Question: This is my first year of serious riding. I started on the trainer February and have been going strong since, riding hard four to five times a week. I’ve raced several times and want to do more until fall. The problem is that my rides feel like a chore rather thanfun. My legs burn…
Question: I’m 43, in decent shape, and would like to improve. I ride about 100 miles a week, an hour at a time, and my heart rate averages about 145 beats per minute. I tend to really push hills, up to 175 bpm. Should I decrease intensity, or increase it? — David A.
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…
By Coach Fred Matheny Cycling can be a solo sport. Long rambles through the spring countryside, hard rides in the hills, weekend tours to scenic areas – all can be enjoyed with only your own thoughts for company. In fact, many cyclists prefer to go it alone. Then they can choose their own route and are…
Question: I’ve been trying to calculate my heart rate for different training zones. I’m confused. Some authorities say to base the percentages on max heart rate while others say lactate threshold should be used. One book says to figure max heart rate using the “220 minus your age” formula, while another says I should get…
