Newsletter Issue No. 1049
December 29, 2022
Anti-Aging: 4 Tips for Winter Blues and Lost Mojo
By Coach John Hughes
RBR reader Ed writes, “I’m turning 54 this year. To distract myself, I’ve spent the last two months on road trips to Oregon, Arizona and Colorado to visit friends.
“I also was sick for several weeks in November and then had a respiratory bug earlier this month.” Read more.
Drivetrain Component Cross-Compatibility Q&A
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
As we wrap-up the year, I want to reply to a comment that was posted back in June. I would have done so earlier but I only saw it this weekend because the comment was left on a page on our website that I rarely check. But it’s a good query worth sharing and I bet some of you may want to add your experience and recommendations. Read more.
Pro Bike Tool Torque Wrenches – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
From novice to professional, having the right tools for the job can make maintenance easier for you and safer for the bike, especially with carbon fiber frames. Owning a quality set of torque wrenches can prevent over-tightening bolts, striping, or, worse yet, cracking the frame. Conversely, you want to ensure bolts are tightened to the correct torque specifications so they don’t come loose while riding. Read more.
Quick Tip: Don’t Take Your Water Bottle for a Winter Ride
It gets hard easily out there.
So don’t “take your water bottle out for a ride.” That means finishing with the bottle still full because you forgot to drink, or you didn’t start till the ride was almost over.
Been there, done that, eh? Well, the same goes for food. You don’t want to take your energy bar, gel packet or other snack for a ride, either. Read more.
30 Cycling Training Tips to Get Faster on Your Bike for 2023
By Arnie Baker, M.D.
The only way to get finished is to get started.
As an introduction to training on your bike, the following is a list of general hints to keep in mind during the course of your training regimen, whether you are a beginning or seasoned cyclist, or are training indoors or out. Come back to this list for a quick reference occasionally as a way of initiating a review of your overall program. The tips will help keep you on the right track. Read more.
What Makes an Efficient Pedal Stroke?
By Coach Rick Schultz
First off, getting a great bike fit is absolutely essential before we can start talking about correct pedaling style, pedaling efficiency and power. The reason is that it will put you in the right position for maximum power while minimizing a chance for injury. Read more.
What’s the Danger Pace on Long Rides?
QUESTION: In a few months I will ride my first 300K (186-mile) brevet. A friend told me that the rule for pacing long rides is: Never go anaerobic. Sounds like smart advice, but how can I tell when I’m in danger of doing it? – Bud S.
RBR REPLIES: You’re talking about the “anaerobic threshold,” a phrase used for many years. Nowadays, the more common term is lactate threshold (LT). Read more.
Anti-Aging E-Book: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process
Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process, by Coach John Hughes, has individual chapters on each of the types of exercise the American College of Sports Medicine recommends: cardiovascular both endurance and intensity; upper, lower, and core strength; weight-bearing, flexibility and balance. He includes interviews with Gabe Mirkin (recommendations from an M.D.) Jim Langley (importance of goals), Andy Pruitt (importance of working on your skeleton, posture, balance, muscle mass), Muffy Ritz (recommended activities for older people, especially women), Malcolm Fraser (recommendations from an M.D.), Fred Matheny (importance of strength training), Elizabeth Wicks (motivation) and five other male and female riders ages 55 to 83.
Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process incorporates the latest research and most of it is new material not published in his previous eArticles on cycling past 50, 60 and beyond. It’s your comprehensive guide to continuing to ride well into your 80s and even your 90s.
Question of the Week
Do you have a mileage goal or other specific cycling goal this year?
Cool Stuff to Read
Road.cc: The most inventive/bizarre turbo trainer setup you’ve ever seen
Road Bike Action: How to improve your tubeless tire experience
Bicycle Retailer: CPSC ‘urges’ e-bike importers and manufacturers to comply with UL standards
Women’s Running: Are Carbonated Beverages Bad For Bone Density?
NYC Streetsblog: Cops Arrest Famed Bike Lawyer For Fixing a Driver’s Obscured License Plate
End Notes
