Thoughts on the Teeter Totter of Cadence and Torque - Ep 164
Thoughts on the Teeter Totter of Cadence and Torque - Ep 164
Most often, riders associate making power with pushing harder on the pedals. The sensation of the bottom of the shoe providing resistance against the plantar surface [bottom] of the foot is how the sensation of “going hard” is processed.
However, speed on a bicycle is dictated by the complex interaction of weather [including wind, temperature, pressure and humidity], terrain, inertia, riding surface, and the output of the rider. Output = power, and power is comprised of two components: torque and cadence.
Thus, in certain conditions, it is advantageous to be able to make power by pedaling faster, not only by pedaling harder. If your only strategy to make more power is pushing harder on the pedals, at the expense of any capacity for triple digit cadence, your abilities as a rider will be limited.
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41:30
A Conversation with Brendan Housler: Bits and Pieces about Bicycle Practice - Ep163
A Conversation with Brendan Housler: Bits and Pieces about Bicycle Practice - Ep163
This is a conversation with Brendan Housler of EVOQ.BIKE. It’s a friendly game of verbal ping pong in which we discuss many topics that seem to bounce around in cycling at the moment. These include what FTP is, the challenges with ERG mode when indoor training, how group rides impact your training program, and figuring out whether a rider might benefit from more aerobic or more glycolytic work in their program.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as we dissect these topics. Disclaimer: my opinions tend to be contrary to the norm. You have been notified.
Links:
Evoq Website ►► https://www.evoq.bike
Evoq Podcast ►► https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/evoq-bike-cycling-podcast/id1500663458
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1:01:36
Austin Einhorn: Thinking Critically - Part 2 - Ep161
Austin Einhorn: Thinking Critically - Part 2 - Ep161
This is part 2 of this discussion. In this episode, Austin and I continue to slay some sacred cows in the fitness world such as “shoulders down and back” and “brace the core”. Austin explains why he doesn’t agree with these platitudes.
We also discuss at length the concept of standards of strength for all athletes.
We agree that cycling is fundamentally biomechanically similar to running up stairs, and this is why the foot and ankle are so important for cycling.
I also propose my timeless, non-controversial statement that foam is evil, and Austin shares his perspective on this line of thought.
We break down the idea of tensegrity patterns in the body and how we can use these as a map to understand and improve movement.
As our conversation ran over two hours, this episode will be released in two parts.
Thank you for listening and for your contributions to the podcast, conversations like these are funded by the audience and I am grateful for your consideration.
LINKS:
Corridor Crew YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CorridorCrew
Austin's Instagram: @austineinhorn
Austin's Website: https://www.theevolvedcoach.com
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1:13:21
Austin Einhorn: Thinking Critically - Part 1 - Ep161
Austin Einhorn: Thinking Critically - Part 1 - Ep161
In this discussion with strength coach Austin Einhorn,
Along the way, we slay some sacred cows in the fitness world such as “shoulders down and back” and “brace the core”. Austin explains why he doesn’t agree with these platitudes.
We also discuss at length the concept of standards of strength for all athletes.
We agree that cycling is fundamentally biomechanically similar to running up stairs, and this is why the foot and ankle are so important for cycling.
I also propose my timeless, non-controversial statement that foam is evil, and Austin shares his perspective on this line of thought.
We break down the idea of tensegrity patterns in the body and how we can use these as a map to understand and improve movement.
As our conversation ran over two hours, this episode will be released in two parts.
Thank you for listening and for your contributions to the podcast, conversations like these are funded by the audience and I am grateful for your consideration.
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1:15:36
Pre-50, Post-50 Relationship to Cycling - Ep160
Pre-50, Post-50 Relationship to Cycling - Ep160
In this walking podcast, I unpack my thoughts on training and how it might differ for athletes younger than 50 vs older than 50. On a previous podcast, I spoke to Phil Cavell about his book The Mid Life Cyclist, which also covers this topic.
My thoughts are around Intensive training vs extensive training, but perhaps not in the typical sense they are discussed in cycling lexicon.
Concepts I consider: I really don’t like the “getting old sucks” mentality. I think it is regurgitated bullshit.
Repletion instead of depletion.
Training objective is experiential vs. exhaustive or maximally stimulative.
Think with more depth and sophistication than no pain no gain or more is better.
I think while it is tempting to push a bit more on days when you feel really good, more often is it better to keep it dialed back a bit and finish with a bit in the tank. When we zoom out and look at the big picture, it is far more common to be treading water or a bit under water in terms of the total load of life + work + travel + training, so when we are feeling like we have a surplus of energy we don't need to spend it immediately.
Additionally, younger riders are working with a higher level of anabolic hormones than us old people.
Perhaps you will find my thoughts useful, this is always my intent.
Colby Pearce has been a Steve Hogg Certified expert bike fitter for the past 10 years and has worked with elite athletes and WorldTour teams, including EF Education First. He is also an elite cycling coach and has been passing along his wisdom to the riders he coaches for decades. Pearce’s repertoire of knowledge spans 30 years, five continents, hundreds of races, and countless miles in the saddle.
The minutiae of cycling and riding technique are just part of the story that Colby shares. Alignment with nature, foundational principles of health, and treating the sport as a practice are some of the philosophies he shares. Cycling in Alignment features a diverse guest list, including those who may or may not be familiar names in the cycling world.
Prepare to have your belief systems shattered.
South Africa