Product Description
In eight chapters representing a cycling team's eight sessions with a sports psychologist, this book teaches athletes how to cultivate the thoughts, feelings, and insights necessary for optimal cycling performance. It includes breathing techniques for power and emotional control, tips for handling pressure, and four types of imagery. ... Read more

Product Description
Road Cycling is a must have for anyone who is serious about the sport of cycling.Published in conjuction with the International Olympic Medical Committee, this book brings together expertise from around the world to present an excellent reference that is very clearly written and fundamental for cycling enthusiasts, athletic trainers, and coaches.

The fourth in the Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science series, this book covers a wide range of topics including the techniques of conditioning, biomechanics, nutrition and hydration, trauma, and other medical problems that competitive road cyclists experience.Order this book today and train like an Olympian!Other books in this series include Running and Tennis. ... Read more

Product Description
Silicon Valley is not only a high-tech haven, but a cyclist's paradise. Avid cyclist Conrad Boisvert uses clear maps and reasonable estimates of time and distance, offering both the serious biker and the leisurely cyclist routes alongside ranchlands, through dense redwood forests, next to coastal wetlands, and near seaside resorts and beaches. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

not happy
this book was not in the shape as described, it was worse. this book was published a lot longer ago than described. i am not happy about it, but for the price i guess i cant complain, except i can say this book is useless. ... Read more

Product Description
Bicycling Magazine's Cycling for Women:Savvy Advice from the Sport's Leading Women Writers

This cycling guide is written by women, for women. Taking into account issues that set women apart from men, it provides tips and information for you--the female cyclist.

Discover how to:

Select the most comfortable athletic clothing and gear
Follow the do's and don'ts of ridingduring pregnancy
Lose weight by combining cycling with healthy eating
Increase upper-body strength for maximum bike control
Make roadside repairs
Choose the bike that's best for you
Play it safe on the road
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

I am NOT the editor
I am not sure why my name is associated with this book, which obviously has some reporting issues. Let me be perfectly clear: I had NOTHING to do with this book. Yes, I have edited other books in Rodale's cycling series, but I HAVE NEVER LAID EYES ON THIS BOOK. I have contacted Rodale and they are working to get my name removed from this page.

What a surprise! from one of the authors
As I am one of the featured authors in this books ("the sport's leading women writers!") you'd think that the publisher would have bothered to tell me about the publication of this book. No, I discovered it, three years later, accidentally in a web search. I was still more surprised to find in the chapter entitled "Riding with Confidence" that I supposedly changed my first flat tire while riding with a friend named Ann and tried to get someone named Eric to drive out and help us. A nice little tale, and maybe it happened to someone, but not to me. The day that I would have asked someone to help me fix a flat tire, let alone drive to do so - well, I would have had to have had two broken arms. You can ask my mom.
So maybe this book is great. Seeing chapters with my name on them with chunks of stuff I did not write (I did write the stuff after the long intro, for a Bicycling magazine article) makes me wonder how the rest of the book holds together and how many more cute little tales didn't really happen at all. ... Read more

Product Description
Recommended by Back Roads Bicycle Tours, The HubBub Guide To Cycling, is an easy-to-read, easy-to-pack information guide for the cycle tourist.Amusing and straightforward, don't leave for a bicycle tour without it! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Informative AND Entertaining
What a wonderfully light style of making cycling sound like it is, fun!Nearly every aspect of recreational riding is discussed from purchasing appropriate equipment to getting (and staying) comfortable on the bike topacking for a tour.This book does not belong on a shelf - it rests on mycoffee table!

Cycling Info for Everyone
This is a book everyone who has ever thought about bicycling should read. It's written in an easy-to-read conversational style, and includes basic information every beginner should know as well as tidbits even seasonedcyclists may not have heard. The list of resources in the back is alsouseful, for information not directly in the book. Whether you're planning aspin around the block or a trek across the continent, The HubBub Guide ToCycling is for you! ... Read more

Product Description
Packed with full-color photos, this eye-popping new book takes fans on a comprehensive journey through the amazing career of Austin's own Lance Armstrong, the triumphant winner of the 2004 Tour de France. Details on all six of his thrilling victories in the world's most famous bicycle race are featured, with stories, race highlights, and exclusive interviews first found in the pages of the Austin American-Statesman. The coverage of his 2004 win includes the joyous final stage and champagne toast in Paris, along with the encouragement throughout the race from superstar musician Sheryl Crow.

