After a two-year delay due to Covid-19, my husband and I were excited to finally be on the start line for the 2022 Oregon Trail Gravel Grinder (OTGG). The OTGG is a 5-day stage race in the Cascade mountains. Our trek included nearly 350 miles and more than 30,000 feet of climbing. A bonus of our...

 Why are so many athletes contracting COVID-19? This was the question my editor asked me a couple of weeks ago. In response, I explained that after exercising, our immunity is decreased. So, our risk of infection is greater following a workout. Consequently, if we are exposed to the...

Find Stunning * Find Character * Find Welcome

This is the promise of The Pioneer, a six-day mountain bike stage race. Without doubt, our character was tested and strengthened during this epic event that was held December 1-6, 2019. The stunning views were often covered in clouds, though we did...

Recently, during a hard week of training—including climbing intervals on the bike and heavy lifting in the gym—I woke up with intense tightness in my left glute. Previously, I had overworked my my right glute, which made it tighter. Now it was the left. I saw this as a good sign,...

Earlier this month my husband and I rode the Moab Century, a 100-mile bike tour, on our tandem. During our ride, we enjoyed the beautiful scenery, well-stocked aid stations, and camaraderie of being out on the roads with several other cyclists from around the country. Even though it's an "event,"...

If you are a competitive summer athlete, your cardiovascular training focus shifts during the fall and winter to over-distance and endurance aerobic workouts. Most people refer to these workouts as Long, Slow Distance (LSD). Through my interactions with people, I have noticed that athletes...

So you want to stay pain and injury free on the bike? Well, it all depends on the fitness of the body you bring into cycling and your approach to riding. Let me explain.

Body Fitness

More fundamental than your VO2 max or power output, total body fitness includes multiple things. These include...

The century ride is when you can cash in on all your bike hours in one long effort. All the training miles you've done, however, won't replace a smart eating plan for the event. A successful 100 mile ride is dependent on maintaining your energy level over the distance.

Carbohydrate - The Star...

Remember when cyclist Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France – seven times? If so, you might also recall how Lance popularized the fast spin of >90 revolutions per minute (rpm).

What are the advantages of spinning at a high cadence?

Increased blood flow… studies have...