Book Description
Ride Strong, Ride Long .... Whether Your Goal Is 30 Miles or 3,000From two of the country's top cycling experts the most comprehensive guide ever to achieving the strength, skills, and strategies you need for long-distance riding. Whether you're training for day rides, centuries, or cross-country trips, The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling helps you choose the right equipment, train step-by-step, and map out your riding strategy so that you can go the distance.Discover how to:* Make the most of every hour on your bike* Build your mileage base efficiently* Customize your training to suit your personality and physical capabilities* Build extra training time into your hectic schedule* Avoid injuries and the dangers of overtraining* Achieve the mental edge you need to ride farther and faster* Train for both road and off-road touring* Choose cycling gear that goes and goes* Eat for the long haul-- nutrtion before, during, and after your ridesTo help you achieve your riding goals, The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling gives you complete, step-by-step training programs for riding a half-century, century, double century, and beyond. You'll also find strategies and techniques for special situations, such as riding in bed weather and riding at night. Published by the world's leading authority on bicycling, this informative guide is a must-have for all cycling enthusiasts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Good introduction
This is a good book for anybody looking for an introduction to long-distance cycling.

If you have already done a few centuries or multi day rides there are only few new things you will learn.

Still interesting and covers all the essentials.

So-so
Good basics but probably more for the new long-distance cyclist.I felt it a bit redundant and perhaps 1/2 of the book was actually helpful to read.Written in an easy-to-read fashion.

Very slim on content
I am a subscriber to Bicycling magazine. Every month I eagerly open the latest issue and almost without exception am disappointed in the lack of substantial content. Most articles are superficial at best, stating obvious facts and making suggestions of questionable value. If you have had a similar experience with the Bicycling the magazine then you already know what you will find in this book.

There is surprising little useful content here. Equipment tips and suggestions are generally useless. For instance much attention is given to the benefit of clipless pedals. Well duh!!! Important topics for long distance cycling such as working out a comfortable saddle system are given almost no useful coverage (usually something like "get a saddle which is comfortable"). Most of the chapters as they relate to equipment are quite dated and need to be revised.

Topics such as Lactic Threshold, heart rate monitoring, and training strategies are introduced but unless they are completely new to you the discussions of each are not likely to be useful.

I generally could not bring myself to completely read any of the suggestions and skimmed through most of the book. I did find a couple of pieces worth reading but to be honest I can not recall them at the moment.

My advice is to skip this book. Anything of value that could be found in it could also be easily found on any of a number of websites devoted to cycling and training. For an excellent alternative book covering a lot of useful training discussion see "Cycling Past 50" by Joel Friel. Despite the title, riders of all ages will find wonderful discussions of training physiology and strategies which will apply well to your long distance goals.

Now if someone would just would make a cycling magazine that is worth reading so I can relegate "Bicycling" to the bathroom stall with Mens Health and Outside..........

Good but not systematic
I was a bit disappointed with this book. The title implies that the authors present a systematic way of building skill and endurance for long distance cycling. Instead, it is more of a collection of tips. The content is still worthwhile.

Calling All Cyclists
Cyclists of all levels should check out these training tips.Even those not doing long distance can find a lot of useful information. ... Read more

Book Description
Cycling Past 50 will show you that with proper training and the right attitude, your biking years after 50 can be your best ever. Inside you'll find:

• key training principles;

• advanced workouts for endurance, climbing, and sprinting;

• training advice for 100-mile events and multi-day tours;

• strategies for getting into racing form;

• tips and exercises for preventing injuries;

• advice on proper body fueling; and

• ideas on how to get mentally psyched to ride.

This book is part of the Ageless Athlete Series published by Human Kinetics, designed to help readers stay active and feel younger every day. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Cycling Past 50
an excellent book for those of us they may be advanced in years, but young at heart, and enjoy bicycling.

Surprising
I expected some discussion of problems people over 50 have keeping their weight down.There is almost no mention of weight or weight loss, except to say that losing weight slowly, as advised, consists of not eating the equivalent of a small piece of cake each day.A lot of the book is for people who want to do more aggressive cycling than I will likely do.Still, it pushes the rider to be more aggressive for more improvement.The chapter on psyching is very good and highly recommended.The book also discusses using a heart rate monitor to know when a period of recovery has done its work.

Good source of info
Book was excellent, highly recommend it. The book contains lots of info and tips on how to stay motivated and proper conditioning/training. Liked it so much, I gave it as a gift this year.

information everybody should read
The information in this book is vital to anyone that leads an active life.It dose not matter if you are over 50 or not, you should read this book it's very helpful.I wish that I would have found this book ten years ago. It could have saved me some pain and comfort.

Excellent Book
Despite the title, cyclists of all ages will find this book useful. There is a great deal of both general discussion as well as specific recommendations for effective training. The sections which are age specific generally are of the form "If you were 20 you would train like this, since you are 50 you need to modify the training like this... (usually allow more recovery)". Thus the discussion becomes relevant for everyone.

Some will probably find the specifics more detail than they are interested in. Fine, take the bigger message (intensity + adequate recovery = ageless perfomance) and you will be way ahead of the game. The discussion of heart rate training is the best I have seen.

Again highly recommended for everyone. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (12)

Workouts in a Binder for Indoor Cycling
So far I think it is a good resource for cycling.I have not gotten through all the workouts yet, but the few I have tried are very good.
The book surprised me because of the smaller size.I guess I was looking for a normal 8 1/2 x 11 size book, but this is okay.

Any cyclist involved in gym workouts needs this.
The problem with most workout books is that they aren't designed to be used while in the process of a workout itself. Enter the spiral-bound, lay-flat and smaller 'Workouts in a Binder' series, of which FOR INDOOR CYCLING is the most practical. Here workouts are presented which use and also combine the three methods of heart rate, perceived exertion, power output for maximum results: workouts which can either stand alone or blend into an overall training regimen. Any cyclist involved in gym workouts needs this.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Used by Winter Training Spin Class
As a cyclist and instructor, I used this book last winter for an indoor cycling group that ranged from the first time triathlete to experienced ironmen! We used a 12 week program and followed the book as a guideline.Because everyone works at their own intensity, it works and motivates for all levels.