The retrospective Lance Armstrong: Historic Six-Time Tour de France Champion also details Armstrong's inspiring fight against cancer, his foundation, and the intense training methods and strong will that have helped turn him into one of America's biggest sports heroes. It's a truly special way to remember yet another remarkable record-setting race! ... Read more

Product Description
The Ultimate Guide to Weight Training for Cycling is the most comprehensive and up-to-date cycling-specific training guide in the world today. It contains descriptions and photographs of over 80 of the most effective weight training, flexibility, and abdominal exercises used by athletes worldwide. This book features year-round cycling-specific weight-training programs guaranteed to improve your performance and get you results.

No other cycling book to date has been so well designed, so easy to use, and so committed to weight training. This book will have cyclists of all skill levels achieving quicker times with less of a chance of injury and more energy for going up hills and riding on tougher tracks. By following the programs in this book, you will increase your lower body strength, endurance, and overall speed dramatically.

Both beginners and advanced athletes and weight trainers can follow this book and utilize its programs. From recreational to professional, thousands of athletes all over the world are already benefiting from this book and its techniques, and now you can too!

As an added bonus, this book also contains links to free record keeping charts which normally sell separately for $20. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Good details
I bought this book for my husband.It has a very concise and detailed presentation on what to do when.There are also pictures showing the workout and that helps, too.It's hard to not make progress if you follow the plan.My hubby has been following it and is seeing improvements just weight training 2x per week.

Ultimateweignt lifting for cyclist
To be in shape hammering strong on pedals is important to train with weight lifting. This book is the best guide to be in shape when bycling is not always possible and/or you want performe always at the best level...Try it! ... Read more

Product Description
Everything you could want to know about racing bicycles on the velodrome. Track events and behind-the-scenes are discussed by Champions and experts in each specialty. Special section on Sydney 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist Marty Nothstein. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Track Cycyling Book
Great book even though its a little outdated. Given the limited interest in the sport its nice to even have a book out there.

Why This Book Is Perfect
It's been 12 years since NO BRAKES! was published, so I guess it's time to answer all my "typo" and other critics -- just to explain.

If you read the Preface, which many people skip, you will learn much about why NO BRAKES! is what it is. It is a solitary effort, by a single person, who produced this book from start to printing press because what you see is what she wanted to see.Self-indulgent, no doubt, but that is the power of doing something completely by yourself -- and paying for the privilege. No one else took the risk or did the task, so you get what the solitary person does.Like it, don't like it. Do something better -- I'd love to read it, typos or no!Be sure to have lots of photos!

Typos: I don't like them either, but there are three reasons for them. 1) no author should edit their own book, and this author had a sister who was a tech writer, so it was simple pig-headed pride in doing it all alone that caused this part of the reason. But there are also two more.2) the print broker "helping" me with the printing, uploaded some corrections which WERE made, but, where they disappeared to, I have no idea.
3) the third factor is the one that defeated all other factors:
After two solid years of daily toil upon getting home from a full-time job -- deciding what to include, conducting interviews (one by one), transcribing, gathering information, selecting and scanning 300+ photos, learning new technological software and devices, etc. -- this was an attempt to have SOMETHING in time for the Olympic Games of 1996 so that people could learn what a wonderful sport this is and JOIN us in our passion.The urgency of TIME forced me to speed up any corrections to get it DONE -- in any form, typos or no -- so that it could be sure to be printed, delivered, and ready for the start of Olympic events leading up to the Games.As it turned out, that particular effort -- again, solitary! -- was completely defeated by Corporate America. The ONLY companies who were allowed to offer anything were Coca-Cola, Xerox and Sports Illustrated. I felt a little less insulted (but not better) that even Bicycling Magazine was shut out -- they had told me they weren't going to produce a book on velodome racing because "no one is interested in that".

