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Yoga for Cyclists

By Whitney Mah

Western society puts an emphasis on keeping in shape and staying active by lifting weights and spending hours doing cardio but there is a lack of interest in the benefits of stretching. Finding a balance between stretching, building muscle and strength, and increasing flexibility and mobility means practising not only one discipline

Read more . . . Yoga for Cyclists

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A Calorie is Not Just a Calorie

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Many diets encourage counting calories, because they treat all calories as equal. To lose weight they recommend eating low calorie foods. Low calorie foods usually translates into low fat foods. What’s the problem with this? All calories are not equal and the low fat, high carb diet that’s been touted by

Read more . . . A Calorie is Not Just a Calorie

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Your Bike — Your Brain-Part 2

How Riding Your Bike Makes You Happier

By  Clair Cafaro

So now we know that riding our bikes increases brain fitness (“Your Bike-Your Brain“). And you already know that riding your bike makes you feel great (those bugs in your teeth are evidence of your ear to ear smile). What you

Read more . . . Your Bike – Your Brain-Part 2

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How Can I Defeat Winter Despair?

Q:  I took up cycling three years ago and have gotten progressively addicted. Last year I rode almost 15,000 miles including many centuries. I could do it because I lived in Arizona.

But I moved to Wisconsin in September and can’t ride outside due to the cold and snow. I’m getting depressed

Read more . . . How Can I Defeat Winter Despair?

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Six Smart Carbs

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Not all carbs are created equal. There are good carbs and bad carbs. Good carbs have a low-glycemic index, and keep your blood sugar levels balanced, giving you more energy and helping you to stay fuller longer. Bad carbs, such as the old starchy standbys—pasta, potatoes and bagels–quickly convert to sugar

Read more . . . Six Smart Carbs

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Your Bike — Your Brain

How Riding your Bike is Good for your Brain -part 1

By Clair Cafaro

It’s obvious how fantastic you feel after a long ride or a tough race, quads throbbing as you challenge friends to the top of a climb or sprint against rivals to the finish line. What you may not be

Read more . . . Your Bike — Your Brain

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Cleat Positioning

By Mary Paterson

Positioning of the cleats is one of the most important elements of a bike setup because power is transferred from the rider to the bike through the foot/pedal interface.  Proper cleat position will improve biomechanical alignment between the body and the bike, optimizing efficiency and comfort. Proper cleat placement is essential

Read more . . . Cleat Positioning

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Benefits of Cycling at Home

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Cyclists everywhere agree that training indoors on a bicycle is not fun. In fact it’s boring. But consider your options. If you live in Canada or in the northern US it may be too cold, too wet, or too icy to ride outside for several months of the year. Yes, there

Read more . . . Benefits of Cycling at Home

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The Coast is Clear

By Heather Pardon
It’s plus 10 degrees celsius and the sun beckons me to get my wheels on the road. You wouldn’t think you’d be able to find such conditions anywhere in Canada on the 21st day of December, the Winter Solstice, but the Goddess of Winter Cycling had clearly blessed me so off

Read more . . . The Coast is Clear

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Don’t Wait for Spring: Get Tuned-up Now

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Last November I did something I’ve always wanted to do but have never made time for. I took my bike in for a spring tune-up. That’s right—at the end of the cycling season, not the beginning. Hey, it’s the easiest time to do it. I wasn’t using my bike. I hadn’t

Read more . . . Don’t Wait for Spring: Get Tuned-up Now

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Do Winter Cycling Shoes Work?

Q:  I hate shoe covers because they’re such a pain to get on. Does anyone make insulated winter cycling shoes? Do they work? – Mary P.

Coach Fred Matheny:  Some shoe covers are easy to get on – like the Gore Race Power model that has a full-length hook-and-loop strip

Read more . . . Do Winter Cycling Shoes Work?

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Winter Training For Cyclists: Fundamentals for a Strong Season

Spring is Just 2 Months Away!

How do you want to feel when spring 2012 rolls around?

a)      Toned
b)      Strong
c)      Cardio-fit and ready to go
d)      Flabby and tired
e)      a, b, and c

If you answered “e” then you need to start thinking about training today. Winter’s inclement weather can trap you indoors, making exercise more challenging

Read more . . . Winter Training For Cyclists: Fundamentals for a Strong Season

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Road Holland: Long-Sleeved Breukelen Jersey

Reviewed by Laurel-Lea Shannon

Made from 61% polyester and 39% merino wool with a full front zipper, the Breukelen is more than just a cold weather cycling jersey. Its classic design is form fitting, with enough room to layer underneath, making it a multi-tasking workhorse for your sports wardrobe.

