Race results and news sometimes breaks as fast as a tour peloton.
There are several reliable sites for news on the road racing scene. If your goal is to be an informed club racer or you're addicted to checking world standings, we've collected some good reading resources.
Cycling news
http://www.cyclingnews.com
News Now
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Cycling/Road+Cycling
Velo News
https://www.velonews.com
Road and Mountain Biking news
https://www.bikeradar.com/us/news/
Bicycling
https://www.bicycling.com/news/
wired
https://www.wired.com/tag/bicycles/
Team Rumors
https://www.yardbarker.com/cycling
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Friday, September 14, 2018
Cycling videos
It could very well be true what they say - no one reads these days.
Regardless of how you may feel about that notion, you cannot ignore the power of online videos, newsfeeds, and other tools that great make information accessible.
Its also true cycling is mostly an individual sport. Consider the moment your club drops you. You know how it feels - there are few greater feelings of loss and even desperation when you watch your friends ride away from you as you struggle to get down the road. You don't know what got you in that position, or what to do.
And regardless of your cycling experience or strength level, it can seem your club members know something you don't. Otherwise, they wouldn't be way up there and you, well, where you are.
If you accept these notions, I'll ask you to consider just one more: YouTube can help you become a better cyclist.
I've collected a series of links for online cycling tutorials. I present them in levels of experience but urge even the most accomplished of you to review as many of them as possible. All of them offer tips and tricks and admittedly, some better than others. In future blogs, we'll explore more detailed aspects of all.
An editorial note: the first set of videos is by far the most important. Establishing a correct position on the bike is one of the most effective ways to make every other effort easier. Study those with care before doing anything else.
Establishing Correct Position on the bike
Tips for Beginning Cyclists
Helpful info for Novice Cyclists
Aid for even Experienced Riders
Anyone can go faster
YouTube -- Cycling
Recovery Rides
So you've just spent weekend climbing hills or doing a century. It was a hard ride, and you're wasted. You have little energy left, and as they say, you're so tired you can't sleep. Your legs are stiff, they keep cramping, and no amount of water seems to help.
Time to get some relief, time to get back on the bike.
Welcome to the world of a recovery ride. That's right, a little of the hair of the dog that bit. A short, easy spin will do wonders for bringing you back around, and here are additional tips on how to make them work better for you.
Whatever you did over the weekend, you built up toxins in your body that need to move through it. The best way to do that is to get the blood running through your legs in a gentle, yet effective fashion. So why not take a short spin? Listed below are some other tips on how to make the best use of your day after.
Rest or ride? - - How to master a recovery ride
Recovery rides - - A good use of your time?
Regardless of how you may feel about that notion, you cannot ignore the power of online videos, newsfeeds, and other tools that great make information accessible.
Its also true cycling is mostly an individual sport. Consider the moment your club drops you. You know how it feels - there are few greater feelings of loss and even desperation when you watch your friends ride away from you as you struggle to get down the road. You don't know what got you in that position, or what to do.
And regardless of your cycling experience or strength level, it can seem your club members know something you don't. Otherwise, they wouldn't be way up there and you, well, where you are.
If you accept these notions, I'll ask you to consider just one more: YouTube can help you become a better cyclist.
I've collected a series of links for online cycling tutorials. I present them in levels of experience but urge even the most accomplished of you to review as many of them as possible. All of them offer tips and tricks and admittedly, some better than others. In future blogs, we'll explore more detailed aspects of all.
An editorial note: the first set of videos is by far the most important. Establishing a correct position on the bike is one of the most effective ways to make every other effort easier. Study those with care before doing anything else.
Establishing Correct Position on the bike
Tips for Beginning Cyclists
Helpful info for Novice Cyclists
Aid for even Experienced Riders
Anyone can go faster
YouTube -- Cycling
Recovery Rides
So you've just spent weekend climbing hills or doing a century. It was a hard ride, and you're wasted. You have little energy left, and as they say, you're so tired you can't sleep. Your legs are stiff, they keep cramping, and no amount of water seems to help.
Time to get some relief, time to get back on the bike.
Welcome to the world of a recovery ride. That's right, a little of the hair of the dog that bit. A short, easy spin will do wonders for bringing you back around, and here are additional tips on how to make them work better for you.
Whatever you did over the weekend, you built up toxins in your body that need to move through it. The best way to do that is to get the blood running through your legs in a gentle, yet effective fashion. So why not take a short spin? Listed below are some other tips on how to make the best use of your day after.
