1Training & Health

Question: As a cyclist, I’m used to having muscle cramps in my legs from time to time, especially after I’ve really pushed myself on the bike. But sometimes, after rides where my legs have been just fine, the muscles in my toes and/or feet and/or ankles will cramp up. What’s going on, and how can I prevent this? (P.S. I wear mountain bike shoes without cleats, and I use flat … [Read more...] about How can I prevent cramping in my toes, feet and ankles?

By Kevin Kolodziejski  You’ve read, heard, or maybe even been lectured by a friend or family member not to live in the past. Regardless of the source, it’s good advice for sure. But are you sure you know how to do so? I thought I was. I thought wrong. Not terribly wrong, but still. For while I was being fully aware of the present moment as … [Read more...] about ‘We Need to Let Things Vary’’: It’s as True About Rides as It Is About Life

By Stan Purdum Our permanent residence is in Ohio, but for the last 10 years, my wife and I have spent the winter months in Florida, where we owned a villa. I always took my bike along, so each year, I managed to log some 800 miles or so on local roads and paved trails during January and February. That meant that when we arrived back in Ohio in the spring, I was in decent … [Read more...] about Breaking the Ice

By Stan Purdum “E-Bikes Could Help Slow Cognitive Decline” was the topic line on a recent e-newsletter from Bicycling magazine, and it’s likely to draw in readers — particularly senior cyclists looking for a reason to give ebikes a try. The headline on the actual article was “Why Older Riders May Get a Surprising Benefit From E-Bikes,” and the subhead, also a catchy one, … [Read more...] about Riding an Ebike Is Good for Your Mind, Mental Health and Well-Being

By Kevin Kolodziejski  To exercise, or not to exercise: that is not the question. For no matter your views on Shakespeare (or writers who glibly reference his work), exercise is unquestionably good for you. In fact, according to another, albeit lesser man of letters, it’s the answer to longer life. In “Outlive: The Science of Art and Longevity,” scholar and … [Read more...] about Is Exercise Variety a Necessity for Longevity?