By Coach Fred Matheny It’s easy to ride with a couple of like-minded friends. But it gets more complicated when you’re with a big group of people you don’t know, maybe fighting a strong crosswind. And in a cycling racing pack or the random groups that dominate centuries, it often seems like there are no rules at all. … [Read more...] about Echelons and Racing in a Pack: How to Avoid Getting Dropped
Coaching
How Can I Maintain My Speed Up Hills?
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 tried slowing my cadence and standing as well as increasing cadence and sitting, but I reach my max at about … [Read more...] about How Can I Maintain My Speed Up Hills?
How Can I Train More Consistently?
QUESTION: I'll have a great week with solid rides and even new personal bests, but the next week, due to weather, family, work or lack of motivation, I just go through the motions. What's the key to training more consistently? -- Randy W. RBR REPLIES: Here's our belief: The recreational roadie who juggles career, family, and other responsibilities with "serious" cycling has … [Read more...] about How Can I Train More Consistently?
How to Handle Touching Bicycle Wheels on a Group Ride
By John Marsh It’s an innocuous little hill, one of those where you find an easy gear and just spin up. The hill comes right after a stoplight on a big group ride, so the pack is always bunched up on the hill. On a recent day, the group comprised nearly 150 riders – and things got a little touchy on that little hill. Before you even see what is happening, shouts of … [Read more...] about How to Handle Touching Bicycle Wheels on a Group Ride
How Quiet Should My Upper Body Be?
Question: When I ride outdoors, I concentrate on keeping a quiet and relaxed upper body. I thought I was successful until I started riding on my indoor trainer where I can see my shadow on the wall. I noticed that my upper body moves about an inch or so from side-to-side as I pedal. Is this a form problem, or an artifact of having the bike locked in the trainer? -- Jim B. … [Read more...] about How Quiet Should My Upper Body Be?