Rest or ride? - - How to master a recovery ride
Recovery rides - - A good use of your time?
Recovery ride or rest week? - - What is it and when is it a good thing?
Thursday, September 13, 2018
Home Bike Shop
Ok, you're in slightly deeper than you thought - you've been riding for a while and have picked up a few bikes. The more you ride, the more you realize you're better off doing your mechanical work. You're better off because it gets expensive quickly and really, who wants to leave their bike in a shop when they could be out riding?
So you've decided to do your work. Good for you. It's not hard, and every new trick you learn applies to the mechanics of all your bikes.
Let's get started. The first step is to create a space to do the work.
Here are my top five considerations on doing your mechanical work:
1. No, the dishwasher won't clean parts.
2. The basement, garage or spare bedroom is the best place to set up your shop, not a corner of your living room.
3. Over time, you'll spend far less money on tools than you will on shop labor rates.
4. Keeping the shop clean is the best use of your time
5. You cannot have enough clean, accessible cotton rags.
There are several online resources offering tips and considerations for building your home shop. We've compiled many of them below.
Now, to get busy!
Building a home workshop.
https://bikerumor.com/2014/12/22/home-workshop-series-part-1-how-to-build-a-home-workshop-to-match-your-skills/
Budget conscious build outs
https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-repair/how-to-set-up-a-home-bike-shop-for-every-space-and-budget/
Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384072674445594703/
Google Images
https://www.google.com/search?q=Building+your+basement+Bike+shop&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid2u_gi7jdAhUBNKwKHSDJDvYQsAR6BAgEEAE&biw=1206&bih=1252
How to stock your shop with great tools.
https://www.bicycling.com/repair/a20010732/16-essential-bike-tools/
Which tools to start with
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/home-mechanic-tool-list-essentials
So you've decided to do your work. Good for you. It's not hard, and every new trick you learn applies to the mechanics of all your bikes.
Let's get started. The first step is to create a space to do the work.
Here are my top five considerations on doing your mechanical work:
1. No, the dishwasher won't clean parts.
2. The basement, garage or spare bedroom is the best place to set up your shop, not a corner of your living room.
3. Over time, you'll spend far less money on tools than you will on shop labor rates.
4. Keeping the shop clean is the best use of your time
5. You cannot have enough clean, accessible cotton rags.
There are several online resources offering tips and considerations for building your home shop. We've compiled many of them below.
Now, to get busy!
Building a home workshop.
https://bikerumor.com/2014/12/22/home-workshop-series-part-1-how-to-build-a-home-workshop-to-match-your-skills/
Budget conscious build outs
https://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-repair/how-to-set-up-a-home-bike-shop-for-every-space-and-budget/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/384072674445594703/
Google Images
https://www.google.com/search?q=Building+your+basement+Bike+shop&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid2u_gi7jdAhUBNKwKHSDJDvYQsAR6BAgEEAE&biw=1206&bih=1252
How to stock your shop with great tools.
https://www.bicycling.com/repair/a20010732/16-essential-bike-tools/
Which tools to start with
https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/home-mechanic-tool-list-essentials
Buy or Build?
There is an adage that goes "a farmer ain't worth a nickel if he can't field strip his tractor." What does that mean? It means if there is a breakdown in the middle of a field, who better to fix it but the person driving the rig.
Draw the parallel. You're out on a century with your club, say 60 miles in and suddenly you hear a noise you haven't heard before. It's a tick or a creak, and it's annoying. Your club members comment and you're embarrassed.
This could go one of two ways: You could ride on perhaps separating yourself from the group to give them relief, (or tell them to plug in their headphones and turn up the music).
The second option would require you to stop, hop off the bike, pull off your toolkit, make the adjustment and continue down the road in silence.
The lynchpin in this discussion is your knowledge of the mechanics of your bike. The rule is simple - the more you know, the more you can fix, and the mechanics of a bicycle are simple. Really.
My point is if you choose to build your bike as opposed to merely buying one off the shelf, your knowledge of how it works, (or how it doesn't work) expands exponentially.
The other advantage provided by building your bike is your ability to customize the componentry and get precisely what you want. There are limitations, but the essential idea is you can do mix and or match components to your liking and understand exactly what works best for you.
The costs are about the same, but the hitch is you'll need some tools, a bike stand, a space to work on it and the time to put it together, test it and make any adjustments. But again, there is a large number of web resources available to help you along the way.
