By Coach John Hughes Dehydration hurts performance, right? Pro stage racers ride so hard that their guts can’t absorb enough fluid to replace all that they are losing in sweat. Race rules also restrict when a rider can get a bottle toward the end of a stage. Although somewhat dehydrated, the pros sprint quite well! For decades marathoners raced 26.2 miles in both cool and in … [Read more...] about 12 Myths About Hydration and Cycling
Coach John Hughes
A Hot Colorado Climb Up Independence Pass
By Coach John Hughes It’s only 9 a.m., I'm climbing at 10,000 feet – and I’m hot! Can you guess why? I closed the office on Monday and went for an early Fourth of July ride, climbing Independence Pass (12,096 feet/3,686m) from Aspen. Independence is one of the iconic Colorado climbs. The U.S. Pro Challenge has raced up and down both sides. From the Aspen side it has a … [Read more...] about A Hot Colorado Climb Up Independence Pass
Summer Riding eArticle Bundle Now Available!
In this 4-article series Coach John Hughes provides a wealth of science-based knowledge on dealing with the heat, preventing and treating cramps, and eating & drinking like the pros – including easy-to-prepare recipes for both sports drink and food. Each one of these eArticles is terrific on its own merits; together, they make an indispensable set. In short, it’s a … [Read more...] about Summer Riding eArticle Bundle Now Available!
Why ‘No Pain, No Gain’ is Wrong
By Coach John Hughes "No pain, no gain" is wrong. As is the corollary “More pain, more gain.” Suppose you ride 20 miles on Tuesday, 20 miles on Thursday and then 40 miles on the weekend. You ride nearly all the time at a conversational pace. You want to improve. What should you do? … [Read more...] about Why ‘No Pain, No Gain’ is Wrong
Cycling Tips from the Pros: Sleep to Succeed
By Coach John Hughes “Sleep is the most powerful recovery aid out there,” says retired American cyclist and 2012 U.S. Road Race champion Timmy Duggan. A study recently found that most athletes don’t sleep enough and one in four suffer from a significant sleep disorder such as trouble falling asleep. My clients often have trouble getting enough sleep for one or more … [Read more...] about Cycling Tips from the Pros: Sleep to Succeed