QUESTION: I’ve heard that it’s better for knees if you spin a lower gear on climbs rather than mash a big gear. Why is it harder on the knees to pedal at a slower rpm? What about pedaling slowly when out of the saddle? — Jim M. RBR REPLIES: Good questions! The important element here…
QUESTION: I’m 70 and take a spinning class two days a week and train on the road two other days. Then I ride with a group of 40-somethings on Sundays. On climbs, I can stay with the group nearly to the top before I reach my max heart rate and have to back off. I’ve…
In a past newsletter, Coach Fred Matheny said that a winter spent on the leg-press machine won’t automatically produce greater climbing strength. Here’s another take on this issue. I read Fred’s comments with interest. As a long-time cycling coach and personal trainer here in Berkeley, the issue all comes down to specificity: We get precisely…
Question: I do a weekly workout on a 1.5-mile-long hill with a steep, 15% grade. I have good endurance but my speed is glacial. I also have a history of knee problems so use a triple crankset. A riding friend suggested that moderate hills are better training than this killer climb I’m using. Do you…
Question: I’m a 48-year-old recreational rider who trains 100-200 miles a week. I’m not built like a climber and go up hills slowly. This year, I’ve climbed a lot, ridden 2 or 3 “spinning” classes each week and lifted weights. But when the road gets steep, I still lack power to turn the gears. How…
