Newsletter Issue No. 1019

June 2, 2022

Cycling Aches & Pains, Part 1: A Pain in the Butt

By Coach John Hughes

I went to the ER at Mercy Medical in Durango, Colorado, less than 1,000 miles into the 1996 Race Across AMerica. They peeled down my shorts, looked at my butt and said, “Your race is over. You have second-degree burns on your buttocks.”

A second-degree burn is through the epidermis and into the dermis, the thick layer of tissue that forms the true skin. I didn’t care what second-degree meant, all I knew was that it hurt like hell! Read more.


Clipless Pedal Trouble

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

Before we get to today’s topic, let’s backpedal to last week when the subject was how many hand and body positions there are on dropped handlebars. I counted 9 and asked you for more. Read more.


Pearl Izumi Expedition PRO Bib Short and Shell Short Review

By Brandon Bilyeu

The Expedition version of the PI PRO Bib Short is designed for gravel riding with the main differences being the addition of pockets and a drop-tail for easier nature breaks.  The bib short also utilizes PI’s new top-end Levitate PRO chamois. Read more.


Tifosi Rail Sunglasses Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

If you’re looking for a shield-style sunglass that provides full coverage protection but doesn’t weigh a lot, the new Rail by Tifosi is the answer. Launched in mid-March 2022, the Rail’s large 131×59.5mm shield protects your eyes from sun and debris, but at 32g, the Grilamid TR-90 frame feels feather-light. Read more.


GOREWEAR Men’s Daily Jersey Review

By Rick Schultz

GORE sent a summer jersey to check out, ride with and tell them what we think. As always, GOREWEAR clothing is top quality and works as intended. Following is a quick review on a lightweight summer jersey. For $90, it’s a great value for a great jersey.   Read more.


Nutrition For 100k And Beyond

The principles and recommendations for eating before, during and after a ride apply to all roadies. These are explained in my Nutrition for 100K and Beyond, by Coach John Hughes. Although written for roadies riding 100K and farther, all roadies can learn from it. He shows you how to calculate how many calories per hour you burn and compare the nutritional value of bars, cookies and candy. Both Peppermint Patty candy and Fig Newton cookies have a higher percentage of carbs than any of the sports bars! Hughes also discusses hydration and electrolytes and concludes by discussing what you should eat every day to ride your best.

Learn more.


Question of the Week

Do you patch tubes?

Cool Stuff to Read

Nacto.org: USDOT should safety rate cars on pedestrian and cyclist safety in an accident
Cyclist.co.uk: Expert bikefitter Phil Cavell examines whether there’s such a thing as too much exercise
YouTube / Road.cc: Why is cycling so insanely expensive?
Rene Herse: Removing Tires Without Tools

End Notes

Wow, 29 percent of poll responders say they already own a Garmin Varia rear radar! As an owner of one myself, I understand the appeal, but am still surprised by such a large percentage. Here’s the review of the new Varia with a camera from last week, if you missed it.

Varia poll results

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