May 23, 2019 PDF version for Premium Members is here. 13 Ways to Improve Your Climbing By Coach John Hughes My client Ted is going to the Alps later this month with a buddy to climb some of the classic climbs of the Tour de France including Alpe d’Huez, the Col de la Madeleine, and the Glandon. Their rides will take from 3:00 – 4:30 hours and the daily … [Read more...] about Newsletter Issue No. 863
Kate’s Real Food Energy Bar Review
by Lars Hundley Hot Tastes great and easy to chew.Made from organic, real food ingredients.Variety of flavors … [Read more...] about Kate’s Real Food Energy Bar Review
How Should I Warm Up for Group Rides?
QUESTION: I ride mostly alone due to my hectic schedule. When I join a group they start too fast. I expend so much energy trying to keep up in the first few miles that the rest of the ride is a struggle. Also, I seem to be a "tweener"-- too fast for slow groups, but too slow for fast ones. How can I remedy these problems? -- Jeffrey S. … [Read more...] about How Should I Warm Up for Group Rides?
Don’t Use Aspirin or NSAIDs for Muscle Pain from Exercise
by Gabe Mirkin, M.D. Some athletes and exercisers take pain medication (aspirin or NSAIDs) because they think it may prevent muscle soreness or will help them to heal faster after a workout. However, taking pain medicines before or during exercise will not block pain, help you to exercise longer or recover faster from exercise. They can increase risk for bleeding and … [Read more...] about Don’t Use Aspirin or NSAIDs for Muscle Pain from Exercise
Quick Tip: Hot Feet When Cycling
PROBLEM: Late during a long ride your feet start feeling like they're on fire! SOLUTION: The sensation of heat can be caused by poor circulation. Blood vessels and nerves get compressed when feet swell, as they will after two or three hours of riding. You begin in blissful comfort, but later you feel like dousing your dogs with your water bottle. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Hot Feet When Cycling
Best High Visibility and Reflective Cycling Gear
Staying visible on the road is an important way to stay a little safer as a cyclist. If cars can't see you, it's just plain dangerous. We've rounded up all the top high viz, fluorescent colored and sometimes reflective cycling gear and apparel we could find. Did we miss anything that's a personal favorite piece of highly visible cycling kit? If so, please leave a comment and … [Read more...] about Best High Visibility and Reflective Cycling Gear
Newsletter Issue No. 861
May 9, 2019 PDF version for Premium Members is here. More Reader Tips to Avoid Getting "Doored" by Jim Langley Last week we described and gave advice for avoiding a common accident every rider needs to know about. Cyclists call it “getting doored.” To add value, we asked for your best tips in the comments. We thought other experienced traffic jammers would … [Read more...] about Newsletter Issue No. 861
More Reader Tips to Avoid Getting “Doored”
Jim’s Tech Talk by Jim Langley May is National Bike Month when lots of eager new or returning pedalers join the traffic flow. So, last week we described and gave advice for avoiding a common accident every rider needs to know about. Cyclists call it “getting doored.” If you missed that story and think “getting doored” has something to do with 60’s rock and roll, click … [Read more...] about More Reader Tips to Avoid Getting “Doored”
Ashmei Merino Wool Mens KOM Cycling Jersey Review
by Lars Hundley Hot A new twist on merino wool, blended with 37.5 high tech fabricA wool jersey that fits like a regular jersey.UPF 50+ sun protectionReflective dots on the front and rear of jersey168 gram claimed weight … [Read more...] about Ashmei Merino Wool Mens KOM Cycling Jersey Review
Quick Tip: Don’t Lean Too Far Forward on Standing Climbs
Center yourself on standing climbs. We often see riders make a mistake on out-of-saddle climbs. They lean way over the front of the handlebar, much more than necessary for the grade they're on. The result: Too much weight on the front wheel, which grinds the tire into the pavement and scuffs off speed. This actually makes the hill harder. The trick is to stay back a … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Don’t Lean Too Far Forward on Standing Climbs
Newsletter Issue No. 860
May 2, 2019 PDF version for Premium Members is here. Why 'No Pain, No Gain' is Wrong By Coach John Hughes "No pain, no gain" is wrong. As is the corollary “More pain, more gain.” Suppose you ride 20 miles on Tuesday, 20 miles on Thursday and then 40 miles on the weekend. You ride nearly all the time at a conversational pace. You want to improve. What should you … [Read more...] about Newsletter Issue No. 860
Aerobic Cycling Training
by Arnie Baker, M.D. Aerobic capacity and aerobic endurance are important cycling fitnesses. Aerobic Capacity Aerobic capacity is the ability to work using oxygen in combination with fats and carbohydrates as fuel sources to produce energy. At low-aerobic levels, fat is the primary fuel source. At high-aerobic levels, glycogen—stored carbohydrate in … [Read more...] about Aerobic Cycling Training
Quick Tip: Keep Track of Rides with a Training Diary
PROBLEM: You can't remember all those rides you thought you'd never forget. Sure, it might be on Strava, but can you remember much else about it? SOLUTION: Resolve to keep a daily cycling diary on paper or as a text file. It'll become the best book you own. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Keep Track of Rides with a Training Diary
A Guide to Group Training Rides for Cyclists
by Fred Matheny Cycling is social because riding with a group is a long-standing tradition in the sport. But cycling alone is fun, too, and many riders live in areas where riding companions are scarce. Should you ride solo, in a group or with a training partner? Each has its advantages. … [Read more...] about A Guide to Group Training Rides for Cyclists
Training vs. “Just Riding”
by Fred Matheny Some years ago while in Erie, PA, to speak at a cycling event, I went for a ride. The locals were joking about how their terminology changed as they’d gotten more serious about cycling. Where they had previously “ridden” now they “trained.” I know several fast, strong and accomplished cyclists who won’t let the word “training” pass their lips. They feel … [Read more...] about Training vs. “Just Riding”