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How to Battle the Common Cold While Cycling

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how to battle the common cold while cycling
Doctors often say that a cold lasts seven days without treatment, and one week with it. But seriously, the cold is the most frequently occurring illness worldwide and as cyclists you’re probably very aware of that fact. How to battle the common cold while cycling is a double-edged sword. Too much riding can initiate or make a cold worse. Just the right amount of cycling can help you from getting a cold in the first place.

What it Is

A cold is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by a virus that becomes a viral infection. Although medical science is still arguing about it, growing evidence suggests that at least among adults, cold viruses are passed from person to person primarily by being inhaled into the nose and air passageways. More than 200 different viruses cause colds. Learning how to battle the common cold while cycling is more important than ever during the winter months.

Cold and Damp

Any advice about how to battle the common cold while cycling should include advice from your childhood. But it likely contradicts what you’ve been told since you were riding a trike. Damp, cold or drafty weather does not increase the risk of getting a cold. According to most cold researchers, cold or bad weather simply brings people together indoors, which leads to more person-to-person contact. So that cold ride is not directly related to your cold symptoms even though that’s what it might feel like.

Meds and Symptoms

Most nonprescription medications including antihistamines, decongestants, cough medicines, and analgesics provide only temporary relief of the symptoms of a cold. These types of medications make you feel more comfortable while your immune system is at work fighting the infection. To eliminate the cold, the immune system makes antibodies to destroy the virus and that takes three to four days. Common antibiotics have little value in the treatment of the common cold.

Battle the Common Cold While Cycling

Training hard on your bike makes you perform better on the bike. But a tough session can actually compromise your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to colds. Recent studies show that there are physiological changes in the immune system that happen when a person exercises.

Moderate Cycling

 Tim Noakes, is a professor of exercise and sports science at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He says that mild to moderate exercise prompts the immune system to:
  • Release a protein called endogenous pyrogen, which increases the body’s temperature, making it more hostile to invading bugs
  • Produce more interferon, a protein that is active against viruses
  • Increase the activity of ‘killer’ white blood cells

“The combined effect of these proteins and cells is to reduce the risk of an athlete developing an infection.” Noakes says. “This gives rise to the concept that mild to moderate levels of physical activity enhance immunity, whereas high levels of training and competitive stress increase the risk of infection.”

Cyclist Versus Sedentary

Mike Gleeson is a professor of exercise biochemistry at Loughborough University. He sums it up like this: “Athletes are not necessarily at greater risk of catching colds — apart from when the athlete participates in a very prolonged, fatiguing endurance session or competitive event when the immune system becomes temporarily depressed, and this can increase infection risk.”
In short, during a particularly hard training week, and especially straight after an intense session, you are more susceptible to catching a cold.

Above or Below the Neck

Common knowledge has often relied on a simple practice — continue training if your symptoms are above the neck, and taper off or stop if symptoms are below the neck. But Gleeson says it depends on the level at which you are training.

Hard Cycling

“For people who are not professional athletes, it is sensible to avoid any hard exercise when cold symptoms begin,” he says, “and to only restart hard exercise when symptoms start to get better. It is not essential to stop exercise altogether but any training session should be shorter and less intense than usual.”

The Symptoms

Dr. David Nieman, an exercise immunologist at Appalachian State University, is one of the country’s most respected authorities in this area and he agrees with Gleeson. “It’s typically safe to exercise at a low intensity if you have a runny nose, are sneezing, or have a sore throat. If those symptoms diminish during the first few minutes of exercise, the intensity may be increased. Exercise isn’t recommended for people with fever, sore muscles or joints, vomiting, diarrhea, or a cough that produces mucous. If you have those symptoms, let the cold run its course before you resume physical activity.”

Common Meds

Your body is already at work fighting the common cold by the time you realize that you have an infection so depressing your immune system through hard training can prolong the infection.
It usually takes a week or two to recover from a cold. Certain over-the-counter supplements have been shown to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. “Zinc supplementation and herbals such as echinacea may be effective,” Gleeson adds.

How to Battle the Common Cold While Cycling

  • Reduce exposure (large crowds) after hard cycling
  • Consume probiotics
  • Vitamin D3 and vitamin C supplements help to prevent colds
  • Zinc supplement can be beneficial when you have a cold
  • Get at least 7hrs sleep
  • Wash hands regularly, especially before eating. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth to help stop viruses from entering your body.
  • Eat fruit, vegetables, and healthy fats to ensure a plentiful intake of micronutrients. This helps to keep your immune system at full strength and help you recover from cycling.
  • Don’t ride hard after a flight where you might have been exposed. Give your body a chance to fight any cold virus you were exposed to.
  • Don’t get chilled. If your core temperature falls while training, you are more likely to get ill. Use a neck-warmer and layers you can remove.

