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Mastering Cycling - John Howard
Mastering Cycling
by John Howard
NEW, 200 pages
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About Mastering Cycling
Learn from a legend! Trim seconds off your time, train more efficiently, or simply maximize your fitness workouts with Mastering Cycling.
John Howard, three-time Olympian and 18-time national masters cycling champion, has created the ultimate cycling guide for serious riders, triathletes, and masters athletes. Cyclists from 18 to 88 will benefit from the targeted approach that covers these essentials:
- Technique instruction and refinement for cornering, climbing, and descending
- Workout plans for fitness and competition
- Training for road races, time trials, and triathlons
- Strategies that will shave seconds from your times
In addition, Mastering Cycling guides you in equipment selection, event-specific training, motivational strategies, nutrition, hydration, and selecting cycling clubs, coaches, and competitive events. With such comprehensive coverage, it is the one resource you’ll turn to time and time again for a lifetime of serious cycling.
About John Howard
John Howard has a remarkable resume as a professional cyclist, endurance athlete, and coach. He spent 10 years on the U.S. national cycling team and raced in three Olympic Games. In 1971 he won first place in the Pan-Am Games road race—America's only gold medal ever in that event. He has won other major road races, including the Tour de L'Estra, the Tour of Newfoundland, and the Tour of Baja. An American pioneer on the European racing circuit, he won a stage and finished third overall in the Tour of Ireland in 1973. John was a cofounder of the coast-to-coast Race Across America (RAAM) and finished second in the inaugural race. In 1987, he set the 24-hour cycling distance record of 539 miles. In 1989, he was inducted into the U.S. Cycling Hall of Fame.
Howard’s achievements don't end with traditional bike racing. In 1985 he set the bicycle speed record of 152.2 mph, riding behind a custom-built land rocket on the Bonneville Salt Flats. He won the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon in 1981. In 2000 he set the 24-hour canoeing record of 104.6 miles. He has been named a masters cycling national champion an unprecedented 18 times. He now runs one of cycling's best-regarded coaching clinics, the John Howard School of Champions. By his estimation, John has ridden more than 1/2 million miles during his career.
Reviews of the Book
“Mastering Cycling imparts much knowledge and many lessons. It speaks to all riders and has special value for those intent on staying one wheel ahead of Father Time.”
Ed Pavelka -- Publisher of RoadBikeRider.com e-mail newsletter
"John Howard was the first recognizable name in modern-era cycling, and his versatility continues as a world-class masters racer and coach. Mastering Cycling speaks from the master's own perspective about what it takes to live the sport we love."
Chris Carmichael -- Coach of Seven-Time Tour de France Winner Lance Armstrong
“John is a true master of the sport of cycling. His varied accomplishments attest to his knowledge of training techniques on and off the bike. Mastering Cycling is a valuable resource for cyclists of all ages and abilities.”
Bobby Phillips -- “Baltimore Bullet”
About Cycling
Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists. Apart from ordinary two-wheeled bicycles, cycling also includes riding unicycles, tricycles, quadracycles, and other similar human-powered vehicles (HPVs).
Bicycles were introduced in the 19th century and now number about one billion worldwide. They are the principal means of transportation in many regions.
Cycling is an extremely efficient mode of transportation optimal for short to moderate distances. Bicycles provide numerous benefits compared to motor vehicles, including exercise, an alternative to the use of fossil fuels, no air or noise pollution, much reduced traffic congestion, easier parking, greater maneuverability, and access to both roads and paths. The advantages are at less financial cost to the user as well as society (negligible damage to roads, and less pavement required). Criticisms and disadvantages of cycling include reduced protection in crashes, particularly with motor vehicles,] longer travel time (except in densely populated areas), vulnerability to weather conditions, difficulty in transporting passengers, and the skill and fitness required.
In many countries, the most commonly used vehicle for road transport is a utility bicycle. These have frames with relaxed geometry, protecting the rider from shocks from the road, and easing steering at low speeds.
Road bikes tend to have a more upright shape and a shorter wheelbase, which make the bike more mobile but harder to ride slowly. The design, coupled with low or dropped handlebars, requires the rider to bend forward more, utilizing stronger muscles and reducing air resistance at high speed.
The price of a new bicycle can range from US to more than US,000 (the highest priced bike in the world is the custom Madone by Damien Hirst, sold at 0,000 USD),depending on quality, type and weight (the most exotic road bicycles can weigh as little as 3.2 kg (7 lb)). Being measured for a bike and taking it for a test ride are recommended before buying.
The drivetrain components of the bike should also be considered. A middle grade dérailleur is sufficient for a beginner, although many utility bikes come equipped with hub gears. If the rider plans a significant amount of hillclimbing, a triple-crank (three chainrings) front gear system may be preferred. Otherwise, the relatively lighter and less expensive two chainrings may be better. Much simpler fixed wheel bikes are also available, and may be more suitable for commuters.
Many road bikes along with mountain bikes include clipless pedals to which special shoes attach, via a cleat, permitting the rider to pull on the pedals as well as push. Other possible accessories for the bicycle include front and back lights, bells or horns, disc brakes, child carrying seats, cycling computers with GPS, locks, bar tape, fenders (mud-guards), baggage racks, baggage carriers and pannier bags, water bottles and bottle cages.
For basic maintenance and repairs, cyclists can choose to carry a pump (or a CO2 cartridge), a puncture repair kit, a spare inner tube, and tire levers. Cycling can be more efficient and comfortable with special shoes, gloves, and shorts. In wet weather, riding can be more tolerable with waterproof clothes, such as cape, jacket, pants and overshoes.
Items legally required in some jurisdictions, or voluntarily adopted for safety reasons, include bicycle helmets, generator or battery operated lights, reflectors, and audible signaling devices such as a bell or horn. Extras include studded tires and a bicycle computer.
Bikes can also be heavily customized, with different seat designs and handle bars, for example.
Mastering Cycling
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