Setting S.M.A.R.T.E.R goals. I recently got together with my racing team to set our goals for this upcoming race season. It’s easy to say, “I want to increase my power:weight” or “I want to be faster.” The thing about goals is that if you set broad ones, you’ll get broad results. You won’t know if…
Simply put, functional strength training is strength training exercises that are useful. You’re not going to build glam muscles with functional strength training. Instead, you’re building strength to excel in your sport – in our case, cycling. Sure, you’ll look good too. Major Muscles Used in Cycling The major muscles used in cycling are…
There are a lot of reasons to be happy around this time of year, but sometimes that just isn’t life. The thing about life is that it’s always challenging you. Once you overcome a challenge, life tests you again. It’s nothing personal. It happens to everyone. We are constantly faced with challenges and every one…
“Here comes Monster McWhirt. This is what racing is all about, folks!” the announcer yelled over scratchy speakers as I raced through another lap in front of the pack, legs pumping, heart thumping. — The race started with a whistle and a missed pedal. My biggest challenge this season was not just the racing, but…
I never realized how much of an affect my period has on my training. That goes for any woman. I always thought when I lacked energy or felt weaker or what have you, I thought that was just me sucking. After coming in Dead Fucking Last at a Time Trial Championship, I wanted to find…
It had been a month since the previous race due to being side-lined from the saddle sore and I chose a Hill Climb with three miles of dirt. Because why not? This was my first Hill Climb and I had no idea what to expect. I had no plans other than to keep it steady…
‘Tis the season to find a team either for your first time or your 22nd. Applications are opening and recruiting is in full force. If this is your first time, it’s intimidating. There’s a ton of information, but no real concise way to use it practically. I remember when I decided to join a team,…
Two and a half weeks ago I had a saddle sore excised. As in, I paid a licensed doctor to numb my groin, draw a diamond shape with a blue marker across my skin, and, with a [hopefully] sharp knife, cut about an inch of flesh out of my crotch. Now I’ve had surgeries before:…
There are a lot of cross-something or others zipping around these days: cross, cx, CrossFit, cross-training, and plenty o’ others. So what is “cross-training” and why should you care? Cross-training is simply working out your body in the same manner as your main sport does, but without doing your main sport. The goal of cross-training…
I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I decided to ride with some of my pedal RACING teammates. Not long after we left the Start line, were we hammering it to the halfway point. My goal was to PR the ERock Century Ride, but I wasn’t expecting to go this fast. I…