    Home Remedies

    Allicin, a substance in crushed garlic, helps fight viruses, says Dr. Richard Nahas, assistant professor of family medicine at the University of Ottawa. In a British study, volunteers who took a daily 180 mg allicin supplement caught 63 percent fewer colds over 12 weeks than those taking a placebo. Two raw cloves a day may help, says Dr. Randy Horwitz, medical director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine in Tucson.

    Oregano and Mustard

     According to Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, the author of National Geographic’s Life Is Your Best Medicine, the oregano in your spaghetti sauce and the mustard on your turkey sandwich can boost your immune system. In winter, she suggests, flavor bean and poultry dishes with oregano and thyme, and add 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric to 1 cup of plain yogurt for a spicy dip.

New Women’s Hour Record Set By American Evelyn Stevens

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new women's hour record

On Saturday the 27th of February, 2016, inside an inflatable dome built over an outdoor track in Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Evelyn Stevens set a new women’s hour record on a bike. She went 47.98 kilometers in one hour (29.81 miles) passing the previous record of 46.88 kilometers (29.13 miles) set by Australian Bridie O’Donnel one month prior. The hour record is something few cyclists, men or women, attempt due to the physical capabilities required as well as the mental challenges. Just what all is required to set a record like this and who is Evelyn Stevens? Surely she didn’t just come from an office job or did she?

What Is The Hour Record?

The hour record is simply how far you can ride a bike in one hour on a velodrome (a banked track specifically built for cycling ranging from 138 meters to over 500 meters but the majority are 333 meters where 3 laps equal 1 kilometer). There are rules however governing the types of bikes that can be ridden and what position you can have on them. Changes in 2014 to the rules allowing aerodynamic equipment to be used has spurred a resurgence into the number of attempts. A record setting attempt is officiated by the UCI (International Cycling Union) to make sure all rules are adhered to and that the record attempt is genuine including doping controls.

What You Need To Be Good At To Attempt It?

To even make an attempt at the world hour record you need to be an outstanding cyclist. The amount of sustained power you need is something only a few of the sports top athletes can sustain. On top of being a strong rider, you also need the mental aptitude to stay focused on your effort for a full hour. The mental aspect needs trained just as the physical aspect does. Also with the new rules allowing aerodynamic equipment, you need a bike that is at the forefront of aerodynamics. On the track, this consists of a bike that has one gear, no brakes, and basically only one position to put your hands. On top of all of that, you need to be able to stay in the same aerodynamic position while pedaling at your maximum. And of course you need to be able to deal well with an incredible amount of pain, push through it, and not let it slow you down.

Details of The New Women’s Hour Record

Evelyn Stevens started off her ride with a slow opening first lap but quickly settled in to a pace of about 48 kph which is about 24 to 25 seconds per lap. She then held this pace for the duration of the hour. The last 15 minutes of an hour record attempt are the most difficult and Steven’s faltered a bit hitting a few of the foam markers and doing a few S-turns instead of holding a steady line. She however pushed through and kept pace to beat the previous record by 1,100 meters. She almost beat the all-time record of Jeannie Longo’s, now illegal position, falling less than 200 meters short.

Who Is Evelyn Stevens?

Evelyn Stevens is a professional road rider who rides on the Boels-Dolmans Women’s Professional Team based in The Netherlands. She however is from the United States and lives in California. She competes primarily on the road racing around the world but she didn’t start off that way. She was an analyst on Wall Street and found bike racing. She quickly moved up the ranks and eventually quit her job, signed a pro contract, and finished 15th at the cycling road world championships. A trajectory that shows that anything is possible.

Trekking Bars – What They are and Why you Need Them

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trekking bars

Trekking bars are not a new incarnation of an energy bar. Trekking bars are actually bike handlebars. Sometimes referred to as butterfly, hybrid, or touring bars, trekking bars originated with touring bikes in continental Europe and spread across the world to the UK, the United States, and other countries. Trekking bars are designed for comfort and efficiency on long rides, and typically found on touring bikes.

What they Are

Touring, butterfly or trekking bars work similarly to drop bars with different hand positions. Instead of your hand positions going up and down, trekking bar hand positions go forward and back. You don’t reach down with trekking bars, but instead reach farther forward. This position creates a more stretched out torso, which does tend to lower you a bit, but not as much as drop bars.

