Coaching Archives - Page 32 of 33

Smoothing Your Pedal Stroke

Have you ever watched a pro cycling event like the Tour de France and marveled at how man and machine are almost one being? Isn't it remarkable how smoothly and efficiently each rider can propel their machine forward at speeds that make us mere mortals raise our eyebrows in amazement? Have you then compared them to some of the folks on your local group rides and seen the night and day difference? Maybe you are one of those riders who resembles a semi truck as opposed to a Ferrari, and you want to change that.

You're probably worried that "I can't change that, those guys are gifted." Well, yes, that is true to some extent. Those guys spend their entire lives training and racing, and the vast majority of them are genetically gifted with high VO2 max and incredible natural ability. But you can still improve your pedaling technique, which will put you on the path to being more efficient and stronger on the road. And it won't cost your entire training week to accomplish, either.

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Tags: Coaching, skills, training|

Cycling Skills: Riding Winter Roads

A week ago, the northeast was the victim of a brutal snowstorm that buried parts of New England under up to 21" of snow. Heavy, wet, tree snapping, power killing snow. Now, not only did this put all but the most dedicated hard men inside due to precipitation and frigid temperatures, it's raised the spectre of "winter roads." You see, now that winter has reared it's ugly head, we're left with roads covered in salt, cinders, leaves, branches and other debris. Staying safe on "winter roads" can be fraught with proverbial potholes, so here's a few tips to make the ride smoother (and safer.)

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Tags: Coaching, skills|

Cycling Skills: Riding Dirt Roads

Ahh fall…the time of year when a young cyclist's fancy turns to thoughts of wind vests, leg warmers, and dirt roads. No, I'm not talking about giving up your skinny tires for the thick tired, mosquito-infested world of mountain bikes. I'm talking about throwing out your inhibitions and take the left turn down the road that you've passed by a hundred times before. I'm talking about riding across that asphalt/dirt demarcation with confidence and a smile. I'm talking about not being afraid to bring your bike home looking like it's more a ‘cross bike than a road bike. But like riding in the rain, a few simple precautions can make the ride easier and (dare I say) more fun.

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Tags: Coaching, skills|

Cycling Skills: Riding in the Rain

With the arrival of Hurrican Irene to the east coast, it comes to mind that perhaps a post on rain riding skills is necessary. Although it's unlikely that you'll be out in anything even remotely resembling a hurricane, rain can still present a hefty challenge, especially if you're not prepared for it.

Think Ahead and Prepare

This should be a no brainer, but check your forecast before you ride. If there's a threat of rain in the forecast, you should consider preparing yourself for a (possible) wet excursion. This means simple things like packing a rain jacket and letting a few PSI out of your tires. It also means changing riding style to be a little more cautious and take fewer risks. Essentially, each one of the following tips is designed to get you home safely and more comfortably.

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Tags: Coaching, training|

Cycling Skills: Reading the Road

There's an old saying that goes something like this: "the smartest rider wins the race, not the strongest." Part of being a smart rider is being able to read the road and adjust your efforts accordingly. I've talked a lot on this blog about climbing position and climbing efficiency, but all the technique and efficiency in the world won't do you any good if you don't use it properly. So, that being said, let's take a look at how to read the road.

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Tags: climbing, Coaching, road, training|