Question: I began riding last year and recently met my first professional cyclist in person. He’s a good climber on a division 3 U.S. pro team. I’m astonished at how small he is! He looks skinny, emaciated and weak. But I know he can ride circles around me even though I’m an athletic 6-footer and 190…
Question: I live in the western Mojave Desert near Edwards Air Force Base. The wind howls but there aren’t any hills. Is there a way to use headwinds to become a better climber? Also, how should I do recovery rides when the wind is always blowing? Finally, do you recommend that I use a power…
Question: I’ve missed out on the joy of cycling for eight long years, but recently I decided to do some serious riding. I’m finding it hard to control heavy breathing for the first 20-30 minutes of each ride. Is this normal? — Reggie W. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: It sounds like you’re simply starting too…
Question: When I’m riding hard and breathing heavily, I notice that occasionally I can openmy lungs more than normal and take in more air. On those breaths I feel great. For the next 5-10 seconds my breathing slows and isn’t as labored. If I could duplicate that feeling on every breath, my cycling performance would…
Question: I was interested in your response to a question about why we get dropped in races or fast group rides. When I’m dropped, I can’t chase at a hard pace even after recovering. In a book I read recently, it said getting dropped when the pace suddenly quickens was attributed to insufficient steady-state riding during…
