Newsletter Issue No. 938
November 5, 2020
Preventing Slipping Seat Posts
By Jim Langley
As I ride around and spot other cyclists, I look at them, too. And I’ve noticed, like my friends did, that there are a lot of too-low seats out there. I see too-high ones once in awhile. But the low ones are easier to spot and more common, I think. Read more.
Anti-Aging; Consistency, Specificity and Variety
By Coach John Hughes
I’m halfway through my six weeks of recovery from the surgery to correct my badly deformed hammer toes! At my second post-op the podiatrist said I am doing well. I told her I’d been walking with the walker to maintain a bit of fitness, which promoted a stiff lecture not to do that! Except for meals and going to the bathroom I must keep my foot above my heart so the swelling goes down and I can get a shoe on in three weeks. Read more.
Sponsor: New Performance Alpaca Boot Socks by Fo//ow Ho//ow
Follow Hollow, a USA manufacturer of high performance alpaca socks, is announcing the launch of its latest development. A thick, lofty boot sock designed for cold weather and extra comfort. See the new thicker boot socks here (they work great for winter cycling if you have room for thicker socks!) or check out the RoadBikeRider.com review by Sheri of the original socks here.
Follow Hollow socks are derived from alpaca fiber that is sourced in Peru and then manufactured in North Carolina using the latest sock technology. The new boot sock uses the same proprietary yarn (80% baby alpaca, 15% nylon and 5% spandex) but produced on machines designed to provide extra loft to make the socks trap air and move moisture with great efficiency. Find out more.
2020 Fall Cycling Accessories Round UP
By Sheri Rosenbaum
As the weather gets cooler it’s time to dig out warmer gear. Many companies introduced new and exciting products in 2020. Here’s some new gear been testing from Pearl Izumi, Bolle, GORE, Swiftwick, Showers Pass and Brilliant. All are designated unisex except the GORE top, which is only for women. Each item listed will make your cool and sometimes wet weather cycling experience a little more enjoyable and safer. Read more.
Part IV: Why Riding With A Cyclist Mentality Is Dangerous
By Coach Robert Wilhite
As I start with the final installment of this series, it’s been a relief to finally take the time to get these thoughts from my head (and heart) and onto RBR — and ultimately, you. As with each previous article, I’m going to paint you a picture based on reality and share what I believe is the safest response. It’s up to you if you agree with and embrace it or disagree and ignore it. Read more.
How Can I Avoid Hand Numbness Riding?
QUESTION: After about 30 minutes of riding, my hands get so numb and tingly that I can’t shift gears. My handlebar is level with the saddle. Can you help? — David W.
Plaques in Arteries Are Reversible
By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Almost anyone can get rid of plaques in their arteries, even if they have already had a heart attack or already have severe narrowing in the arteries leading to your heart. However, you have to do far more than just take drugs. The formation of plaques in arteries that eventually leads to heart attacks and strokes comes from chemical processes that start in the liver. Plaques can be reversed by changes in diet, exercise, weight, environmental exposures and medications. Read more.
Off-Season Conditioning Past 50
Don’t take the off-season literally! It’s more important than ever the older we get, Coach John Hughes explains in Off-Season Conditioning Past 50. Whether your goal is long-lasting physical health, the joy of physical activity or continuing athletic performance, this 26-page eArticle will teach you what to do in the off-season. It’s divided into three parts:
- Review of the physiological effects of aging.
- Training modalities to combat these.
- A 12-week off-season training program with options for beginning, health and fitness, club, endurance, and competitive riders.
Question of the Week
Have you ever had a problem with one of these while riding? (If several have been problems, pick the two that bother you the most.)
Other Cool Stuff to Read
uppermichiganssource.com: Velodrome Coffee Company: The one-stop-café for java and bike service
Colorado Sun: Electric-powered bikes are now allowed on BLM and National Park trails — and not everyone is happy about it
Bicycling: Cyclist Dies After Being Deliberately Hit By a Passenger in a Moving Vehicle
Final Tip
Relax your upper body! Put a slight bend in your elbows and pedal hard with your lower body.
It would be very appreciated if a specific mention of the exact weight of new bike models that are mentioned. I know weight can vary with tires and seats and pedals etc but for the steep prices mentioned on some of these bikes, I really want to know if the extra expense is paying off in lower weight. Find someone that will hold a bike while they get on bathroom scales and then subtract their own weight.
Thanks
Has anyone experienced a sciatica like leg lameness condition ( can’t put weight on a leg after sitting awhile , bike seat or couch ! ) . . . could it be a tendonitis inflammation in the leg / knee ? , , , a Spenco gel saddle pad seemed to help a little. The sensation is in the right leg from hip to foot after even light pedaling for a few minutes. Never in 35 years of cycling road and mountain bikes with all kinds of other injuries ( including back / disc ) has the motion of pedaling produced this ” lameness” that keeps me putting full weight on it. Any self help PT or other remedies experienced by cyclists?
Thanks,Scott