A few years back, someone shared with me a TEDx talk with Dr. Terry Wahls, who was sharing her struggle with multiple sclerosis. Dr. Wahl struggled with MS for many years before seeking to address the issue through diet and exercise and has experienced remarkable success. Some people have criticized TED and TEDx events for … Continue reading Planning to hit the Wahl;
Author: Bryan Coward
Amateur cyclist and outdoor junky.
Review; Ritchey Speedmax Tires
Cyclocross and gravel tires are tricky. It's a rabbit hole I've been traveling down since I start logging lots of miles on my Giant TCX in November, and so far the best tire I've found is the Ritchey Speedmax. Now I've been riding cross country mountain bikes since my childhood, and the Ritchey Speedmax has … Continue reading Review; Ritchey Speedmax Tires
What’s up with sports drinks?
Drinking an adequate amount of water is vital for peak performance. Specifically in the winter, when indoor training sessions leave puddles of sweat on the floor on a daily basis, it's easy to operate constantly dehydrated. If you're logging hours of training every day, the recommendation of eight glasses of water per day is likely … Continue reading What’s up with sports drinks?
Disc Brake Pad Selection;
Gravel riding is huge at the moment. It seems the consistent improvement of frame compliance, stiffness and weight has really narrowed the difference between a cyclocross and road bike, and so the world of gravel capable bikes has exploded. This is a great thing; Strava and speed are enticing and enjoyable, but the consistent pursuit … Continue reading Disc Brake Pad Selection;
Sweet Spot with VO2; “Kickers”
It's early in the season yet, but I'm making plans for workouts on commutes. One of the best ways to build fitness without building excessive fatigue is through Sweet Spot Intervals. Here's the sweet spot (the gold star), measured by training intensity and volume: Training volume and intensity lead to positive changes in fitness and … Continue reading Sweet Spot with VO2; “Kickers”
Rest Days and Goal Setting;
Back in October, I was training hard for a running race in November and I really started to appreciate rest days. I wrote a short blog post then on appreciating rest. For what it's worth, I always subscribed to a "train hard, race hard" mentality, but struggled with burnout and injuries. In August of 2018, … Continue reading Rest Days and Goal Setting;
Applied Research; Caffeine for endurance athletes
Caffeine is commonly cited as the most prevalent psychoactive drug in the world. The fantastic little molecule found in coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks, and increasingly found in endurance sports foods like energy gels and chews, is consumed by 80% of American adults on a daily basis. The inclusion of caffeine in endurance sport specific … Continue reading Applied Research; Caffeine for endurance athletes
Sweet Potato Turkey Chili;
I have a real soft spot for chili this time of year. Something about the heat, spice and savory flavors in the cold weather is just so satisfying, and it helps that chili can be made with a hearty mixture of vegetables, beans, and lean protein. Even better, it's easy to throw together a chili … Continue reading Sweet Potato Turkey Chili;
Applied Research; Strength training for female cyclists
Strength training has a funny reputation among cyclists. Many racers are concerned that lifting will lead to weight gain and bulkiness, which will be counterproductive to their goals. Further, many athletes most enjoy riding their bike and would prefer for training to be exclusively on the bike. But riding a bike at low or moderate … Continue reading Applied Research; Strength training for female cyclists
Faster, on the margin;
With the offseason, it's a great time to consider innovative ways to be faster. Throughout the training season, athletes get wrapped up building fitness to improve performance, but cycling is about more than just power through the pedals. Cycling racing is, above all, about being faster than the competition, so what factors affect your speed, … Continue reading Faster, on the margin;