So to assist you in your decision provided below are some resources. These are just the tip of web-based instructions on how to do just about anything on a bike.
Build or Buy? - - Why you should build your own.
The Helpful ins and outs. - - A beginners guide to building your own
Custom Dream Bikes - - A guide to finding your own
Steel Frame Builders - - Great builders from Gear Patrol
Dream Handmade Bikes - - Outside Magazine's take.
10 Best Custom builders - - From the 2018 NAHBS show
A basic list, but extremely helpful - - How to build up a bike
Like most mechanical procedures, building a bike is a process. Every process has needs a check list. Here's one from an industry standard, A Park Tools Guide to a building a bike.
Ok, you're in slightly deeper than you thought - you've been riding for a while and have picked up a few bikes. The more you ride, the more you realize you're better off doing your mechanical work. You're better off because it gets expensive quickly and really, who wants to leave their bike in a shop when they could be out riding?
So you've decided to do your work. Good for you. It's not hard, and every new trick you learn applies to the mechanics of all your bikes.
Let's get started. The first step is to create a space to do the work.
Here are my top five considerations on doing your mechanical work:
1. No, the dishwasher won't clean parts.
2. The basement, garage or spare bedroom is the best place to set up your shop, not a corner of your living room.
3. Over time, you'll spend far less money on tools than you will on shop labor rates.
4. Keeping the shop clean is the best use of your time
5. You cannot have enough clean, accessible cotton rags.
There are several online resources offering tips and considerations for building your home shop. We've compiled many of them below.
Now, to get busy!
Building a home workshop - - How to match your skills to your shop
Budget conscious builds - - A shop for revery space and budget
Pinterest - - Home bike shops
Google Images - - Home shops
How to stock your shop with great tools. - - ESSENTIAL tools!
Which tools to start with - - From the best supplier.
Draw the parallel. You're out on a century with your club, say 60 miles in and suddenly you hear a noise you haven't heard before. It's a tick or a creak, and it's annoying. Your club members comment and you're embarrassed.
This could go one of two ways: You could ride on perhaps separating yourself from the group to give them relief, (or tell them to plug in their headphones and turn up the music).
The second option would require you to stop, hop off the bike, pull off your toolkit, make the adjustment and continue down the road in silence.
The lynchpin in this discussion is your knowledge of the mechanics of your bike. The rule is simple - the more you know, the more you can fix, and the mechanics of a bicycle are simple. Really.
My point is if you choose to build your bike as opposed to merely buying one off the shelf, your knowledge of how it works, (or how it doesn't work) expands exponentially.
The other advantage provided by building your bike is your ability to customize the componentry and get precisely what you want. There are limitations, but the essential idea is you can do mix and or match components to your liking and understand exactly what works best for you.
The costs are about the same, but the hitch is you'll need some tools, a bike stand, a space to work on it and the time to put it together, test it and make any adjustments. But again, there is a large number of web resources available to help you along the way.
So to assist you in your decision provided below are some resources. These are just the tip of web-based instructions on how to do just about anything on a bike.
Build or Buy? - - Why you should build your own.
The Helpful ins and outs. - - A beginners guide to building your own
Custom Dream Bikes - - A guide to finding your own
Steel Frame Builders - - Great builders from Gear Patrol
Dream Handmade Bikes - - Outside Magazine's take.
10 Best Custom builders - - From the 2018 NAHBS show
A basic list, but extremely helpful - - How to build up a bike
Like most mechanical procedures, building a bike is a process. Every process has needs a check list. Here's one from an industry standard, A Park Tools Guide to a building a bike.
Home Bike Shop
Ok, you're in slightly deeper than you thought - you've been riding for a while and have picked up a few bikes. The more you ride, the more you realize you're better off doing your mechanical work. You're better off because it gets expensive quickly and really, who wants to leave their bike in a shop when they could be out riding?
So you've decided to do your work. Good for you. It's not hard, and every new trick you learn applies to the mechanics of all your bikes.
Let's get started. The first step is to create a space to do the work.
Here are my top five considerations on doing your mechanical work:
1. No, the dishwasher won't clean parts.
2. The basement, garage or spare bedroom is the best place to set up your shop, not a corner of your living room.
3. Over time, you'll spend far less money on tools than you will on shop labor rates.
4. Keeping the shop clean is the best use of your time
5. You cannot have enough clean, accessible cotton rags.
There are several online resources offering tips and considerations for building your home shop. We've compiled many of them below.
