Newsletter Issue No. 1098
December 7, 2023
12 Ways to Conquer Winter
By Coach John Hughes
Perhaps the title should be “How to Survive Winter?” Here in Colorado our local downhill ski area reported 27 inches of snow over the weekend. My wife and I cross-country skied in a blizzard both Saturday and Sunday. Here are tips from our experience and working with one of my clients who is in Canada. Read more.
Lifting Bicycle Repair Stands
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Bicycle repair stands make it easier to maintain and fix your bikes by holding them off the ground where all the components are within reach and easy to see – no bending over needed. Plus, they let you spin the wheels to check and true them as necessary, and to inspect and adjust the brakes. You can also pedal and shift to tune the drivetrain. Read more.
How Wise Cyclists Cook, Particularly in the Winter
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Even though I’m soon to be 63 and a lacto-ovo vegetarian since 18, I’m still a two-sandwich guy. A single sandwich, whether it’s part of a meal or as a snack, just doesn’t cut it for me.
But I’m not nearly as muscular as I was at 33, 43, or even (sad to say, but I need to be honest here) 53. So to stay lean enough to climb relatively well for my age and save a shred of my cycling dignity (since the mediocre-at-best flatland power I once possessed seems to have gone AWOL after my last crash), I don’t consume nearly as many calories as years ago. Read more.
45NRTH Ragnarok Boa Boot and Grunnur Base Layer – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
On this Global Fat Bike Day (December 2), I find it fitting to share my thoughts on 45NRTH gear, a brand known for its exceptional cold weather and fat biking gear. In their latest lineup, they have unveiled two additions: the Ragnarök BOA Boot (unisex sizing) and the Grünnur base layer top, available in styles for both genders. Read more.
Blood Tests to Predict Who Will Live to 100
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
A study of 44,000 Swedish adults, 64 to 99 years of age, followed for up to 35 years, found that 2.7 percent (1,224) lived to their 100th birthday (Geroscience, Nov 4, 2023). Among the 1,224 centenarians in this study, 84 percent were women. The researchers wanted to find out which blood tests (measures of metabolism, inflammation, liver function, kidney function, anemia, and nutritional status) would appear to predict longevity. Read more.
Are Aero Bike Wheels Worth It?
QUESTION: Are aero bike wheels worth it? I ride a Trek road bike that just has wheels it came with and was thinking about upgrading my bike. – Sawyer F
ANSWER: If you’re hoping to go faster with equipment upgrades, improving your aerodynamics is one of the best ways. So if you want to make an existing bike faster, installing aero wheels can make a big difference and save you a lot of watts. Read more.
Off-Season Bundle: Productive Off-Season, Year Round Cycling, Gaining a Mental Edge
In Off-Season Bundle, Coach John Hughes explains in detail what you can do in the off-season to improve your summer riding. The bundle totals 60 pages and includes these three articles:
- Productive Off-Season Training with:
- A 12-week off-season exercise program to keep you healthy during the winter months.
- A 12-week, more intensive off-season program for recreational riders to build your endurance, power and speed, preparing for base training.
- Year-Round Cycling: How to Extend Your Cycling Season Six factors to successfully ride year-round, with in-depth information on all: 1) Goal-Setting and Planning; 2) Training; 3) Clothing and Equipment; 4) Nutrition; 5) Technique; 6) Motivation.
- Gaining a Mental Edge: Using Sports Psychology to Improve Your Cycling Most cyclists can get greater improvement from investing some time each week in practicing mental skills than they could spending the same amount of time training! Hughes shows you how.
Question of the Week
What’s the widest tires you’d consider on your road bike?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
Road.cc: How to ride your bike through ice and snow
Bike Mag: Champion Cyclist Tom Pidcock Descends Malibu’s ‘Tuna Canyon’
The Guardian: Cycling runs deep in the culture here: riding the cobbles and countryside of Flanders
Bike Radar: You can finally send direct and group messages on Strava
Most Clicked Last Week
10 Mental Tips on Coming Back from Time Off the Bike
End Notes
