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Have you ever seen a giant redwood tree? Fewer things on this planet are as stable and sturdy as that. It would take quite a hit to knock one over. Thick trunk, deep roots, nothing is going to move it short of Thor and Ironman duking it out in Avengers 3. Alright, I know …
Cycling is an interesting sport, for several reasons to be honest. It is one that I’ve both loved (winning races on a MTB rocks!) and loathed (countless bouts of poison oak!) in the last six years. The way I can get crushed uphill by “Clydesdale Category” riders when I race “intrigues me.” Why some …
If you read the blog regularly, you’ve come to realize that it’s author is not one to shy away from ideas that go against the grain. While teaching our indoor cycling class last night, I realized another one: the key to riding faster does not reside in the legs. As our riders went through drills …
I see it every time I go to a big box public gym. People slogging away on the training floor with very little rhyme nor reason to what they’re doing. It very often goes like this: 1) See weight, pick weight up. 2) Form? What’s that? Look how much I can lift? You can …
Flats just look weird after all these years! Recently, I’ve read some information from James Wilson, MTB Strength Coach that has me absolutely fascinated. The long and the short of it is Wilson says that being clipped in can ultimately set you further to set you back in your training, teach improper pedaling mechanics and …
Here is another installment of “Fitness Facts You Should Read,” or people that I agree with because they are right! Seriously, it is a compilation of some of the better pieces of fitness writing I’ve come across in the last week to help you with your fitness goals. Enjoy!! Three Important Exercises You …
It is no secret that I’m not a fan of yoga and pilates and that I favor functional strength training to get people stronger, more mobile and improve the way they move. But, like Syths, is thinking in absolutes the best way to view the fitness paradigm? Is there a best way to train …
When you workout, you should always feel better when you’re done. If you were stiff, you should feel looser. If you feel achey, you should feel your body opened up. Oh, you may not enjoy the process, but once it’s done, you’re existence should be better. Unless your name is Al and you suck …
Sammy Squirrel has agreed to testify against the famous monkey The Simeon Cycling Association Magistrate (SCAM) Officials have issued a statement that they have found famous newspaper delivery monkey Curious George guilty of doping in 1953 when he made is first delivery. He was initially suspected due to the fact that he did the entire …
Bring this topic up in any circle of cyclists, and you may as well talk religion and politics at family functions. It is typically a recipe for circular conversations that go no where, leading to both sides holding firm on their positions. The most common view of weight training in the cycling world seems …
Joe Friel, cycling coaching guru, says “A steady diet of slow moderate riding will not improve peak performance. You must ride at intensities high enough to improve the three most critical markers to performance improvement: aerobic threshold, lactate threshold and velocity at VO2 max (Friel, “The Mountain Biker’s Training Bible”, 2000).” Unfortunately, most …
I’ve always wanted to write about this because I think it is an extremely interesting topic. A machine that has allowed broken runners to continue to move. It actually activates more glute maximus than walking. There is virtually no impact on the lower body as you move. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? On …
A few years ago at the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, CA I saw a bunch of posters for a book titled “The Race” by an author named Dave Shields. I had read about it in a few cycling news outlets, and it was pretty highly acclaimed. I didn’t really give much of a …
If you’ve ever wondered how/why someone gets into the world of strength training, here’s one path taken. It isn’t worthy of Disney and Pixar buying the movie rights, but its a decent rags to riches story none the less, enjoy! ====================================================================================== You all know that I train you. Train myself. Read about training. Write about …
About a month ago, my training on my bike came to a screeching hault. Well, not really but it sure’s hell felt like it. In Concepcion Rd in Los Altos Hills California, we’ve got a .83 mile climb that avg’s 2-3% at the most. Its something, that when I’m fit, I can do under 2:40. …