Cycling Secrets
The Cycling Secrets lens is the squidoo of www.cycling-secrets.com - a cycling resource and community site. It offers free software for cyclists, provides resources and information and supports a number of bicycle related charities.
Cycling Training
Smart Cycle Training - Lay down the base miles first
One of the most common mistakes cyclists make when taking up the sport is to do too much to soon.It is natural to be enthusiastic about a new pursuit that you enjoy and wish to excel in but it's important to remember one simple fact. Your fitness and physical ability does not improve while your cycling it improves while your resting and in recovery. If you don't allow enough recovery time regeneration cannot occur and your performance and development will plateau. Training for cycling necessarily puts stress on your system. During recovery periods these systems build to greater levels to compensate for the stress that you have applied. This ultimatley results in a higher level of performance - but only if you have allowed enough time for full recovery.
You need establish a sensible and informed training program especially when beginning in any endurance sport. If you do too much too soon or don't allow a reasonable recovery time after each training session you run the risk of over training which will not only affect your physical ability and performance but also your motivation which could result in you not pursuing the sport at all. Over training can result in a drop in physical ability.
Every coach will agree that the vital first part of any training program is laying down a solid mileage base to build on. This means before putting in solid and consistant time on the bike and you should look to build a mileage base of around 500 miles or 800 km at the beginning of the season before starting a structured program. The weekly distance covered should only be increased by 10% each week.
Ten hours of training per week is often the recommended amount for fast recreational cyclists. The enevitable question is ' Wouldn't more be better?' Simply put - if your smart about your training more is not better. There is extensive research data to show that fewer training sessions per week at the same intensity will result in the same benefit.
The most important part of your well considered training program is feedback. This will give you the ability to increase your time and distance in a controlled way and establish the most effective training for yourself.
The best method of getting this feedback and monitoring your progress is a training log. There are a number of possible solutions for logging your rides but the best are software based allowing you to record not only the distance and time of your rides but also general health indicators such as weight, BMI, resting heart rate and notes on perceived effort. Cycling-Secrets.com offers free software that also includes maintenance alerts and graphical representation of the input data.
Remember rest is a vital part of training - make sure you plan for it in your program and you'll progress faster. Get more resources and free cycling software at www.cycling-secrets.com
Great Cycling related products
Cafe press Cycling Stuff
Cycling Technique
How to Draft Effectively and Safely
A clear and simple description of slip streaming for cyclists. Slip Streaming can be both exhilarating and daunting. This video outlines some of the physics and advantages - and a few things to look out for to remain safe. Visit http://www.cycling-secrets.com
Great Cycling Books -
Take your cycling to the next level.
Blazing Saddles: The Cruel and Unusual History of the Tour de France by Matt Rendell
In this fascinating book, award-winning sports wri more...0 points
The Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel
The Cyclist's Training Bible is designed to help a more...0 points
Mastering Mountain Bike Skills by Brian Lopes, Lee McCormack
Increase your speed, control, and versatility on t more...0 points
Cross-country
Downhill
Mountain cross
Free riding
Dirt jumping
Urban terrain
With top pro mountain biker Brian Lopes as your teacher, you'll learn how to handle the bike better than ever, in any conditions, across all types of terrain. Key tips and special photo sequences throughout the book add insight to Lopes' world-cl...
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Zinn and the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance by Lennard Zinn
The most concise, well-organized, and clearly illu more...0 points
Zinn and the Art of Road Bike Maintenance (2nd Edition) by Lennard Zinn
Road bikes are surprisingly complex machines, but more...0 points
It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong, Sally Jenkins
The #1 New York Times bestseller with legs as stro more...0 points
The Bicycling Guide to Complete Bicycle Maintenance and Repair: For Road and Mountain Bikes(Expanded and Revised 5th Edition) by Todd Downs
This revised, updated, expanded fifth edition is i more...0 points
We Might As Well Win: On the Road to Success with the Mastermind Behind a Record-Setting Eight Tour de France Victories by Johan Bruyneel, Bill Strickland
On the tour and inside the mind of Johan Bruyneel, more...0 points
Cycling Secrets Guest Book
Let us know what you think and what you want.
danieldelmain wrote...
Bicycling is the way to go. I traded my car for a bike and have never looked back. Cool site.
Posted November 08, 2008
Bicycles For Humanity
Give Your Old Bike A New Life
Bicycles for Humanity take disused bikes and puts them to great use in developing countries. There are chapters all around the world to donate your bike and time to. Visit http://www.bicycles-for-humanity.org and http://www.cycling-secrets.com for more information of this great initiative.
Great Cycling Gear on Ebay
Get a wide range of great cycling gear for the best price right here on e-bay.
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