Elements of style

When I first began CyclingTips as a daily blog, I simply wrote one tip per day with the aim of helping cyclists get better without going through the traditional school of hard knocks. Things here have evolved and taken a different path, but I still love giving and receiving advice on how to improve.

Back at the beginning of the year, my mate David McQuillen (who created The Sufferfest training videos) and I were talking about collaborating to do some “real live POV” Sufferfest videos. It seemed like the beginnings of a good idea, but it needed something more. David noticed that there’s nothing out there that exists that helps cyclists with improving form, efficiency and technique on the bike like there is for running, swimming and many other sports. This is where we came up with “The Elements of Style”.

In The Elements of Style we go through drills on how to relax the body, engage the correct muscles during the pedal stroke, techniques for neuromuscular conditioning, and how to put it all together to look like a cyclist, and feel like a cyclist.

Guest stars Cal Britten and Alby Iacuone join me in demonstrating you our (sometimes imperfect) form, but the graphics make sure you’re not mislead. Plus, the beautiful backdrop of New Zealand will make you feel like you’re right there instead of on the ergo. Eurosport commentator Carlton Kirby narrates to ensure there will be no shortage of explanation and entertainment with his trademark dramatic edge.

Don’t you worry - there is some suffering involved, but Elements of Style is more about making sure your technique is correct so you’re getting the most out of yourself when the real suffering begins.

David and I are excited to launch the Elements of Style in early September. Stay tuned.

Liam Pritchard

With what you both have created im sure this will be awesome!!! pumped!!!
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  Thanks Liam. It’s something we’re both very proud of and also let’s CyclingTips get back to it’s roots. The business David has built around The Sufferfest videos is amazing and I’m pumped there was a way we could do something together.
Echidna_sg

You had me until you said Kirby.
- velocite
  
  Indeed, what a turn off. Matt Keenan instead.
Jamie Kelly

Shut up and take my money! ;-)
Strunk & White

Sounds good.

Name is familar tho ;)
- echidna_sg
  
  they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but claiming a username already in use is a bit much aint it?
  - http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
    
    What else is named “elements of style”? When I google it I can only find a fashion blog.
    - echidna_sg
      
      You will have to ask the fake echidna_sg for the answer to that one!
      - bvduck
        
        Strunk & White was the inspiration for the title - so very well done on spotting that! As that book set the tone for what was acceptable form in writing - a book we spent a lot of time with in Uni - so too do we hope this sets the tone for cycling. By the way, most Sufferfest video titles draw inspiration from something that’s totally unrelated to cycling….’Downward Spiral’ references Nine Inch Nails, ‘Hell Hath No Fury’ references the well known phrase about women, ‘Revolver’ the Beatles album, ‘Fight Club’ the movie by the same name.
echidna_sg

Interested how/if it can work with the recently announced Garmin Cycling Dynamics to potentially improve fit as well as the aesthetics of a rider’s position.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/08/announces-cycling-dynamics.html
Harry

Seriously Wade, you have set the benchmark for cycling websites, following this blog grow over the last few years has been a pleasure, and an inspiration. Can’t wait to see where you go next!
- http://www.cyclingTipsBlog.com cyclingTips
  
  Thanks Harry!
motorthings

as long as it’s not in the format of the whole video being someone walking around folks on trainers sweating, i’m in. i’d love some more guidance on form, but you gotta keep the race, ride, and POV footage as the main source. watching folks sweat on trainers is boring, which is not what the sufferfest is (but of course you already knew this).
- bvduck
  
  You won’t see either a) a turbo trainer or b) anybody walking around. : )
Darren Camilleri

Kudos to both of you! I can’t wait to see it.
Mike Keenan

Sold. Preorders?
Aaron Cassidy

(I’m a bit skeptical of a video called ‘Elements of Style’ that has _that_ background music soundtrack. Yikes.)
Jon Bayley

Should be interesting. Watching “Thereabouts” it was very apparent that the guys had riding finesse and you can see it in good riders in the local bunch. Bike position, cadence, style all seems so natural and probably less effort.
dave

whats the song?
Cameron

I’m stoked about this. I’ve come back to cycling and only recently bought my first road bike, and so all the little tips and tricks about positioning and posture on the bike are things that I haven’t accumulated. I know that I’ll never be as aero as Jack Bauer, but I’m sure I have scope to improve.
- Cameron
  
  I’m disappointed my super aero Jack Bauer picture insert didn’t work… have a URL instead.
  
  http://38.media.tumblr.com/d39ad0c51efbc235f56b35e604a04d90/tumblr_n92bkr66PE1qbljjlo1_1280.jpg
Chris

So excited for this - great idea!
Rubens Loor

Can’t wait pals, your site CT and sufferfest are a amazing
Boris

No Gabriel Gate if possible

by Wade Wallace