Tour De France Joke

A man stands atop a building obviously ready to commit suicide. A negotiator is sent in to talk him down.

“Mate, don’t do it, think of your family!”, says the negotiator.

“They’re all dead,” replies the man.

“Oh. Well your friends then.”

“Don’t have any.”

“Pets? Work colleagues? Associations?”

“Run over, sacked, asked to leave.”

“Well think of all the great sporting events to look forward too, the World Cup, the Superbowl, the Tour de France!”

“Tour de France, what’s that?”

“Jump, ya bastard!”

How To Clean a Bike

All to often people skip the all important apres bike clean… this can decrease the life span of your components quite significantly. Learn how to clean a bike properly in this 15 minute video.

I hose my bike down before cleaning the chain (unlike the video) but… it probably doesn’t matter that much.

A True Cyclists Mind – Joke

A cyclist shows up for a group ride on a new carbon speed machine.

“Hey, where did you get the new ride?”, asks one of the group.

“Well,” he says, “I was out on a ride when this really hot chick rode up alongside. We got to talking and one thing led to another and we stopped at a park. She suddenly stripped all of her clothes off and said, ‘take what you want’, so I took the bike.”

“Good thing too,” said the friend, “the clothes probably wouldn’t have fit.”

Eddy Merckx Bike Joke

December 29, 2013 by Lee Agur

Eddy Merckx Bike Joke

A devout cyclist dies and goes to heaven. Saint Peter meets him at the gate. The cyclist asks if there are bicycles in heaven. Peter says “Sure, let me show you,” and leads the guy into the finest Velodrome you can imagine.

“This is great,” the cyclist says. “You will love it here” says Peter. “You will be fitted to a custom track bike, the mechanics will glue on fresh silks each night, and your personal masseuse is always available.” As they speak a blur flys by them on the boards riding a gold plated Cinelli and the cyclist says “Wow he was fast, that must be Eddy Merckx!”

“No,” says Peter, “that was God, he only wishes he was Eddy”.

Inspired Bicycles Danny MacAskill

December 26, 2013 by Lee Agur

Inspired Bicycles Danny MacAskill

Danny MacAskill shows off his bike stunt skills in this uplifting video filmed in and around Edinburgh by Dave Sowerby. This video of Inspired Bicycles team rider Danny MacAskill features probably the best collection of street/street trials riding ever seen. There’s some huge riding, but also some of the most technically difficult and imaginative lines you will ever see. Without a doubt, this video pushes the envelope of what is perceived as possible on a trials bike. This was Danny MacAskill break out video and he continues to awe and amaze us.

Way Back Home Danny MacAskill

December 26, 2013 by Lee Agur

Way Back Home Danny MacAskill

Way Back Home is the incredible riding clip from Danny MacAskill, it follows him on a journey from Edinburgh back to his hometown Dunvegan, in the Isle of Skye.

Positive Talk Increases Endurance

December 26, 2013 by Lee Agur

Positive Talk Increases Endurance

In a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 24 participants were told to do a cycling test to exhaustion. Half of the participants then underwent a two week positive talk intervention while the other half (control group) received no special treatment. The results?

The positive self talk group saw an 18% increase in endurance while the control group received no increase in endurance. The study also revealed that the positive self talk group perceived exertion (RPE) rose more slowly; (The exercise felt easier) compared to the control group where the results remained the same.

The two week positive talk intervention involved the self talk group selecting four positive/motivational statements to use over the two weeks while exercising and then were told to integrate them into their test. Simple.

Most people believe in the power of positive talk but do not realize how important it really can be. Endurance is a mind over body equation. Most of us give up mentally well before our physical bodies fatigue. We have all been there many of times, whether it has been cycling, exercising or life. I know I continually envision rockets and say “lets go” while cycling. At work I continually repeat “I love my job, I love my job.” So I am convinced.

I have been on the flip side where I have done the negative talk and said “I’m too hot, my knee hurts, I’m too tired etc. etc.” and generally quit shortly after my mind goes there. Don’t subscribe to that way of thinking.

Some suggested positive talk to increase endurance:

This is easy, I am a beast, I can do this, love this feeling, crushing it, let’s go, almost there, and I AM AWESOME. Feel free to suggest more in the comment section, but I like to keep it simple. I also like to say this out loud and make other people laugh once in a while as that also helps.

Mind over Body

When it comes to endurance mental health is 80% of the battle. Be positive, humorous and happy. It will make all the difference. Positive talk increases endurance.

Fabian Cancellara Will Attempt to Beat the One Hour Record

December 26, 2013 by Lee Agur

Fabian Cancellara will attempt to beat the one hour record of 49.7 kilometres set by Ondřej Sosekna in 2005. The previous record was 49.441 set by Chris Boardman in 2000. And before that? Eddy Merckx with 49.431 in 1972.

Fabian Cancellara nicknamed “Spartacus” has won an Olympic gold medal and four World Champion time trials. The Swiss is a definite contender to take the record despite his larger frame.

Luca Guercilena, the team manager, said the attempt will be in 2014. Where is another question. The track should ideally be near sea level for optimal air density, but no decision has been made yet.

Some previous records were dismissed due to the extreme positions that the UCI banned in some new rules set out in 2000.

Fabian Cancellara one hour record attempt – 50km, one hour, can it be done?

Crossfit vs Cycling

December 23, 2013 by Guest Post

Crossfit vs Cycling

But it’s a GOOD cult!

I hear pretty frequently that Crossfit is a cult. Sure, it’s a “good” cult (is that like being a good witch) but it’s a cult. I can dig that.

What I don’t think these people realize is that Cycling is way more of a cult than Crossfit has figured out how to be yet.