I even emailed Dirk, who responded with some recommendations!I still use this book in my basement for routine and guidance. It gives structure to workouts that can meander and go "no where", building strength, endurance and power for spring riding.Highly recommend!Don't let the jargon scare you, Dirk and Wes give many objective and subjective measures to self guide thru workouts.

I want a second edition!

Awesome Training Aid
This is a great tool to use for trainers...I am very impressed. The workouts are tough, and there is enough variety so that you don't get bored. The different types of workouts ensure that you get the right kind of workout...I am so excited to have something to help me get through the winter 'blahs' of cycling!

Great book for the serious cyclist
This book could be used alone or as an additional resource to Joe Friel's book, the Cyclist's Training Bible.This book focuses on specific workouts which include endurance, speed skills, muscular endurance, power, force, and anaerobic endurance, all of which are part of Joe Friel's book.

Any level of cyclist could benefit from this book, but I think it is probably intended more for the serious recreational cyclist or racers.If you follow the workouts as written, many of them can be very intense and grueling, especially the power and anaerobic endurance workouts.I've been using this book for about two months and have increased by intensity over the last several weeks, and I have definitely seen noticeable improvements in my cycling out on the road.

For anyone who is serious about getting stronger and faster on the bike while developing better technique, this book is a must have resource. ... Read more

Book Description
Tired of the same ride at the same pace yielding the same results day after day? With Fitness Cycling, you will achieve maximum results from every cycling workout, whether you're trying to improve your times, bike longer distances, or simply increase your fitness level. With 60 workouts and 13 proven training programs at your fingertips, you will improve your physical conditioning and your performance.

World-class cyclists Michael and Dede Demet Barry, with noted exercise physiologist Dr. Shannon Sovndal, guide you through assessing your cycling fitness level and selecting a training program based on your individual goals.

The dozens of workouts include endurance rides, hill and speed training, time trials, and strength and lactate threshold sessions. Workouts are then arranged into four training zones to lead you from building a base to maintaining peak condition based on your fitness level and cycling ambition. Warm-up and cool-down methods, as well as expert conditioning guidelines, provide the information you need for more informed training, faster times, and improved fitness.

Put an end to the monotonous rides and begin cranking out meaningful miles. Whether you're looking to jump-start your training or to peak for a race, Fitness Cycling ensures that every workout keeps you on pace to meet your goals. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Intro to Cycling Fitness
I recommend this book to any cyclists interested in racing or fitness. If you ride for fun, this book is probably the only fitness book you will need for cycling. If you are planning on racing, but you don't know much about cycling training, this is an excellent book to start with.
This book is divided into two parts.
The first part introduces the rider to cycling fitness, and how it is accomplished. This involves explaining your max heart rate, VO2 max, and lactate threshold. It also explains the basics of cycling fitness, such as building a base, increasing speed, and raising your lactate threshold.
The second part of the book gives three 30 week workout plans, building towards some sort of event or race. The three workout plans are aimed at beginners, intermediate bikers, and more advanced riders.
This book does not emphasize power meters, but it does recommend a heart rate monitor. It also rates workouts according to perceived effort.
This is a good book.
David

We are a electronic wholesale seller .
Dear friends
We are a electronic wholesale seller .
Our products include digital cameras, phone, LCD TV,Laptops, Digital Video, Mp4, GPS,golf ,Fishing, Cycling, The quality of our products are very excellent, and our prices are very good.
If you need our products, please mail us or add our MSN. We hope we can establish a long term cooperation.
mall669@hotmail.com

Fitness Cycling
Descriptive begginer and advanced training programs, easy to follow instructions, straight to the point.

A cycling coach
Good common sense development in this book.Too often these books come out and decide that the person they're talking to is in better shape than Armstrong or is about to get on a bike for the first time.It's good to see that she is aiming at giving good workouts with adequate recovery and a constantly growing workload.

Nice work Ms Barry. ... Read more

Amazon.com
"Periodization," nutrition, stretching, peaking--who knew that so much went into riding a bike? Joe Friel's The Cyclist's Training Bible is jam-packed with information, easily the most authoritative book on cycling to date. Friel, a lauded coachand masters athlete from Colorado, adopts the principles of Dr. Tudor Bompa, whose periodization training methods were used first by the dominant Eastern European athletes of the 1960s before becoming popular in the United States.Book Description

Customer Reviews (44)

Joe Friel's cyclists training bible
A great book with all the necessary information to turn you into your own coach.

Good Book
This book is great.If you're looking to get in to racing, this is the one you want.

taking things to the next level
Complicated training plan to first, but as you apply yourself,you'll easily unlock the key to how to reach higher levels of fitness and extreme performance..

Seems great so far
I haven't read the whole book yet thus 4 out of 5 stars.

Right from the beginning you can see that the book was written scientifically by a person who knows what is he talking about.
You have to be aware that the book is written for the experienced cyclists or a very committed beginner.

A vary good book and a training tool/guide/planner. I recommend it!

Great tool to help you establish technique and direction
I have a friend that I was constantly asking cycling questions. He has been riding for 3 decades and said I'd like this book and that the information helped shape his technique and training. I read it and learned a ton. It helped me conceptualize ideas about training, ability, fitness, planning, peaking for races and nutrition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good info on training for competition not on tactics.
A big question for me when buying my first book on training for racing, was "Who provides the most reliable and important information?" I have seen Dr. Burke quoted in a variety of sources including Bicycling magazine, Velo magazine,and Chris Carmichael's web site. So I had the impression he is respected in the sport. Further, when reading his writings in other sources, he has gone into the underlying physiological processes that contribute to one's performance on a bike. As such, I decided to purchase his book based on his apparent credibility and the depth of information he provides. Strengths of his book include its excellent coverage of what goes into training for competitive cycling. From beginning "base training" to sprint training, periodization, and planning one's training for the entire year. He also speaks at length on nutrition, equipment/rider aerodynamics, body positioning on the bike, and adjunct training methods. Again, there is an emphasis on underlying physiological processes including some discussion of relevant research. I would say the book's weaknesses lie with it's failure to address racing tactics. Certainly, you learn about what is happening with the body at race pace, but this book will not tell you about positioning for a sprint or pacing one's self for a time trial.
In short, buy this book if you are serious about racing and want to enhance your knowledge of what goes into training for competition. Don't buy this book if you want to learn about tactics.

