April 1, 2021
Anti-Aging: 7 Nutrition Myths
By Coach John Hughes
Good nutrition makes a big difference in how you age. For example a study published in the journal Circulation concludes people who eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day have a 12% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease, 10% lower risk of death from cancer and 35% lower risk of death from respiratory disease than people who eat just two servings a day. Read more.
Should Cleats be Behind the Balls of the Feet?
By Jim Langley
Today, I’m answering a letter from “Mike,” who’s looking for new shoes and inquiring about cleat placement on them. If you’ve had the same or a similar experience, I’m sure Mike will appreciate reading your tips and advice in Comments. Read more.
Sponsor: Huge Restock of Elite Bibs at Aero Tech Designs
Our Elite Bib Shorts are fully back in stock and ready to hit the road with you. We use multiple fabrics in specific places to ensure longevity and comfort. The inner fabric is an abrasion resistant 77% Nylon and 23% Spandex and the outer material is 83% polyester and 17% Lycra. These fabrics together make the perfect amount of compression and comfort to reduce lactic acid. A Tall version is available that increases bib strap and inseam length.
The chamois in the Elite Bib Short is imported from Italy, and measures 15mm at the sit bones. Inside the chamois is an Air Gel Mesh that improves shock absorptions which reduces saddle fatigue. This makes the Elite Bib Short a perfect choice for long days in the saddle. Like all our products, the Elite Bib Short comes with an unconditional guarantee against manufacturing defects.
Freeing Yourself of Freddie Freewheel
By Greg Conderacci
We used to call him “Freddie Freewheel.” In the paceline, he had a distinct cycling pattern: pedal, pedal, pedal…coast…pedal, pedal, pedal…coast…. Pretty soon, if you were on his wheel, YOU were pedaling the same way. And so was the guy behind you and the guy behind him.
And that’s what an Energy Vampire does: destroys the rhythm of the group, wastes energy, slows everything down, and, in the process, makes you crazy. And turns YOU into a vampire, too. Read more.
A Dive into Types of Carbon Fiber
By Rick Schultz
As a pro-level bike fitter, clients expect services of bike sizing, bike fitting, cleat adjustments, recommendations for the best saddle, best stem, best shoes, best bike for the price, as well as expect the bike fitter to install components and do everything shy of a full-overhaul. At my shop we do all of these services. But, although they are few, there are those that want to know the next level of detail as well as those that want to go even deeper. In South Orange County, CA., the most common bikes I see are Specialized, Trek and Giant. Specialized just came out with the Aethos as well as the new Tarmac SL7 and Trek has been slowly upgrading their levels of carbon fiber as well. Periodically I will see a high-end Pinarello, but not too often as there are no local dealers. Read more.
4 Good Reasons to Use a Power Meter
By Martin Sigrist
I bought my first power meter back in 2007. It has proved to be, by a very wide margin, the best bike related purchase I have ever made, paying for itself many times over.
Back then power meters were a rare sight, if you saw someone else with one it felt almost as if you were in some sort of secret brotherhood. Now they are a lot more common, they come in many different varieties. If you buy a bike from some manufacturers you can tick an option box to have one fitted. They are not yet fitted as standard but that day may come. Read more.
Better Your Rides; Be In The Moment
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Doing the research for my last article to appear here, “Cycling Aerodynamics: Going Aero Without Going Broke,” also led to some easy pedaling down memory lane. Back to a time when I’d get even more excited about an upcoming time trial than adding the treats to my supper I’d allow myself when a training ride for the TT went especially well. On those nights, I’d top my egg-white omelet with three tablespoons of no-sugar-added ketchup and squirt my steamed Brussels sprouts with a 44-percent vegetable-oil spray at least 10 times. Read more.
SockGuy SGX and Sugar SGX Compression Fit Socks – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Cyclists will always debate, what’s the proper sock height? No matter what your preference, most riders agree socks are a great way to make a statement. Be it matchy matchy or a wild pattern, you never can have too many socks. Read more.
Muscle Cramps: Prevention and Treatment
by Gabe Mirkin, M.D.
Muscle cramps occur most often at night when you are sleeping, but they also can occur when you exercise vigorously, tear a muscle, or keep one leg in an awkward position, such as sitting in a chair in the same position for a long time. Muscle cramps are classified into those that occur during exercise and those that can occur at any time not related to exercise, usually at night. Read more.
Cycling Past 50 Bundle
In this 4-article series, Cycling Past 50, Coach John Hughes shares what you need to do as you age into your 50s and beyond – using cycling and other exercises – to increase your longevity and improve your enjoyment of life! These articles apply whether you are just taking up cycling and exercise or you’ve been a cyclist for years and intend never to stop.
- Healthy Cycling Past 50 – what happens as we age and how to incorporate cycling and other exercise activities into our daily lives to stay healthy and active for many years.
- Performance Cycling Past 50 – how to train to achieve more specific cycling goals given the physiological changes of aging.
- Off-Season Conditioning Past 50 – how to best work on your off-season conditioning given the physiological changes of aging.
- Healthy Nutrition Past 50 – what to eat and drink to support both a healthy lifestyle and continuing performance.
Question of the Week
Do you have problems with cramping?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
Cycling Tips: Ronan Mc Laughlin breaks Everesting record
Rene Herse: A look at Lael Wilcox’s bike setup.
Cyclocross Magazine: A look at what all those bike tire numbers and letters really mean
End Note
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