Long Distance Bars

Trekking bars are designed for long distance, multi-day cycling so using them on a bike meant for faster rides is not ideal. The wide side position also offers better control at slow speeds and over rough terrain, especially when heavily loaded.

Why You Need Them

The most important criteria for a touring bike is comfort. Trekking bars offer more comfort than drop bars in most touring situations.  This isn’t just about the saddle. How is the whole bike going to feel with trekking bars, day after day, mile after mile for the duration of your tour. Trekking bars also give you more room for things like bells, mirrors, and extra gear.

Avoid Numb Hands

When your hands are in the same position for hours, and especially if you’re riding everyday for a week or more, the pressure on nerves can cause you to lose sensation in your hands. Avoiding numb fingers, hands, arms and wrists are one big advantage of trekking bars.

Four or More Hand Positions

Road bikes with drop bars provide a rider at least three main hand positions. While there are technically four hand positions on trekking bars — they also have a wide spectrum of space between positions. If you want to experiment, almost unlimited combinations can be found that may be comfortable for you. If you’re a rider who needs to move your hands frequently when riding, having so many combinations for hand position is ideal. Even for those who don’t have injuries or ailments that require position changes, it’s a good idea not to stay in one position for too long to prevent strain, injuries, pain, and numbness.

Climbing Concerns

Another benefit of trekking handlebars over drop bars is that the large “side” hand position gives you more leverage when climbing with a heavy load. But on the flip side of the climbing argument is the fact that having the bars curve back to the middle can interfere with your knees if you like to climb out of the saddle.

Never Upside Down

Trekking bars can be flipped over to ride on either side (neither side is really considered upside down), and they can be changed so that the opening point is closest to your body, or flipped so that the opening is at the farthest point from your body. Both of these set-ups work fine. It’s a matter of personal preference or what feels natural to the individual rider more than anything else.

Stem Control

The stem on your bike will regulate how trekking bars are installed on any given bike. Extremely short stems such as on a touring or cruising bike, typically benefit from the handlebars facing forward. Long stems typically require the bars facing back toward your body. A simple stem swap can make them face either direction.

Stable Touring Bike Feel

If you come from a road or mountain biking background, a fully-loaded touring bike with trekking bars may at first feel cumbersome and heavy, but you’ll soon learn that the design is in its stability. You will be pleasantly surprised at how spacious a touring bike feels with trekking bars when compared to your road or mountain bike.

Switching to Trekking Bars

Road bikes are not set-up, nor are they easily compatible with racks and other equipment and are not typical candidates for trekking bars. One option is adding trekking bars to a mountain bike, but it too may require considerable effort. Depending on what you have now and how everything is set up, you might have to switch out brake levers and shifters. The other concern is stem length, which will may or may not need to be changed.

What They Can Do For You

Although they may look funny, even cumbersome, trekking bars can add more comfort to longer rides by providing you with more versatility for hand positions, gear, and bike handling. They’re not supposed to look aerodynamic or cool, and after taking a spin on them you’ll appreciate what they can do for you.

Other Bar Designs

If you’re not sold on trekking bars, other types of bars, such as the mustache bar, also adds comfort without the extra bulk of the trekking bar. It’s somewhere between a drop bar and a flat bar and worth looking at if you’re considering long distance riding. What type of handlebar you put on your bike is a matter of personal preference, pure and simple. It’s mostly a matter of trying them out and seeing what you like.

Completely Car Free Bicycle Highway in Germany

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car free bicycle highway

Germany has opened the first 3 miles of a car free bicycle highway that will eventually span over 62 miles. It will remain completely free of motorized vehicles and unlike a bike path, this autobahn-style roadway for bikes has passing lanes, overpasses, underpasses for crossroads and even streetlights. Cyclists won’t have to worry about trucks zooming by or bus lanes and it will be cleared of snow in winter.

Rails to Trails

The goal is to connect 10 cities in the western portion of Germany, including Duisburg, Bochum, Hamm, and four universities. The highway utilizes abandoned or unused railroad tracks whenever possible. Anyone who’s ever cycled on abandoned railroad beds knows that they’re mostly flat which caters perfectly to cyclists not to mention the bed along with many bridges are already established making the conversion an easy process.

