As winter tightens its grip, I’m seeing a lot of bikes that are ‘plain tore up’, as one of my favorite old mechanics used to say. Your bike or fleet of bikes have seen a lot of hard hours and miles this year, and this is a smart time to get your equipment tuned …
There is absolutely nothing more frightening than breaking a handlebar or stem while riding a bicycle. In the 40 years I’ve been riding, some of the worst non-collision crashes I’ve ever seen (meaning not getting hit by a car or colliding into a mailbox) have resulted from breakage or slippage of a cockpit component. …
While the road racing season has dwindled down for the year, the Gran Fondo season continues to run strong through October with Levi Leipheimer’s King Ridge Grand Fondo today and Hincapie Gran Fondo coming up on October 22nd. I will often encourage athletes to sign up for a fall Gran Fondo, because it’s a great …
Cyclocross is one of the most accessible disciplines in the spectrum of cycling events. The events are short, venues don’t require closing streets, and it’s spectator friendly. That, and a cyclocross bike is probably the most versatile bike you can buy; a go anywhere do anything bike at home on pavement, gravel, bike paths, and …
Wow, August is over already!? This summer has flown by and hopefully you’ve made the most of it. It’s been an incredible summer for CTS Athletes. Throughout the summer I’ve tried to call out and recognize the accomplishments of many athletes, amateur and elite, but in reality, I’ve only scratched the surface. I wish all of …
Whether you are a triathlete, runner, skier, cyclist, or rower, endurance athletes need accurate physiological data to guide and monitor training. Lactate threshold is one of the most commonly, and effectively, used performance markers used by many athletes and coaches. The point of lactate threshold testing is to learn the highest intensity you can sustain …
After a fantastic series of road cycling events at the Rio Olympics, it is time for track cycling! The 4km Team Pursuit is the track event that captures my attention more than others, mostly because CTS Coaches have worked with two of the four teams in medal contention. A lot of cycling fans are only …
By CTS Pro Coach Jim Rutberg With the velodrome events about to begin at the Rio Olympics, at least two teams (Team USA and Team Canada) have benefitted from an effective but little-known training technique called hyperoxic training. Athletes who have traveled between sea level and moderate altitude (5,000-10,000 feet above sea level) know the …
Descents are free speed. You spend almost every second of a bike ride pedaling and working to move forward, but the descents are your reward and your opportunity to make up time. Professional cyclists execute risky descending techniques far above the skill level of most amateurs. However, all cyclists can gain valuable insights on how …
Combining quality professional coaching and a cycling power meter is the best way to improve cycling performance. Static training plans and self-coaching can be good introductions to training, but athletes quickly reach the limitations of both. Merely purchasing a cycling power meter is a step in the right direction. However, it’s important to take these …