The Stone Mountain Velodrome in Atlanta had NO explanation of events, NO names or history of riders or ANYTHING except a single piece of paper with riders and events described, that Sandy Sutherland hid/dropped in various locations around the venue to give people SOME KIND of explanation.As it was, I sat behind Mike Fraysee, then President of the Cycling Federation (all of us in the nose-bleed section) who commented about the book: "It is very appropriate for the audience it was intended for". Thank you, Mike, that's what I think, too!I did sneak down to the EMPTY sections reserved for corporate executives -- who had NO interest because they knew nothing of the sport -- to give some books away to the few who did arrive -- to say what I always hear "newbies" say, "This is the most exciting thing I've ever seen!"

This book was NOT intended for people who already know all about velodrome racing except as interest and photos. It has been called "repetitious", and it must own up to that fact, but the repetition in asking the same questions of different athletes was an attempt to show differences amongathletes -- and anyone who knows the athletes in this book knows they are VASTLY different personalities. It was felt -- and still is -- that asking the same questions would reinforce similarities and differences.

So, while I'm sorry everyone doesn't love my book, I'm fine with folks not reading it because it doesn't suit their needs.I'm also fine with people loving it because it does.The reason it is perfect is because I wrote it for ME, and it suits MY needs, so for ME, it's perfect. I prefer to think the typos make it more human and less corporate. The maverick part of me says "hey, so what?" People don't do a lot of things because they think they need to be perfect.Everyone's a critic, including many who don't actually do anything themselves, so if you put yourself out there, you risk that. Some critics just want to show their knowledge and maybe analyze as a personal exercise. Sometimes critics just show their lack of understanding, but again, so what? People feel afraid to do things because someone will have something negative to say -- or, they already know they have not arrived at "perfect", so the joy of "doing" never gets fulfilled. I left that place long ago, because true accomplishment -- maybe all accomplishment -- goes with that territory.

What I also know is that NO BRAKES! is one of the most fun and satisfying things I've ever done and I'm infinitely grateful to Amazon for offering a program where my book can be made available to others who have their needs met by this effort.

Happy reading, everyone, and if you cut NO BRAKES! some slack, it is pretty fun...

Great overview of track racing
First, know up front that the production quality of this book is a little, well, off the mark. The pages are printed in four-column landscape format, which is a bit unwieldy. The fonts and typesetting look like something from a first-generation word processor. And, as other reviewers have pointed out, apparently the book wasn't proofread. At all. There are several typos and missing punctuation marks.

Okay then. If you can get past these issues, the information in the book itself is fantastic. The author explains many different types of track events and then prints lengthy descriptions verbatim from leading competitors in each event. You'll not only learn how each event works, but also how actual riders trained and developed their careers to excel in these events. The author also interviewed leading coaches, velodrome managers, promoters, announcers, officials and photographers (the author herself) to give the reader a thorough overview of all aspects of track bike racing. Great stuff.

Two other things worth mentioning: (1) the book is loaded with photographs that help tell the stories and bring a sense of excitement for the sport, and (2) the storytelling style of the author and her interview subjects show their personalities, which will give you a better feel for the sport in a way that dry information alone couldn't do. This made the book a fun read for me.

terrible book on track cycling
I was looking forward to reading this book (as a former trackie). Unfortunately, the "interviews" appear to be unedited, with repetition and typo's abounding. Very little coherent material.

Great Book
If you are cycling nut like I am, this book is a must read. I'm 63 and only race track on Fridaynights in theStock Bike races so you can't class me as a racer and even so I got a lot from this book. The interviewswiththe different racers were very enlightening. Cycling is such atechnical sport that you can't become proficiantwithout help from othersand this is what this book provides. Knowing what motivates people and howtheyride, what gears they use can add more to your own abilities. I'vemet and talked to three of the peoplementioned in the book namely GregLemond, Rebecca Twig and Eddy Borysewicz all great people and abenefit tocycling. I also rode with Mary Jane Reoch and never new about heraccomlishments until readingthe Statistics and Results in the back of thebook. ... Read more

Product Description

This essential guide steers you along Britain’s best cycling routes, to great pubs and attractions and the coziest places to stay and eat.Find a tour to suit you – a leisurely day trip, a week-long tour or the epic 20-day Land’s End to John o’Groats ride.

