TOOLBOX: It’s funny, that as cyclists we spend so much time and energy focusing on our legs when we strength train, yet we don’t give a thought to the very things at the end that connect us to the bicycle: our feet. 

TOOLBOX: Prior to the pandemic, many of us may not have described ourselves as being “resilient” – or have even thought about our own resilience, for that matter. Regardless of whether or not this character strength and its corresponding coping skills were on your radar before early 2020, its definitely on your mind now… Or at least, it should be. 

TOOLBOX: I wanted to find out about Everesting, the cycling challenge to climb the vertical height of Mt. Everest; so I could take my own shot and hopefully succeed. Today, I describe my experience and how you should prepare in order to effectively fuel and plan ahead for a successful Everesting attempt; on a bike.

Whether it’s amateurs or professionals, a very high proportion of races ends up in a mass sprint. While we all see the dramatic final burst to the line, the frantic leadup to that final sprint is the critical springboard to success…

Simply performing strength training exercises and looking to add more resistance and weight week to week, is NOT going to get us the results we want to see in our sport. But what’s the difference between just strength training and training for performance?

TOOLBOX: After the first few years of cycling, we learn that the best gear, the fanciest supplements, and the most favorable weather will only get us so far. In order to take performance from good to great, the resources, skills, and extra juice we need to improve comes from the inside, not out. 

Toolbox: Summer season is in full swing and the local fast group training ride is moving into high speed. What’s the best way to approach these local hammer sessions, both for training and for performance?

Not all intervals are created equal, even if the average wattage is kept similar. Making intervals that vary in intensity can make them really different from constant wattage intervals.

TOOLBOX: If you ask any cyclist or triathlete about “core training” you will undoubtedly hear about how great planks are. But ARE they really that great? Do you REALLY need to be planking?