In a world obsessed with PRs, KOMs, and QOMs on Strava, where every ride is a race against yourself and others, the significance of recovery often gets overlooked. As athletes, we tend to focus on celebrating our triumphs on the road or trail, forgetting that the key to sustained performance and growth lies in proper recovery. It’s time we also…
Preparing for a bicycle race involves more than just physical training. The final weeks leading up to the race are crucial for optimizing performance on the big day. In this blog, we will explore important aspects of final race preparation, including tapering, rest, proper nutrition, carbohydrate intake, the importance of sleep, and travel tips to ensure a non-stressful lead-up, enabling…
This past spring, during the 2023 Women’s Strade Bianche race in Italy, Kristen Faulkner from the Jayco-Alula Team was spotted with a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensor on her arm and disqualified from the race. The UCI regulations do not allow these CGM sensors to be worn during a race as they feel they would give a rider an unfair…
A pro cyclist friend of mine once told me that if you want to be a better climber, climb more. He was partially right, but a deeper dive into ways to improve your ability to go uphill can further develop this skill. Climbing is an essential skill for any cyclist who rides outside of a velodrome. Whether you’re a beginner…
Harder, better, harder, better, harder, harder, better, better…..not quite. Most cyclists train too hard all the time. Athletes without a plan often “go out for a ride” with no specific intensity plan and end up riding in a constant tempo zone all the time. A solution to this pitfall is polarized training. One of the key principles of polarized training…
Ketones have gained attention in recent years as potential performance-enhancing supplements for athletes, including cyclists. Ketones are produced by the body during periods of fasting or when following a very low-carbohydrate, high-fat ketogenic diet. They serve as an alternative fuel source for the body, particularly the brain and muscles, when glucose availability is limited. Here’s how ketones can potentially benefit…