By Coach John Hughes The Giro d'Italia Internazionale Femminile (known as the Giro Rosa) has been one the women’s most prestigious stage races for nearly three decades. This year 24 teams from around the world raced the Giro Rosa. It finished this past Sunday, July 10. The women started on July 6 and over 10 days raced 980 km across Northern Italy. It was one of the … [Read more...] about Learning from the Pros: Recovery at the Giro Rosa
Learning from the Pros: Cycling Nutrition
By Coach John Hughes What do the pros eat to fuel racing like this? Here are the results of the first four stages of the Tour de France: Stage 1: 201 km won by Fernando Gaviria Quick-Step Floors in 4:23:32, 45.86 km/h (28.50 mph) Stage 2: 182.5 km won by Peter Sagan BORA – Hansgrohe in 4:06:37, 44.51 km/h (27.66 mph) Stage 3: 35.5 km won by BMC Racing Team in 38:46, … [Read more...] about Learning from the Pros: Cycling Nutrition
Heat Tolerance and Aging
By Coach John Hughes I was 46 when I bought my home in Boulder, CO in 1995 and the heating and cooling systems were like a cabin. When it was cold I chopped wood and built fires in the wood stoves. When it was hot I opened both low and high windows to increase the airflow. About 10 years ago my wife and I decided that getting up when it was only 50F in the house and building … [Read more...] about Heat Tolerance and Aging
Heat Training Improves Bicycling Performance
By Coach John Hughes Summer is officially here and rather than grumbling about the heat, you can use riding in the heat to improve your performance. You can also acclimate to the heat without long hot rides every weekend. Heat Training Improves Performance by 6 to 8%! … [Read more...] about Heat Training Improves Bicycling Performance
2018 Race Across AMerica Rider Interview with Michael Glass
By Coach John Hughes After riding 1,663 miles in less than eight straight days, could you still ride at 14.5 mph? That’s the pace my client Michael Glass (age 55) is riding on Wednesday morning, June 20th, in the solo Race Across AMerica (RAAM). He is 1,963 miles into the race with 1,107 miles to go. He’s averaging 251 miles per day at an average riding speed of 13.1 mph, … [Read more...] about 2018 Race Across AMerica Rider Interview with Michael Glass
Ask the Coach: Which Electrolytes Does A Cyclist Need?
By Coach John Hughes Lisa, my client wrote: The weather will be in 80s+ for Quabbin century on Saturday. I can only bring two bottles of your HMSD (Homemade Sports Drink, recipe below). How do I get lots of electrolytes and whatever else I need? What about a powdered sports drink I can mix after the HMSD is gone? Or electrolyte supplements? There will be aid stations … [Read more...] about Ask the Coach: Which Electrolytes Does A Cyclist Need?
How to Ride Safely in the Summer Heat
By Coach John Hughes I raced the Furnace Creek 508 through the Mojave Desert and Death Valley twice. I set a course record and won both times. I raced for over 30 continuous hours in each of those two races. The 508-mile race, with 35,000 feet of climbing, is a qualifier for the Race Across AMerica. I wasn’t the fastest rider—many would have beaten me in a 40-km time … [Read more...] about How to Ride Safely in the Summer Heat
Cramping: A Case Study – The Perfect Storm, Part 2
By Coach John Hughes Four people contacted me recently about cramping problems. RBR reader Tom J. e-mailed an excellent set of questions on cramping. He has a history of cramping on the bike, which he can usually prevent with a mineral supplement prescribed by his physician. However, “6 to 12 hours later I seize up big time! … Pure agony.” In Part 1, I discussed his … [Read more...] about Cramping: A Case Study – The Perfect Storm, Part 2
Cramping: A Case Study – The Perfect Storm, Part 1
By Coach John Hughes Four people contacted me in the last week about cramping problems. RBR reader Tom J. e-mailed an excellent set of questions on cramping. Part 1 discusses his problems, which are common to many roadies, and what scientists know about cramps. Part 2 will discuss the role of supplements and other ways of preventing cramps. The Problem Tom writes: When … [Read more...] about Cramping: A Case Study – The Perfect Storm, Part 1
Ask the Coach: How to Get Rid of Aches and Pains of Aging?
By Coach John Hughes RBR Reader Paul writes, “Any way of getting ride of some of those aches and pains associated with aging? I’m only 50 and it’s really starting to get to me. There’s no real pattern to the aches/pains. Sometimes more when I first awake, sometimes starts later in the day. Sometimes muscles, sometimes joints, probably more limbs than trunk. I'm a mailman, so … [Read more...] about Ask the Coach: How to Get Rid of Aches and Pains of Aging?
Anti-Aging: Wising Up As You Age
By Coach John Hughes Aging involves not just physical changes but also cognitive and attitudinal changes, over which we have some control. Robin Saltonstall, Ph.D. is my long-time friend, former swim coach and sometimes tandem partner. We both live in Boulder, CO where she directs the 40plus Integrative Health Program. She works with people on the specific physical and … [Read more...] about Anti-Aging: Wising Up As You Age
Ask the Coach: How Much Recovery Do You Need?
By Coach John Hughes My comments apply to all riders although the question comes from a senior. Chuck writes, “I am 68 years old. I raced in my 30’s and from 50-55. I find I am struggling a bit to adjust my riding to the aging process. I found early spring with the wind and weather in my hometown intervals were a fun thing to do. After 5.5 weeks I was quite tired. My focus … [Read more...] about Ask the Coach: How Much Recovery Do You Need?
Advice for 72 Year Old Attempting to Break Multiple Records Part 2: Freshness and Tapering
By Coach John Hughes My longtime friend Gerry Eddlemon will attempt to break his age 70+ world records for the 100K, 100-Mile, 6-Hour, 200K, 200-Mile, 12-Hour, and 24-Hour records and may also go for the 500-Mile and 1000K. The record attempts will probably be this weekend, May 5. The 100K record is smoking 3:35:21 / 17.31 mph and even the 200-mile record is a tough 13:41:07 … [Read more...] about Advice for 72 Year Old Attempting to Break Multiple Records Part 2: Freshness and Tapering
Advice for 72 Year Old Attempting to Break 100K, 100-Mile, 6-Hour, 200K, 200-Mile, 12-Hour and 24-Hour Records in One Go
By Coach John Hughes Last week a longtime friend of mine, Gerry Eddlemon, wrote to me asking my advice on training and tapering for several record attempts. My advice about the right combination of endurance and intensity training and then tapering properly applies to any event, even if it isn’t a race or record attempt. Gerry wrote: I hope to beat my existing World … [Read more...] about Advice for 72 Year Old Attempting to Break 100K, 100-Mile, 6-Hour, 200K, 200-Mile, 12-Hour and 24-Hour Records in One Go
Anti-Aging: Elizabeth Wicks’ Story
By Coach John Hughes I’ve been coaching Elizabeth Wicks since she was “only” 66 years old and helped her to improve with age. In past issues of the RBR newsletter I’ve described her training and progress. She just turned 74 and rode 74 miles to celebrate her birthday. She is retired and lives in Boylston in central Massachusetts. She has set age 65-70 and 70-75 records … [Read more...] about Anti-Aging: Elizabeth Wicks’ Story