Newsletter Issue No. 1035
September 22, 2022
Why Increasing Intensity is Good for All Road Cyclists
By Coach John Hughes
I’ve written about the benefits of riding miles at a conversational pace. I also explained that once you’ve built your endurance base in the spring, just riding more miles won’t make you a much better rider. Further, if you’ve been riding for years then just piling on more miles brings little improvement. Read more.
One of the Mechanic’s Mindsets I Admire the Most
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Last week I told how to regrease a couple of popular pedals, Look’s Classic and Max clipless models. I mentioned that I didn’t have the right tool to fit the pedals and couldn’t find the one Look makes to order, either. And I said that I decided to use regular old pliers to take the pedals apart, protecting the pedals by slipping little pieces cut from a used inner tube over the jaws. Read more.
Group Cycling Etiquette: Guide to Dealing with Group Bike Rides
by Arnie Baker, M.D.
For many, riding with others improves the enjoyment of cycling. In addition, you can learn more about your bicycle from more experienced cyclists. Riding requires safety. Group riding requires a cycling- specific etiquette.
Here are the essentials of bicycling etiquette for group rides: Read more.
Ask the Coach: How Should a Beginning Cyclist Train?
By Coach John Hughes
Training stress + rest = training success
When asked how to improve Eddy “the Cannibal” Merckx put it simply, “Ride more!” Merckx was the most successful professional racer of all time. Merckx achieved 525 victories over his eighteen-year career. He won the Tour de France five times, the Tour of Italy five times, the Tour of Spain, all the spring classics, the World Championship three times and set the hour record. Read more.
10 Quick Bicycle Fit Tips
A correct bike fit makes a huge difference when it comes to speed, comfort while riding and avoiding injuries. Here are some tips to consider to make sure your fit is correct.
Wind-tunnel tests have proven that being narrow on the bike is much more important than being low. Most of us can improve efficiency the most simply by keeping legs and arms in line with our bodies, not splayed into the wind. A handlebar no wider than the shoulders is key. Read more.
Quick Tip: How to Find Out What Caused Your Flat
PROBLEM: Nuts, you got a flat. But once the tire is off and the tube is out, you can’t see anything that caused the puncture.
SOLUTION: This is worrisome because if something sharp is hidden in the tire tread, it’ll quickly pop the new tube. Read more.
Intensity Training
Coach Hughes‘ 39-page eArticle Intensity Training explains the benefits of training by intensity and how to: use perceived exertion, a heart rate monitor or power meter to maximize training effectiveness. To make the article as useful as possible Coach Hughes provides a table with 10 different training objectives. For each objective he gives the proper training zone described in terms of perceived exertion, heart rate and power readings. Each objective is then linked to 5 to 10 specific workouts. Each category of workout includes both structured and unstructured workouts.
Question of the Week
Do you ride mostly alone or with others?
Cool Stuff to Read
Rene Herse: Aerodynamics of Gravel Bikes
VeloNews: Keegan Swenson: Gravel is the most competitive form of racing in North America
Bicycle Retailer: Cervélo recalls R5, Caledonia-5 models, ST31 LT stems because of faulty faceplate
BikeRaceInfo: Famous Pro Cyclist Nicknames
End Notes