I won't leave home without this one !!!
Very detailed, I found "serious cycling" easy and enjoyable to read.Ideal for the self - coached athlete, it helps personalize your cycling program depending on your present abilities. While reading youfind that there is much more to training and becoming a better rider thenyou first thought, but it puts the "why" into training inaddition to the "how" giving a better understanding andappreciation with what changes your body must undergo to be a bettercyclist.

Periodization, training modes, keeping diaries and more... The nutrition section I found to be a little "old school" but,nevertheless, interesting and backed by studies.This information is aimedat the "serious cyclist" and may be too much for someone notwilling to put forth the 15+ hours a week.

detailed, very serious and technical tome
Burke, a well known name among cyclists, gives very detailed and sometimes complicated advice about how to train, how to create a training schedule for various goals, how and why to make a training diary, etc.Readers should be aware that his advice is aimed at the very serious cyclist, and his training schedules range from those for serious collegiate cyclists (~15hrs/week) to professionals (~25+ hrs/week).His advice is sound, but it may be more than most people really need.His peak mileage (feb) is 2000miles--that's 500 miles per week! ... Read more

Product Description
A striking gallery of photographs from the exciting 2007 season by cycling s greatest photographer, Graham Watson. The victories, the heroes, the excitement and the beauty of the professional European road cycling circuit. With over 40 breathtaking photos this calendar will keep you up-to-date on all the major and minor race dates making it easy to track your favorites!Large 15x 12 .
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Pictures w/little calendar
I'm a person who likes sufficient space on my calendar to write brief notes.This calendar really doesn't allow for this.As could be expected, the focus is on Graham Watson's photos and not so much on having a easy to see/use calendar. ... Read more

Book Description
For serious cyclists, cycling coaches, and triathletes, the quest for a technical edge never stops. Led by two-time U.S. Olympic cycling team staff member and renowned cycling author Ed Burke, a world-class collection of cycling scientists reveal the most important, recent advances in the sport.

From heart rate monitors and altitude tents to power hubs, suspension systems, frame construction, and pedaling efficiency, this book covers every aspect of technology and technique. Additional chapters provide in-depth information on cycling nutrition, altitude training, and the physiological demands of workouts and races. Through it all you'll gain new insights how optimizing the dynamics between human and machine results in becoming a champion in the sport.

Whether you're a serious cyclist, cycling coach, or triathlete seeking to improve your cycling, tap into the expert knowledge in High-Tech Cycling and boost your performance on the track, off-road, and beyond. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

High-Tech Cycling For All
This is a very scientific publication which can escape the interest and desire of those not serious about cycling. For those that want the edge for performance and racing knowledge, this book is for you. It is full of data that compares theories and applied sciences to biking. At times this information can be dry, but for those serious about biking, it is essential.

This book gives you the knowledge to make you ride your fastest, to have the Edge over your competitors, and to have the performance over your bicycling colleages. It covers cycling equipment, body positioning, cadence, cycling biomechanics, high altitude training, and nutrition. The information is current and thorough.

So much change
Riding a lot 10+ years ago, and starting again this year, I needed an upgrade.I picked this book up to help bring me into the current era and I wasn't disapointed.

My first dive into the book focused on the peddaling, heart rate and nutritional areas.After reading this, I really felt like I could sift thru a lot more of the (mis-)information that I was hearing.I don't ever expect to be this level of a cyclist, but it was great to learn about what really makes a difference - and what (at least as far as the current studies show) doesn't.

Nicely put together!

Over the Top
This was an interesting book but not particularly what I was looking for. I was looking for a book about riding technique to improve my efficiency. With the exception of a few paragraphs here and there, this book went deep into design physics of components, etc., etc. It would be great if you were into research and development of cycling compenents. However interesting it may have been, almost every chapter ended with a phrase that went something like this, "The research is inconclusive because of...."

Amazing Information
Thanks to Dr. Burke that he'd reviewed amazing world of cycling to me.

But some chapter have too hard to understand data that lots of equation (maybe i'm to stupid to understand)


Good source for serious cycling.

book for the technosci dweeb
I found this book to be an excellent collection of articles covering various aspects of the science of cycling.Bike fit, measuring aerodynamics, pedaling efficiency, and so forth.

Some of it passed way over my head, but I learned quite a bit, for example, from the chapter on pedaling efficiency, such as studies showing where dead spots typically are, optimal cadence studies and the like.The studies regarding energy use by professional riders in stage races was great information.

The book is not going to help improve my riding directly as much as, say, a book the The Trainging Bible, but more knowledge about my sport is a great thing.I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description
Optimize your health, lose weight, feel great—without giving up the foods you love!

Build muscle and lose fat with the real-life answer to no-carb/low-carb diets. Low-carb diets like Atkins and South Beach are notoriously difficult to maintain over time and have been deserted by millions of people. Health-conscious people all over America are ready for something better. Discover the secret that athletes and trainers have been using for years with a healthy carb cycling diet.

By allowing you to eat full, nutritionally balanced meals on any day, The Carb Cycling Diet breaks away from the "deprivation model" of most diets on the market today. Alternating between limited-carb and normal-carb days, you have your cake and eat it, too, without having to rely on supplements or sugar substitutes.

