November 9, 2023
Calories or Carbs: Which Is More Important? A Coach’s View
By Coach John Hughes
Dear Reader, remember we are all an experiment of one in nutrition. As you read what follows consider if it makes sense and applies to you.
In an earlier column Calories or Carbs? Mike E. asked, “I was wondering which is more important in cycling – calories or carbs. I’m a type 2 diabetic and have to watch my carbs.”
Mike, you’re asking a terrific question, which relates to all cyclists. Calories from carbs are your most important fuel. Read more.
Will’s Shimano SPD Pedals Cleat Hack
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
We’ve said it before and we’ll probably say it again, we always appreciate hearing about your cycling hacks (a “hack” is a different way of doing something or a modification, usually to improve function or ease of use).
So for this Tech Talk, RBR reader and frequent commenter Will Haltiwanger is spinning the Tech Talk pedals to share his hack for getting out of clipless pedals easier. Read more.
Keep a Journal
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Make the Pen Mightier Than the Sword, Fork or Sofa — and Ride Better, Too
Imagine meeting a really muscular dude, whose age you guess to be in the mid-30s and weight to be about 250. And how you’d feel when he reveals to you he’s in his mid-40s and weighed up to 550 pounds in his mid-20s. That’s how I felt when I learned all that about a well-known actor. Read more.
7mesh Ashlu Merino Long Sleeve Jersey
By Brandon Bilyeu
The Ashlu long sleeve jersey is constructed out of a wool blend that is 89% Merino wool and 11% nylon. The nylon adds strength and durability while keeping the Merino wool’s natural warmth and breathability. Wool’s inherent antibacterial properties mean you don’t have to wash the jersey after every ride, but the jersey is machine washable so it’s easy to live with either way. Embroidered logos look nice and won’t eventually flake off like thermal logos. Read more.
Cycology Shoe Covers – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Known for their bold and beautiful kits, Cyclogy has launched a line of shoe covers that are just as unique and eye-catching. But what sets them apart is not just their design but also how you put them on. Unlike other brands that use Velcro or a zipper, Cycology has taken a different approach. They even provide a hang tag with instructions and a helpful YouTube video. Here is how they work. Read more.
What should I pack for a 50- to 100-mile bike club ride?
QUESTION: What should I pack for a 50- to 100-mile bike club ride? I’m comfortable doing short rides of 25-30 miles, but a friend has invited me to join him for some weekend club rides that are longer. I don’t want to show up unprepared, but I don’t want to load up with more than I need. —Albert H.
RBR’S STAN PURDUM REPLIES: I assume you’re asking about equipment, food, clothing and personal items. Read more.
Endurance Training and Riding
Want to improve your cycling? Ride more easy miles. In, Endurance Training and Riding Bundle, Coach John Hughes emphasizes that low intensity endurance riding brings about specific physiological changes that don’t result from harder training.
Coach Hughes has written three articles about endurance training and riding — Beyond the Century, Nutrition for 100K and Beyond, and Mastering the Long Ride.
Question of the Week
Do you own a smart trainer?
Cool Stuff to Read
Cycling Weekly: ‘You young Zwifters, you don’t know you’re born’: In memory of life before smart trainers
Canadian Cycling: Three wild new luxury cross-over bikes
Road.cc: How to boost your cycling fitness when you’re aged over 50
Bicycle Retailer: Vosper: Nearly half of US bike shops don’t carry any of the Big Four brands
Most Clicked Last Week
12 Common Off-Season Cycling Mistakes
End Notes
Saw this posted somewhere and thought it was real at first. But if you look it, you can see that it’s really a fake AI generated photo! (Check out the bike handlebars and you can start to see where parts of the photo don’t make sense.)
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