Innehållsförteckning för Issue 4 2021 från Bicycling

KIM CROSS STORY OF A MOUNTAIN BIKE, P.24 Benton’s bacon—thick, smoky, and super salty—is my secret ingredient in the Bacon and Egg Rice Cakes from Skratch Labs’ The Feed Zone Cookbook. The flavor reminds me of my mom’s fried rice (I add peas to make it even more like hers). Salty and umami, these rice cakes fit in a jersey pocket and taste great before, during, and after a ride. ALSO: Bike-handling skills and finesse are every bit as essential as fitness, strength, and endurance.…

BRAD FORD TEST EDITOR IF IT CAN BE BROKEN, IT CAN BE FIXED PRODUCTS I’M USING RIGHT NOW 1 / NixFrixShun Ultimate Bicycle Chain Lube $15 It’s super-viscous, but you only need to use a few drops on a dry, clean chain. It finds its way to all the links. 2 / Kinetic R1 Direct Drive Smart Trainer $699 I have a hard time riding indoors, but the R1 motivated me through the past winter and spring. 3 / Veloflex Raven 27 Tubular Tires $96 I don’t know anyone else still riding tubulars, but I’m in love with how smooth these roll. DON’T GET ME STARTED ON… The newest craze, whatever it is, that tells me I need a whole new set of gear to enjoy cycling. WHAT I’M WORKING…

JADA JACKSON P.46 “I enjoy connecting with Black elders and learning about their legacies,” says Jackson, who is an editorial fellow at House Beautiful. She spoke with Louis Moore, the 80-year-old cofounder of Minneapolis’s Major Taylor Bicycling Club. “It was impactful to hear how Louis leads his life, breaking through barriers and creating space for himself,” she says. NATALIE CORBETTP.50 Corbett, who is the first openly transgender woman to bike the Pan-American Highway from Alaska to Argentina, discovered her authentic self and learned to let go of lingering insecurities through big rides. “Just thinking about being in the Andes Mountains brings tears to my eyes,” she says. “I’ve come so far and grown so much stronger.” IKE EDEANI P.56 Edeani, whose work can be seen in such outlets as The…

That spare tube in your saddlebag could be a lifesaver if you get a flat tire on a long ride, but it would be a bummer to discover that the tube was no longer good. Make sure your bike’s inner tubes are in good shape when you need them by following these tips. DON’T STORE IN A SADDLEBAG TOO LONG// Tubes that sit for over one month can end up with weaknesses or cracks where the tubes are folded. They can also be damaged by jostling against other items while you ride. Unpack them occasionally to prevent cracking or splitting. When in doubt, inflate them to check for leaks. DO STASH THEM WITH VALVE CAPS ON// Those pesky little tops ensure the valve doesn’t poke a hole in the tube…

IN 2010, NICK PAGLIA LOOKED IN THE MIRROR AND SAW A TIRED, HEAVY FACE. He didn’t like the weight he’d gained or how it made him feel. Inspired to change, Nick grabbed his dusty mountain bike and went out for his first ride in a decade. He’s barely stopped pedaling since. After Nick’s best cyclocross season, in 2017, he was sidelined by a herniated disc for six months and began to reevaluate his training methods. Postinjury, Nick rejoined my Monday night Back-to-Work ride (a.k.a. #bringthewatts) on Zwift. The BTW ride focuses on sustained, fast-paced, and race-simulating power. It teaches riders how to pace a long, difficult effort and builds their functional threshold power (FTP), or the average power they can sustain for an hour. I’m a huge fan of using…

“If I were disappointed with a result, I would look at it and ask, where did I have an opportunity to do better? Maybe I didn’t have a great night’s sleep, or maybe my nutrition was off the night before my test. I believe that dreams without goals just fuel disappointment. But if you examine your result in the context of information—whether you like it or not—that can help you reach your goal. Remember, you can be better tomorrow than you were today.”…