Commuter Route

Martin Toennes of the regional development group RVR, who is one of the parties responsible for the development of the bike highway, reports that, “A high population lives within 1.2 miles of the bicycle highway, and will be using sections of it for their daily commutes. With the rise in popularity of electric bicycles,  the new bicycle autobahn will provide a commuting route to over 2 million people, which could result in 50,000 fewer cars on the road every single day.”

Not a Bike Path

The tendency to call it a bike path, no matter how much they resemble traditional highways, is tempting but inaccurate. Most bike paths should be classified as new-model bike lanes. They are too narrow and too frequently encroached upon by cars and pedestrians to be called bike highways. At 13-feet in width with painted lines, the new bike highway should never be confused with a bike path.

Smooth Surfacing

What makes Germany’s bike highway so super? Separated lanes, flat surfacing, and superior right-of-way for cyclists are only some of the design components that make this bike highway stand out from your basic bike path. It gives cyclists the ability to travel the entire stretch without stopping for traffic or slowing down for tree root bumps that often slow you down on bike paths. No red lights, no trucks, just clear, smooth cycling.

Fear of Cars

Another advantage of the car free bicycle highways is obvious. The problem most commuters or leisure cyclists face is fear generated by the fragility of a twenty or thirty pound bicycle facing off with a 2,000-pound car. The bike highway removes the trepidation.

Nothing New

The concept of a completely car free bicycle highway is nothing new. Cycling was huge around the turn of the century. In 1897, a bike toll highway was proposed in Los Angles, California. The fare was set at 10 cents one way and 15 cents round trip. Unfortunately not long after construction began it was neglected and eventually stopped because of the rise of the automobile.

The Rise of the Car Free Bicycle Highway

The car free bicycle highway is believed to have originated in the Netherlands and Denmark. London has declared it will build one to help fight congestion. It’s rapidly catching on in other German cities. Frankfurt is planning an 18 mile highway to Darmstadt. Munich has proposed a 9 mile long route into its northern suburbs. Nuremberg and Berlin are conducting feasibility studies for bicycle highways of their own. But when Germany’s new superhighway is complete, it will stand out as the longest.

In America

Bringing a car free bicycle highway to American cities is gaining traction. For example, Portland, Oregon has a proposed goal of spending $600 million on bicycle infrastructure over the next 20 years, upping the cycling rate to 25% of all trips by 2030.

More to Come

Most major cities worldwide are attempting to get more people on bikes with cycling numbers increasing in cities ranging from Paris to New York. City planners the world over are envisioning greater numbers of people on bicycles in their long-term projections.

Funding Issues

Germany has faced a number of hurdles in financing for the new bike highway. The reasoning for the trouble is unique. In most instances the federal government is responsible for roadworks and waterways but cycling infrastructure falls under the management of local officials.

Federal Assistance

Martin Toennes of the RVR development group sums it up like this: “Without State support, the project would have no chance. Local governments would have difficulty paying for maintenance, lighting, and snow removal”. A proposal is now in the works to get $196 million from the federal government to fund the entire 100-kilometer route.

Are Direct Online Bike Sales Good? – Trek & Now Giant Will Sell Online Directly To Consumers

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online bike sales

With the internet, nearly everything has become available online to purchase and ship directly to your home bypassing your local brick and mortar business. Direct online bike sales have existed in the past but not from the large bike manufacturers. You could buy lesser known names and bikes direct from Asia without having to visit your local bike shop. Now, two of the industry giants, Trek and Giant, will offer online bike sales. As with everything else these days going online, are direct online bike sales a good thing or does it rob of the customer’s experience and benefits of buying from a local shop not to mention the return not going to the local business. Surely buying a bike isn’t as standard as choosing the color and model that you want as with a coffeemaker and having it show up on your doorstep from Amazon. Or is it?

What Are Direct Bike Sales?

First, what are direct online bike sales? They are when the manufacturer offers their product on their website, not via a third party retailer (think Wiggle, Competitive Cyclist, Performance Bike, Etc.), for purchase. They are dealing directly with the customer instead of only having their bikes available to be purchased in-store at a local bike shop. To keep the local bike shop in the loop however, both Giant and Trek will ship their bikes to a local Trek or Giant dealer of your choice where they then assemble the bike. You then either pick the bike up at the shop or some Trek shops may even deliver the bike to your doorstep.

