The Pros and Cons of Altitude Training Camps
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “The Time Crunched Cyclist” and “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Athletes use altitude training camps to stimulate the production of red blood cells, thereby increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of their blood. There are other benefits, too, but the increase in red blood cells is the most …
How to Get Kids Into Cycling and Junior Bike Racing
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “The Time-Crunched Cyclist”, “Ride Inside“ and “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” High school mountain bike leagues are transforming the landscape for Junior (racing age 18 and under) cycling in the United States. As cyclists ourselves, we are motivated to share our love for the sport with our …
Cornering Skills to Ride Faster, Safer, and More Confidently in Turns
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach and co-author “The Time-Crunched Cyclist“ Car enthusiasts long derided American muscle cars for being great in a straight line and useless in corners. European performance cars, they argued, were designed for drivers. They had power for speed but also advanced suspension, steering, and weight distribution for superior handling. …
Two Short Rides or One Long Ride: Which is Better For Training?
by Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “Ride Inside“ and “The Time-Crunched Cyclist” We received a question about short or long rides and thought we’d answer it for everyone. Here’s the question: “Would it be preferable to ride 6 hours in one day with a day off following, or 2 days back to back …
What Is Normalized Power And How Is It Used In Cycling Training?
by Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “Ride Inside“ and “The Time-Crunched Cyclist” Normalized Power® (NP) is a valuable training metric used to account for the variability of power output during different types of rides and races. It is also used in calculations for other common training metrics, including Training Stress Score, Intensity …
Myths about Post-Workout Protein and Recovery Drinks
By Chris Carmichael and Jim Rutberg (updated March 2024) Reviewed by Stephanie Howe, PhD (March 2024) Myths abound in all areas of training and nutrition. There are many misconceptions about the role of protein in recovery, the amount of protein endurance athletes need, and when to use specific recovery drinks. Here are a …
Spring Training Mistakes Cyclists Should Avoid
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “Ride Inside“ and “The Time-Crunched Cyclist” You cannot expect to train the same way year-round and perform at your best in a specific season. Summer sports athletes build fitness in the winter and create performance in the spring so they can win in the summer! By making …
Why CTS Coaches Are Teaching Virtual Cycling Classes in 2024
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “Ride Inside“ and “The Time-Crunched Cyclist” With the abundance of indoor cycling apps already available, the biggest question I get about “CTS Live” is: Why now? Why would the CTS Coaches and I launch live, coach-led virtual cycling classes in this crowded and competitive space? Having …
Cycling Cadence: Economy, Efficiency and How to Train Low and High Cadence to Ride Faster
By Chris Carmichael, CTS Founder and Chief Endurance Officer Pedaling is the most important skill for a cyclist to master. Yet, because most people learn to pedal as toddlers, there’s an assumption we’ve mastered it by adulthood through sheer repetition. For athletes looking to optimize performance on the bike – any type of bike …