• 120 days of Britain’s best cycling
• where to eat – from pubs to cafes, curry-houses and restaurants
• where to stay – from camping to B&Bs and luxury hotels
• on-the-road maintenance tips and recommended bike shops
• what to see and do, in and out of the saddle
• how to pack and transport your bike

Lonely Planet provides in one book all the information a cyclist will needfor a tour of Britain, including Wales and Scotland. "Facts for Cyclists"provides practical information on when to ride, a checklist of what tobring, information on buying or renting locally, a list of cycling events,and Internet resources. There's a detailed introduction to the British cycle-touring scene, with tips on how to get to and from Heathrow Airportand how to use the excellent rail network to cover more of the island.There are tips for senior, disabled, and gay and lesbian cyclers, and those riding with children, as well as lists of which airlines are bicycle friendly and how to pack and transport your bike. The "Health and Safety" chapterexplains the British rules of the road, and gives tips for getting andstaying fit. It discusses treatments for common ailments on the road, and evenexplains how to avoid the "bonk." As well, there's the usual information on where to stay, what to eat, and what to see, and photographs (though the latter are on the small and skimpy side). With the inclusion of a chapter on bicyclemaintenance and repair, this is one excellent, all-purpose guide. Be sureto make room for it in your pannier. --Lesley Reed ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good reference for planning a tour of Britain
This is a great book for planning a cycle tour of Britain.It has strengths common to all the Lonely Planet series, such as advice on getting to and from Britain and using rail and air travel to get to the various touring routes.There are also sections on bicycle maintenance and pre-tour fitness training that might be useful to potential tourists.

From the perspective of using this book as an actual road guide, there are many shortcoming.This book is very much a "townie's" guide, with the majority of route description focusing on where to spend your money on food and accomadation rather than discussing on-the-bike route navigation.The route maps printed in the book are of minimal detail, with many towns and roads omitted.The routes themsevles are descibe by lists of verbal cues and arrows, for example "--> At unisigned road."The combination of these factors means that it is very easy to miss a cue, get off-route, and wind up on a part of your map with no description.

I would recommend supplementing the book with at least the 1:250,000 scale Ordnance Survey Travelmaster maps.The book itself also recommends this, but the editorial review claims the book is a stand-alone guide.Also, many of the descibed routes coincide with the Sustrans National Cycle Network (NCN) in Britain.One might do well to use this book in planning a tour of Britain, then acquiring the detailed cycle route maps from Sustrans. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

About This Book...
"From trips long the Grand Canyon's rim to roller coaster rides through the Sonoita Wine Country, this book contains 106 routes within day-trip range from cities throughout the state. Whether you're a skilled cyclist looking for a challenge or a casual rider in search of scenery, this guide provides all the information you need...."

"Each ride is accompanied by an elevation profile, as well as a guide to mileage, difficulty, and peak cycling periods. Find out where to stay and where to eat and plan your trek using regional and local maps...."

- 106 routes
- 101 color photographs
- 11 regional maps
- 13 detailed local maps
- 280 pp ... Read more

Product Description

Learn from a legend! Trim seconds off your time, train more efficiently, or simply maximize your fitness workouts with Mastering Cycling. 

Customer Reviews (2)

John Howard is at it again...
I finally had the chance to read John Howard's latest book and thought it had helpful tips for both the novice and seasoned rider...I'm a long time cyclist and sometime racer on local SoCal teams and found the book to have some interesting insights; not only on the bike but a complete section on what to do off the bike for better performance and less injury.John outlines a complete program that includes both strength and flexibly exercised to complement training out on the road...John certainly has done it all and even today will be found in the front group of the legendary `Swami's ride" that's more like an abrading comet...Stacked with top riders and a sprinkling of pros, to see John in his 60's hang,he is doing something right...

This book was a disappointment to me
John Howard is legendary in the cycling world.He is a three time Olympian, winner of the Hawaii Ironman, holder of the world speed bicycle record, multiple national champion, etc., etc.When I heard that he had written a book on cycling which is a passion of mine, I couldn't wait to order it knowing that he would reveal the secrets that allowed him to accomplish everything that he has achieved.I must say that the book was a disappointment.Of all the books available on the subject of cycling on Amazon, this is probably the least informative with nothing new to add.I kept hoping the next page would reveal something that would make the purchase of the book worthwhile - I never found it.I give it three stars only out of the respect that I have for the man. ... Read more

Product Description
This book is the story of the making of a cycling champion. It follows Roche's growth from home-town Dublin boy into a young European, famous in every city where cycling is a major sport, and the astonishing series of wins in 1987 that were to make him a sporting legend. "The Agony and the Ecstasy" takes us behind the scenes of triumph and into the mysterious world of cycling, showing us what life for top professionals is really like. It covers the roads, the races and the riders themselves - how they live and train, their battles with the elements on great marathons, the crowds and their role in morale, the dangers of the sport, and the elation or despair when the finish line is reached. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An entertaining biography of a professional cyclist
This book tells the tale of the rise of one of Ireland's greatest professional cyclists, Stephen Roche.It is co-authored by David Walsh, who also wrote the definitive biography of Ireland's other greatprofessional cyclist, Sean Kelly.

