Newsletter Issue No. 852
March 7, 2019
PDF version for Premium Members is here.
Secrets of a Cycling Streaker
Jim’s Tech Talk
by Jim Langley
To prevent any unfortunate thoughts for anyone unfamiliar with the term in the title, I’ll start by explaining that a “cycling streaker” is someone who rides every day. The goal is to see how many consecutive days, weeks, months – or in my case now – years, you can keep the streak alive without taking a day off. Read more.
Winter Cycling Presents Different Nutritional Requirements
By Coach John Hughes
I’ve lived in Colorado for over 20 years, and I hate riding the trainer. So I’ve learned how to ride a bicycle in cold, often windy and/or wet, weather. In those conditions my metabolism revs up just to keep me warm! At any pace I’m burning more calories than I would be in the summer. Read more.
Your Best Cycling Season Ever
In Your Best Season Ever, Coach Hughes describes how to improve, by doing: The right kinds of workouts → At the right times → In the right amounts → Resulting in continuing progress. He walks you through how to create your own specific, personalized training plan and then get the most out of your training. Learn more.
Become a Faster Cyclist by Strengthening Your Weakest Muscle Groups
By Coach Rick Schultz
As a cyclist, it’s not so much that we’re really weak in some key muscle groups. But it’s clear that doing some specific things to address our three weakest muscle groups can have a profound effect on our riding. Read more.
Chamois Butt’r Introduces New Coconut Option
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Paceline, the makers of Chamois Butt’r recently added a 4th option to their line of anti-chafe chamois creams. It took them 5 years to perfect the formula to ensure it was gentle enough for sensitive skin, but as good at preventing chafing as their original style cream. Read more.
Use Your Eyes to Corner Better on Your Bike
by Fred Matheny
The next time you take a corner at speed, think about where you’re looking.
Many bicycle riders stare directly in front of their wheel, looking for debris, cracks or potholes. As a result, they take a poor line or they don’t notice even more dangerous obstacles farther ahead. Read more.
What’s Better? Rest Days or Recovery Rides?
Question: You’ve written about making every fourth week a recovery week. My question is about recovery days. I don’t take days off the bike. Instead, I schedule recovery rides of 45 minutes several days each week along with three longer, intense sessions. But it’s hard to ride every day, even for a short time, because of my job and family. Will my fitness suffer if I take two days completely off each week? — Chris G. Read more.
Winter Cycling Shoes Roundup
There’s nothing that ruins a winter ride in low temperatures faster than cold feet. Booties, warm socks and shoe covers can all help. But if you plan to ride all winter, your best bet is to invest in a pair of winter cycling boots or shoes. Winter specific shoes are generally much, much warmer and often also waterproof or highly water resistant. Here’s a roundup of some of the top winter cycling shoes from the major brands. Read more.
Question of the Week
Do you ever set cycling mileage goals or riding streak goals?