Why It’s Changing

There have been a few companies in the past offering online bike sales such as bikesdirect.com, competitivecyclist.com,  canyon.com who was one of the few early bike manufactures to offer their bikes online, and bullsbikes.com who is a new player to the North American market. Because of companies like these along with the endless amount of bike related accessories that you can buy online for cheaper than what you can buy in-store, manufacturers who only offer in-store purchases were starting to loose market share along with the individual retailers who sell their products. As a market evolves, particularly with the internet, it becomes more efficient and thus margins decrease as competition increases. For the large manufacturers to stay ahead of the small guy and keep their market share, they adopt the strategies of the smaller incumbents, generally with their own twists, to try and stay ahead.

The Goal of the Larger Manufacturers

The approach of the large manufacturers is to try and capture the sales they are otherwise loosing to other online retailers. They are doing this by not only offering their bikes but also cycling accessories online. Because the independent retailers are such a large part of the manufacturer’s revenue (they’re the ones who actually sell the bikes), they want to give them a share in what is sold as they are technically taking the purchase from the local bike shop. Giant will give 100% of the normal margin to the shop if they carry that product and 80% if they don’t while Trek will give a service commission to the local shop.

Better or Worse

It will depend upon the size of shop and the purchasing power of the local population but in general it will first be of benefit to the consumer, the local shop, and the manufacturer. This is because the customer base who go into a local shop will continue to do so because they are unaware that they can buy the same products online. The customer who is only looking to buy online can now be captured by Trek, Giant, and presumably others in the near future. The general trend, as with online retail, is that more and more purchases will be funneled online and less through the shops. This will result in less of an inventory to be carried and thus less of a profit from the sale of those items as well as, at least with Giant, the amount the manufacturer will give to the shop. It is a way for the large manufacturers to keep their market share at the expense of local shops.

Should You Buy Online?

Part of the reason to buy from a local shop is the added value you get with a purchase, whether bike or accessory. The knowledgeable staff can help answer your questions and help you find what you are looking for. You may be paying more than you would online but the added value, not to mention the continued relationship you build with your bike needing occasional maintenance, is well worth it. The big deciding factor here though is “do you need the added value?” You may already know what you want or may have purchased it in the past so you only need a replacement. This can be with an accessory or bike. In this case, taking the “support a local business” aspect out of it, it would be more beneficial to you to buy online.

What the Future of Bike Shops and Buying Bikes May Look Like

With more and more bikes and accessory sales going online, the overall number of purchases in a local shop is going to decrease. This means that shops aren’t going to have to carry nearly as much inventory. This means shops will be smaller with the staff that is there being more on the mechanic side with new bike builds as well as service as fortunately you can’t get your bike serviced online, yet anyway. With the smaller shops, increased competition, and smaller margins to be had by anyone on the supply side, prices will continue to drop for the consumer and more purchases will be made online.

Online Bike Sales – The Takeaway

The shift of the large manufacturers is a key indicator of the cycling industry and that change is underway, not that it hasn’t been in recent years, just not this drastic. Industries are becoming tighter and tighter with consumer demand often decreasing, at least of late, and competition increasing. Whether this is the exact right solution, you never really want to hurt the local small guy, it is at least a change that the industry is beginning to make to try and stay ahead in the game. Those who try and stay set in the way they do business often are left in the past while the smaller, new incumbents take over the market. There are definitely a lot of mixed responses in this area from varying perspectives whether consumer, local shop owner, or industry giant. We want to hear from you and your thoughts on if the large manufactures should be offering online bike sales and if you think you will utilize it or if you will stay with your tried and true local bike shop. Let us know in the comments below.

A Calorie Counter to Calculate Calories Burned When Cycling

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calculate calories burned

Use this calorie counter to calculate calories burned when cycling. Select how fast you’re riding, your weight in pounds, and your duration in minutes to calculate calories burned while cycling.

How Calories Burned While Cycling Are Calculated

To calculate calories burned cycling the first metric needed is the intensity of which you are riding. Simply, the harder you ride the more calories you are going to burn in a set amount of time. The second aspect to how many calories you burn when cycling depends upon your weight. First, the more weight you have to propel forward, the more energy that is going to be required. Secondly, an increased body mass requires more energy even when you’re at rest because there are simply more muscles cells, and cells in general, that require energy. The final aspect to calculate calories burned is the amount of time you are riding. The longer you ride, the more calories you will burn.

More is Better? Or High Intensity?

An interesting fact of physics and calories burned is that if you ride 1 mile in 3 minutes at maximal effort, you will burn the same amount of calories if you were to ride that same mile in 10 minutes at a leisurely pace. Higher intensity gives you a “better bang for your buck” in that you can burn more calories in a shorter amount of time. However, when riding and working out in general, you can’t go hard all the time. You need to balance longer, lower intensity workouts with shorter high intensity workouts.