Roche describes his humble beginningsas a milk man apprentice for his father through his rise through the ranksto become only the second cyclist to win the "Triple Crown," theTour of Italy, The Tour of France and the World Championship in1987.

Packed with details only an insider would know, Roche and Walshhave written a highly entertaining and informative book about the world ofprofessional cycling, the greatest sport in the world. ... Read more

Product Description

High-Performance Cycling is all about going faster and pushing the limits of your ability. If you want the latest training, equipment, and technique used by the best cyclists in the world, then this is the book for you.

High-Performance Cycling presents the latest applied research on cycling biomechanics, aerodynamics, testing, training, injuries, nutrition, equipment, and racing from top cycling experts from Europe, North America, and Australia. Everything in the book will have a direct effect on your performance. You'll learn how to

- test your potential,
- design a program to meet your racing goals,
- monitor your training progress and program effectiveness,
- improve the aerodynamics of your riding position,
- fuel your body properly for better racing performance, and
- stay-injury free and avoid the pitfalls of overtraining.

You'll also learn which aspects of cycling are most important—and which improvements will most directly affect your cycling performance. High-Performance Cycling gives you a better idea of what the pro teams do so that you can improve your own performance!

Customer Reviews (6)

a book that breaks biking into quantifiable terms
I found this to be a good book. It took different elements of bicycling and put them in quantifiable terms. for example there is a formula for relating speed, power, aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance and other parameters.The book speaks of various elements of biking: training, equipment, nutrition for example.

Just a collection of reports
This book manages to say nothing definitive about training, racing, or cycling equipment.It is a nice collection of reports on recent research, but provides little practical information.

On another note, the cover looks really cool in my bookshelf!

Excellent book for the bicycle science-geek
This is a great book in the same line of cycling science and high-tech cycling.

It's an collection of many scientif studies of several matters, like aerodynamics, powermeters, weight influence, hydration and other bicycle related subjects. They are in very clear language.

If you like physics and math, have the curiosity and ask many WHYS when riding your bicycle, you are going to love this book! When I finished reading it I felt like I wanted more!

I think it will be too scientific for most people.
It is written/edited by someone with a PhD, in a reporting style which may annoy some people. It is well-referenced, though I think most people will not care less for seeking out the various journal articles. For example, it often starts a paragraph in this manner: "one study shows that..."

A quote: "Our baseline modeling condition has used a coefficient of rolling resistance (Crr) value of 0.0032, which is representative of an average racing clincher tire (Martin et al. 1998). Kyle (1986) has reported the Crr for high-performance road-racing tubular and clincher tires to be 16 percent lower (0.0027) when measured on an asphalt surface. Some road-racing tubular tires, however, exhibit Crr values as high as 0.0059 (Kyle 1986).

Now what is the point of that? The findings (on whether tubulars or clinchers offer lower rolling resistance) seem to be inconclusive. It doesn't tell us which brand + model tubulars had the higher rolling resistance, so you'd have to look up the article by Kyle if you really wanted to know which tubulars to avoid. At the very least it can be gleaned that the chapter concerning equipment isn't much help.

This book creates a very small niche for itself, perhaps too small. It seems to be aimed at coaches or deadly serious cyclists. I can't imagine there are too many of those in the world. But if that is the case, why bother defining the terms "prologue", "criterium" and "stage race"?

I'll be honest -I haven't read the entire book- but I still didn't find the three chapters on body and machine very useful, nor the chapters covering performance assessment. The nutrition & recovery sections were of assistance, as was the chapter on training in extreme conditions (for me at least).

