Newsletter Issue No. 1071

June 1, 2023

Ask the Coach: Did I Bonk on an Endurance Ride?

By Coach John Hughes

RBR Reader Kevin wrote, “I have raced tandem bikes for 14 years. I have reached a point I don’t race; I participate in long endurance rides. Last Wednesday was the Bone ride from Madison to Milwaukee Wisconsin and back (158 miles). My pilot and I weren’t able to go for any rides this year, which would have been good for us and to check out the tandem. We decided not to do it. That didn’t stop me. I rode indoors on my single bike with a Saris H3 trainer. Read more.

Does Direction Matter on Directional Tires?

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

The question in the title was asked by RBR regular contributor “Fixie Guy.” If you comment on articles and read them you’ve surely benefited from his tips and insights. The question he asked this time interested me but I didn’t have a very good answer for him. So he went to a higher authority. Read more.

Smith Optics Shift Split MAG sunglasses review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Smith Optics recently added to its Shift MAG line of sunglasses by introducing the Shift Split MAG. The “Split” name comes from the removal of the lower portion of the frame. So it’s similar to the Shift MAG I reviewed in March 2021 but with half the amount of frame, plus one ounce lighter. I think this new design has a really “cool” look, and the neon yellow sample the company sent is my favorite. Read more.

Should I ride narrower tires on my road bike?

QUESTION: I have a 2019 Scott Addict 30 endurance bike that came with 700×32 tires. I just upgraded my wheel set and I want to switch to 700×25 tires. Is this a good move? I didn’t know if there was a “minimum” tire width for specific road bikes? – Chris Read more.

Ritte’s All New Road Bike the Esprit!

Los Angeles based Ritte Bikes has just announced the debut of their newest carbon road model the Esprit which is now available for order online. Read more.

Installing a Turbo Road Remote on a Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp E5 Road Ebike

By Stan Purdum

When I reviewed my new Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp E5 Road Ebike in RBR recently, I said that the only thing I didn’t like about it was the location of the control unit, which is embedded in the top tube, near the head tube end, and that dislike was because when you want to change modes, you have to take your eyes off the road much more so than if the unit were somewhere on the handlebars. And operating the unit also requires you to take one hand off the handlebars. Read more.

Ask the Coach: How Can a Beginning Cyclist Improve?

By Coach John Hughes

Bill P.: I’m 40 years old and my doctor says I need more exercise. I walk our dog and garden; otherwise I’m sedentary. I tried running and that hurt and I don’t know how to swim. I got a road bike and have been riding for a couple of months. I ride about 10 – 15 miles a day four or five days a week. I really enjoy it. What should I do to improve? Read more.

Cycling in the Heat Bundle

You can learn more about the science of riding in the heat, and managing your fluids and electrolytes, in the two-part eBook series by Coach John Hughes, Cycling in the Heat Bundle.

Cycling in the Heat, Part 1: Ride Management is 19 pages and covers how to acclimatize to hot conditions, how to train in hot months, what to wear, eat and drink, how to cool down if you overheat, and how to deal with heat-related problems.
Cycling in the Heat, Part 2: Hydration Management is 21 pages and covers how to determine how much you should drink depending on your physiology and sweat rate, how best to replace your fluids and electrolytes, the contents of different sports drinks, how to make your own electrolyte replacement drinks, how to rehydrate after a ride, and how to deal with hydration-related problems.

Learn more.

End Notes

Newsletter Issue No. 1071

Ask the Coach: Did I Bonk on an Endurance Ride?

Does Direction Matter on Directional Tires?

Smith Optics Shift Split MAG sunglasses review