What (kindle) book to learn about how to ride better as a non-racer?
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What (kindle) book to learn about how to ride better as a non-racer?
I'm looking for a book that will help me improve my cycling technique. I consider myself a commuter/touring/recreational cyclist, but most books out there seem to be geared towards people who wish they could be professional racers. I don't care about that stuff. I just want to be able to ride farther, faster without getting so tired. I've been riding as an adult for three years. I can do distances of up to 80 miles, maintaining an average speed of only about 12 or 13mph. I just want to ride better and I think at this point, I've plateaued. Any ideas?
Here are two examples of books that don't seem suited to the kind of riding I do.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846
https://www.amazon.com/The-Cyclists-T...m_sbs_kstore_2
Here are two examples of books that don't seem suited to the kind of riding I do.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846
https://www.amazon.com/The-Cyclists-T...m_sbs_kstore_2
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I found this book useful.... though I am doing more like 40 miles at 10 mph!
https://www.amazon.com/Distance-Cycli...dp/0736089241/
https://www.amazon.com/Distance-Cycli...dp/0736089241/
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Notice I left out mention of not getting tired. To ride father/faster, you need to push beyond your comfort zone and stress your system. It's the stress that causes your body to adapt and improve. Being tired is often a consequence of applying the stresses that lead to adaptation.
Last edited by Looigi; 05-21-13 at 08:43 AM.
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https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Maga.../dp/0875964869
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-...stance+cycling
2 really good books, Looigi is 100% correct there are really no shortcuts to plain old hard work.
There is a really good chapter in the Road Cycling book about Pete Penseyres on how he trained for the RAMM and set records in his 40's and 50's. He didn't do a lot of distance work ( 1x per week) but really focused on speedwork.
There is another chapter that really helped my overall riding speed, just attack hills 2-3x per week going at or above your anerobic threshold, it is very painful but it works.
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-...stance+cycling
2 really good books, Looigi is 100% correct there are really no shortcuts to plain old hard work.
There is a really good chapter in the Road Cycling book about Pete Penseyres on how he trained for the RAMM and set records in his 40's and 50's. He didn't do a lot of distance work ( 1x per week) but really focused on speedwork.
There is another chapter that really helped my overall riding speed, just attack hills 2-3x per week going at or above your anerobic threshold, it is very painful but it works.
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I'm not looking for short cuts, just an every man's training manual. Some of the samples I've read talk about shaving grams, riding in a pace line, aerodynamics, etc. Then they get into heart rate monitors and much more technical physiological stuff. Do I need to get into that to be a better rider?
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I keep it very simple, I don't worry about shaving grams, heart rate monitors, pacelines etc.
Aerodynamics certainly do help but you can achieve that through better flexability.
I don't worry about all the fancy training programs, too much to deal with. I just ride hills a lot, nothing will get you in shape faster.
Ride up a steep hill, My legs and lungs and body are screaming in pain, I let my self recover and do it again til I reach total exhaustion.2-3 times a week will work wonders.
You will see your average cruising speed rise and your endurance will improve.
Aerodynamics certainly do help but you can achieve that through better flexability.
I don't worry about all the fancy training programs, too much to deal with. I just ride hills a lot, nothing will get you in shape faster.
Ride up a steep hill, My legs and lungs and body are screaming in pain, I let my self recover and do it again til I reach total exhaustion.2-3 times a week will work wonders.
You will see your average cruising speed rise and your endurance will improve.
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https://www.amazon.com/Bicycling-Maga.../dp/0875964869
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-...stance+cycling
2 really good books, Looigi is 100% correct there are really no shortcuts to plain old hard work.
There is a really good chapter in the Road Cycling book about Pete Penseyres on how he trained for the RAMM and set records in his 40's and 50's. He didn't do a lot of distance work ( 1x per week) but really focused on speedwork.
There is another chapter that really helped my overall riding speed, just attack hills 2-3x per week going at or above your anerobic threshold, it is very painful but it works.
https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Book-...stance+cycling
2 really good books, Looigi is 100% correct there are really no shortcuts to plain old hard work.
There is a really good chapter in the Road Cycling book about Pete Penseyres on how he trained for the RAMM and set records in his 40's and 50's. He didn't do a lot of distance work ( 1x per week) but really focused on speedwork.
There is another chapter that really helped my overall riding speed, just attack hills 2-3x per week going at or above your anerobic threshold, it is very painful but it works.
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