Coach, Author, Distance Cycling Expert I've been riding for 40 years and coaching for 20. I've earned coaching certifications from USA Cycling and the National Strength and Conditioning Association and enjoy coaching riders with a variety of goals and fitness backgrounds. My cycling career includes course records in the Boston-Montreal-Boston 1200-km randonnée and the … [Read more...] about Coach John Hughes
1Training & Health
Improving Your Seated Power on a Bike
I sometimes ride with a relatively small, light climber who flies up long hills but doesn’t time trial well. He stands on climbs, but when forced to exert power while seated -- as in flatland riding or even on short hills where he’s trying to conserve energy by staying in the saddle -- he just can’t make the bike go. What can he do to improve? … [Read more...] about Improving Your Seated Power on a Bike
Michael M.’s ‘Big Goal’ Training, Part 2
You may recall that in the first issue of the year, Issue No. 651, we featured a piece from Coach John Hughes responding to Premium member Michael M., who wrote to RBR about his “big goal” for his 60th birthday. Michael wrote: “I will be 60 in 2015. To celebrate that, in September I’d like to do a multi-day ride known as the “Grand Traverse of the French Alps.” The Grand … [Read more...] about Michael M.’s ‘Big Goal’ Training, Part 2
How Fast Should I Ramp Up My Early Season Riding?
Question: I recall reading in a past issue about the amount of mileage one should increase at the beginning of the riding season, like now. I recall the recommendation was to increase miles no more than 10 percent each week, but I'd like the specific reference, because I'm not sure I'm remembering it correctly. In other words, how much more should I ride from one week to the … [Read more...] about How Fast Should I Ramp Up My Early Season Riding?
How to Bunny Hop on a Road Bike
You’re riding on a narrow road close to the edge because traffic is picking up. As you round a curve, you hear (and see in your mirror) a car approaching from the rear and also see a gaping pothole directly ahead on your line. You can’t miss it on the left because the car is almost alongside. You can’t go right because the drop-off would catch your front wheel and cause a … [Read more...] about How to Bunny Hop on a Road Bike