Newsletter Issue No. 1154
January 2, 2025
Tech Q & A: 3 Great Questions About CO2 Tire Inflators
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Today’s questions about CO2 tire inflators are from Bill Thomson and RBR’s own Lars Hundley who saw Bill’s query and thought of another great one. Read more.
Cycling for Longevity: Cardio Fitness Cuts Death Risk by Nearly 20 Percent
By Lars Hundley
Cyclists understand the value of a long ride or an intense interval session—not just for the sense of achievement, but for the fitness gains that come with it. Recent research from the University of South Australia reveals how these efforts might also lead to a longer and healthier life. Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, the study highlights how improving cardiorespiratory fitness significantly reduces the risk of death and chronic disease. This finding underscores the importance of consistent aerobic exercise, offering even more motivation to stay active. Read more.
Sobering for Sure: The New Belief About Moderate Alcohol Consumption
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Early in my teaching career, it seemed that whenever the topic of alcohol consumption came up inside the confines of the faculty room, the same colleague would solemnly say, “Lips that touch wine shall never touch mine.” Read more.
SPOT GEN4 GPS Tracker & Messenger Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Do you frequently cycle or travel to remote areas with spotty or no cellular service? Or perhaps you value the peace of mind of knowing your loved ones can track your exact location? What if an emergency arises and you need to send an S.O.S. call? These are the very reasons I wanted to test the SPOT GEN4. Read more.
Why Am I Slower on Group Rides Even Though I’m Fit?
QUESTION: I’ve been training consistently, and my solo rides feel strong, but every time I join a group ride, I end up struggling to keep up. It’s frustrating because I know I’m putting in the work. Why does this happen, and how can I fix it? — Jamie P.
RBR REPLIES: Great question, Jamie. Many cyclists experience this when they start riding with a group, and the good news is that it’s not necessarily a reflection of your fitness—it’s just a different skill set. Read more.
Counting Miles and Blessings
By Stan Purdum
I’m writing this on New Year’s Eve, 2024, having just tallied up my bicycle mileage for the year. It amounts to about half of the distance I used to put in annually during my heyday, but I’m older now. It’s still a number I feel good about. But matching — or even exceeding — a previous year’s count no longer seems important to me. Read more.
Question of the Week
What’s your low temperature limit for outdoor riding?
Other Cool Things to Read
Outside: Why Taking a Long Training Break Is Good For You
NPR: Ding, Ding! Beijing From The Seat of A Bike
Escape Collective: Beach racing may be the source of future gravel tech
Rene Herse: Bicycling Innovations of the last 25 Years
Most Clicked Last Week
Is “taking the lane” a dangerous cycling technique?
End Notes