However, I was disappointed that two very important "tips" were not mentioned regarding training in extremely hot climates, namely: avoid black or dark clothes, as they absorb a LOT of heat; and consume icey cold fluids as they are absorbed into the body faster than tepid fluids. Furthermore, although hypothermia was discussed, there was no mention of the dangerous condition that may arise if extremely frigid air is rapidly inhaled by athletes - the trachea (i.e. your windpipe or whatever) freezes. Absolutely no mention of these important facts, in a book that purports to discuss training in extreme climates!! (...)>I just can't imagine that a large proportion of the considerable number ofamazon customers (229,000) of this book own their own hypobaric chambers (or else would have the time and money to train and live at separate altitudes), so I can't fathom how the chapter on altitude training is going to be beneficial to the majority of readers.

On the up side, the book contains many helpful graphs and tables throughout, and the end of each chapter also contains brief summaries.

I didn't buy this book to be able to improve at competition, I bought it to become a better cyclist. My advice, for what its worth: if you're not a scientist with a PhD like I've almost got, and you don't intend on reading a thesis to get some pointers, don't buy this book! Don't get me wrong, it is a helpful book (in its own way) I just think it could be a little more palatable for the average reader.

Performance Cycling for Elite Male Road Racers
Summary Conclusion

In High-Performance Cycling, 28 authors combine to review the science of modern-day cycling. The book is full of important and useful information. Considering the many authors, there is only modest overlap of material.

Although most of the information available in the book has been previously published-either in trade or scientific press, the book nicely brings the lay reader up-to-date with one package. There is also much to be gleaned by the savvy cyclist with a scientific academic background.

Subject Matter

The book is divided into five parts:
* Training
* Performance Assessment
* Body and Machine
* Nutrition
* Conditioning and Recovery

The book title may be misleading to some. The puff below the book's title promises to "give you an edge in technique, training, equipment, racing."

Although the book does touch on improving the reader's own performance, especially the last chapter, the book is principally about elite male road cyclists. There are a few references to track riders. There is little specifically about women, masters, mountain biking, BMX, ultra, or other cyclists.

The elite male road cyclist paradigm may put off some readers.
* "Most cyclists can reach peaks of up to ...1200 watts in a single sprint." The author means most high-performance cyclists, and is not referring to the general cycling population.
* "Most cyclists have small computers that display their speed." While many do, most overstates the overall cycling community.
* "In cycling competition there are two types of races: road race and time trails." What about BMX; ultras; mountain biking (many disciplines including cross country, short track, downhill), track racing (sprints, kilos, pursuit, points racing, Keiren)?

Editor's Organization

The organization and general editorial work of Asker Jeukendrup is good. He has organized and tied together the writings of his co-authors well. The editor prefaces each of the five parts of the books with unifying remarks. Only chapters 7 and 8 have appreciable overlap. Chapter cross-references are good. The final chapter, written by the editor, summarizes the book's material well.

There are occasional lapses in consistent terminology that will prove confusing to some readers. For example, the power that an athlete can generate in a sprint is referred to as maximum power. In the case of a top track sprinter this might be 2300 watts. The power that an elite athlete can sustain in a progressive (graded or ramped) test, about 500 watts, is also referred to as maximal power. It would be helpful to the reader to consistently have these values referred to as peak anaerobic power and maximal ramped aerobic power respectively.

Reader Level

As is frequently the case, readers will appreciate the information provided on different levels. Only sophisticated readers will understand some of the points being made. This is therefore a book for most readers to return to and reread as their general cycling experience and knowledge increases.
In some cases, prior knowledge is required and the author needs to be more explanatory.

For example, in Chapter 11, page, 138, we are told that "saddle height [should be] 98% of leg length." That perhaps sounds okay, until the reader tries to follow this advice. Is leg length determined by the book-under-the-crotch-against-the-wall approach? In stocking feet or wearing cycling shoes? How does one account for different cleat/pedal axle distances? Or is leg length determined by the common medical method-measuring the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine to the medial malleolus? Or perhaps (in elite athletes) by a scanogram X-ray? Is saddle height measured from the pedal or from the center of the crank axle? If measured from the pedal, is it with the crank oriented in the direction of the down tube or with the crank in the 6 o'clock (vertically down) position? Is seat height measured to the nose of the saddle or to where the rider generally sits? In other words "saddle height [should be] 98% of leg length" isn't likely to be helpful advice.