The Carb Cycling Diet includes easy recipes and meal plans for normal- and low-carb days. Monitoring what you eat is simple with the Carbohydrate Content and Glycemic Index tables included. Plus, The Carb Cycling Diet provides tips on exercise, sports supplements, and how to keep motivation high.

As former Nutritional Consultant for the Russian National Athletic Team, physician and exercise physiologist Roman Malkov, M.D., understands the secret that the world's top athletes have used for years. Carb cycling works for them and it can work for you!

Easily adaptable to anyone's lifestyle, The Carb Cycling Diet is a groundbreaking, sustainable, scientifically based diet to build muscle, lose fat, and stay healthy for life. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Different than the Rest
This book is so much better than other diet books! I think this is because the author gears it towards helping the reader/dieter understand the real reasons behind why we gain weight and lose energy as we get older.As a middle-aged woman, I immediately saw the sense in everything Dr. Malkov explained, and have begun to implement it. Also, he is a very clear writer: in a very few pages he explains the reasons why I'm always gaining back the weight I work so hard to lose. He also does a great job of explaining the connections between refined carbs and weight gain. He gives information I haven't read anywhere before about how the muscles are affected by Atkins' style diets, and why the carb cycle method is more friendly to the body, and will not age the body like the low-carb diets do.I really recommend this book to anyone who is trying to diet and stay healthy at the same time.It's a great source of knowledge and motivation to live a more healthy lifestyle, and it gives a lot of practical advice about how to stay healthy, once you reach your goals. I'm extremely glad I read it and recommend it highly.

Easy reading and practical
In this book Dr. Malkov explain us in an easy way what we should do to have a healthier life by the process called "carb cycling diet". He explains it based in two principles: the anabolism, the process by which your body builds mascle, and catabolism, the process of burning fat. Different foods function for different purposes in your body, and controlling the food intake with knowledge of these two principles makes it easier for everyone who wishes to lose weith without giving up their favorite foods. He also gives many recipes for foods and easy hints for doing exercises even when you're completely out of time to do so. I recommend this book to everyone who would like to lose weigth and have a healthier life exploiting the foods in the best way.

(Portuguese) Nesse livro Dr. Malkov ensina de um modo fácil como levar uma vida mais saudável através do processo chamado "dieta do ciclo do carbono". Ele explica baseado em 2 principios: anabolismo, processo pelo qual seu corpo constrói massa, e catabolismo, o ato de queimar a gordura.
Diferentes alimentos funcionam para diferentes propósitos no corpo, e controlar a alimentação com o conhecimento desses processos torna mais fácil perder peso e ganhar massa muscular sem abrir mão das comidas favoritas. O autor tambem fornece diversas receitas e dicas fáceis para exercícios mesmo para quem tem pouco tempo durante o dia. Recomendo esse livro a todos que desejam perder peso e aproveitar o que os alimentos tem a oferecer de melhor.

Suddenly, it all makes sense!
I bought this book a few months ago and it has been a tremendous help. I really do have more energy (no more 3pm caffeine/sugar cravings!) and look and feel better. Finally, I have learned the best way to consume carbs. Over the summer I have gained new, lean muscle and dropped fat. Everyone says I look great - people have really noticed. I also found the program very easy to follow and simple to understand. I read another user review that said it was complicated. It's not. Even my mother (who has never followed a diet in her life!) has been able to figure it out and she is also looking and feeling much better. It's perfect for people who are new to dieting (like my mom!)or just need to get better results after years of dieting and exercising (like me!)Great Book!

Great diet!!
This diet is an amazing blend of science and practical advice. I lost fat in areas where it was hanging all my life. None of the diets I tried before were able to do this for me. I tried WW, Atkins, South Beach, Body for Life but fat on my thighs never went away until I started this diet. And the amazing part is that I am eating sweets( I have a big sweet tooth!). The recipes with whey protein are quite interesting. They don't taste great but they are okay for carb restricted days. I do not feel hungry for a long time after eating them. I feel healthier and happier with my body. This diet is my light at the end of the tunnel. Many Thanks to Dr. Malkov !!!!

Incomprehensible
This progam is so complicated it is nearly impossible to understand.The author is a physician and exercise physiologist, and the book is written in technical lingo, making it extremely difficult to understand. The instructions frequently seem incomplete.For example, there are some good sounding recipes in Chapter 6,in which the author notesthat he has included more Level C recipes than Level A recipes since they can be eaten during any phase of the diet. However nowhere on the recipe pages is it noted which recipes belong to which phase, and the reader is left to look over the carb content of the recipes and try to decipher which level they apply to.

Calling for six small meals a day, as well as keeping track of calorie consumption, you will need to devote large amounts of timespent in the kitchen cooking and packing the food you will need to carry with you so you can eat something every couple hours to maintain steady blood glucose levels. This is another one of those diet books with menu plans that call for things like "a slice of pizza", that always make me wonder what the dieter is meant to do with the rest of the pizza?


In my opinion, this book could have benefitted from more mindful editing. The information presentedin it is potentially useful for a good many individuals, if only we could understand it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Nothing special.
I expected more.
There are funny stories, sad stories, historical etc.
Real pell mell.

Cycling's Greatest Misadventures
I was skeptical to purchasing this book as the title alone does not say much.However, being the bike geek that I am, I took the chance and this was by far one of the best book buys of 2007.Think of it like that movie you never heard anything about and then buy a ticket, only to have it turn out to be one of the best films ever.In all honestly, I am not yet finished with the book yet (saving it for an upcoming long flight) but so far, it has had me laughing out load on several occasions... And I don't laugh out load.

Bad for the head in so many ways
Unfortunatly, the essays don't have the upbeat humor of the first story of an over zealous triathlete in a spinning class.Thinking that this would be a lot of funny biking stories I bought it.Wish I hadn't.Why?

The story of two guys who decided to throw tacks in front of a women's peloton so the could "come to the rescue of damsels in distress" just pissed me off.The story about people being run over by cars during a cross country ride made me want to give up biking.Oh, then theres the photo crash montage showing someone in mid-flight who died as a result of the crash.Seriously thats just F---ed.