I ALMOST RAN INTO A POLE ONCE WHILE STARING AT my stem. This was 2016, and I was in the midst of pursuing my professional racing dreams. My eyes crossed from the effort as I tried to make out that tiny number on the computer that would validate how hard I felt I was pushing and prove that I was good enough. After spending a few years on domestic teams as a Cat 1 racer, I really wanted to make the jump to a big, official UCI pro team, one with an actual team bus, a soigneur to attend to my legs, and a chef to attend to my bottomless pit of a stomach. I sent out dozens of race résumés and threw myself desperately at team directors like a…

PRICE: $799 / WEIGHT: 22 LB (M) THE ACE IS Priority’s fixie with a touch of class. It’s designed for commuters who like a little pep in their daily ride but aren’t fans of bike maintenance. I am just that type of commuter. My bikes are my primary form of transportation, but I abuse any bike I use as a daily rig. When I’m just home from work—or after I’ve ridden through rain or snow—I want a warm shower for myself, not for my bike. And that’s exactly how I tested the Ace of Spades, the performance model of the brand’s Ace line, which also includes the $499, more recreational-focused Ace of Clubs (it has an easier gear ratio, and no carbon fork). I used it to commute through the…

PRICE: $12,999 / WEIGHT: 16.1 LB (58CM) FOLLOWING THE CURRENT trend of rounder, simpler carbon tubes with no visible aerodynamic styling, the FR FRD (Felt Racing Development) joins the likes of the classic-looking and understated Specialized Aethos and Open MIN.D. Even the 44cm Pro Vibe Carbon handlebar on our 58cm test bike is a departure from the narrow (and aero) bars more commonly found on high-performance bikes. Adding to the Felt’s simplicity is its lack of visible proprietary parts and its inclusion of traditional ones, including a 31.8mm handlebar, a round seat tube that fits in a 27.2mm seatpost, and a 1 1/8-inch steerer tube (note that our test bike has a tapered head tube). All of this makes for a wider variety of aftermarket parts choices and a more…

SIDDEEQ SHABAZZ FTP TEST, P.32 For riders who are hitting the roads frequently, make sure those chains and cassettes are clean. And make sure those tire pressures are set. ALSO: My favorite place to ride is easily the back roads of Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. It’s some of the most deceptive elevation in the Philadelphia area, paired with some of the most amazing homes you’ll ever see.…

JOY CHEN, 5 1 ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES: NOT JUST FOR CARS! LESSONS LEARNED: E-BIKE EDITION Running out of juice on an e-bike while still far from home is no fun. I had to get me and my 60-pound bike home on pedal power alone. On long rides, I’ve learned to set my electric power to the very lowest level, then rely on pedal power—and pray! WHY I STARTED CYCLING During COVID-19 lockdowns, I was desperate for exercise. My e-bike, the Gazelle Ultimate T10+ HMB, became my favorite way to move around. My Cycling Style in Three Words SAFE, FAST, GREEN. REDISCOVERING CITY SIGHTS I love the ride from my home, along the Los Angeles River, to the Hollywood Sign and back. The section of the river accessible to cars…

There’s one thing nearly all gravel riders want: more gravel. Though some of us in remote regions such as the Ozarks, Flint Hills, and Sun Valley may have hundreds of miles of gravel roads right out our front door, others may have to work a little harder to find dirt roads to ride. The good news is that as more riders choose paths less paved, there are more resources available to locate great gravel routes. Here’s where to look. GO TO GRAVELMAP// The site gravelmap.com launched in 2014 as a pet project, but it soon became a solid resource for stringing together gravel road routes. Just pop in an address or area where you want to ride, and a map view shows up with gravel roads highlighted in yellow. Of…

If you follow Kate Courtney on Instagram, you’ve seen how much hard work the mountain bike world champion puts in at the gym. Aside from Olympic lifts and plyometric moves, Courtney also shares seriously badass core-strength exercises. “Cross-country mountain biking involves a lot of strength, coordination, and balance,” she says. Though cycling is primarily an endurance sport, Courtney believes every rider can benefit from building a stronger core. (For more on Courtney, see page 38.) No matter what type of cycling you prefer, better balance and a stronger core are essential for everything you do, both on and off the bike. Here’s one of Courtney’s signature workout moves. BALANCE BALL KNEEL If you’re new to balance ball exercises, this move is a great place to start. Courtney recommends using a…

