Question: In the last month I’ve set a record, being caught in the rain on seven bike rides. I don’t want to ride my fender bike and wear a rain jacket if the weather looks okay, but storms have been blowing in without warning. What non-bulky clothing can I carry in my jersey pockets for protection…
Question: I’m a doctor, often working 12-hour days and on call some weekends. I rode some centuries last season but was undertrained. How can I get the most benefit out of training a maximum of 10 hours per week? — Eric B.
Question: I have trouble shifting when I start a steep climb after a fast descent. I pedal hard as the hill begins, but when I shift to an easier gear, the chain grinds. Sometimes the shift from the big to the small chainring doesn’t even happen. How can I shift smoothly and not lose momentum?…
Question: I’m 65 and just purchased a “comfort” bike. I last rode 50 years ago. It’s incredible how bikes have changed. I have no idea how to operate the thing! The shop set the saddle too high so I can’t sit on it and put my foot flat on the ground. And shifting is a mystery….
By Coach Fred Matheny Pro athletes develop simple techniques that become automatic. A three-point shooter’s follow through or a golfer’s silky stroke are techniques they’ve honed until they no longer think about them. Pro cyclists, too, develop characteristics that separate how they look on a bike from the rest of us. It’s not simply a…
