By Coach John Hughes My 70-year-old client Elliot who lives in Seattle sent me his monthly report. Elliot rode all winter and spring in Seattle’s rain and has a great endurance base. His priority now is increasing his power and speed. He’s been doing one or two intensity workouts a week gradually building up both the amount and level of intensity. … [Read more...] about Why Do an Older Cyclist’s Legs Hurt?
Coach John Hughes
“What a Drag it is Getting Old”
By Coach John Hughes This is the first line of Mother’s Little Helper written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards in 1966 when they were 23 — they’re now 76. Mother’s Little Helper is Meprobamate a tranquilizer and in the song the mother keeps taking more and more until she overdoses. Then on August 20, 2019 the Stones wrapped up a three-year tour. Getting old hasn’t slowed … [Read more...] about “What a Drag it is Getting Old”
Ask the Coach: What Should a Beginning Cyclist Eat and Drink, pt. 2?
By Coach John Hughes Last week I wrote about What a Beginning Cyclist Should Eat, which applies to all roadies. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends, depending on how big you are, consuming 25 to 60 grams of carbs (100 to 240 calories) per hour after the first hour of exercise. Note that the recommendation is only for calories of carbs. … [Read more...] about Ask the Coach: What Should a Beginning Cyclist Eat and Drink, pt. 2?
More on Avoiding Boredom on Long Solo Rides
By Coach John Hughes Last week Taylor Q. asked How to Avoid Boredom on Long Rides? The column had three excellent suggestions: Opt for scenic routes, if possible.Vary your courses. I ride flats, hills and rolling stuff on my road bike, do some mountain biking on singletrack and also ride a cyclocross bike on routes that mix pavement, dirt roads and canal bank … [Read more...] about More on Avoiding Boredom on Long Solo Rides
10 Essential Bike Handling Skills for Roadies
By Coach John Hughes I turned 71 in April and rather than rueing my age, I’d set a challenging goal of cross-country skiing at least 71 days. I skied 75! My second goal was to continue to improve skiing the classic diagonal stride. I’m fortunate that last summer we moved to the mountains of Colorado. As I write this on May 4 it’s spitting snow, I’ve built a fire … [Read more...] about 10 Essential Bike Handling Skills for Roadies