Indholdsfortegnelse for January-February 2014 i Bicycling

I WAS OUT OF THE SADDLE, ALONE AND a bit grumpy, on the first steep pitch of Salem Bible Church Road, mourning the egg-and-cheese sandwiches I’d passed up for breakfast. Starting the day with something as sensible as oatmeal makes me cranky. I guess moderation doesn’t always come easily to me. But in just weeks, I would be riding 111 miles alongside a friend who almost always is stronger than me, and I felt motivated to limit the physical and psychic damage of the final two hours of that big ride. Thus I was passing up thirds at dinner and that last glass of pinot noir and all those Mounds bars I stole from my kids on Halloween. I was in dieting mode, using techniques framed by self-denial and embarrassment.…

Early winter can be tough: Post-holiday bills, dismal weather, and shorter days often breed the blues. That makes it the perfect time to pack up and head somewhere sunnier, say researchers in the field of respite studies (yes, that’s a thing). A report published in the Journal of Applied Psychology shows that symptoms of burnout drop significantly and quickly during a vacation. In another study, people gained nearly an extra hour of sleep just a few days into a trip. And if the time off includes an activity like cycling, you’ll boost your health and well-being even more, according to research published in Psychology & Health. Turn to page 28 for a guide to one such getaway (pictured here) that promises laid-back riding and smile-inducing views.—CHRISTINE BUCHER…

CCSD Training Camps California and Virginia Choose from a menu of options, including a women-only camp, designed to build fitness and confidence with rides of up to 75 miles a day and clinics on skills like cornering, descending, and nutrition. January to April; starts at $299 for 2 days Charles Coaching and Nutrition Services Greenville, South Carolina Get ready for an intensive week of more than 300 miles of tempo and endurance rides, on-and off-road clinics, and coaching alongside other avid cyclists. February and March; starts at $1,250 for 7 nights GPM10 Nice, France; Girona and Majorca, Spain A customized, professionally supported, high-end alpine training experience against the backdrop of some of Europe’s most storied terrain. February to May; starts at $4,700 for 7 nights (per person for a group…

1 Tuck your water bottle into the wings of the lightweightalloy Portland Design Works Bird Cage—and fly. $20 2 Make this 27-ounce, BPA-free, stainless Klean Kanteen Classic your everyday bottle. Heck, make it your lifetime bottle. $33 3 Whether you’re shivering on the start line or on the sideline, the Zippo Hand Warmer will keep your fingers toasty. $20 4 Brew a full-bodied espresso on your stovetop with the Imusa Stainless-Steel Espresso Set, which includes four cups and saucers. $70 5 Accessorize your ride with the elegant CycleAware Saddle Up Seatbag, complete with interior ID holder and key hook. $16 6 Clear the bike path of pedestrians—or lead clowns in a parade—with one squeeze of the retrostyle Electra Bugle Horn. $10…

GETTING BACK ON A MOUNTAIN BIKE MEANT FINDING HIS WAY ON SINGLETRACK—AND TRYING TO LOCATE THE RIDER HE ONCE WAS I HURTLED AROUND A BEND THROUGH A dense forest of birch, poplar, and maple, high grasses scraping my legs. A rotting log lay across the trail, and I performed a flash calculation of its diameter and squishiness, then pounced my front wheel onto it and bounded over. The descent in front of me was short but harshly steep. My bike caromed over loose, softball-size rocks, and I clung to the grips as if being dragged by a wild horse. The bottom came at me fast. A warped plank was embedded in thick, black mud. “Go for it,” I told myself. But in the final instant, my brain caught up with…

I’d been riding 50 miles on rolling North Carolina country roads, past quiet cow pastures and lonely oak trees, when I found the half-hidden dirt logging road I was looking for. I stopped and walked my bike around a chain blocking the road, then slowly pedaled into the heart of a dense pine forest. A mile down the road I stopped, leaned my bike against a tree, and walked deeper into the woods. About 200 yards in, using as landmarks unusual trees I’d memorized from previous trips, I finally found the spot. For the sixth time in two years, I was surrounded by what seemed to be an infinite forest of scrubby pine trees in a forgotten part of North Carolina’s Sandhills region, staring at an almost imperceptible depression in…

