part VIII, we swore off black jerseys and in Part IX, we turned on a blinking headlight ; and in Part X, we added a bell.
Today, I’m suggesting you buy a cheap wired speedometer – NOW – before they stop making them altogether. Do this even if (like me) you have a fancy, expensive GPS providing you with information ranging from core body temperature to phases of the moon. Read more.
Machines for Freedom Women’s Trail Jersey Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
This summer, I reviewed Machines For Freedom’s (MMF) new line of trail gear, a new category for this manufacturer who has been traditionally designing road gear. The company has now come out with their Trail jersey, perfect for trail or road rides. Read more.
Why Doesn’t Garmin Support My Local LBS?
By Martin Sigrist
My Tacx Neo finally gave up the ghost yesterday. To be fair it’s been a long time coming. It is one of the originals, I’ve forgotten how long ago I got it. I tried a few repairs and they sort of worked but not that well and yesterday it just didn’t want to turn. I’ve checked Youtube and there may be ways to fix it so I’ll order the parts and give it a go but since winter is coming, I thought it best to treat it, even if I get it going again, as a backup and buy a new one. Especially since I know the design flaw in mine has been fixed on the new version so it should see me into my 70s. Read more.
Less Salt, More Potassium to Help Prevent Heart Attacks
A review of six major studies that measured salt intake by the amount of salt in the urine found that a high salt intake is associated with significantly increased risk for suffering heart attacks and strokes. This review is extremely dependable because it measured salt intake directly by how much salt and potassium was secreted in a person’s urine each day, and did not depend on a patient’s memory. The studies followed more than 10,000 healthy adults for nine years and recorded more than 571 heart attacks and strokes. The people in the studies took in from 2,000 to 6,000 mg of sodium per day. Every 1,000 mg per day increase in salt in the urine was associated with an 18 percent increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. Read more.
Cycling Past 50, 60 and Beyond Bundle
In this 3-article series, Cycling Past 50, 60 and Beyond, Coach John Hughes shares his personal insight and the current research into how different physiological systems worsen with age. In Fit for Life, he shows you that by exercising in different ways you can stay fitter than if you just ride your road bike. In Peak Fitness, he provides specific week-by-week workouts designed to make any rider a better, fitter cyclist. And in Training with Intensity, he explains the physiological benefits of riding with intensity; doing some hard riding slows the aging process and delivers an array of benefits at any age.
Question of the Week
Do you plan to use a smart trainer this winter?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
Cycling News: Formolo, Sperotto set novelty ‘slowest hour’ record at 918 metres
Bike Radar: 5 frontiers of cycling science that could make you faster in 2022
NY Times: At 83, ‘Nimblewill Nomad’ Enters the Appalachian Trail Record Book
Cycling News: Anthony Roux turns training litter collection into ‘my clean route’ campaign
End Note