The goal is to sustain the highest workload you can achieve for the duration, and your score is simply your average watts. It sounds basic, but the FTP test is one of the most misunderstood training tools in the cycling world. It’s not a complete measure of one’s ability. It’s not a value to be compared to others. It’s simply a marker of your fitness at that time. Two riders with the same FTP for their weight can have vastly different results in a race because there are many other physical and mental performance factors. That said, an FTP test is the best benchmark for tracking your fitness and the work that you’ve done. It is a point of reference to determine if your training is working, where you want…

NOVICE When attempting your first FTP test, focus on adequate rest and tapering: • Three days before the test, take the day off to recover. • Sleep! Get as much as possible, starting two nights out. • Two days before, add a 3-to-5-minute interval at an RPE of 7 out of 10 to an easy 60-minute spin. This will prime your legs and teach your brain how an FTP-effort feels. • Take your nutrition seriously in these 48 hours (see “Eating for the FTP Test,” at right). • One day out, take an easy 60-minute spin at 90-plus rpm. • Use the first two minutes to find your rhythm, ideally with a cadence between 87 and 95 rpm. INTERMEDIATE After a few tests, fine-tune your approach, looking at these critical…

SUMMER JERSEYS: TESTING THE PHYSICS AND FIT → Summer-weight cycling jerseys are remarkable pieces of tech. Think about what we ask of them: to defend us against the sun’s harmful UV rays and to direct airflow around our bodies like an advanced HVAC system—all while allowing sweat to pass through their fabric to promote evaporative cooling. And we want them to do all this while also fitting snugly, weighing practically nothing, and bringing legit beach-party vibes to our group rides. To accomplish that, the best summer-weight jerseys mix lightweight mesh with other fabrics that have UPF treatments. The ones tested here are made for longer, harder road rides. Most have full-length zippers and short collars to aid moisture management, as well as extended sleeves and tighter fits to limit drag…

WILD RYE FREEL WOMEN’S BIKE SHORT $119 Our testers have raved about these mountain bike shorts in the past, and their performance in our test solidifies their place as our favorite for women. At 220 grams, they’re not the lightest, but the sturdy, four-way-stretch material resists tears, feels great against your skin, and moves well with your body while pedaling. A zippered pocket on the right hip keeps your phone, cash, and keys from ending up on the trail, and SPF 50 in the fabric offers protection from the sun’s harmful rays. Aside from all the nature-inspired patterns, including Poppy (shown), one of the most exciting things about these shorts is that they come in 10 sizes, from zero to 18. SPECIALIZED S-WORKS RECON $425 The high-performance (and high-priced) Recons…

JESSICA COULON ASSISTANT EDITOR FIND ME IN THE PINES PRODUCTS I’M USING RIGHT NOW 1 / Mons Royale Redwood Enduro VT $95 I love the cut and colors of this mountain bike jersey—and its breathable, temperature-regulating wool-blend fabric. 2 / Pearl Izumi Women’s X-Alp Flow Shoes From $100 These flat pedal shoes are stylish, non-clunky, and perform well. 3 / Juliana Joplin CC X01 $7,699 A trail bike that’s fast, capable on tough terrain, and super nimble. GREATEST RIDE OF MY LIFE A women’s ride from Philly to Atlantic City, New Jersey, several years back. It was my first time riding with that many other women, it was my longest ride yet, and it was my first time riding in a serious paceline—one of the ride leaders dropped off the…

My daughter Rose took her first steps on a balance bike last month. Watching her giggle and manhandle the five-pound bike around the playground—and learn that no, it can’t go up stairs—left me blinking back tears. But it also planted a slow-growing seed of dread for the day she’ll ask to hit the road. She might be ready in several years, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be. Although our Astoria neighborhood in Queens has seen massive improvements in bike infrastructure over the decade we’ve lived here, it’s still not near enough for more vulnerable riders. We have several miles of protected bike lanes, but every stretch without a concrete barrier serves as a loading zone for trucks and a passing lane for, well, assholes in a big goddamn…

