Newsletter Issue No. 960

April 8, 2021

Intensity Done Correctly Produces Results

By Coach John Hughes

Intensity workouts are like a prescription medicine. The right medicine in the right amounts improves health. The right medicine taken too frequently, or in the wrong amounts or the wrong medicine doesn’t help you and may hurt you. I’ve written two related columns. I’m coaching Ernie. In this column I discuss first what we did right and then the mistakes we made. Read more.

Classified’s 2-Speed Wireless Hub the Powershift

By Jim Langley

A reader named Bill wrote us saying, “I’d like a review of the Classified Powershift hub gear.” I had heard of it but not looked into it. Visiting their website I learned the basics. It’s an ingenious device you might appreciate knowing about. Read more.

Indoor versus Outdoor FTP numbers

By Hunter Allen

Training on the indoor smart trainer or the dumb trainer for that matter, can really make you question your ability as a cyclist. We have all had the experience of not being able to produce the same watts indoors as we can outdoors and that just not fair! On indoor trainers, there are many factors that cause your watts to be lower and they range from the way that the load itself is generated on the trainer to the fact that you are in your basement riding beside the cat litter box! Read more.

Energy Buddies to the Rescue

By Greg Conderacci

A lot of my friends like to ride with Andrea Matney. At 2 am, in a driving rainstorm, when you’re as miserable as a Navy SEAL in Hell Week, Andrea is all smiles and good energy. On a bike, she is the ultimate Energy Buddy. Read more.

Tifosi Sledge Lite Sunglasses Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

For Spring 2021 Tifosi added to their Sledge family of sunglasses a semi-rimless frame called Sledge Lite. As common with most Tifosi sunglasses, the Sledge Lite comes with interchangeable, polycarbonate lenses so you’re prepared for any light conditions. Read more.

N=1 Proof You Can Age Like a Fine Wine

By Martin Sigrist

On occasions I will use information about myself to make a point regarding a topic under discussion. This is because I know my own data best and I am an outlier in regards some parameters. This sometimes incites a comment along the lines of, “That’s not scientific. You can’t prove anything with n=1.” Actually you can, and thinking otherwise is to misunderstand what science actually is. Read more.

Smith Optics Holt 2 Winter Helmet Quick Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Spring is the perfect time to start thinking about winter. Why? Sales of course. There are great deals now on winter inventory. One such item you’ll find on sale are winter helmets. About 10% of your body heat escapes from your head. Keeping the cold wind out and your head and ears warm will aid in retaining heat on winter rides. And if you’re comfortable, you’ll ride longer. Read more.

Intensity Training

Intensity Training: Using Perceived Exertion, Heart Rate and Power to Maximize Training Effectiveness by Coach John Hughes is written for health and fitness riders, recreational and club riders, endurance riders and racers. Hughes explains in much more detail how training intensities at different intensities brings about different physiological adaptations. Hughes guides you through the process of establishing your own training zones so you can train at the proper intensities for your specific training objectives. Included is sample year-round plans so you ride at the correct intensities at different times of the year with over 50 structured and unstructured workouts at different intensities for different training objectives.

Learn more.

Quick Tip: Insulate Your Hydration Pack with this DIY Method

This reader tip came in the form of a comment from Cecelia M on the article 5 Cycling Products for Riding in Hot Weather, and we thought it was worth sharing as a Quick Tip.

Question of the Week

It’s April. How’s your fitness level?

End Note

Intensity Done Correctly Produces Results