Star ting near the centuries-old clapboard storefronts of Park City, Utah, the road to Empire Pass twists into the Wasatch Mountains. It’s one of the steepest sustained pitches found in the state and has been featured in the Tour of Utah. Yet on this climb I was not pedaling a race bike, but something else: the Scott Solace. The bike is designed to cover a lot of ground quickly while also making concessions for comfort. The Solace replaces the CR1 as Scott’s Classicsstyle model, and the head tube on the new bike is about 1cm taller than its predecessor’s, so riders sit more upright. And in lab testing, Scott says, the seatstays and seatpost flex as much as 3.7mm under a hard impact. That’s 40 percent more than on the…

Outer Shell The $325 boot’s outer shell is made from a waterproof, heavy-duty Cordura fabric, which resists tears and protects the layers of insulation inside. A hook-andloop flap covers the simple lacing system and an ankle strap locks out snow and other debris. Inner Boot The Wölvhammer has two types of heavy insulation to keep you warm. Closest to your foot is a fleece liner. Then, a layer of 200-gram Thinsulate—the same material used in many winter hiking boots—surrounds the top and sides of your foot, and also extends up the tongue. Sympatex Membrane This waterproof, breathable material sits just inside the outer shell. In addition to keeping snowmelt out, it allows sweat to evaporate, so your feet stay dry. Taped seams prevent leaks and the inner liner extends up…

1. Fenders Fenders keep road salt, slush, and melt water off your pants and away from your bike’s vital parts. But installing some models requires zip-ties, duct tape, and an engineering degree. Instead, try the simple-tomount model like the SKS Raceblade, says Erik Tonkin, owner of Sellwood Cycle Repair in Portland, Oregon. The full-size fender attaches to your bike with easy-to-use quick-release skewer tabs. 2. Protective Lubricant Keep your chain running smoothly all winter by applying a heavier lube. Because wet lubes are more viscous than the dry wax-based variety, they won’t wash away on slushy rides. We like the formulation of Finish Line’s Wet lube. 3. Tough Tires No one wants to fix a flat on a wet day—especially if it’s cold—but that’s when punctures are most likely, Tonkin…

“I was confronting the fact that there is a missing part in my life,” says Jonathan Kime, who rode through central North Carolina to visit the site where his father was killed in a plane crash 40 years ago (“So This Is Where I Begin,” p. 50). “Those roads are a part of who I am, and spending so much time on them helped me admit to myself that I was searching for something I would never really be able to find.” Kime’s essay, “Burning,” from the March 2010 issue of The Sun, was nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Lisa Marshall was inspired by the determination of the overweight cyclists she interviewed while writing “Tempt Yourself Thin” (p. 39), who decided it was time to start putting their health first.…

ALL YOUR RIDE QUANDARIES, SOLVED Q When is it okay to latch onto a group in the middle of a ride, and what’s the best way? JOINING A GROUP IS A LOT LIKE SEEING PEOPLE you know in a restaurant—it’s usually easier to sit down with a party of 20 than with two friends at their own table. If it’s a big group—say, 10 or more riders—you could slide onto the back and say something like “Mind if I sit in for a while?” If the group numbers fewer than five, realize that you might be intruding on a more intimate gathering. Pace is equally important. If you had to bust a lung to catch on, you may become an undignified mess just trying to hang. And if the pace…

1. The Definition of “Stop” A legal stop means coming to a complete halt until you have determined whether it is safe to proceed. But there is nothing in the law that requires a cyclist to put a foot on the ground. Doing a track stand (balancing on the pedals with minimal movement—visit BICYCLING.com/trackstand for a tutorial) is perfectly legal, as long as you stop long enough to completely assess the situation. Keep in mind, however, that putting a foot down will help remove any doubt in the officer’s mind about whether you actually stopped. 2. Where You Must Ride While the law often requires cyclists to ride as close to the right as is “practicable,” this isn’t the same thing as “possible.” Think of it this way: You must…

VIBE In this balmy beach mecca, cycling culture is hotter than ever. This spring, DecoBike will unveil the country’s newest bike-share program, which includes 180 solar-powered stations and 1,800 bikes. The $8 million private investment is a big victory for advocacy groups BikeSD and the San Diego County Bicycle Coalition. The timing seems right: More than 8,000 residents took part in Bike to Work Day last year, and 10,000-plus showed up for the inaugural CicloSDias, a closed-streets event that encouraged cyclists and pedestrians to support local businesses. RIDE The laid-back cruiser crowd rolls past sun worshippers, taco stands, and surf shops along the boardwalk from Pacific Beach to Mission Beach (see map). Strava junkies ride repeats on popular hill climbs, including the picturesque crests of Mt. Soledad and Torrey Pines,…