Some cyclists wear chamois cream—an anti-chafing balm or lotion that you apply to your skin or to the pad—to further reduce friction and the risk of chafing. But do you really need to use it? Chamois cream was necessary back in the old days when chamois pads were actually made of high-quality leather rather than high-tech synthetic material. Today’s carefully engineered “shammies,” however, are designed to work without it. “I believe if you need to smear all kinds of lotion on you, there’s something wrong,” says Boulder, Colorado–based product consultant Jon Knoll, who helped develop apparel for Pearl Izumi and Specialized. “You probably have shorts that don’t fit your body properly. You shouldn’t need chamois cream to ride without friction or sores.” That said, if you’re going to be riding…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED Chain whip tool: Alternatively, you can use cassette pliers. Lockring tool: These come in several sizes, so get one that’s compatible. Some come with a handle or a guide pin to secure it in place. Adjustable wrench: If needed, based on lockring tool type. New cassette: To keep it easy, simply pick up a new version of your current cassette. New chain: Chains and cassettes wear down together. You’ll want to run a fresh chain on your new cassette. Bike grease: Apply to the outer freehub body and lockring threading. HOW TO DO IT Remove your rear wheel from the bike, then remove the skewer. Attach the chain whip tool (or cassette pliers) to one of the cogs. Place the lockring tool onto the lockring at the…

WARM-UP Start with a three-part, 20-minute warm-up: 1 0:00–07:00: Easy spin, slowly increasing effort (RPE2 to 4). 2 7:01–14:00: Steadily ramp up to RPE of 8 out of 10 (or 115% of your last FTP) and hold that 8 RPE effort for one minute.3 14:01–20:00: Recovery spin (RPE 2 to 3), hydrate. THE TEST I also break the test up into three sections. 1 0:00–2:00: Start at an RPE of 7 to 8 (or 110% of your last FTP). 2:01–10:00: Settle into your pace and hold it there. 10:01–10:30: At this midpoint, take 15 to 30 seconds to drop to around 60 rpm while increasing resistance to maintain your power. This will lower your heart rate and provide a mental break. 2 10:31–17:00: Bring your RPMs back up and cruise…

THE DAY BEFORE Carbohydrate-focused meals 24 to 48 hours before the test will ensure glycogen stores are full and primed for peak performance. Get most of your carbs from complex sources, such as whole grains, sweet potatoes, or beans. Carbohydrate-rich drinks in the form of low-fat, low-fiber fruit smoothies can provide extra carbohydrates without increasing the likelihood of feeling bloated. An ideal meal is still balanced with healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein. SAMPLE MEAL: Six ounces of lean protein such as chicken breast, fish, lean cuts of beef, eggs, or minimally processed tofu; 1 cup of cooked grains such as quinoa, couscous, brown or wild rice, oats, beans, or sweet potatoes; 1 cup of vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, peas, or collard greens; and 1 cup of fruit,…

The 52,000-pound truck that hit and killed Mario did not have side guards. Now mandated in at least 47 countries—Japan was the first, in 1979—these panels cover the space between a truck’s front and rear wheels and have been documented to be a cost-effective way to save the lives of pedestrians and bike riders. The presence of side guards could have changed the arc of Mario’s life. The City of New York has long been aware of the safety issue. In 2015, after a cyclist named Hoyt Jacobs was killed by the driver of a sanitation truck in Long Island City, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill that mandated side guards on 10,000 private and public trash trucks by 2024. As of last summer, roughly 3,170 (about 70 percent)…

→ Measuring power and using that data to inform your training is one of the best ways to meet your performance goals. While there are several ways to measure or estimate power, the most accurate is usually to measure a rider’s output somewhere between the pedal and the rear hub. But traditional power meters that attach to the rear hub or crank can be less ideal because they have to fit with ever-evolving changes to a bicycle’s drivetrain standards and technologies. Arguably, then, the best place to measure power is from within the pedal, because if there’s one thing that hasn’t changed on a bicycle, it’s the way in which a pedal threads into a crankarm. For that reason, there’s a slew of new pedal-mounted power meters now, or soon…