Calculate Calories Burned Everyday You Ride

Use the calorie counter to calculate calories burned while cycling each day you ride. Keep track and see if you can continue to increase the number of calories you burn cycling each week. Using a journal to keep track of your calories burned along with what you did for a ride is a great option.

The Bird of Prey Bike – A New Take on Bike and Rider Integration

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bird of prey bike

Recumbents have been around for years, but the Bird of Prey Bike is not a recumbent. The new design integrates a semi-prone position that’s been described as flying like Superman. Riders report that bike is indeed fast and efficient. But it doesn’t stop there. The Bird of Prey Bike also allows for a level of comfort not typically found on upright or recumbent designs.

The Inventor of The Bird of Prey Bike

California-based designer John Aldridge, 69 years old, is an architect and inventor. He came up with the concept for the original Bird of Prey Bike in 1991. Aldrich attests that it’s the fastest racing bicycle in the world, having hit 45 mph on his own Bird of Prey.

The Inspiration

Part of Aldrige’s inspiration in building a semi-prone bicycle dealt with the fact that standard bikes had poor aerodynamics. Riders are subject to too much wind resistance. The laying-down position of the Bird of Prey solved all of that.

The Builder

Aldridge connected with Russ Denny in Texas who was a bike builder for 30 years. Denny was the catalyst giving the Bird of Prey its physical form in 2010. It was first publicly shown in 2014. Advertising for the production model officially began in September of 2015.

Why it’s Different

Semi-prone means that even though you’re in a laying down position, your torso is still facing upward so that you can see. You’re not looking straight down at the pavement. Semi-prone also means you’ll never do an endo over the handlebars. “Panic braking on a Bird of Prey is safer. You come to a direct stop immediately, because the center of gravity is lower. The rider is not thrust forward when they brakes”, says Aldrich.

Pedal Force

Aldrich says the pedaling force is greater than on a standard bicycle. Aldrich compares it to a runner. “I’ve never seen anyone in a footrace in a sit-down position”. He says. “The same thing could be said for swimming.”

Climb Like a Bird

“Uphill, the stability when you’re stretched out allows you to crank more easily, at 90 to 100 rpm, (that’s spinning like crazy going uphill) and it takes you to the top in a shorter time”, says Alridge, who got 7th place overall and first place in his age category using a Bird of Prey in the Long Beach Triathlon this year. At the time of publication, it was perfectly legal for triathletes to use the Bird of Prey in competition.

Body Position

The body weight of the rider is supported by an aero bar-like rest. “You’re laying down on the front of your hips (the iliac crest). You don’t get tired at all, and when you push your pedals you can shove your body against those bones and they counteract the push on your pedals”, says Alridge.

Upside Down, Backwards

An upside down, backward drivetrain differentiates the Bird of Prey from sit-down bikes. With a 60-tooth chainring (mounted behind the back tire), the raptor is bound to be fast, albeit a bit odd looking. Most standard road bikes for example have only 50-53 tooth chainrings at best. The Bird of Prey runs a somewhat standard 10 or 11 cogs on the cassette. Another advantage, if you break something, it utilizes parts that can typically be found on other bikes.

Pro Testimony

Caleb Thompson is a professional cyclist from Colorado, and one of Aldridge’s first customers. Thompson says: “With a bit of practice and getting used to, I could see it being faster than a time trial bike.”  Thompson adds that he believes he could “potentially generate more power, because of the leg positioning, and the larger-than-normal chainring. “I’m able to turn it over fairly easily once up to speed,” he adds.

Spine Issues

Although designed for aerodynamics, the Bird of Prey has other benefits — comfort. Standard sit-down bikes center the weight and pressure of the spine on the saddle, which can lead to pain or discomfort for some riders. Riding the semi-prone Bird of Prey relieves pressure on the spine, and is reported to be quite comfortable. “You have to ride the bike to understand how comfortable it really is,” Aldridge insists.

Low Rider

A single disadvantage — visibility — both seeing and being seen by other traffic could be a challenge.

Fly Away

The Bird of Prey Bike was made available to the public on December 1st, 2015, starting at $5,800.

3 Wheeled Bike For Adults — Best 5 For Your Riding

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When you say 3 wheeled bike, you probably think about the tricycle that you rode as a child. However, contemporary 3 wheeled bike models are designed for adults. Some of them have little in common with the trike from your childhood, while others are almost exactly like the smaller versions.