Great Variety
I got a chance to read this while on vacation recently.This collection of stories is chock full of variety.I laughed out loud at the image of the cyclist screaming along with a giant rat that hitched a ride.I imagined the strangeness of being confronted by a wild bull while delirious and dehydrated in the Great Basin of Canada, and found cause for reflection of life's fragility in the heartbreaking story of the ride instructor who lost two companions to inattentive drivers.This book may very well make you laugh, cry, and hurl.Highly recommended to the cycling enthusiast.

DC Rat Ride
My favorite story in this great collection is by Amy Nevala.Her urban misadventure made me cringe and laugh at the same time. ... 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 (1)

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

Book Description
The core of John Forester's concept of Effective Cycling is that bicyclists fare best when they act, and are treated in return, as drivers of vehicles, with the same rights and responsibilities that motorists have.

In this new edition of his classic introductory work, Forester reasserts this idea in terms of practice and education as well as theory while also addressing--among much else--the two major forces that have shaped bicycling since the early 1980s: the proliferation of high-quality equipment and the seriously insufficient progress on the social, political, and psychological fronts.

The book is filled with details, strategies, and tips that will be useful both to occasional cyclists and to those who enjoy cycling as a way of life--all drawn from the author's many years of experience as a cyclist, a Cycling Transportation Engineer, and the founder of the Effective Cycling Program. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Ageless advice that will save your life
If you ride a bike, you must read this book!

Yes, it's in some ways old, but much of the info, and advice from this outspoken cycling advocate is timeless and life saving.

The number of subjects covered and the detail is amazing.

Excellent Resource for Riders
I recently started commuting to work via bicycle.The only route I can take is quite busy, so I started out by riding on the sidewalks and nervously dodging all the cars turning right in front of me.The sidewalks were covered in trash and debris, and I had to maneuver around pedestrians too.After reading Effective Cycling, I ride in the street, with more confidence and fewer problems, and I arrive at work much faster.I highly recommend Effective Cycling for anyone who regularly rides his/her bike in an urban setting or wishes to.

Good advice backed up by good analysis
John Forester not only defined and developed the system of scientifically-based instruction in traffic cycling; he compiled and analyzed the data to back up his recommendations. This book provides not only the instruction, but the background information, and so it is a valuable reference in advocacy. Many cyclists report that this book transforms their style of riding, just as a good course in water safety changes fear of the water into confident knowledge. That was this reviewer's experience.

Forester's position is fundamentally libertarian. He asks for no special favors for cyclists, but rather, he argues for the rightto the road, and against laws that infringe on it and endanger cyclists. Forester is usually correct about such issues, but some readers find the argumentative sections tiresome.

On a few questions about cycling equipment, Forester's positions appear to be intended more to prevent legal trouble for cyclists than to recommend the most prudent course of action: for example, he does not recommend rear-view mirrors, and he considers a large rear reflector sufficient for night riding without an additional taillight.

Readers who prize elegantly-turned prose will find Forester's writing a joy. Few authors use the English language with such care and precision, and particularly not in instructional material.

A godsend: how to ENJOY cycling safely in traffic!
I found this book to be nothing short of a godsend.With over 30 years of cycling experience, I felt comfortable and competent cycling in traffic, at least in most circumstances.But this book was recommended so many times, I decided to read it anyway.At first, it didn't seem like a big deal.It all made sense, and seemed to describe how I already rode, perhaps with a few subtle differences.

But as I began to incorporate these subtle changes in my own riding the results were amazing.My relationship with car drivers completely changed.Instead of interacting with them once in a while -- only when necessary -- I became an integrated participant with the rest of traffic.

It is impossible to explain in words how just subtle lane positioning changes, and a new attitude, can make such a radical difference in one's cycling experience in traffic.But consider what Forester conveys in this simple statement: "Between intersections, position yourself according to speed; at intersections, position yourself according to destination".You may think you do this already, but based on the fact that I almost never see any cyclists do this consistently, I can almost assure you that you don't.And I'm not talking about kids and "recreational cyclists". I'm talking about experienced commuters, and experienced club riders and racers.Only a very small percentages of cyclists actually behave like a (slow) vehicle driver consistently.Much of the time on the road is spent in space "left over" by motorists, riding too far to the right, not positioning at intersections according to destination (THINK about what that means), etc. etc.

"Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles" - John Forester

This book is for you if any of the following is true:

* You want to learn to LOVE to ride your bike in traffic, not just tolerate it.
* You're tired of motorists passing you and then cutting you off when they turn in front of you, or motorists coming from the other direction cutting you off when they turn in front of you (believe it or not, if you read this book you will learn how to stop them from ever doing this to you again!).
* You are comfortable riding in bike lanes passing stopped or slow car traffic on their right.
* You think that you should assume that you're invisible to motorists, and ride accordingly.
* You don't think you should position yourself away from the edge of the road, often in the path of motorists coming from behind, in order to be more visible and predictable.
* You don't feel safe riding in traffic.
* Your greatest fear is that you will be hit from the rear.
* You don't know that almost all bike-car collisions are caused by, or could have been prevented, by the cyclist.
* You feel safer riding on shoulders and in bike lanes than "out" in the regular traffic lanes.
* You're rusty on what the laws are regarding cycling.
* You believe the best thing that can be done for cycling is building more bike lanes and bike paths.
* You've never taken any courses on cycling in traffic (like LAB's Road 1 course - see bikeleague.org).
* You don't believe cyclists have the same rights on the road as do motor vehicle drivers.
* You ride on the side of the road opposing traffic (like a pedestrian should walk).
* You ride on sidewalks.
* You value your life and want to ride your bike accordingly.

This is not the perfect book.Forester does tend to ramble, and some of the advice I don't agree with (like you don't really need a rear light at night, just a rear red reflector and a good front light).Also, some of the material, like on equipment and racing, is dated. But the chapters on riding in traffic are timeless and priceless, and so TRANSFORMATIONAL that they alone make this a 5-star book.

