Newsletter Issue No. 951

February 4, 2021

Tips for Base Training in the Cold

By Coach John Hughes

Base training has many important benefits.

It increases the efficiency of your heart so that it can pump more blood to your muscles. Base training increases the stroke volume, the amount of blood pumped per heartbeat. Read more.


Outside the Box Tip: Homemade Trainer Steering Hack

By Jim Langley

Today’s DIY upgrade to your indoor riding comes courtesy of Brian Nystrom who read Sheri Rosenbaum’s review of the Elite Sterzo steering device for smart indoor trainers. Read more.


Showers Pass Cloudburst Packable Rain Jacket (men’s and women’s versions)

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Showers Pass continues to improve on their waterproof fabrics by making them even more breathable and today they launched the Cloudburst jacket with eliteAIR™ fabric technology. Available in both men’s and women’s versions, this packable jacket is soft, has 4-way fabric stretch for freedom of movement, and is very fashionable. Read more.


Rockay Ignite Cycling Socks – Quick Review

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By Sheri Rosenbaum

A while back Lars reviewed Rockay’s Razer Trail crew socks and when the company approached RBR to review their Ignite Cycling socks, he encouraged me to try them. He had given the Razer a 5 out of 5 rating, which piqued my interest. Read more


Counting calories: Imprecise Yet Effective

By Kevin Kolodziejski

I bet that ancient Greek Sisyphus had killer quads, hellacious hamstrings, and the power-to-weight ratio of a cycling pro. If Zeus forced you to roll a boulder up a hill in Hades for eternity, I bet you would too. Read more.


Can You Exercise Too Much?

By Gabe Mirkin, M.D.

A recent study used accelerometers to measure the physical activity of more than 90,000 healthy people for seven days in 2015, and then followed them to 2020. The more and harder they exercised, the less likely they were to suffer heart disease. There was no maximum amount of exercise that increased risk for heart attacks or heart disease. Read more.


Off-Season Bundle: Productive Off-Season, Year Round Cycling, Gaining a Mental Edge

Productive Off-Season Training for Health and Recreational Riders describes how to build general fitness. Coach John Hughes says, “What you should do during the off-season depends on your cycling objectives, whether you ride primarily for your health or for recreation. This eArticle bundle is both for people who ride primarily for health and also those who ride for recreation. It describes different off-season activities and then combines these into:

  • A 12-week, off-season exercise program to keep you healthy during the winter months.
  • A 12-week, more intensive off-season program for recreational riders to build your endurance, power and speed, preparing for base training.

Learn more.


Question of the Week

Have you tried wireless shifting yet?

Other Cool Stuff to Read

Barbend.com: Training At 90 — The Immortal Strength Of Powerlifter Joe Stockinger
Bicycle Retailer: René Herse wins Design and Innovations Award for ‘noise canceling’ gravel tire
CyclingTips.com: FCC Certification. Is Shimano wireless shifting almost here?
Cycling Weekly: Opinion: When do gravel bikes become mountain bikes?

End Note

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