Common Transportation

You’ve probably seen a traditional upright 3 wheeled bike on TV or in movies, or perhaps on your travels if you have visited any Middle Eastern or Eastern countries. The 3 wheeled bike is as common a mode of transportation as any other type of vehicle.

The Older Crowd

More older riders than ever are now riding recumbent trikes. As the price has come down, more younger buyers are trying trikes, but the 50-plus crowd continues to lead the trend. According to the AARP Bulletin, some manufacture’s have estimated that at least 75 percent of 3 wheeled bike customers are over 50. It only makes sense; Recumbent trikes benefit riders who experience conditions common in older people.

Advantages of The 3 Wheeled Recumbent Bike

  • Spreads the weight: Standard upright bicycles or trikes,  focuses your body weight on two small sit bones, the hands, and the feet. A recumbent bike, with its reclined seating position focuses weight on the rider’s bottom, back, legs and feet, effectively spreading the weight.
  • More aerodynamic: 3 wheeled recumbent bikes have a lower level of gravity and a triangular shape to cut through the wind. This results in less drag and as a result it is less taxing on the arms or legs, depending on the model you have.
  • Speed: Having the body positioned so low to the ground really makes a huge difference in speed, especially in windy conditions.
  • Balance: For many older riders, or anyone else for that matter, not having to worry about balance is a big plus.
  • Adaptability: Can be adapted to people with disabilities.

Potential Downfalls

  • Hard to see in traffic. Flags can help you overcome it.
  • On hills, you can’t stand up to gain leverage or power. Gearing should allow for you to overcome this.

Advantages of  The Upright 3 Wheeled Bike

  • Better visibility in traffic. The higher seating position allows more visibility above car hoods and other obstacles.
  • Step through design for easy mounting and dismounting
  • Bicycle stores love you, much more availability of parts for easy repair. Also are easier to work on.
  • Typically more cargo area.
  • Built to last.

Potential Downfalls

  • Less efficient than a recumbent.
  • Upper body weight is placed on the rear end and hands the same as a normal bike.
  • Typically built cheaper than a recumbent.

A Lot of Choices – The Best 5

With what seems like hundreds of different configurations, styles, prices and types of 3 wheeled bikes out there, it’s almost counterproductive to state that any bike is better than another. It depends on your individual needs. With that in mind, here are some different options:

Greenspeed GT3 Folding Recumbent 

Small trike with a lot of personality. Designed to be easily transported so you can fold it up to fit in your car, or take up less space in storage. It is quickly folded with only a 6mm hex wrench and one quick-release for the frame hinge.

What to Use it For

This bike is great for weekend warriors, commuters, or even assisted touring. Available in small and standard sizes, it’s easy to find one that fits. With a weight limit of 265 lbs, it accommodates most people with ease. $2,690

Terra Trike Tadpole Rover   

The Rover has probably introduced more people to a 3-wheeled bike than any other recumbent trike on the market. It’s restored health and happiness to thousands of owners who never thought they would be active again. The Rover is perfect for any type of rider – young or old, large or small.

Internal Gearing

The Rover employs the NuVinci N-360 hub. It works with a continuously variable shifting system to give the rider minute control over the ride. It is a zero maintenance, zero learning curve, zero intimidation hub that makes learning to ride a 3-wheeler easy.  There is no derailleur or fixed gears to worry about, and it doesn’t matter if you are pedaling or not to shift. All the rider has to do is twist the shifter on their handlebar and the hub increases or decreases the gearing immediately to what feels best for the rider.
$1,499 with the NuVinci Hub.

Mobo Triton Pro 20 

Easy to ride for adults and kids with easy adjustments. Think of it as a more affordable version of the tadpole design. Sturdy and stable. $499.00

Mission SOLO Low Step Adult Tricycle  

The new Mission SOLO has been specially designed with a low step over of only 6 inches from the ground making it easy to mount and dismount. It’s proven to be very popular with the elderly and physically challenged. The Mission SOLO helps to raise the independence of disabled people and achieve a greater sense of self-worth. It’s ideal for those little shopping trips with a large basket on the rear to carry groceries. $820.

Schwinn Meridian Single Speed Adult Tricycle  

This is the basic 3 wheeled bike for beginners which might remind you of the trike you had as a child. It’s also the most affordable at only $269.

Why Cyclists Fail Drug Tests

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why cyclists fail drug tests

Cyclists have grown weary of hearing about drugs and cycling. Why cyclists fail drug tests has become a favorite whipping post for journalists, sportscasters, and the public at large. But failing a drug test is not always cut and dried, black and white, and sometimes even the cyclists doesn’t know for sure what happened.

