Question: How serious is “fluid retention” and what is the cause? Near the end of a tough two-week tour last year, my legs were quite swollen and took four or five days to go down (while my kidneys were working overtime). I drank lots of water each day. I’m leaving for another tour next month and would…
QUESTION: My jaw hurts after long downhills. It’s painful under my ears almost like I’ve been chewing toffee too hard and overworked the muscles. Any idea what causes this? I don’t like to descend, and I need to get better for a Colorado tour I’m doing this summer. — Bailey A. RBR REPLIES: Because you don’t like…
QUESTION: I’m 51 and a strong recreational cyclist who does about 250 miles a week, including two hard 40-milers with local racers (who seem to look younger every year). Recently, my body began “helping” me prepare for each week’s two competitive rides by sending me to the bathroom several times on those days. I worry that…
Question: I did some physiological testing at a university lab. The results were depressing! According to the physiologist, my wattage at lactate threshold and watts per kilogram of bodyweight were both below average for my racing age group. But racing, I was on the podium many times. Why the discrepancy between test results and race results?…
By John Marsh, Editor & Publisher A while back we ran a Health Matters column on Wearing Sunscreen Under a Jersey. Click the link to read that column. It provides advice on combining sunscreen with whatever protection your jersey might already afford. Hint: It may not be much. It’s already been sizzling for the past few weeks in…
