October 8, 2020
Ask the Coach: Why Are my Legs Sore after a Ride?
By Coach John Hughes
BR Reader Kenneth asks, “Why my legs are always stiff and achy, even after a few days off the bike they are as sore as they would be if I just finished a race. But when I do get back out and ride, after a few strenuous pulls my legs are no longer sore and feel great, but sure enough after the ride and later in the day they are achy again. You would guess that more riding would equal faster recovery and muscle gain so the soreness would decrease as fitness and strength increase. What gives? Thank you.” Read more.
New Product: Kryptonite Incite Bicycle Lights
By Jim Langley
Traditionally, September and October have been when we cycling journalists write about lights. The days get shorter and lights are needed for seeing and riding safely in the dark. I still think that way. But, in reality, using lights year-round and around the clock, too – is a common practice with roadies now. And not just a taillight, but front and rear lights. Read more.
Sponsor: Performance Alpaca Cycling Socks by Fo//ow Ho//ow
Follow Hollow socks outperform competitors largely due to their 80% baby alpaca proprietary blend thread. Check out the RoadBikeRider.com review by Sheri here. After a very successful Kickstarter launch, these socks are in stock and available to order right now directly from the company. Why not add some to your sock drawer? Find out more.
Endura Pro SL Bibshort and FS260-Pro Jersey II Review
By Brandon Bilyeu
Endura, founded in Scotland in 1993, has a long history of high performance and technical kit for cycling. For 2020 they gave their range topping Pro SL Bibshort an overhaul with an emphasis on fit. The result is the ability to not only choose bibshort size (XS-XXL), but also leg length (regular and long) and pad width (narrow, medium, wide). The option to choose leg length is certainly nice for personal preference, but the pad width options are great for those who are not “average”. Read more.
Finding Bike Routes in a Bicycle Desert
By Stan Purdum
My wife and I recently moved from New Jersey to Ohio, to a town that is essentially a “desert” as far a bicycle support services are concerned. The town is Gallipolis (pronounced GAL-a-pol-LEES), a community of about 3,500 people right on the banks of the Ohio River in the southeast corner of the state. We really like it here, and our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter live nearby. (By the way, I first visited Gallipolis on a bicycle journey, years before I had any other reason to be here; see my article “Day of Adventure on the Bike.”) Read more.
Reggie Ramble Series Cols Jersey and A-L Shorts (men’s & women’s)
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Fall means it’s time to venture off the paved road once in a while and hit the path less traveled. Recently, Reggie launched their Ramble series that takes you from road to gravel to trail. This versatile gear is available in men’s and women’s sizing and each piece is only $71. Read more.
Why Does My Heart Rate Climb During Long Rides?
QUESTION: I’m 58 and don’t understand what’s happening to my heart during longer road rides. After about 90 minutes of steady riding at around 80% of my max heart rate, it gradually climbs to 90% even though my speed, cadence and energy output remain constant. Why? — Len M. Read more.
Quick Tip: Let Your Weather App Choose Your Next Ride
Let your favorite weather app choose your route.
In lots of places (especially flat places), wind direction should be the number one factor in deciding which roads to ride. I was reminded of this during a recent week with lots of wind. Read more.
Avoid Both Low Carb and High Carb Diets
In a new study from Japan, researchers found that both a low-carbohydrate/high animal protein diet and a high-carbohydrate/low animal protein diet were equally associated with increased death rates (Clinical Nutrition, September 23, 2020). This study followed 43,008 men and 50,646 women, ages 45-75 years, for 16.9 years. Read more.
Anti-Aging E-Book
Anti-Aging: 12 Ways You Can Slow the Aging Process by Coach John Hughes explains why intensity training is important and the pros and cons of gauging intensity using rate of perceived exertion, heart rate and power. It includes how to do intensity exercise and different intensity workouts. The book explains how to get the most benefit from your endurance rides. It has sample training plans to increase your annual riding miles and to build up to 25-, 50-, 100- and 200-mile rides. It integrates endurance and intensity training into an annual plan for optimal results. 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 use wind direction to help choose your cycling route?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
Velopress: Joel Friel and Jim Rutberg release new book Ride Inside about riding and training indoors.
CyclingTips: BikeFlights introduces a new reusable cardboard box for traveling with and shipping your bike.
Bicycle Retailer: Niner introduces a new gravel ebike.
Final Tip
Keep a straight line from top of head to tailbone (keep head in neutral position).
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