September 17, 2020
Anti-Aging: The Full Body Workout
By Coach John Hughes
We live in the Rocky Mountains near Winter Park, CO. To the west of us the Williams Fork wildfire is burning and to the north the Cameron Peak fire. Fortunately, neither is nearly as severe as the fires ravaging the west coast and it’s highly unlikely either of these fires would reach us. However, we live on three acres of woodland and for homes in the woods fire mitigation is essential. One of the key measures is creating a defensible perimeter 30 feet around the house in which there is nothing flammable. Read more.
Quest for the Right Road Disc Brake Adapters
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
The subject this week is a fussy detail related to increasing the typical 140mm rotors on disc brake road bikes to 160mm. The brakes are Shimano Ultegra R8070 flat-mounts. Why would you care? Because if you have 140mm rotors on a Shimano Ultegra disc bike you might someday want to go to larger rotors. They provide more braking power, which is why mountain bikes usually have a larger one in front. And, also, because you might buy a bike in a box “kit.” Read more.
7mesh Skyline Jersey and MK3 Bibshort Review
By Brandon Bilyeu
7mesh has now been in business for roughly five years. A while back I reviewed their first offerings, the S2S jersey and MK1 bibshorts (review here). That jersey had some issues with lack of stretch, but the bibshorts were very good. Now 7mesh has introduced a new jersey pocket design called the Anything Panel that promises lots of storage space while keeping the back of the jersey flat on the back. As a notorious over-packer, I was keen to test this out and see if 7mesh have fixed the issues I had with their first jersey. And the MK1 bibs were good, so is the third generation MK3 even better? Read more.
Garmin Varia RTL515 and RVR315 Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Back in May, Garmin introduced their latest version of the Varia radar. Several of my friends ride with the older version and say they wouldn’t ride without it. I have been reluctant to try it because I thought the audible beeps would be distracting and I already wear a rear-view mirror. But I thought I’d give it a go and contacted Garmin for a test sample. They sent me both models of the radar, RTL515 (radar w/taillight) and RVR315 (radar only). To my surprise I liked having that extra security and now like my friends, won’t ride the roads without it. Read more.
Part 2: Why is Riding With A Cyclist Mentality Dangerous?
By Coach Robert Wilhite
At the ending of my last post, I alluded to writing a series about riding with a motorist mentality. If you didn’t read that post, I hope you do, because it sort of set the stage for this series. Many cyclists, family and friends, especially in metro Atlanta, found out on Facebook I was hit by a car on March 8th of this year. It should have either killed me or at the very least, left me paralyzed in a wheel chair. Without going into the details (which I’ll do when my case settles), it’s only by the grace of God that neither of those options became a reality. Read more.
Building My New Litespeed Titanium Frame With Shimano Components: Part 2
By Rick Schultz
While I am waiting for parts to finish my Litespeed bike build, two new tube technologies arrived to test: Tubolito and Revoloop.
These are the latest highest-tech tubes currently available. As robust as a butyl tube but at 23g, 38g (Tubolito) and 25g, 30g, 39g (Revoloop). Due to their extremely small size and weight, they easily pack away in your bike bag. Available for mountain bikes, road, gravel / cyclocross, BMX and commuter / touring applications. Read more.
Trying Out Camelbak and Orange Mud Hydration Packs on the Road
By Sheri Rosenbaum
I stopped using hydration packs over 20 years ago because I never liked any of the designs. The old packs used just hang on your shoulders, shift around during pedaling, and required removal to access nutrition, phone or what not. But due to current events, not only were public water fountains closed, but I found myself carrying all my nutrition and hydration for the ride, plus a mask, hand sanitizer and more. You can only stuff so much into a jersey pocket and saddlebag. As a result, I thought I’d test out a couple of popular hydration packs that can be used not only on road rides, but also gravel, trail and MTB rides. Both packs are also designed to work for hiking or running. Read more.
Resistance Training for Endurance Sports
A recent review of 22 scientific studies shows that adding a resistance program such as lifting weights to endurance sports such as running or cycling can increase muscle size and strength, with greater benefit from low volume, high-resistance weight lifting than high volume, lower-resistance exercise. It showed little, if any, benefit for competitive endurance events because resistance exercise does not increase VO2max, the maximal amount of oxygen that a person can take in and use. Read more.
Anti-Aging E-Book
Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process by Coach John Hughes has individual chapters on each type of exercise the ACSM recommends: cardiovascular both endurance and intensity: upper, lower, and core strength; weight-bearing, flexibility and balance. I include interviews with Gabe Mirkin (recommendations from an M.D.) Jim Langley (importance of goals), Andy Pruitt (importance of working on your skeleton, posture, balance, muscle mass), Muffy Ritz (recommended activities for older people, especially women), Malcolm Fraser (recommendations from an M.D.), Fred Matheny (importance of strength training), Elizabeth Wicks (motivation) and five other male and female riders ages 55 to 83. Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process incorporates the latest research and is your comprehensive guide to continuing to ride well into your 80s and even your 90s.
Question of the Week
Do you ever wear a hydration pack cycling?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
Outside: Why Altitude Training Helps Some but Not Others
Welovecycling: Jeannie Longo still winning time trials at 61
Maffetone: What’s your body fat percentage? Here’s too much, too little and just right.
TechCrunch: Zwift raises additional $450 million in funding
A cursory Google search will show that Tubolito innertubes are quite suitable for rim brakes. I’ve been riding them for over a year.
General comment (not related to anything in this issue): I would be interested to know how many RBR readers are tandem riders. Perhaps an article or two related to tandems might be featured. Thanks.
Hi,
I have a real challenge for you. How about an article on recovery and riding for a cyclist who has had a stroke. I am a cyclist, certified personal trainer and retired US Navy SEAL. Yes, it can happen to any of us.
Nick North
I am a 75 yr young road cyclist living in Los Angeles. I’ve been riding my whole life and currently on track for 5000 miles in 2021. I’m also an active golfer, swimmer and squash player, still in business and enjoying life.
Lately, with the heat of summer, I’ve noticed my core temperature rising and despite strict attention to hydration and nutrition I’ve had to cut short some rides, especially in the beach canyons. Can you help me devise a decision tree for go or no go, riding?
(I am 5’11 180)