October 28, 2021
Anti-Aging: How Can an 83-Year-Old Climb Long Hills?
By Coach John Hughes
RBR Reader Eli asks, “I have a local route where I have an option at one point to take #1 a continuous long climb or #2 a series of short steeper hills with flat sections between. The hills in option #2 are steeper than the continuous climb in option #1. I find option #1 wears me out and I have to dismount. I don’t know what to make of this. Currently option #1 is under construction. Read more.
Another Handy Tape to Have
By Jim Langley
Before we get to the tip, I want to make sure any of you shopping online for Shimano components, saw this warning about a bogus site. This week’s tip is related to fellow RoadBikeRider scribe Greg Conderacci’s recent piece, Electrical Tape Can Be Your Best Friend, which you can read here. Don’t miss the comments at the end with readers’ tips – and add yours! Read more.
Averse to Weightlifting or Just Need Something New This Off-Season? Try 1 1/2 Reps
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Can Singing Get the Unwilling to Weight Train?
You’ve read it from me before. Twice. That cycling doesn’t stress the upper-body muscles enough to stave off sarcopenia, the inevitable loss of muscle mass, strength, and function that usually begins well before you hit the big four-oh, and — oh, no! — eradicates on average about 30 percent of all muscle between the ages of 50 and 70. Nor does it stimulate muscle growth in the legs of longtime cyclists. Read more.
Tape Your Knees!
By Greg Conderacci
Recently, RBR launched this new series to enlighten our ultra-cool readers about the benefits of dorkiness. In Part I, we explored screening your helmet; in Part II, we messed with your handlebars; in Part III, we reflectorized your machine; in Part IV, we prepped you for flats; in Part V, we praised electrical tape.
Today, there’s just one more thing to tape: your knees! Read more.
Showers Pass Syncline CC Jacket Review (Men’s & Women’s)
By Sheri Rosenbaum
If you’ve shied away from purchasing a Showers Pass jacket because of the price tag, take a second look. Their Syncline CC jacket in men’s and women’s versions has an entry-level price of $135. It has a Company rating of 4-stars for breathability and waterproof, taped seams, and great styling. Read more.
Airzound Bicycle Horn Review
By Stan Purdum
In an RBR newsletter earlier this year, I answered a reader’s question “How do cyclists deal with dogs?” and as one option, I mentioned using an air horn. At the time, I hadn’t tried that method myself, but I included a video showing dogs giving up the chase when a blast from an Airzound Horn from Delta was sounded. A friend who had used the horn and had a videocam on his bike provided the footage. Read more.
McGill on Mind Over Matter
By Martin Sigrist
Takeaway: Mind matters if you want to perform to your full potential. Dr Stuart McGill gives just some of the reasons why.
One key theme that I believe is under represented in cycle training (indeed most sports training) is the importance of the mind to physical performance. Read more.
How to Prevent Wear-and-Tear Injuries
If you think that football is the sport with the most injuries, you would be wrong. Each year, 79 percent of long-distance runners suffer injuries that force them to take time off from running. The most-injured part is the knee and the chance for an injury increases with running longer distances and having previous injuries. Injuries occur most often after a rapid increase in weekly distance, intensity, or frequency of hill or track workouts. Read more.
Gaining a Mental Edge
Coach John Hughes wrote Gaining a Mental Edge: Using Sports Psychology to Improve Your Cycling because most cyclists can get greater improvement from investing some time each week in practicing mental skills than they could investing the same amount of time in training! This is especially true after age 40. In the eBook he demonstrates how sports psychology can be another tool in your toolbox to help you improve your cycling, just like effective training, good equipment and healthy nutrition. Gaining a Mental Edge is set up as a workbook with a progressive set of skills to practice and master. Just as you can practice specific cycling skills you can also practice and learn specific mental skills. Winter when you are riding less is an opportunity to gain a mental edge.
Question of the Week
Do you have any wear and tear injuries?
Other Cool Stuff to Read
VeloNews: Technical FAQ: Even more tubeless tire mounting tips
Bicycle Retailer: Shimano warns that ‘clearance’ web store is fake
Cycling Weekly: Jan Ullrich undertakes longest ride ‘since Milan – San Remo 1997’ at Mallorca Gran Fondo
Cycling News: Zwift alternatives: Who’s giving the leader a run for its money?
End Note
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