Of all the numbers a cyclist keeps track of, the most telling indicator of their speed is their power-to-weight ratio (often times expresses as watts per kilogram). The pursuit to become a faster cyclist normally places us on either side of this ratio, and in some cases, we find ourselves on the extreme ends of the spectrum. For…
This article is part 1 of 3 in a series focused on maximizing your training. Check out the next article here. Marginal Gains is a popular topic for cyclists these days, and for good reason. Finding fractions of a percent of improvement in every aspect of your life can add up to create impressive results. How you…
If you’re training for hours, whether long distance running, cycling, hiking, or another sport, there’s one fueling mistake you should be keenly aware of, and try to avoid: the mid-ride feast-and-bonk. Usually, the scenario goes something like this (this was sent to me by a potential client): This past weekend I did a road century…
Believe it or not, you may have the perfect fuel for your next run or ride sitting in your pantry right now. A “regular” food. You may not have to search through the sports nutrition aisle at your local shop or market. It’s possible that you can take a “regular” food, add a bit of…
Muscle cramps can bring the strongest of athletes to his or her knees in just an instant. One minute you’re running along at a race pace and the next, your leg is overcome with an intense, clinching and unyielding pain. Or, throughout a race, you can feel the sensation of a cramp coming on. You…
On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer: the lighter you are, the faster you can go. The less you eat, the lighter you are. Eat less, go faster—right? Not so fast. Although most endurance athletes want to be as light as possible, most who’ve tried, know it’s also important to be strong. Unfortunately, the…
One of the trickiest things about pro-level mountain bike racing is that it doesn’t exactly stick to one location. Events take place week in and week out all across North America and unless you’re one of the lucky few getting flown to them, you’re in for quite a bit of driving. Over the last 6…
When you think of training, do visions of health and fitness come to mind? Most likely they do, and for good reason. Consistent exercise and training obviously offer many health benefits. But for many athletes, it also carries the risk of going too far, actually damaging muscles and cells, and causing fatigue and chronic soreness.In…
Question: You’ve done several stage races, what have you found to work best for recovery methods to get through the stage race and how long will it take post-stage race before one can realistically expect to race in good form again? Answer: While many athletes put a large focus on training, fitness, and nutrition, I…
Do you have a favorite sports drink? If you’re one of the fortunate few who have found your match, the one that hydrates you well with fluids and electrolytes, without any stomach issues, and with a taste you look forward to drinking still in the fifth hour of a ride, you should congratulate yourself. The…