April 20, 2023
Ride Like a Pro This Spring

By Coach John Hughes
March is our heaviest snow month in Boulder, Colorado, where I live, but spring is finally here and the days are getting up into the 60s! Many pros live here. The top pros are in Europe training or racing, while the domestic pros are getting ready for the domestic season ahead. When I’m riding with my buddy, we play a game “Spot the Pro.” We look for these signs: Read more.
Something Else to Watch Out For: Bags!

Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Apparently a lot of cyclists experience crazy calamities like Mike who shared his stick in the wheel disaster last week. We received some great comments on the subject and I heard some good stories on Facebook.
But the best one so far came in via email from Russ Wood, AKA DangerRuss (how appropriate!). He’s General Manager of Mike’s Bikes of Stanford Research Park in Palo Alto, California where the streets are packed with pedalers. Russ’s photos and story are another lesson in what can go horribly wrong. Read more.
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Trek Circuit Windshell Jacket (men’s and women’s versions) – Quick Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum
Trek’s new Circuit Windshell jacket provides solid wind-blocking front and breathable mesh back panels for protection from the wind without overheating. Many wind jackets have no venting, so you find yourself sweating. The Circuit’s mesh fabric is incorporated along the back part of the arms and the back to prevent heat buildup. Read more.
Quick Tip: Find good ride food in the supermarket

Is the high price of energy bars stealing from your tire budget? Bars are easy to carry and work well, but your local supermarket has many economical items that make good ride food.
You need grub that’s moist so you can get it down even when you have a dry mouth. It should be easy to chew so you don’t suffocate before you can swallow. It helps if the chow is bite size or can be broken down for easy handling. And it should travel well in your jersey pocket. You don’t want to reach back for food 60 miles into a century and find a pocketful of crumbs or a soggy mess. Read more.
How and what do you pack for a bike tour?

QUESTION: How and what do you pack for a bike tour? I’ve got one coming up, and I don’t want to overpack or end up wishing I’d brought more. —Sara J.
RBR’S STAN PURDUM REPLIES: The answer to what to pack varies, depending on 1) whether you’re talking about an on-road or off-road tour, 2) whether it is a supported or self-supported tour and, 3) if the latter, what, if any, available services you intend to use. Read more.
Dealing With Fear of Cornering After a Bicycle Crash

QUESTION: After suffering a broken clavicle on a downhill turn, unseen gravel, any suggestions for getting rid of the demons when making similar turns? – Steve S.
RBR Replies: That’s a good question, Steve. Overcoming fear after crashing is one of the toughest things for any rider, including pros, to do. Read more.
Spring Training: 10 Weeks to Summer Fitness
Spring Training: 10 Weeks to Summer Fitness explains all about how to train smart this spring and includes four different focused 10-week programs for riders with different goals: health and fitness riders, recreational riders, fast club riders and endurance riders. Each 10-week program is in two 5-week blocks so that you can tailor a program to your available time.
Question of the Week
Are you riding any organized events or races in April?
Cool Stuff to Read
Singletracks: Meet the 19-Year-Old Building a Bike Company
Creakybottombracket.com: Essay: On the Hookless Tubeless System
StickyBottle.com: SUVs pose much more deadly crash risk to cyclists than cars, study finds
Bike Radar / YouTube: Paris-Roubaix’s Biggest Tubeless Tire Fails 💥
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End Notes

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