And as someone who does both, let me tell ya, sometimes these cults are in conflict. In Crossfit you drink only gluten free hard cider where as in cycling you drink beer.

In Crossfit you eat steak and kale, in cycling you carbo load with pasta and Gu.

Luckily, both cults share a love of bacon, so I can deal with the rest of the conflicting messages.

As someone who is relatively new to both sports, I’m really lucky that both come with a rule book. In regards to Crossfit, just google “Crossfit House Rules” and you will get thousands of options of boxes around the country and their respective codes of conduct. They’re all similar. Work hard, push your limits, check your ego at the door.

In cycling, there is really only one rule book. Published by the infamous Velominati, the keepers of the cog, new and seasoned cyclists alike can appreciate the 93 rules of riding the road.

Granted, I don’t have a ton of experience with cycling clubs, but speaking for the one I ride with pretty regularly I can tell you, we know our rules.

Not only do we know the rules, but we regularly reference them. In the middle of a windy ride, someone might just yell “Rule 5” (Harden the !@#$ up) as they’re pulling the paceline and hammering away.

When I asked about a tri or racerback tank top to go with our new team kits, I was simply told “Rule 7” (tan lines should be cultivated and kept razor sharp) and it was left at that.

Most recently, after my epic derailleur fail, I decided it was time to push the new bike conversation husband and I had been having recently a little further. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my Allez, but as I bought it nearly 10 years ago now before I knew what I was really looking for in a bike, I had been itching for an upgrade.

Yes, I have a full carbon very fancy tri bike. No, it’s not the same thing.

As it turned out, hubs was more than willing to not only have the conversation, but to buy the bike. So tomorrow I will be getting fit on my brand spankin’ new Specialized Tarmac SL4 Comp Ultegra.

I’m so excited I could pee.

But wouldn’t you know it, not 15 minutes after they called me to tell me that my new bike has come in, I received a second call from the shop telling me that they had figured out how to FIX my Allez! For “only” $180 I could have her good as new and still be able to ride her from time to time if I ever desired.

I’m sure you all see where this is going. Husband didn’t quite understand it. Luckily for me, I was able to reference “the rules” and help him to know the reality of how this works.

According to Rule #12:

“While the minimum number of bikes one should own is three, the correct number is n+1, where n is the number of bikes currently owned. This equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.”

Lucky for me, 3 bikes does not equal s-1.

So as of tomorrow I will have my original road bike, my tri bike, and my fancy new bike (yes they all have names), and only one ass to ride them with.

What’s a cyclist to do?

Crossfit vs Cycling was written by Nicole Kurz over at Not the Fat Kid in Gym Class Anymore. For more of her harrowing tales of fitness, cycling and near death experiences visit her blog.

Lower Back Pain Cycling – Causes and Solutions

December 17, 2013 by Lee Agur

Lower back pain cycling can be caused by a multitude of reasons. The more common causes and solutions are listed below, fix the problem before it gets out of control and stops you completely.

Bike Fit

Many people do not like to spend money on one of the most important areas of cycling… Bike fit. A proper bike fit will save you from serious amounts of pain and frustration along with delivering more power to the pedals and a more comfortable ride. It is all too common for a cyclist to be too stretched out on a bike or too low.

Try shortening the stem or raising your bars. Ultimately, a professional bike fit is well worth the cost.

Weak Core

Many of us cyclists have very strong legs but have spaghetti like cores. I have always tried to build myself like a pyramid (stronger base, relatively weaker upper body) however, if your core is too weak then your legs have no platform to push off of. With a weak core power will not be transferred into the pedals, but rather be lost in your flexing torso, eventually resulting in a very fatigued and overworked back that may spasm. Riding with a weak core is like riding a cracked frame.

If you have lower back pain cycling often times the fix is core strengthening exercises.

Flexibility

Flexibility is another culprit when it come to a sore back while cycling. My problem is that I have very tight hamstrings which pulls my pelvis out of alignment during each pedal stroke causing my lower back to scream after doing the work other larger muscles should be doing. Tight quads and backs also contribute to back pain.

Find out what your limiter is and stretch it out.

Posture

Back pain is a result of all of the stress put on your back. Posture may be the most significant factor in the average cyclist. Many of us spend far too much time sitting in chairs with little to no back support causing our backs to round and stress. When we are not sitting we are walking hunched over or lifting things with a rounded back. It is important to keep an arched back and stay very focused on maintaining proper posture.

Purchase some back support for your chair or roll your back on a foam roller to “reset” your back to normal. (I do this a minimum of once a day… I am borderline obsessed with foam rollers)

Leg Length Discrepancy

I believe most people over diagnose leg length discrepancies. Find a quick test in knee pain cycling – causes and solutions post to see if you have a different leg lengths. Bike fitters will try and shim cleats for a discrepancy greater than 6mm; however, I find that some days my left leg is shorter and other days my right leg is shorter.

Test them over time and if one is continually shorter than the other then add the shims.

Riding Style

Even riding style can cause lower back pain. If you like to push a large gear then that can put unnecessary strain on your back, especially while climbing up a hill.

Try spinning instead of grinding, also get out of the saddle once in a while and stretch out your back.

Serious Issues

If you have a herniated disk no amount of core work outs, stretching or bike fit changes is going to help, go see a doctor.

Lower Back Pain Cycling

I purchased a great book called Foundation: Redefine Your Core, Conquer Back Pain, and Move with Confidence by Eric Goodman. The book teaches you proper movement patterns by strengthening the posterior chain to maximize power, flexibility and endurance. If you have back pain it is imperative that you remain vigilant to cure the problem. This book keeps what is important top of mind.

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