Another example, page 61: "Another method is the so-called Dmax method. The intensity is marked that has the minimum distance (d) from the lactate curve to a line connecting the first and last point of the graph." Unfortunately, the text does not describe any particular graph, no graph accompanies the text, and most readers will have no idea what the author is talking about. ... Read more

Product Description
Let an expert show you how to use modern sport science toimprove your cycling.U.S. Olympic cycling manager Ed Burke presentspractical "cyclist-to-cyclist" advice on how the heart, lungs, andmuscles work and how you can use this knowledge to get the most out ofyour riding. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Great for introduction to cycling...
This book is written for the "layman" in regards to the physiology behind the sport of cycling.As someone not familiar with VO2 max or heart rate training or even different methods of training, this book is perfect.

As someone with an Exercise Physiology background, however, this book was nothing more than a reveiw of everything I have learned.I was looking for something more physiologically based.

Great for introduction to cycling...
This book is written for the "layman" in regards to the physiology behind the sport of cycling.As someone not familiar with VO2 max or heart rate training or even different methods of training, this book is perfect.

As someone with an Exercise Physiology background, however, this book was nothing more than a reveiw of everything I have learned.I was looking for something more physiologically based.

Excellent Reference!
I will be reading this book several times. It's packed with information on how to maximize your training session, off-season training advice, nutitional info, how to cope with jet lag, ad infinitum. I recommend this book to all who take this sport seriously.

The scene behind cycling
I read Serios Cycling from Ed Burke and realized that there is more to cycling than mere racing. Being a "new" cyclist at the age of 43 I had great difficulty to match the "older" cyclists that havebeen cycling competatively for the last 25 years. This book helped me tosee what is all the preparation work behind the scenes. Mere fitness is notenough. You tend to hit the wall during training rides and feel confusedbecause you are still not there. The understanding of how muscles work andwhat they need to continue performing at extreme levels of endurance mademe to adapt my diet and pre-race preparation to ensure maximum energy,nutrition and oxygen are available to the working muscles to perform attheir best. It was a complete mind change but today, less than three monthssince I bought this book fellow cyclist are questioning if I use steriods.They could not believe the improvement! The book is well laid out toexplain the basic as well as the advanced detail of the body and mind andhow to overcome those stages where you seem not to progress at all. If youare serious about cycling, get this book. You'll see what I mean! ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

For cyclists old and new
I've been a avid cyclist for nearly three decades and am always looking for some new insights in order to be a more efficient and stronger cyclist. This handbook comes from the publishers of Bicycling [1-year]which also has relevent information for cyclists. Recently I've included some new training methods and cross training into my normal cycling routine and I found this book beneficial. You can pick and choose your information as the concise format lends itself to browsing the book. It is a small book that you can take most anywhere and pull out to get some information. The tips are very often redundant and common sense ,especially if you have been cycling for avery long time. However there is always something new to learn or just something you may have overlooked even if you are veteran cyclist. An example is just your basic riding postion. The book suggests that on even on your easy ride days you can improve your riding technique by taking note of certain things. For example, I tend to ride with my elbows out(doesn't seem like a big deal but it is)so I now pay attention to this riding quirk and constantly correct my technique. Eventually a better riding technique will be second nature and I won't need to compensate. I picked up some good advice for the gym regarding working on certain cycling specific muscles, the role of the calves and the heart and soul of your stroke, the quads. The suggested excercises for the quads has helped especially since one(step up)some can be done at home from a bench or an elevated firm place.The power and force training sections were concise but filled with useful information. No matter what level of cyclist you are you will be able to benefit from this handbook for improving you riding skills. If you are new to cycling than I would highly recommend this book for a basic handbook for nearly all facets of cycling.

Excellent book
I really enjoyed this book and found it very helpful for improving my technique.It's a fast read and deserves to be read a couple of times.The author/editor points out that there are several conflicting opinions given, but like anything in life you need to find the one that works best for you.It's good to see that the editor didn't think he had to just give the most popular opinion.I highly recommend this book for riders looking to step up their training.

A good start
This book is a good starting point for training for cycling. It gives the reader an overview of training and the different approaches there are to training. It drives home the point that each individual is different and that you need to customize a training programt to fit your own needs and abilities. Again, though, I felt it was a good starting point. Giving you a taste of what's out there, introducing you to terms, and what you should be thinking about as you design your own training plan.

