Newsletter Issue No. 830

October 4, 2018

PDF version for Premium Members is here.

Ask the Coach: Best Recovery Food and Drink

By Coach John Hughes

My client, Ben, is 69 and rides about 3,000 miles a year. He’s training to do a 12-hour race in June 2019. He also rides his age on his birthday. Later this month his goal is to ride 70 miles (113 km) in less than 4:30 hours (15.6 mph / 9 km/h). Read more.

7 Bikes with SRAM RED eTap Wireless Shifting

By Stan Purdum

eTap is the name of SRAM’s proprietary electronic drivetrain for bicycles — the first truly wireless electronic shifting system and the heart of its RED eTap road group. Shift signals are transmitted and received via SRAM’s fully wireless protocol. RED eTap road groups are available as standard components on some high-end bike models from several manufacturers, and we offer a sampling below. All have 11-speed rear cogs and 2 chainrings. To keep the comparisons somewhat comparable, all the models we looked at have rim brakes rather than disc brakes. Read more.

Beginner’s Guide to Clipless Pedals, Part 3

By Jim Langley

Thanks to the excellent comments, suggestions and a question that arrived after Part 2 of this series, we’re going to wrap up our beginner’s guide to clipless pedals this week with a Part 3. You can read Parts 1 and 2, here and here.

This final installment should fill in any gaps in what we’ve already covered. That way you’ll come away with a working knowledge of all the basic things cyclists should know about clipless pedals. We’ll also answer a couple of reader questions and share two walkable pedals recommended by you helpful clipless users. Read more.

Bikes and Beers on the Blue Ridge Parkway

By John Marsh

When my buddy Scott and I started talking last November about doing another “big ride” in 2018, he suggested coming from Southern California to Atlanta (my home) and spending a week or so doing something in this part of the country.Two iconic regional bikeways immediately came to my mind: the Natchez Trace, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Both have been on my riding bucket list for years, but the Parkway won out for a couple of reasons. Read more.

How to Descend Safely

By Fred Matheny

You’ve seen pictures of pros sitting on the top tube in front of the saddle, chin almost touching the front wheel. They get paid to go fast, so they’re willing to take the risk. The rest of us can afford to descend a bit slower in order to be a lot safer. What’s the best compromise of speed and safety? Read more.

Gregory Avos 10L 3D-Hydro Pack Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

It has been years since I’ve used a hydration pack because of the weight on my shoulders and it shifted around too much. When I first unpacked the Gregory Avos 10L 3D-Hydro pack I initially was worried it was too large and bulky.

But after using it on a couple of fat bike trail rides and on a recent trip to Colorado Springs, I was sold. Read more.