Question: A friend tells me that I can improve my climbing power by riding a steep half-mile-long hill in the big ring at a slow cadence. Wouldn't that ruin my knees? – Jerry S. … [Read more...] about Will Cycling Up Hills in Big Gears Hurt My Knees?
1Training & Health
How to be “On Form” for a Big Event
Question: I would like to do a century ride in about two weeks and have done some moderate base training but not as much as I'd like. I did a 77-mile ride three weeks ago and felt pretty good (average speed 14.5 mph). Did just a few rides in the meantime and rode 70 miles two days ago and did not feel very good (sore butt, wrists, tired quads). My average speed was 14 mph, with … [Read more...] about How to be “On Form” for a Big Event
Anti-Aging: Nine Old Friends from Paris-Brest-Paris
By Coach John Hughes My club had a party for anciens et anciennes (veterans) of Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) as well as rookies. I talked with nine old friends, some dating back to the 1990s, now all in their 60s and 70s. I had moved from Boulder to the mountains and hadn’t seen some of my cycling buddies for years. I was interested to learn after their PBPs what kind of … [Read more...] about Anti-Aging: Nine Old Friends from Paris-Brest-Paris
Re: Longer Lifespan, Better Cycling, and Common Sense
By Kevin Kolodziejski Quick, unexpected, and without warning. It’s the way just about all bicycle crashes occur. It’s also the way most dictionaries define the adjective “sudden.” Yet when was the last time you heard of a cyclist’s unfortunate encounter with a car, concrete, or macadam called a “sudden” bike crash? You hear “sudden heart attack,” however, … [Read more...] about Re: Longer Lifespan, Better Cycling, and Common Sense
Is It Necessary to Build an Aerobic Base?
Question: When I started cycling in the late '70s, coaches were of the view that building an aerobic base was very important – and specific. Training outside of the aerobic zone interfered with aerobic development and should be avoided at all costs. Does this compartmentalized view still hold up, given the increased knowledge we have of sports science? It seems to … [Read more...] about Is It Necessary to Build an Aerobic Base?