As you become more serious about training for cycling, I recommend picking up A Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel.

Quite good, but buy it's bigger brother instead.
It's been a while since I last flicked through this book, which tells you something about it. It's a good book, no doubt about it, but I bought it at the same time as another book "The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling" (see my review on that one too!). That book overshadows this one, as it goes into more detail and THAT is the one I find myself re-reading. First and foremost as one of the authors is the same, a lot of the stuff is doubled up.

Note that this book is only 110 pages long and the pages are fairly small. Once again, every page or so, bits of the book are worthy of being highlighted.

If you read bicycling magazine often (which I don't) you probably already know a lot of the content. If you've been cycling for several years (10 for me), I think a lot of the tips can be described as common sense, such as keeping your cadence around 90rpm, consuming carbohydrates and staying hydrated...

But I get the feeling that it tries to cover too much ground. This is more of a book that uses point form. It does get to the crux of the matter quickly, but I prefer to understand /why/ a method works, not just be told that it works, so go do it. Be aware that not all of the techniques discussed here will suit your style of riding. I mean I'm never going to practise sprints. I'm wondering now if I did all they suggested on a ride, I wouldn't enjoy it anymore. Practise you're breathing, cycle for two minutes with alternate legs, concentrate on achieving a flat back posture, pull back then up on the pedals... too much to think about at any one time.

Don't expect to find many weekly training plans in here. For me that was good news, as I've never followed one. I think it all depends on how you're feeling (not to mention the weather and other things that crop up).

One annoying thing, the rest of the world uses metric units: some people, like me, have absolutely no idea how much a fluid ounce is. For the rest of the planet, 1oz = 28ml of water.

Bottom line: I'd say get this book if you've fairly new to cycling and keen to learn ways of improving - take what you want from it and don't worry about the rest.

Great Training Guide
A great book for cyclists who do not have access to million dollar training facilities. The author takes a no nonsense approach to training that anybody can follow providing they have a bike a stationary trainer anda desire. I found this book very useful. The best part was the authorincluded a section on mountain biking. Thanks! ... Read more

Product Description
Power Pacing—one of the most popular programs in the fitness industry—is the ultimate in indoor cycling. Developed by the experts at Keiser Corporation, this program will help you get leaner and stronger. It will take you to a whole new level of aerobic fitness.

Power Pacing for Indoor Cycling—written by co-developer Kristopher Kory and master trainer Tom Seabourne—provides step-by-step instructions on how to build cardiovascular endurance and power through nonimpact, full-body workouts. Choose from 11 workouts and 30 drills that vary in intensity to develop a tailored program based on your personal fitness goals. Also included are 113 photos showing safe and correct cycling techniques, 48 strength exercises, workouts for cyclists, and mind-body training: a combination unique to Power Pacing.

Whether you're looking for a great full-body workout or to add variety to your exercise program, Power Pacing for Indoor Cycling has everything you need to know to reach your fitness goals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Informative
I teach cycling classes at our local YMCA and found this book to be informative. Excellent ideas for various drills and overall principles of indoor cycling.

wanna buy a Keiser stationary bike?
The book is pretty basic and does a great job of pushing Keiser products. If I would have glanced through it in a bookstore instead of ordering it on-line, I would have had the jist of the material in less than 3 minutes and left the book on the shelf. There not enough focus on actual workout programs (I only count 7 in the book, 2-25 min, 3-40 min, and 2-1 hour plans) and a lot more focus on weight use ON the stationary bike. The title says "complete workout programs for high-level fitness" however my light/typical workouts are about 1 hour. Since there are only 2 programs for this duration, indoor training will get very dull, very quick. In short, look elsewhere for training programs.

M. McCormick
5-time ironman finisher
cycling instructor
collegiate cyclist

EXCELLENT
I have been a cycling instructor for three years and have enjoyed learning the different techniques from different companies. This book has just endless ideas and programs to use in my classes. I especially enjoyed thesection called "Cycle Sculpt" which is using the Kis Kory BikeBand with the bike. I've been using the concepts with my private clients.They just love it! Since I work at home I enjoy all the ideas to use on mystationary bike too. I never relazied there could be so much diversity on astationary bike. ... Read more