Newsletter Issue No. 945
December 24, 2020
Riding Gravel Is Good for Everyone
By Coach John Hughes
And it doesn’t have to be expensive.
I frequently ride gravel roads and bike trails on my road bike and really enjoy it as a literal change of pace with new scenery. I ride 28 mm tires on the road and they’re fine for flat to rolling gravel, although they don’t have enough traction for moderately steep climbs and descents. I also have a touring bike with 35 mm tires, which works pretty well, even on the steeper stuff. Read more.
A Gift Worth Giving – Even if it’s to Yourself
By Jim Langley
Yes, it might be crazy to be talking about gifts so close to Christmas. But, maybe you’ll get a certificate or some funny money as a present and want to buy your own Christmas toy. Or perhaps you’re still shopping and gifting last-minute virtually due to covid. Either way, I want to make a suggestion based on what I picked. It’s something that brings more joy to budding mechanics than maybe any other present. Read more.
Let’s Talk About Cold Hands and Winter Cycling Gloves
Our recent question of the week found that cold hands is the biggest problem area during winter cycling. I thought it might be useful to crowdsource some solutions, since we have so many experienced cyclists as newsletter subscribers, and many of them live in cold climates. Read more.
Wahoo Fitness KICKR AXIS Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
I think it is safe to say we all dread having to shift our riding season to the basement. Indoor training rides can be long, hard, and sometimes darn uncomfortable. As the miles roll by, your lower back and rear end start to ache or go numb. This is mainly due to the static nature of the trainer. There’s no lateral movement like you get during an outdoor ride. Wahoo Fitness has developed the KICKR AXIS to solve this problem. The AXIS retrofits to current and older models of KICKRs and it took me only 15 minutes to install following these few steps. Read more.
How Much Should I Drink on Winter Rides?
QUESTION: In summer I needed to drink at least four bottles to ride my favorite hilly 65-mile bike loop. Now that it’s 40 degrees cooler, I do the whole ride with one bottle. Is that OK? — Sam S. Read more
Building My Litespeed With Shimano Components: Part 4
By Rick Schultz
Brake Lines: I ran the brake lines from the calipers to the handlebars. Since one needs special tools (funnel, hydraulic hose cutter, brake bleed kit, brake fluid, etc.), this things would be a lot more expensive to purchase than just taking the bike to a local bike shop, especially one that owes me a favor. Due to current health and safety precautions, I had to wait outside the bike shop. After waiting about 15 minutes, they rolled the bike back out to me, everything hooked up. This takes care of #1, #2 above. Read more.
How to Stay Fit, Fresh & Enjoy the Holidays
By Coach John Hughes
Brent Bookwalter, a pro who raced for BMC, advised that if you have a choice between an extra 20 minutes of riding or spending that time recovering, choose recovery. Read more.
Would a Power Meter Help My Time Trialing?
Question: Would a power meter help me maintain steady energy expenditure throughout time trials and triathlons? Could I just watch the monitor, ride at a pre-determined wattage and thus be sure that I performed at optimum intensity? What about in road races? — Barry M. 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
Are you worried about holiday weight gain this year?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
Bicycle Retailer: Bike Shop Owners Selling Stores to Trek and “Taking the Trexit ramp”
Bike Radar: Ten tips to stay motivated through winter
VeloNews: How a Strava KOM helped save Keegan Swirbul’s pro career
Endurance Sportswire: DUI charges filed against box truck driver who killed five cyclists
End Note
Relax and have fun pedaling — let your mind go and keep tension away except in the working body parts — your legs.
Yes, it’s a bike.