Self Improvement

‘Faux Form’ and Big Bunch Rides

October 17, 2008

We’re fortunate that here in Melbourne there’s a selection of bunch rides to choose from every day of the week. These rides are great as they are motivating, safer when riding in traffic, and they can really push your limits if you’re up for it. However, bunch rides can be a real waste of time […]

1278

Ultimate Cycling Snack?

October 16, 2008

I haven’t tried this snack yet but I keep hearing about it so I thought I’d pass it on. Apparently this is pro Team Garmin-Chipotle’s secret on-bike snack that they put in their musettes. If it’s good enough for them, it’s probably good enough for me. I’ll try it out this weekend on a 250km […]

Pre-Race Warm-Up

October 14, 2008

Sometimes the intensity of a race can start out extremely high. I find this sudden fast pace particularly difficult as I get older. Crits and time trials can be the most painful. A good warm-up before the race is essential. It’ll get the leg muscles full of blood, get the body warm, and make the […]

Make Your Own Powerbars

October 7, 2008

I wanted to wait until I tried these myself before I posted this recipe. This post comes from Jamie “Backcountry” Roberts and I can promise you won’t be disappointed. They’re nice and chewy and the crumbs won’t get caught in your throat while you’re eating and gasping for air at the same time. Each of […]

Periodization

October 3, 2008

Crowie is the King. He could write this entire blog with both hands and legs tied behind his back. He’s competed and won races that we only read about in cyclingnews. Here’s a glimpse of his very own training strategy that’s worked for him and other elite athletes over the years. The thing that I […]

Perceived Exertion - Rate Your Workout

September 29, 2008

I’m quite fortunate that I have a power meter. I find it the most useful training tool imaginable. It allows you to know exactly how much power you’re generating. Just like when you do a bench press, you know exactly how many plates you have loaded up on the bar. No questions. I can’t wait […]

Don’t Panic

September 26, 2008

This post comes from one of the smartest and best bike racers I know. My hope is that he contributes regularly to this blog. We’ll all be better off with his advice. Thanks Jeff DON’T PANIC I wrote that in big, friendly red letters because Douglas Adams died too young, the world will forever be […]

754

Race Tune-Up

September 26, 2008

The day before a race should be a rest day. However, by “rest day” I’m not implying that you should take it off. I just mean that you shouldn’t be tearing yourself down so much that you need serious recovery afterwards. It should be called a “tune-up day” rather than a “rest day”. My favorite […]

Optimal Cadence

September 25, 2008

I have a good mate who was complaining the other day about not being able to go very fast and feeling sluggish. Someone noticed how low his cadence was and asked him what his computer was averaging it at. He said 71 rpm. What!? 71 rpm!? “Well, what should my cadence be then?”, he asked. Let’s […]

1085

Make Your Own PowerGel

September 23, 2008

Sometimes spending $3 a pop on gels can get a little expensive. I’ve been making my own gels for a number of years and I’ve found there’s really not much to it. I can make 10 times the amount for about $10 and it only takes 5 minutes. Here’s my favorite recipe: Ingredients: - 1 […]

565