Now, to get busy!
Building a home workshop - - How to match your skills to your shop
Budget conscious builds - - A shop for revery space and budget
Pinterest - - Home bike shops
Google Images - - Home shops
How to stock your shop with great tools. - - ESSENTIAL tools!
Which tools to start with - - From the best supplier.
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Urban Cycling routes
Cycling in the city is almost as popular as was the tv show, sex in the city. No longer are urban cyclists typically found in short lycra pants, but instead today wild two-wheeled machines are a symbol of a balanced, urban lifestyle. And why not? Cities today are more and more bicycle friendly, providing wide bike lanes and trails aimed at getting riders from one side of the town to another.
But where are they? Who has the best and how can you get in on recognizing that getting around doesn't mean paying for gasoline.
Here are some links to some of the larger cities' maps and trails. And stay tuned. We're continually searching for new routes (and finding them).
Bike Net https://www.bikemap.net
Ride the City http://www.ridethecity.com
Google Maps (Be sure to type in your directions and hit the bicycle Icon for the best route accessible by bike) https://www.google.com/maps/
Strava https://www.strava.com/local/?hl=en-US
For anyone off to the UK, check this https://www.cycle-route.com
But where are they? Who has the best and how can you get in on recognizing that getting around doesn't mean paying for gasoline.
Here are some links to some of the larger cities' maps and trails. And stay tuned. We're continually searching for new routes (and finding them).
Bike Net https://www.bikemap.net
Ride the City http://www.ridethecity.com
Google Maps (Be sure to type in your directions and hit the bicycle Icon for the best route accessible by bike) https://www.google.com/maps/
Strava https://www.strava.com/local/?hl=en-US
For anyone off to the UK, check this https://www.cycle-route.com
Mountain Bike Major Events
Major Events and Mountain Bike Tours
There is a vast multitude of multi and single day bike tours offered through reputable organizations across the US. When sorting them out, look for well defined, time tested routes. It will be easier than you think to find clear maps with interesting points of views listed.
Start with https://www.adventurecycling.org/adventure-cyclist/online-features/top-10-mountain-bike-tours/, or give REI a look here: https://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/mountain-biking
If striking out on your own is more of your thing, this is a great place to check things out:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/lists/biking/best-mountain-biking-towns/ or https://www.mtbproject.com/featured/featured-rides/highest-rated or the UCI web site http://www.uci.org/mountain-bike
There is a vast multitude of multi and single day bike tours offered through reputable organizations across the US. When sorting them out, look for well defined, time tested routes. It will be easier than you think to find clear maps with interesting points of views listed.
Start with https://www.adventurecycling.org/adventure-cyclist/online-features/top-10-mountain-bike-tours/, or give REI a look here: https://www.rei.com/adventures/trips/mountain-biking
If striking out on your own is more of your thing, this is a great place to check things out:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/lists/biking/best-mountain-biking-towns/ or https://www.mtbproject.com/featured/featured-rides/highest-rated or the UCI web site http://www.uci.org/mountain-bike
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Recovery?
They're golden. You might not recognize it, but they are.
First, let's get this out of the way: What IS a recovery ride? In short, if club or group rides are on a Saturday, its the one you do on Sunday. Think about it. After your Saturday ride, you're probably completely spent Sunday morning. You have little energy, you ache and have very little interest in getting back on that bike. You'd rather sit and watch TV.
But the best thing you can do for your fitness is do just what you don't want to do - get back on the bike for a recovery ride.
The following tips will help you handle a recovery ride.
1. Relax. Don't forget your goal is to recover from the stresses of yesterdays ride, not create new stresses.
2. Use your Garmin/Strava
Just like many other situations, it's best to reduce recovery rides to a numbers game. You manage the stress level by concentrating on keeping your speed down.
3. Spin Spin Spin
Stay in low gears throughout your ride. Your purpose is to give your muscles the rest they need but allow for increased blood flow. A good mantra is "keep in mind, there is no grind."
4. Plan
If you're intent on meandering on your recovery ride, just be mindful of the amount of time you spend on the bike. A good rule is a recovery route should be 40 - 60% of the length of the ride you're recovering from.
Here are some videos to help you understand how to get the most out of recovery rides.
Should you or should you not?
Recovery ride or rest week?
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