In winter your cycling needs are different than they are in summer. First you have to change the wheels on your bikes then you have to make sure that you have the right brakes. Once your bike is sorted and you are ready to hit the road you need to make sure that you are wearing the right gear. A good winter cycling jacket is key to keeping warm and comfortable during your winter bike rides. You winter cycling jacket should be able to handle weather conditions and stay out of the way while you cycle.
Meant for Cycling
You winter cycling jacket should be one that is meant specifically for cycling. Other waterproof jackets may provide you with the warmth you need but can get in the way when you cycle. A jacket meant for cycling will have long sleeves that are comfortable for you to stand up and cycle, the sleeves will be designed in such a way that it is comfortable to do this without any tightness at the shoulders. They also have a section at the back that will cover your butt and help keep mud off your shorts.
The next thing you want to look at is the material your winter cycling jacket is made of. A good winter cycling jacket will have good breathable material that is weather proof. Weatherproof material is very important as winter rides can mean rain and unexpected sleet. You need to be prepared, you winter cycling jacket should be able to keep you warm as well as dry. You may not be able to find completely waterproof jackets but you can find water resistant ones that will do a pretty good job.
Remember that your jacket is not the only thing that you will be wearing. Layering is a very important part of keeping warm during winter bike rides. Keep spare layers in a bag wrapped in plastic just in case you didn’t wear enough layers when you set out. Although important, you should not rely totally on your winter cycling jacket for warmth.
Most good jackets will cost you quite a bit. Don’t skimp and look frothed cheapest one, if you are a serious cyclist then buy something that will last you more than one winter. You will need something that is of good quality as cheap jackets don’t do a good job and protect you like they should. Spend the little money and you will reap the benefits in the long term.
April 24 2008 | cycling | 1 Comment »
For many athletes, the off season is not a season of rest. It is a season of increased training, of improvement and of power. Many athletes use the off season to train harder, train faster and train longer. The season may have pointed out some flaws, or they may have become aware of certain shortcomings. In the off season, these specific traits can be improved or fixed altogether. In the world of cycling, the off season is an important season. While injured cyclists may need to take some time, healthy cyclists will have a lot to go over. Maybe their endurance needs work, or their top speed. Maybe their hills are weak or their acceleration could be stronger. Regardless of what needs to be fixed, the cure is simple—power cycling exercise routines.
Making the Most of the Break
No matter how hard they train, some cyclists just cannot improve in the off season. The reason is that their fitness plateaus. Their muscles have memorized the motions of cycling so well that they are no longer challenged. When the muscles are not challenged, they do not grow stronger. Power cycling exercise routines help to pinpoint exactly which parts of a cyclist’s body are no longer being challenged, and help to develop no ways to challenge those muscles. The art of sports science is designed to build better athletes by developing programs based on individual monitoring and test results. With these results, fitness professionals can give each individual cyclist the perfect power cycling exercise routines to improve his or her strength, speed and endurance.
Power cycling exercise routines combine physical assessments, individual exercise prescriptions, performance reviews, hardware, software and analysis. The routines can be done at home or in local health clubs, training centers or cycling shops. Power cycling exercise routines work by stressing the necessary muscles of individual cyclists, the muscles that need the most work and improvement; consequently, each cyclist is locked into his or her personal training zone ensuring that every moment spent training is of the highest quality.
For both serious athletes and amateur athletes, aerobic exercise is not enough. Running or riding a bicycle for half an hour will not challenge anyone. Instead, training needs to be applied for a specified time, at a specified intensity specific to each individual. With the use of computer programs, power cycling exercise routines help cyclists to highlight their specific intensity zones, ensuring that each cyclist is challenged. Power cycling exercise routines are so specific that they even make use of blood lactate analysis to ensure that the exercises are right for the individual. Almost every athlete is guaranteed to see immediate improvements using power cycling exercise routines.
April 21 2008 | cycling | No Comments »