October 27, 2022
Anti-aging: Five Exercises to Prevent / Help Lower Back Pain
By Coach John Hughes
“It is estimated that 15% to 20% of adults have back pain during a single year and 50% to 80% experience at least one episode of back pain during a lifetime.” National Library of Medicine
Athletes aren’t immune. Researchers compared groups of elite athletes and moderately active people and were surprised to find half of each group had low back pain (LBP) and that the causes were similar. Those with LBP all had stiff backs and lacked control over the movements of their spines. (Frontiers of Neuroscience) Read more.
Follow-Up: Your Safety Tips
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Because I was visiting family in New Hampshire, my Safety Tips for Cyclists article two Tech Talk’s ago was actually a rerun of one I wrote in 2019. Here’s a link in case you were away, too: https://www.roadbikerider.com/bicyclists-stay-safe-distracted-drivers/.
Thirty four of you commented when the article first ran 4 years ago, and there’ve been a bunch of new comments since the rerun was posted. I’m not surprised because in most places the roads are more dangerous than ever. So today, I want to highlight some of your additional great tips and provide help for an interesting safety lighting question that was asked. Read more.
Want to ‘Ride Lots’ Long Term? Read Lots Then
By Kevin Kolodziejski
“Ride lots.”
It’s what Eddy Merckx once said to a reporter when asked what advice he’d give young aspiring riders. And the guy they called “The Cannibal” most certainly walked the walk — and pedaled the pedals. According to an estimate given in William Fotheringham’s book, “Half Man, Half Bike,” during the 11 seasons he dominated and decimated the pro ranks, Merckx rode 45,000 miles a year (15,000 training and 30,000 racing). Read more.
Trek Circuit Softshell Jacket – Men’s and Women’s Versions – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Recently Trek released several new jackets to their Circuit line. I’ll eventually review all three, but I have only had a chance to test the Softshell version. What I liked best about this jacket is its versatility over a wide range of temperatures. The Trek website puts the range from 35-60 degrees F. I was warm at the top end of the temperature rating, but I felt fine down to 25 degrees with the proper baselayer. And with some stretch to the fabric, mobility isn’t an issue, even with an extra layer. Read more.
How Tight Should a Cycling Jersey Be?
QUESTION: How tight should a cycling jersey be? I ordered one online in my usual T-shirt size, and it’s way too small. I can barely get into it, and it is very uncomfortable. —Steve L.
RBR’S STAN PURDUM REPLIES: Jerseys for road cycling should be snug but not uncomfortably so. And normally, your usual shirt size is the place to start. But since your T-shirt-size jersey didn’t fit, there’s a chance that you purchased a race-cut jersey instead of a roomier club-fit. Read more.
Why I Don’t Use the Lemond Formula for Saddle Height
By Rick Schultz
This question has come up several times while bike fitting clients. “Do you use the Lemond Formula to determine saddle height?”
RBR has covered the subject in the past here: Which Saddle Height Method Is Correct? Read more.
Anti-Aging E-Book: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process
Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process, by Coach John Hughes, has individual chapters on each of the types of exercise the American College of Sports Medicine recommends: cardiovascular both endurance and intensity; upper, lower, and core strength; weight-bearing, flexibility and balance. He includes interviews with Gabe Mirkin (recommendations from an M.D.) Jim Langley (importance of goals), Andy Pruitt (importance of working on your skeleton, posture, balance, muscle mass), Muffy Ritz (recommended activities for older people, especially women), Malcolm Fraser (recommendations from an M.D.), Fred Matheny (importance of strength training), Elizabeth Wicks (motivation) and five other male and female riders ages 55 to 83.
Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process incorporates the latest research and most of it is new material not published in his previous eArticles on cycling past 50, 60 and beyond. It’s your comprehensive guide to continuing to ride well into your 80s and even your 90s.
Question of the Week
Do you know and use an exact saddle height?
Cool Stuff to Read
Bicycle Retailer: Five threats to e-bike success
Cycling Weekly: Explained: why camera drones are a long way off replacing helicopters in cycling races
Trek: Saturday, November 19, A ride to Congress in memory of Sarah (Debbink) Langenkamp
Road Bike Action: The Least Used Tool That’s a Must Have
End Notes
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