June 18, 2020
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A 73-year-old asks “Is it all down from here?”
By Coach John Hughes
RBR Reader Keith asks, “I’m 73. Way, way back I was an average club time trialist here in the UK. Then I went to university and forgot it all. About five years ago I climbed back on a bike and, using Strava, I steadily improved but for the last couple of years I’ve pretty much plateaued – my Strava segment times reflect that. Somehow I need to break out of my comfort zone. The endurance is okay – I can ride 50-75 km without collapsing in a heap and have done a 100 km sportive and lived. Average journey speed is around 15mph. Read more.
World Premiere of You Can Build Bicycle Wheels
By Jim Langley
Bicycle wheels are amazing things. They have fascinated me since I first started working in bike shops. With just a handful of spokes, a hint of a hub and even the most humble hoop, the vast majority will easily take anything even the strongest pro can dish out and often outlast the components on the bike. Read more.
6 Black Cyclists Share Their Perspectives
By Sheri Rosenbaum
The last couple of weeks I’ve been reading numerous articles and blogs calling out the cycling industry for being elitist and predominately controlled by white males. It was never more obvious to me than when I attended my first Interbike convention back in 2016. The number of women in attendance was staggeringly low, and the number of people of color was even lower. Even today there’s been little advancement made to diversify the industry. These low numbers are also reflected in the lack in diversity in cycling clubs, participation in invitational rides, and even trade ads. Read more.
How to Ride Better Into a Headwind
By Fred Matheny
Wind is tough. The longest climb eventually ends, but a nasty headwind can last for the duration of a multiday tour. Even on a regular training ride, a 10-mph (16-kph) headwind section can seem like an eternity. But if you want to ride consistently, you’ll have to ride in the wind. Here’s how to combat those zephyrs and use them to help you improve. Read more.
How to Live Longer and Better
As of today, no drugs, supplements or potions have been shown to extend your life, in spite of the fact that the internet is full of an incredible number of fraudulent life-extension products that provide no benefits while they steal your money. However, we do have overwhelming evidence that several healthful lifestyle habits can extend how long you live and improve your quality of life in your later years. Read more.
Quick Tip: When to Take a Rest Day Before an Important Ride
Take a rest day two days before, not the day before.
If you’re training hard to get ready for a race, century, day-long tour or other important event, you want to be feeling fresh and lively on the big day. Read more.
Get Up, Stand Up – Stand Up For Your Health
By Martin Sigrist
Building strength is not just about lifting weights.
This is only part of a greater whole, what I refer to as the “Strength Triangle.” The three sides of the strength triangle are mobility, stability and resistance. Weights fit into the last category, and should only be added after the first two have been addressed. Read more.
Anti-Aging 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process
Coach John Hughes designed and wrote his eBook Anti-Aging 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process to help you slow and even reverse your physical decline by increasing your aerobic capacity, doing intensity training, building and maintain muscle strength and power, increasing your flexibility, working on your balance and reducing bone loss. Anti-Aging incorporates the latest research and most of it is new material not published in his previous eArticles on cycling past 50, 60 and beyond. Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process is your comprehensive guide to continuing to ride well into your 80s and even your 90s.
Question of the Week
Do you own any Mavic wheels?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
VeloNews: Meet the chef who went Everesting on a fixed-gear bicycle
VeloNews: Hinault adds muscle to save Mavic
CyclingNews.com: Future Gravel: Where does cycling’s hottest trend go from here?
YouTube: Your Tires Are Lying to You
End Notes
Not a comment but a question. I am at the point that I need hearing aids. Any suggestions for best ones while cycling? Wind noise, sweat proof, etc.? Thank you.