The Drive to Win

Cyclists are individuals. They rely only on themselves to win. The blame for losing is also on them — and not because someone else lost or failed. The drive to win is inherent in their competitive nature. The temptation to use drugs must be almost overwhelming at times.

Put in Perspective

The use of drugs in cycling is no more prevalent than it is in other sports. Just look at other athletes in competitive sports. It’s fairly obvious where the giant necks, shoulders and forearms come from. The reason why cyclists get so much press is because cycling is international. Cyclists are tested with more frequency, at higher, more precise levels than any other sport — even the most insignificant traces of a foreign substance shows up when you analyze someone enough. Cyclists are held under a microscope, and “innocent until proven guilty” has become “guilty until proven innocent.”

Banned Substances

The main reason why cyclists fail drug tests is because their blood or urine is tested and found to contain a banned substance. The list ranges from growth hormones (EPO) to noroxycodone, to benzoylecgonine to methylphenidate to plain old testosterone. The list goes on and on with most of the substances being unpronounceable names that only chemists can pronounce or understand. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the guide and overseer that regulates the lists of prohibited drugs.

Too Many Red Blood Cells

Another drug failure has nothing to do with drugs. Blood doping, or boosting, is the practice of injecting yourself with your own blood. Scientifically known as “Autologous blood doping”. It is the transfusion of one’s own blood, which has been stored, refrigerated or frozen, until needed. Homologous blood doping is the transfusion of blood that has been taken from another person with the same blood type. If a cyclist’s blood is found to have a higher number of red blood cells than normal, he or she will likely fail a drug test.

Grey Areas

But there are grey areas; some cyclists fail because of an accidental exposure to detectable levels of banned substances through passive inhalation, in food, or in nutritional supplements. The debate about accidental exposure has raged on forever. Only the cyclists knows for sure.

Passive Inhalation

Passive inhalation is the ingestion of drug smoke such as marijuana. The problem is that analytical drug testing methods are incapable of distinguishing between a sample from a true cheater or a sample from a cyclist who was passively exposed to marijuana smoke.

Not an Excuse

Passive inhalation is not accepted as a plausible explanation for a positive test and some cyclists test positive with cannabis (typically registered as THC) in their system.

The Case Against Cannabis

Cannabis is often portrayed as a substance that has detrimental effects on performance. Cannabis decreases coordination, distorts spatial perception, alters perception and the awareness of the passage of time. It can be safely assumed that since cannabis seems to offer no real performance enhancing benefits, that recreational use or passive inhalation is a likely cause of  positive test results. Again, only the cyclist knows for sure.

Tainted Meat

At the end of April 2014, former world time trial champion, Michael Rogers was cleared of doping as the UCI accepted that meat he ate in China was likely the cause of his positive doping test. In China, clenbuterol is widely administered to livestock to build muscle and reduce fat. Rogers then tested positive for clenbuterol in Japan a few days later.

You Are What You Eat

Meat in China and Mexico has always been a risk for cyclists. In 2011 FIFA found that players from 19 of the 24 teams at the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico tested positive for clenbuterol.

Health Reason Failure

Some fail drug tests because of health reasons. For example; low levels of cortisol, a naturally occuring steroid hormone, can cause cyclists to fail a drug test simply because of possible complications if an injury while riding. In this instance however, disqualifications are typically voluntary.

Supplemental Exposure

Some of the positive drug tests recorded by cyclists have resulted from the use of supplements and special sports foods rather than deliberate use of banned products. Here is a list of some ingredients in supplements and sports drinks that are either directly banned by the International Olympic Committee’s Medical Commission or that have been shown to cause a positive doping outcome in some people:

  • Ephedrine
  • Pseudoephedrine
  • Strychnine
  • Caffeine (if consumed in sufficiently high quantities to produce a urinary caffeine concentration of >12 µg/ml)
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)
  • Androstenedione, androstenediol
  • 19-norandrostenedione, 19-norandrostenediol and related compounds

An Exemption

If your doctor deems a drug necessary and it’s on the banned substance list, a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) can be obtained before racing or competing. A TUE is a pass for certain drugs issued by your doctor. Ultimately, though, the cyclists is solely responsible for the substances in his or her body.

There are a number of reasons why cyclists fail drug tests and regardless of the reason, it generally always comes down to the cyclist being responsible for what’s in their body. Some failures result from a deliberate attempt to get ahead while others are accidental. Either case results in a failed test and ban from the sport.

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