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Every Different Type of Road Bike, Explained

by John Marsh
 Road bicycles are just that, bikes made for efficiently riding on roads. You’ll know a road bike when you see one. It’s characterized by its sleek look, with dropped, curving handlebars, narrow wheels and “skinny” tires, a small seat and lots of cogs, or gears, on the back wheel. Typically, road bikes are lightweight, and oftentimes they look “fast.” That’s why … [Read more...] about Every Different Type of Road Bike, Explained

Newsletter Issue No. 892

December 12, 2019 PDF version for Premium Members is here. 8 Tips for Endurance Training This Winter By Coach John Hughes When very cold weather hits, outdoor endurance riding isn't possible. Or it it? My client Elizabeth Wicks who lives in Massachusetts rode 75 miles one very cold Sunday. Another client Rob (also in Massachusetts) reported, “Our weather … [Read more...] about Newsletter Issue No. 892

Avoiding Dangerous Frostbite

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D. You should never suffer from frostbite: painful freezing that can cause permanent loss of skin, and can be followed by loss of fingers, ears, toes, or even arms and legs. You get plenty of warning before your skin starts to freeze. First your fingers feel cold and then your skin starts to burn or itch. That means that your skin temperature, which is … [Read more...] about Avoiding Dangerous Frostbite

Tips for Cycling in the Dark

By Fred Matheny If you’ve never done it, night riding seems dangerous. I know what you're thinking: "What if drivers can’t see me? What if I hit things in the road that I don't spot it time?" A short worry session can produce another dozen what-ifs of similar magnitude. I’ve had very little necessity to ride in darkness. But the few times I’ve done so, it was a magical … [Read more...] about Tips for Cycling in the Dark

Believe It or Not

by Scott Martin I can't think of another sport with as much superstition and mythology as cycling.  Sure, every sport boasts some folklore. In ice hockey, you never shoot the puck into the net after the ref has stopped play. In baseball, you never tell the pitcher he's throwing a no-hitter until the game's over. In American football, you never inject steroids till … [Read more...] about Believe It or Not

Quick Tip: Bicycling in the Cold Rain

Cold winter rain is tough on bikes and riders. The roads are slick, visibility is low and after the ride your reward for getting soaked is a big bike-cleaning project. No wonder most cyclists hate to ride in the rain. The biggest obstacle is getting out the door in the first place. It's warm and dry inside; cold, wet and nasty on the road. The couch is much more appealing. … [Read more...] about Quick Tip: Bicycling in the Cold Rain

How Do Cyclists Keep Their Feet Warm?

QUESTION: I don't mind riding in the cold weather during the wintertime except for one issue - I can't keep my feet warm! My toes feel like they are going numb after half an hour on rides when the temperatures are under around 35 degrees. How can I keep them warm? - Brian R ANSWER: Cold hands or feet can completely ruin an otherwise enjoyable winter bike ride. Fortunately, … [Read more...] about How Do Cyclists Keep Their Feet Warm?

Newsletter Issue No. 891

December 5, 2019 PDF version for Premium Members is here. Aging Up and Wising Up: Why Coach Hughes is Thankful He’s 70 By Coach John Hughes I love to cross-country ski in the winter and we’ve had great early season snow in the Colorado mountains. Before we go to bed we check the National Weather Service forecast and in the morning we read the Open Snow … [Read more...] about Newsletter Issue No. 891

Winter Cycling: How to Structure Rides with Limited Time?

Question: It's hard to accumulate base miles here in wintertime Scotland. The days are short and wet. If I can do three rides a week (one for four hours and two for two), what's the best use of this on-bike time? – Craig D. Coach Fred Replies: If you're training for fitness and local events, three rides totaling about eight hours is plenty of base for this time of year. For … [Read more...] about Winter Cycling: How to Structure Rides with Limited Time?

Aging Up and Wising Up: Why Coach Hughes is Thankful He’s 70

By Coach John Hughes I love to cross-country ski in the winter and we’ve had great early season snow in the Colorado mountains. Before we go to bed we check the National Weather Service forecast and in the morning we read the Open Snow specific forecast for the ski areas in Colorado.  I’ve already skied 14 days this winter — some winters we aren’t on the snow yet. … [Read more...] about Aging Up and Wising Up: Why Coach Hughes is Thankful He’s 70

Fix for Larry’s Off-Center Rim Brakes (Sidepull Brakes)

Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley A few Tech Talks back, we showed a cool new tool from Hayes for dealing with disc brake rubbing and included some tips. And even before that we went over truing bent rotors - another cause of rubbing. Here are links in case your discs are dragging: Cool Tool for Fixing Rubbing Disc Brakes and How to Straighten Bent Disc Road or Mountain Bike … [Read more...] about Fix for Larry’s Off-Center Rim Brakes (Sidepull Brakes)

Best Frame Packs for Bikepacking

by Stan Purdum Bikepackers view their bike frame’s triangle as a place to carry some of their gear, and several manufacturers have accommodated these riders with bags made to fit that location. There are bags that fill the whole triangle, bags that fill only part of the triangle, bags that work in the cramped triangles of full suspension bicycles. Some bags are even custom … [Read more...] about Best Frame Packs for Bikepacking