Health and Fitness
10 Facts About Cycling to Work That Will Encourage You to Ride Even More
Lately, cycling to work has moved from a niche pastime to a noticeable trend among city residents looking for healthier, more sustainable ways of living. There’s a different feeling when you arrive by bike versus driving — I noticed a little extra spring in my step on days I biked into the office. It turns out there’s plenty of research and insight that backs this up. I wanted to dig a bit deeper and uncover ... Read more
The Simplest Strength Plan That Actually Works for Cyclists
For years, the cycling world has treated strength training like a complicated math problem. Cyclists have obsessed over periodization schemes, time under tension, free weights versus machines, and whether training to absolute failure is necessary. The result? Most riders either skip the gym entirely or spend weeks researching the “perfect” plan before ever picking up a weight. New science is here to cut through all of that noise. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) ... Read more
Do E-bikes Count as Exercise, Or Are They Just a Fun Ride?
By: American Heart Association Anyone who’s sweated their way up a hill on a traditional bicycle can understand the appeal of an electric bike, or e-bike. Who wouldn’t want a boost to get to the top? This probably explains why hundreds of thousands of e-bikes are now sold in the U.S. every year. “They basically feel like you have a tailwind the entire time,” said Dr. James Peterman, a researcher and data analyst in Boulder, ... Read more
The Ultimate Performance Enhancer: Why Sleep is a Cyclist’s Best Friend
By: Gary Robinson, AvidCyclist.com You have dialed in your training plan, perfected your macronutrient ratios, and invested in the lightest, stiffest bike components. You might even be diligent about your strength and conditioning routine. But if your sleep quality is poor, you are leaving significant performance gains on the table. Sleep is arguably the most critical tool in a cyclist’s performance arsenal, yet it remains the most neglected. Recent data suggests that up to half ... Read more
Ride Away the Years: How Cycling Can Combat Aging’s Challenges
We know cycling boosts our physical health as we age but can it also help us come to terms with getting older? By Nick Christian If you haven’t heard of American tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, count yourself lucky. At the same time, we apologise, because this is where your run of fortune ends. The lengths Johnson is reported to have gone to in an attempt to extend his time on earth include a daily cocktail ... Read more
“Endurance Fitness Is Rented, Not owned” – How To Regain Fitness Faster After Detraining
From sudden injury to life’s inevitable interruptions, we break down how detraining saps your power, what it does to your body and how to bounce back faster than ever. By James Witts Consistent cycling forges muscles akin to granite, a visible vascular network that impresses all and a positive outlook on life. But what happens when that consistency is interrupted by injury, illness or time-sucking life events, such as moving house or having children? How ... Read more
Cycling Recovery: Why Rest Days Are Just as Important as Training
Ask any rider what their training routine looks like, and you’ll likely hear about long climbs, intervals, or weekend centuries. What often goes unmentioned? Rest. Many cyclists—whether they’re pushing their limits on a road bike or tackling trails on a mountain bike—fall into the trap of thinking progress comes only from piling on more miles. In reality, your body grows stronger not during the ride itself but in the hours and days after, when recovery kicks in. The ... Read more
Cycling and Sleep Divorce
“Sleep divorce” is a practice where couples sleep in separate beds or rooms to achieve better, uninterrupted rest, which is a crucial factor in athletic recovery for cyclists. Prioritizing quality sleep, a potential outcome of a “sleep divorce,” directly enhances cycling performance and recovery by promoting muscle repair, restoring energy, and improving cognitive function. Sleep Divorce ExplainedA “sleep divorce” is an arrangement where partners mutually agree to sleep separately to address mismatched sleep needs or disturbances ... Read more
The Unspoken Advantage: Why Strength Training is a Game-Changer for Cyclists
By Jennifer Schumm: Personal Trainer, Fitness Coach FitByJenny.com Strength training is one of the most underrated performance tools for cyclists. Done well, it doesn’t “bulk you up”—it makes you more powerful, resilient, and efficient on the bike. If you’re looking to take your cycling to the next level, incorporating strength training into your routine is not just beneficial, it’s essential. This article will delve into the key benefits of strength training for cyclists, from boosting ... Read more
From WODs to Watts: How CrossFit Forges Fitter, Faster Cyclists
For many cyclists, the path to improvement is paved with long hours in the saddle, meticulous tracking of mileage, and a singular focus on the bike. While this dedication is the bedrock of cycling fitness, a growing body of evidence and a chorus of converted riders suggest that stepping off the bike and into the CrossFit box could be the most impactful decision a cyclist can make. By embracing high-intensity, functional fitness, cyclists can unlock ... Read more