For home bike mechanics and cycling activists alike
This book has some of the best information out there about cycle commuting.If everyone used Forester's techniques and advice, I'm sure cycling accidents and fatalities would decrease.The fact that cyclists aren't respected is because we let ourselves be intimidated by not only other motorists, but our own misunderstanding of the law.There was a day when I once hoped for a utopia where cyclists were treated with respect-but this day may never come, and now we must assert our rights as best we can.Living in American can be trying for cyclists. . . Although Forester's advice on racing can generally be scanned through (if you are serious about it), his chapter on wheel building is amazingly thorough and has helped me build up dozens of wheels.It is the best out there for beginning to intermediate wheel builders-certainly better that Jobst Brandt's book.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

From a U.S. Olympic coach, physiologist, and veteran cyclist comes Performance Cycling--the ideal training manual for the several million coaches, cyclists, and endurance athletes of all ages and abilities who want to rev up their RPMs and go for personal gold. With techniques utilized by national champions and Olympians, this unique, cutting-edge guide covers the proven ways to make any body perform for maximum endurance and toughness.

Customer Reviews (7)

Immensely dense book that provides a good framework
Overall, I feel this book has aided my own amateur training program.

Many of the other reviewers wrote many good criticism/praise about the framework in terms of the physical TRAINING sections.But, oddly enough nobody mentions the biochemistry sections which I also found useful.

I'm a novice cyclist and for me, the section on proper nutrition was enlightening.Dr. Morris goes through a fairly large list of ergogenic aids and the pros and cons of each of them.There were simple things like his views on the: use of caffine, dos and donts of high altitude training, proper usage about creatine, etc.As mentioned in other reviews, this book provides a good framework for proper food intake.

Overall, I felt this book and was a good starting point for me to move onto other books for continued guidance.I highly recommend it.

Performance Cycling works
This book is easy to read, easy to follow, and best of all, easy to apply.Simple but effective workout plans will improve anyone's level of mental and physical performance on the bike.

All I can say is that the program worked for me...with some modification.
This book was a gift from my wife for Christmas 2003.I had signed up to go to the Tour de France in July with a Aussie tour group.I had heard from others from previous trips the daily rides of 70 to 120 miles always had an ultra-competitive group of Cat 1 and 2 riders.My goal was to time trial Alpe d'Huez and be able to hammer up some of the steeper climbs with the really good riders and ride 1100 miles in 10 days.When I received this book I had been cycling for about 5 years and doing triathlons for about four years.My old routine was go long on the weekends and during the work week to do a day of intervals with a day off followed by a 2 hour tempo ride followed by another day off.

This author advocates doing a big block of intensity followed by several days off which was different for me.

I did his program for the "stage race rider" and blocked high intensity days on Thu and Fri followed by a long 6 to 8 hour ride (much longer than he had in his program) on Saturday and then another 3 hours on Sunday at easy pace. Mon-Wed were off days or easy spinning.

At first this was very difficult!The very first weekend, I felt wiped out by Sunday (after 4 hard days in a row) but took three days off the bike and on the next thursday I felt really strong.I repeated the program the next week...same feeling by Sunday..kind of wiped out and wondering if I was going to burn out (which is a concern with this program)...three days of easy spinning followed.Well, on Thursday (two and half weeks into program) I was a frickin animal on my interval ride.Holding 29 mph for about 4 minutes before poopin out.Some guys can do that for an hour - I'm not one of them.But before this program I couldn't come close to doing that.So I started to see results after a few weeks.

By the time the Tour de France came around I was as strong as I've ever been on a bike.Being a Cat 5 rider I was now doing training rides with Cat 3's and they were telling me "damn dude, you're really hammering today...way to keep up with us."I could never keep up with this group in years past.

Why the success.Two things.I think the back to back intensity that the author advocates is KEY and ONLY if you allow enough rest after.I would almost always bounce back from my three off days with increased power.The second thing is the modification to my weekend rides.I agree with some of the reviewers that the mileage can seem scant compared to previous training (I was doing about 800 miles per month before this book).What I did is shorten my weekday workouts per the author's program...but kept some really long LSD rides on the weekend.So I would be riding for only 1.5 hours on Thu and another 1.5 hours on Friday followed by a 120 mile hilly 8 hour ride on Sunday (thanks to my wife for the hall pass!) and another three hours on Sunday.That single Saturday LSD ride built up a lot of endurance for me that seemed to last.I rode 100 miles almost every day for 10 days in France without problem....and felt amazing time trialing up Alpe d'Huez.That summer was the best cycling shape I've ever been in and I had so much power compared to previous years.

Then I had a kid and moved to a new area that wasn't as fun to bike in...and so I have nothing to say about successive years using the program.I did it for one year and it really worked for me.

A training program that makes sense.
I found this book very directly and succinctly taught me what I need to know to become a better cyclist.The concepts that David Morris uses in this book should increase your understanding of what it takes to be a stronger, faster cyclist -and isn't that the reason why a bike racer or a wanna-be racer buys this kind of book?

The training program in this book is fairly straightforward and easy to understand.The program does not involve too many training cycles with a lot of different goals to reach within those cycles.The program Morris outlines is succinct and based on what I see as a logical goal.That means that knowing what you are going to do today and next week in the gym, on a trainer or on your bike is relatively easy to keep in mind.The actual schedule of work involved is hard to very hard but as the author states you adapt his program to meet your own requirements and because of its relative simplicity that is not too difficult to do.

I recommend this book for those cyclists who are seeking a practical training program to become a more powerful cyclist.

This Book is a [deceptive]
The author just wants you to PAY HIM FOR COACHING! He won't give you enough information in the book to design your own training program and he won't answer a simple question about his book without GETTING MONEY FROM YOU IN ADVANCE. He's a con artist and put this book out to promote his "coaching". (...) ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Good overall road bike training book
Like the book. It explains alot of helpful things to the cyclist. I especially like the cheap way to lighten your bike!It also comes with a set of trainer riding programs to get you ready for next season.It explains aerobic and anaerobic training and the difference there is.Also, that you should get a good heart rate monitor and cadence meter for the training programs.I am using these programs this winter and look forward to the benefits.I recommend the book.