I HEARD THE RAGGED BREATHING AND knew that whoever had finally gotten on my wheel was suffering. I didn’t feel good either but, bound for a hot shower after 75 miles, I was all about obstinacy. The two boys in front were keeping up a nice clip—24 to 25 miles per hour—on a flat that was just barely false. We were headed east, away from Missoula, the start of a seven-day tour around western Montana. A few miles earlier, we had overtaken another small group of riders doing the same tour, and we’d hollered as we approached. They whooped in response. I hadn’t seen anyone jump onto our line, and we hadn’t slowed, so after we were clear I’d spent some time looking down at my handlebar and saying all…

SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND REVOLUTIONS AFTER THEY STARTED, THE BOYS FROM RIDGE VIEW ACADEMY ARE STILL CRIMINALS AND THEIR LEADER’S HEART HAS STOPPED BEATING AT LEAST TWICE. BUT THEY’VE MADE IT THIS FAR AND THERE IS NO TURNING BACK. OVER THE PAST FIVE DAYS, THEY’VE RIDDEN THEIR BIKES 256 MILES FROM THEIR MEDIUM-SECURITY SCHOOL EAST OF DENVER TO THE LUSH, GREEN FARMLANDS OF SOUTH FORK, COLORADO. At midnight last night, they pulled into the town campground and ate cold turkey sandwiches while shivering in their matching gray-and-maroon sweat suits. Before bed, they’d pissed—three to a group, accompanied by guardians—in the grimy, cinder-block bathroom. While some slept soundly in the cool, damp grass that smelled of mud and snowmelt, others tossed fitfully. Because to some of those boys, riding a bike and…

1. Gore Universal Windstopper Soft Shell Brimless and slightly stretchable, this cap fits snugly under a helmet. A breathable fleece crown and Windstopper fabric on the earband help keep you warm. $33, goreapparel.com 2. Assos S7 Rain Taped seams on the waterproof S7 will help keep your noggin dry in driving rain. There’s no insulation, so this cap is best for cool—not cold—wet weather. $60, assos.com 3. Ibex Coppi Densely woven New Zealand merino wool insulates, blocks wind, and wicks away moisture. Comfortable flatlock seams make it easy to slip your helmet over the tight-fitting Coppi. $40, ibex.com 4. Vulpine Winter This waterproof, breathable model has a warm, brushed-fleece liner and earflaps for frosty days. The reflective center stripe adds visibility to your ensemble. $50, vulpine.cc 5. Walz Wool Flannel…

{ SMOOTH OPERATOR } 1 TruTrainer Rollers, which use your spinning wheels to keep you upright, help you develop a smooth pedal stroke. This set has 4.5-inch-diameter drums with a flywheel that also lets you coast. Customize with a range of accessories, including bumpers (shown) that prevent you from riding off the side. PRICE $800 trutrainer.com { APARTMENT-FRIENDLY } 2 CycleOps Silencer Living up to its name, the Silencer is one of the quietest trainers we’ve tested—it won’t disturb a napping roommate. It attaches to your rear dropouts, and a barmounted lever controls the magnetic resistance unit, so you can dial in anything from an easy spin to a painful burn. PRICE $730 cycleops.com { SPACE SAVER } 3 Nashbar Fluid Pro This portable fluid resistance trainer folds to save…

The morning before I read “The Strava Files” (November) I was chasing a QOM through a ridiculously congested area. Thanks for the nudge—today I left it alone. The Strava piece was well crafted, timely, and addressed some thorny issues. I can get reviews of the latest gear almost anywhere. But I’d thought that getting a New Yorker-quality piece about cycling would be damn near impossible. Well done. MARK PENLAND HURST, TX Would reckless cyclists ride their bikes like this without Strava? Yes. But Strava is like throwing gasoline on a fire, or giving an addict a hit. ANDI DAUM VIA E-MAIL Really? We can’t blame Kim Flint himself for not being able to control his need to be better than everyone? What’s next, blaming GoPro for a BASE jumper’s death?…

