• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Become a Premium Member
  • About

Road Bike Rider Cycling Site

Expert road cycling advice, since 2001

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Bikes & Gear
  • Training & Health
  • Reviews
  • Cycling Ebooks
    • Ebooks Training
    • Ebooks Skills
    • E-Articles Training
    • E-Articles Nutrition
  • Member Area
  • Newsletter

Newsletter Issue No. 936

October 22, 2020

Preparing for Time off the Bike

By Coach John Hughes

The “shoulder season” is when we older athletes repair our bodies.  The main cycling season is over, but there won’t be enough snow to ski for a couple of months. I have badly deformed hammer toes on my right foot.  Last winter they hurt from the pressure of my boot every one of the 80 days I cross country skied. I was 70 and determined to ski at least that many days. When I started riding in the spring, I cut a big hole in my cycling shoe so there was no pressure. Read more.


RBR Readers’ Best Clipless Pedal Tips

By Jim Langley

There were so many helpful comments for reader Rick Oberle, who last week asked for solutions for his major pedal problem, that I’ve used them to create today’s best clipless pedal tips article (thank you all!). 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.


Kryptonite Bike Lock Round-up

By Sheri Rosenbaum

For over 40 years, Kryptonite has been synonymous with heavy duty bike locks and chains. Most recently they added lights to their product line which Jim reviewed. Here’s a round up of the various types of locks for every type of security situation, including anchoring your prized bikes inside your garage. Read more.


Don’t Put Off Strength Training Until Bad Weather Sets In

By Menachem Brodie

While fall riding can be more enjoyable (we are usually stronger, if we’ve done a good job over the season), there is a mistake that many cyclists make which hold back their building towards a better season next year: Putting off strength training until the foul weather sets in. Here’s why this is a mistake, and what you should do about it. Read more.


Stand or Sit on Climbs?

Question: On a long climb, is it better to sit and spin or stand and crank? I can spin faster seated, but it feels better to stand from time to time. Which is better? — Art S.

RBR Replies: This sounds like a simple question, but the answer is complicated. It depends! Read more.


The Robert Axle Project Lightning Bolt-On Thru Axles

By Brandon Bilyeu

The Robert Axle Project was born when the need arose to attach a trailer to a bike with a rear thru axle. Since starting in 2013 they have branched out to thru axle offerings for every possible need and do all design and manufacturing in Bend, Oregon USA. A few years ago, thru axle technology was mostly reserved for mountain bikes, but with the migration of disc brakes to road and gravel bikes thru axles are now common. Whether you just need a new axle or want to attach a trailer, The Robert Axle Project has you covered. Read more.


Garmin Edge 130 Plus Cycling Computer Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

In mid-June, Garmin launched the Edge 130 Plus cycling GPS computer. Its small size comes with a smaller price tag ($199 MSRP) than its bigger siblings. However, it packs a huge number of features into a 1.6”x2.5”x0.6” case with a 1.8” high resolution screen. With this recent launch, Garmin has made an effort to simplify set-up. Read more.


Can Bonking Be a Good Thing?

Question: Last Saturday I was on a long ride and seriously lost energy on the return trip. I knew I was bonking, but instead of taking a gel or energy bar I decided to gut it out. I figured that because all of my available sugar had been consumed and my body was running out of fuel, maybe I would start burning fat for energy and lose some weight. Is there any truth to this theory? — Dave W. 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.

Learn more.


Question of the Week

How often do you bonk?


Other Cool Stuff to Read

Outside: How Your Muscle Fibers Might Predict Overtraining
Wired: A Plan to Fix the US Bike Shortage
Bicycle Retailer: Industry predictions for the cycling market for 2021
Cyclingindustry.news: Tweak in USA’s public land electric bike regulations opens market potential


Final Tip

Keep your hands from going numb with light pressure on the handlebars. Avoid over-gripping, and use your shoulders and core to off-load your wrists. 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dominic Ferro says

    October 22, 2020 at 12:55 pm

    I can’t tell the result of the question of the week. Two answers start with the same phrase and are indistinguishable with the partial answer listed in the results. Is it possible to have the entire response written out with the results?

    Thanks!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search

Recent Articles

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1053
  • Can you use Shimano rotors with SRAM brakes? (Or vice versa?)
  • 16 Tips for Increasing Your Annual Cycling Mileage
  • Intense Exercisers Have More Plaques but Fewer Heart Attacks

Recent Newsletters

Newsletter Issue No. 1053

Newsletter Issue No. 1052

Newsletter Issue No. 1051

Newsletter Issue No. 1050

Newsletter Issue No. 1049

Footer

Affiliate Disclosure

Our cycling expert editors and writers choose every product we review. We may earn an affiliate commission if you buy from one of our product links, at no extra cost to you. This income supports our site.

Follow Us

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook

Privacy Policy

Still Haven’t Found What You’re Looking For?

Copyright © 2023 · Magazine Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...