A must for those starting racing and for a stationary training guide
I am new to competitive cycling and have recently started cycling at Veteran level.

I am a family doctor and an avid reader of cycling books and I feel this is one of the best.

The sections of the book do not flow that well and give the impression that the book is probably cobbled together from a selection of the author's other writings: Getting started, training, Stationary training, Racing, Cycling in your head. Don't let that put you off however, this is a good read packed with factual non-faddish and very practical advice in a easily read format.

A lot of room in this book is given for use of a stationary trainer, which may not be for everyone, but if this is what you seek, it's the best stationary trainer resource I've yet found. Worth buying for this section alone. Racing tactics and approach, especially 'cycling in your head' are all very helpful and put together concepts and ideas that aren't found anywhere else. I read this first 18 months ago, and have read plenty since, but I find I remember the sayings of this author more frequently in my training and racing, more so than any other book i've read. The author is prolific in cycling literature but has more recently been releasing ebooks which are available through his website - to my mind less accessible than a 'real' book that you can get from a library or buy and pass on. No doubt he has some more outstanding works in pdf, but I havenn't ventured there. This book is a great resource, I keep going back to it and find it more helpful as I gain more racing experience, for these reasons, 5 stars from me.

A cycling coach
This is a great book, covers all the needs a cyclist is going to run into as he/she moves to proficiency.There are many of the training drills and ways to improve speed that are discussed and promoted.The adjustment of the bike is always a little formidable but Baker gives enough information where someone with a little mechanical ability can take care of a lot of his own needs.

Nice job Arnie Baker.

After reading Bicycling Medicine by the same author, I can't help but be disappointed and a bit confused.
P.S. After thinking about this book some more following the review, I realize that its big problem is that it's unfortunately titled.This is not a book about "smart" cycling.

I've met plenty of chronically novice riders who had quite a lot to teach me about smart cycling, and none of that information is contained here.This book, I'd argue, should be retitled to save it from the flamingly bad reviews, and here I suggest "Performance Cycling," because that's what the book is actually about--maximizing your performance, energy output, results, etc . . . .

This is not a book for the non-competitor.

----------------------------------------------

No. 1 thing I want to say: Arnie Baker's other book, Bicycling Medicine, is a great book that anyone who rides--even novice, fair weather, just-for-fun riders--should have; Bicycling Medicine is essential for anyone who ever felt uncomfortable or suffered some kind of pain as a result of riding; Smart Cycling however is no such must-read.That's why I'm so increadibly disappointed, and a bit glad that I didn't read this book before the other since I would have dropped the author altogether.

Arnie-baby, what the hell happened?This is atrocious.This is the pasta weighing, single digit gram fretting, Armstrong-wannabe, weenie cycling guide of the age.I thought we were friends, that you were for the common cyclist out to do a century or three a year.Oh well, at least you have that other book to fall back on.

This book gives the impression that cycling is a highly technical sport which requires all sorts of gizmos and careful monitoring of your performance level.

Fooey!

If you're not a competitive cyclist, determined to win races, you don't need to be doing the kind of self-analysis and monitoring of performance you read about in this book.And that's coming from someone who rides thousands of miles a year, non-racing.

Bottom Line: Follow this book's advice and you'll be completely disenchanted with cycling in no time, which is horribly odd since Arnie Baker MD, champion cyclist and all around good joe also wrote what I consider the essential cycling book of all time--Bicycling Medicine!

smart cycling by arnie baker
i am a 62 year old living in southern spain where we cycle most of the year . this books contents are exellent ,the information given is well writen and to the point especially re heart monitor training ,i thouroughly reccomend this book for all age groups and abilities KEN BILLINGS. Spain. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Artful yes, but not quite as much cycling as I'd hoped
I bought this book recently while waiting for a new bike to arrive that I'd ordered online.I wanted to get into the cycling mood before my new ride arrived, though I was already geared up for the topic.So I really really wanted to like this book. I wanted to love it.And as close as it came, it just fell a bit short.

As a commuting cyclist I felt this was the perfect book for me.It's packed with suggestions, tips and methods of cycling in urban and suburban environments that are meant to keep you safe and secure in the insanity of traffic you face daily.And those parts of the book are great... the parts about cycling that is.But getting to those parts takes some patience.Nearly the first 50 pages are a lead up to actually discussing cycling.They are sort of a short history of civil engineering, how inner cities and the suburbs developed, and how evil roads and cars can be.While that stuff is all well and good, it could have been a bit shorter or perhaps woven in with more of the on-topic material.

The author's joy and enthusiasm for cyling are obvious though, in the rest of the book.I feel as though he strives to stand up for the rights of cyclists (and encourage them to do the same for themselves) but he doesn't take a vigilante tone in doing so.And I appreciated that, because I think it makes it easier to follow his suggestions. They feel as though they're coming from a friend, rather than a fanatic.

So as much as I wanted to give this book 5 stars, I'm only going to give it 4.I'd likely give it 4 1/2 if that were an option.Sadly, it's not. But I do encourage riders of all skill levels (especially those starting out in the commuting lifestyle) to check out this really good book. ... Read more

Book Description

Customer Reviews (9)

The good, the bad, and the ugly about bike commuting
I like this book because it tells it like it is. Unlike Urban Bike Riders Tips and Tricks, another book-which I also like for different reasons, this one tells you about the risks of commuting by bike-air pollution, accidents, bike jackings for example, he explore topics like wearing your helmet. Yes it's the law, but does it actually protect you?This is first bike commuting book that I've read that raises questions like this. It's no nonsense advice for those seriously contemplating bike commuting.