Whether you want to keep up with a faster group, finish your first century, or stand at the top of a podium, it all starts with a goal and a plan When you’re new to cycling, the secret to improvement is simple: Ride your bike…a lot. Then rest, and do it again and again. If you have friends who ride, join them. Once you’ve gained some experience, you need to pay a little more attention to detail: Do more group outings, go harder, step out of your comfort zone more often. At some point, however, you’re going to hit a plateau. It’s easy to be moderately good at something, but it takes lots of focused work to truly reach your potential. This is where the goal-setting disconnect begins. One of…

1. FIND THE RIGHT SHOP Just as you would test-drive a car, “try a shop before you commit,” says Liza LeClaire, chief operating officer of Wheel and Sprocket, a retail chain in Wisconsin and Illinois. Join a shop ride, take a maintenance class, or just stop by for coffee. Buy from the store where you have the best connection and experience, she says. 2. BEFORE YOU GO Write down the answers to these questions: What will you (or do you) use your bike for? When, where, and how often will you ride? How much can you spend? This exercise should help you—and the shop staff—focus on your needs, whether you’re buying your first bike or a new handlebar basket to go with it. 3. RIDE BIKES If you’re buying a…

THERE’S A NEW SECTION IN MANY GROCERY stores that didn’t exist a decade ago. In it you’ll find a colorful array of cold-pressed, organic concoctions that promise health and wellness in a bottle. Sure, they’re an easy and palatable way to get more fruits and veggies into your diet, but one 17-ounce drink can cost as much as $11. Before you plunk down a small fortune for premade juice, consider making your own. “I love the energy I get from a glass of green awesomeness,” says Team Specialized-lululemon rider Ally Stacher, who has been known to tote her juicer through airport security so she can have it at every race. If you want to get more nutrients in liquid form, here’s what you need to know. Choose the right ingredients…

JEFF BURRESS Wilming ton, Delaware REWARD A bike ride around Lake Tahoe POUNDS LOST 113 Photography by Chris Sembrot Jeff Burress was kicking back on his couch, remote in hand, watching a mountain stage of the Tour de France in 2010, when he witnessed something that would change his life. “All of a sudden this guy just comes out of nowhere, all by himself, and closes the gap [to the lead group],” Jeff, 33, recalls. The metaphor was not lost on him. “Watching someone be so strong and come from behind really motivated me. I said, ‘I am going to do that.’” He was hardly in racing shape. Years of grinding out long shifts as a restaurant chef and indulging in late nights of booze and cigarettes had transformed the…

Brooks’s handmade leather saddles are legendary for their longevity, and—once broken in—their comfort. Even fans, however, admit that those initial rides can be unpleasant. Fortunately, the British company’s newest model, the Cambium, is easier on your backside from the get-go. It’s based on a design patented by Brooks in 1927 but never before manufactured. The vulcanized-rubber shell is riveted to an aluminum frame. Over the rubber sits a waterproof, organiccotton cover that feels like well-worn denim. The Cambium comes in two shapes, the C17 and the shorter, female-friendly C17s. A racier version, the C15, will be available later this year. $160, brooksengland.com—ANDREW J. BERNSTEIN…

MEN’S Gore Bike Wear Power 2.0 Winter Jacket $190 Gore’s Windstopper fabric guarded against arctic blasts, helping to make this the warmest of our three finalists. Our testers also praised how well the jacket sealed out drizzling rain and melting snow. The three rear pockets are large enough to let you retrieve an energy bar while wearing thick gloves. A zippered fourth pocket holds electronics. Stretchy cuffs helped keep drafts out of our sleeves and the jacket’s tall collar was comfortable whether we rode with or without a neck gaiter. We also appreciated the smart details, like reflective accents and a front zipper that never chafed our chin. The generous cut leaves space for you to pile on layers underneath, but the jacket is warm enough that you won’t need…

Just like big tires, trends can take a long time to blow up. Consider the pathbreaking Pugsley, from alt-bike brand Surly. When introduced in 2005, the bike was unlike anything else out there. With 3.8-inch-wide tires, it rode like a jeep, plowing over anything in its way. The bike was designed for riding across snowy trails, but soon turned up underneath ultra-distance explorers and noncyclists looking for a new way to exercise during the winter. “I don’t think anyone at Surly consciously thought, oh, this is going to be big,” says Adam Scholtes, product manager at the Minnesota-based brand. Seven years later, the fat-bike craze is in full swing and everyone from boutique brands to global behemoths like Specialized and Trek want a piece of the action—and Surly alone now…