Wear it on the bike in

Read more . . . Road Holland: Long-Sleeved Breukelen Jersey

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Your Most Important Muscles on the Bike

By Clair Cafaro

Think those razor cut quads are responsible for your cycling prowess? Think again.

 The legs tend to get all the credit when it comes to spinning your wheels, whether you’re indoors or out. In fact, it’s usually the quads and hamstrings that complain the most when your terrain

Read more . . . Your Most Important Muscles on the Bike

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How Does Snowshoeing Help Cycling?

By Fred Matheny

Q: Snowshoeing has become the hot crosstraining sport among the local cyclists in my area, but I don’t see the connection to riding a bike. What’s the carryover to cycling? — Tammi W.

Coach Fred Matheny Replies: I love snowshoeing! Unlike cross-country skiing, it has a shallow learning

Read more . . . How Does Snowshoeing Help Cycling?

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Time to Reflect

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Rushing through December—buying gifts, attending Christmas parties and planning family get-togethers—you can find yourself propelled into the New Year without having taken the time to pause for a deep breath to say a grateful “so long” to the year that’s passed.

Before bidding a final adieu to 2011, it’s important to take

Read more . . . Time to Reflect

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Bicycle Gifts $12 to $50

If you still have some last minute shopping to do for the cyclist in your life, check out these online buys. [These are the manufacturer's descriptions.]

Cyclopedia $16.50

Random House UK, 2010 – 448 pages

“The world of cycling is a veritable treasure trove ready to be plundered and in Cyclopedia, renowned two-wheeled aficionado,

Read more . . . Bicycle Gifts $12 to $50

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Exceeding Without Expectations

By Sheila Ascroft

Sometimes you can accomplish more when you’re not trying so hard. You can kind of sneak up on your psyche before it freaks out and says ‘you can’t do that.’

It happened to me on a “just out for a ride” kind of day. Since it was late fall, I

Read more . . . Exceeding Without Expectations

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Be Seen: Firefly Belt From Road ID

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

To make the roads safer for cyclists, advocates in Canada and the U.S. are lobbying for changes like the 1 metre passing law (3 feet) and greater motorist accountability. So it behooves all of us to make sure we know and follow the rules of the road, and cycle as safely

Read more . . . Be Seen: Firefly Belt From Road ID

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Pedal Choices – Part two

By Mary Paterson

MOUNTAIN BIKE PEDALS

Shimano Pedal M324

With many different models, Shimano SPD pedals are one of the most popular pedal choices today. They have between 5 and 6 degrees of float, are dual-sided and are easy to get in and out of.  But beware! do not buy imitation SPD pedals.

Read more . . . Pedal Choices – Part two

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Expect More From Your Indoor Cycling Instructor

By Clair Cafaro

You have many reasons for taking a spin class. Inclement weather during the riding season, long winter months and time constraints are all likely to drive you indoors. While riding the trainer is always an option, at times you crave the companionship that group exercise offers.

However, not all indoor cycling instructors

Read more . . . Expect More From Your Indoor Cycling Instructor

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Bouré Women’s Elite Thermo Tights

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

Cold weather rides are a breeze in these snug and comfy tights. With their enhanced 8-panel design and articulated hips and knees, Bouré’s Elite Thermo Tights fit like they’re custom-made, on and off the bike.

The Teflon-treated ThermoRoubaix fleece lycra is so soft it feels like you’ve slipped on a pair of

Read more . . . Bouré Women’s Elite Thermo Tights

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Interbike Report

By John Marsh

After last week touching on the Interbike products that struck a chord as the most exciting introductions this year, I’ll cover a number of products this week from the novel to the basic day-to-day sort that could improve your riding experience. I’ve included pricing and contact info when possible. RBR hopes

Read more . . . Interbike Report

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6 Stay-Lean Tips

By Laurel-Lea Shannon

The transition from cycling 6 to 8 hours or more each week in the summer to cycling a lot less in the fall can be tricky. As the outside cycling season winds down, the pounds can ramp up. Continue eating the same amounts you did in the summer, and you could

Read more . . . 6 Stay-Lean Tips

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Pedal Choice: Clipless Pedals?

By Mary Paterson

What Are Clipless Pedals?

Choosing pedals can be overwhelming and confusing. The purpose of any pedal is to transfer power to the bike. Should I try clipless pedals and if so which type? To start with, the name “clipless” pedals makes no sense at all because we ARE clipped into

Read more . . . Pedal Choice: Clipless Pedals?

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