Don't get me wrong, the author comes across as a serious bike advocate, but this is the first book that I've seen that takes the issues above with a little more seriousness than others out there.Down Low Glow Lighting Kit - Two Tubes-Envy(green)

Practical street info!
Would recommend this to anyone who has had to cycle in the streets in an urban area. Very practical advice of things and situations I had never even thought of. A must read for cyclists

Take responsibility for riding
Excellent book for any rider who rides to commute or just rides to live. Blends the learnings of "Effective Cycling :6th edition"
and other inner city riding techniques. Provides a non-biased view of riding in the city and it's surrounds and urges all riders to take responsibity for their actions on the road.

Practical and Sensible
The inclusion of the word "art" in the title of this book made me fear that this book would be laying out a pretentious philosophy of cycling as a form of pseudo-mysticism, a bicycle version of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance."Gratefully, these fears were unfounded, and what we have instead is a very sober and practical account of the pleasures, risks, and techniques of cycling in an urban environment.

Opening with a brief history of cycling in America, and a discussion of the emergence of the automobile and its effects on urban design, the bookmoves on to describe and analyze the various kinds of hazards the urban cyclist will face, and how best to deal with them.In doing this, the author avoids the strident sermonizing often characteristic of those who promote "alternative" and "earth-friendly" forms of recreation.

Above all, the author emphasizes the importance of constant vigilance as the best way to avoid accident and injury.And, without getting too mystical about it, he points out that this heightened awareness or vigilance in avoiding trouble is - paradoxically - one of the main pleasures of cycling.Cycling, for Hurst, is very much a thinking man's (or woman's) game.

The author also discusses cycling clothing, helmets (pro-and-con), and pros-and-cons regarding different types of bicycles (he favors traditional narrow-wheeled road bikes over mountain bikes and their offshoots).In all of this he is non-dogmatic, seeing both sides of every issue.

Good is this book is, I gave it four stars instead of five because the author is not a particularly memorable stylist, and I think he could have gone into more detail about the clothing and equipment alternatives.These quibbles aside, I can recommend the book without reservation.

Well Written and Informative
It is rare a book be so informative and yet so entertaining.It is full of all kinds of tidbits, in addition to the practical information on riding in an urban environment.Definately helped me... ... Read more

Amazon.com
Maybe you're a novice who has yet to squeeze into that first pair of sexy Lycra shorts. Or perhaps you're a seasoned racer who is seeking ways to become stronger and faster. Whatever the case, you will be well served by Ed Pavelka's comprehensive guide, which takes the reader on a highly readable ride through road cycling--from the basics of handling and maintenance to the subtle intricacies of racing. Instead of asking the reader to take his word on every subject, Pavelka has gathered a cast of Olympians and renowned mechanics to tackle whichever topic reflects his or her strongest suit. Besides the basics, chapters also include in-depth advice on sprinting, hill climbing, using heart monitors effectively, training indoors during the wintry months, and even surviving your commute in the concrete jungle. If that's not enough, Pavelka has devoted an entire section to medical concerns, including overtraining, sore knees, and saddle sores. --Ben TiffanyBook Description
Take your road cycling to the next level with the newest techniques, equipment, and skills from the leading magazine in the sport. Check out how to:* Ensure your bike is in tip-top shape in 8 easy steps* Boost your efficiency with smooth pedaling and proper form* Brake without wasting speed or wiping out* Ride safely in wet, cold, and hot weather* Convert your mountain bike for the road* Master the skills of riding in traffic* Get long-distance secrets from the Race Across America record-holder* Train indoors with these 5 workouts* Prevent saddle sores, numbness, and knee pain* Motivate yourself to train harder* Discover the world of recumbents and tandems* Sprint like a champion* Attack hills for maximum fitness ... Read more

Customer Reviews (17)

Dated, but still a fun read
I'm an experienced cyclist and I found this a fun read.It's a collection of articles that were published in Bicycling magazine back in the 90's on various aspects on road cycling.There are sections on skills, training and nutrition and I found useful information throughout the book.I feel that the articles were chosen to have a timeless slant as there aren't many examples on equipment, most of the articles are on technique.
Specifically I found the few articles on training that included examples to be helpful, like the suggested trainer routines, use of an heart rate monitor, and estimating calories burned.
This type of book is what I call a bathroom book, as the short articles are perfect reading when you want something to read for a few minutes.
The book is also a success in that it helps get you in the mood to go riding.There's not a lot new here, but it's fun to read someone elses opinion on something most of us already know how to do.

Untrustworthy.There must be better books for this subject.
Some information in this book I find implausible, and some I /know/ to be false, which further reduces any confidence I may have in the rest of the information.For a subject like cycling, you need someone who understands the underlying physics as well as helpful subjective seat-of-the-pants techniques.Ed Pavelka seems to only have the latter skill, which gives his advice no firm foundation.

A case in point is the brief article on steering.His final conclusion is sound - that countersteering (see Wikipedia for an explanation) is how you steer effectively, but he prefaces it by asserting erroneously that there are 3 ways to steer.To paraphrase, he says you can steer simply by pointing the handlebars where you want to go, without leaning the bike at up to 15mph (defying the laws of physics), or you can steer just by leaning the way you want to go, or you can countersteer.

There is only one way to steer: countersteering.Most of us never realize that is what we're doing.Most of us learned to do it unconsciously on the day we first learned to ride, and from then on we muddle through with a unconscious "micro-countersteer" that starts the bike falling sideways, which we catch by turning the corner.The key to good steering is to use deliberate, active and controlled countersteering - a skill which becomes obviously essential on a motorcycle, where the increased weight makes it impossible to muddle through a turn on unconscious control.

He comes to the right conclusion - so what's the big deal?Well, to me, the big deal is he's made me read and try to understand false information which is of no use whatsoever, and /his/ understanding of the subject is flawed.How am I supposed to trust anything else he says, if it's nothing more than his assertions based on his own gut feeling?

Frequently, theory alone is insufficient, very occasionally practice trumps theory, but best of all is practice based on theory._Sound_ theory.