Celebrating EXPERIENTIAL Bicycling for 25 Years
There is no doubt that adequate amounts of vitamins are necessary for health and optimal athletic performance. But, will supplementing with “excess” (i.e., more than the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)) enhance performance? This nutrition article describes the roles of vitamins in athletic performance and attempts to answer the question of whether cyclists will benefit from vitamin supplementation.…
The human body needs about twenty different minerals in order to function properly. And while all are important in one way or another for optimal athletic performance, certain minerals are particularly important because (a) they play a critical role muscle metabolism or (b) athletes are at increased risk for deficiency. These minerals include calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium and sodium.…
This is an exciting time of year for cyclists. Depending on how one spends time over the winter, a rider may have done more or less indoor cycling over the past few months. Cyclocross and mountain bikes can provide additional outdoor riding options when roads become slick or otherwise unwelcoming, especially when air quality down in our valleys is poor. And Fat Bikes have become increasingly popular, making abundant snowfall and lower temperatures less daunting for those determined to ride outdoors, weather be damned.…
For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), preparing for an athletic event whether it’s a 5K walk or a 100 mile bike ride, is not an option but a necessity.…
By Katherine A. Beals, PhD, RD, FACSM, CSSD and Breanne Nalder, MS, RD “Faster,” “leaner,”…
By Mark Deterline Shut It Down Blocking is an essential component of team racing. Generally…
The word “protein” is derived from the Greek word, “proteos” meaning first and, when it comes to reputation of this macronutrient in the diets of athletes, the name seems to fit. Surveys assessing the nutrition knowledge of athletes often find that they believe protein is more important than either carbohydrate or fat in athletic performance. But, is protein deserving of this position on the pedestal of the athlete’s diet? In this month’s nutrition article—the first of a three-part series-- we will take a look at the role of protein in cycling performance as well as protein recommendations for endurance athletes, considering the amount and timing of protein intake around training. In subsequent articles we will address the topics of meeting protein needs on a vegetarian diet and protein supplementation.…
As we discussed in the March 2013 issue of Cycling Utah, at its essence competitive cycling is a team sport. The successful professional teams tend to be the most organized and unified, and the best riders in the world often make contractual demands and commitments based on which riders they will call teammates.…
Martin conducted a study using 60 racers of all skill levels. He would vary crank length in 15mm increments, both longer and shorter. His findings showed that there was no power difference from one length to another, but that oxygen uptake was always better with shorter cranks.…
Each time we suggest it's time for a test, many of our athletes cringe and suggest postponing it until they feel better or stronger. Others love the challenge and look forward to it. Regardless, if an athlete wants the most out of structured training, especially if working with a qualified coach, we consider it indispensable.…
Momentum is what keeps the bike going straight. When you are riding at speed is it much easier to hold your line and go where you want to. If you go too slow, you will have to use more energy and focus just to keep your balance, instead of what you want to do – ride the trail cleanly and efficiently.…
The foot / pedal connection is one of the most valuable aspects of any bike fit because our experience shows us that a lot of a rider’s pain and discomfort can originate in the feet.…
