November 4 – Articles of the Week
Each week we bring you interesting articles in cycling, running, triathlon and endurance sports.
How do I eat while riding? Ask Ella
The night before I go on a ride I like to assemble everything, so I can spend the minimum amount of time getting ready and therefore manage the maximum amount of sleep. When I’m doing this, I’m always trying to find a reason to ditch that extra item I grabbed so I don’t have to fit it in my back pocket. I dread carrying too much. Though, I’ve learnt this minimalist attitude isn’t such a great idea when it comes to ride nutrition. If there is one thing that’s clear, it’s that bonking is way too high a price to pay for a light load.
The preparation is definitely the first part of getting fuelling your ride right and there is no more basic component of that than actually having something with you to eat! But let’s not forget the consumption part. You can have a whole portable chiller full of goods, like I did the time when I did an Everesting, but if you don’t eat it then it’s not much use.
Sometimes, though, eating it is the part of the equation that’s easier said than done. For some, simply manning a bike and chomping down fuel isn’t easy and then if you go and throw in tricky packaging that’s hard to wrangle it is game over. Others also struggle with the consistency of ride snacks. Gels can sit badly with some and make them feel queasy, and sometimes solid foods can be too much and feel too heavy.
Thoughts every rider has during her first cyclocross event
We are well into the cyclocross season here in the US, and after missing most of last season (because I was frolicking in the sunshine in the Southern Hemisphere) I am falling in love with ‘cross all over again. All those friendly familiar faces, the hand-ups and shenanigans, the different terrain, the sloppy mudfests that make you feel like a kid again, and the hard workout you get –should you choose to go hard. It is all this that keeps me coming back weekend after weekend.
It’s silly, fun and not intimidating yet it can also be a huge challenge. It’s simply one of those sports you can make whatever you want it to be. And it’s, in my opinion, the gateway to getting more people into bike racing.
If you’ve ever considered racing, ‘cross is a great way to start. It’s somewhere between 35 and 60 minutes of racing in a setting that’s away from traffic and where you can’t get dropped because you’re doing circles.
If you’ve never considered pinning on a number to compete, but you like bikes and also enjoy the tough mudder or obstacle course running events, what are you waiting for? You’d love it.
Gallery: Images from ‘Greg LeMond: Yellow Jersey Racer’
Greg LeMond is America’s only recognized Tour de France winner, yet his three Tour victories tell only part of his story. Now a new book, Greg LeMond: Yellow Jersey Racer, celebrates LeMond’s entire amazing career and his lasting influence.
LeMond was a talented all-rounder, with a reputation as one of the canniest racers of his generation. As adept at racing on the cobblestones of the spring classics as he was on the mountains of the Grand Tours, LeMond rode a full racing season from spring to autumn. His never-say-die spirit also bagged him two World Championship titles and podium finishes at the world’s toughest bike races.
LeMond was admired by his peers, and respected by his rivals, yet his influence on cycling extended off the bike as well. He was the first cyclist to command a $1 million salary, raising the stakes for all other teams and riders and pushing the Tour organization to reach more spectators through expanded TV coverage. He was the first cyclist to focus almost exclusively on winning the Tour de France and World Championships, knowing they were most valuable to his fans and sponsors. His superstar talent and charisma broke cycling into the mainstream media with multiple turns as Sports Illustrated Athlete of the Year.
Greg LeMond: Yellow Jersey Racer — written by Guy Andrews, founder and editorial director of Rouleur — documents LeMond’s legendary career year by year: from his early promise as a young rider of limitless talent, to his raw battle to take victory in the 1986 Tour, to his unbelievable comeback from near death, to the resurgence of his career as he faced a new generation of supercharged EPO athletes.
Key moments in LeMond’s career are documented with incisive writing, intimate interviews with teammates and rivals, and illuminating photography. Many of the famous protagonists in LeMond’s world — rivals, teammates, and friends — contribute extensive interviews, speaking candidly about his incredible career and his continuing legacy in the sport of cycling.
LeMond is known best for winning the Tour de France in amazing fashion, but Greg LeMond: Yellow Jersey Racer celebrates the entire fascinating career of the rider known as either “LeMonster” or simply “The American.”
6 Steps to Follow When Planning Your Next Triathlon Season
With thousands of races to choose from, finding the right triathlon can be an overwhelming task. Use these 6 steps to narrow down your search and choose the right races for your next season.
How To Master Downhill Trail Running
Technical trail running—where you’re negotiating rocks, roots and the like—can be challenging, even on flat and uphill terrain. Add the speed generated by gravity and downhill trail running can be an exercise in trying your hardest to not roll an ankle or take a sprawling fall. Get comfortable at it, however, and running a rocky, rooty, rutty or twisty downhill trail can be downright gleeful.
You may have heard tips like “choose your line,” which means picking your way through a technical trail by taking the path of least resistance. Or the one about looking where you want to run instead of looking where you don’t (an old mountain biking trick). And you may have seen masterful trail runners with a wide arm swing for added balance.
The historic Dipsea trail race, a 7.4-mile run over the hilly terrain between Mill Valley, Calif., and Stinson Beach, is one of the most famous technical races of all. We asked three-time winner Brian Pilcher for his tips on learning to master running downhill.
30-Minute Strength Session For Triathletes
Using Run Power to Perfect Your Ironman Run
Coach Jim Vance analyzes two running power files from the IRONMAN World Championships and explains how running power meters can help you define the specific intensity for your Ironman run training and racing.
Why Planning With Training Stress Score is the Most Accurate Way to Plan Your Season
We asked Expert Coaches Alan Couzens and Jim Vance to explain why and how they plan their athletes’ seasons with Training Stress Score (TSS).
How To Plan Your Season with Training Stress Score
The best workouts are measured by both duration and intensity. Learn how to plan your season with Training Stress Score (TSS) and event Fitness (CTL) methodologies to reach your peak performance for race day.
November 4, 2016 @ 3:36 pm
Greetings,
The tips are really great. I am 77 and feel I remain motived due to good info out there.
Best