• Bartlett Lake 82.9
• Bicycle Haus Monday Night 20.8
• Bicycle Haus Wednesday Night Ride 32.1
• Bicycle Ranch Ride 43.4
• Casa Grande Century 102.5
• Col De Pla 37.55
• Desert Ridge Loop 32.1
• Janey’s Coffee Company 44
• Joyces Junket 64
• Los Gatos 19
• McDowell Mountain Loop 47
• Mill Avenue 45.28
• Monster Burger 80
• Mount Lemmon 58.55
• Paradise Valley 30
• Paradise Valley Lite 27
• Paseo de la Recuperacion 32
• Pinnacle Peak Park 32
• Pinnacle West 32
• Rainman’s Round-up 37
• Saturday Tribe Ride 44.8
• Seven Springs 52
• South Mountain with San Jaun and Towers 66.8
• Saguaro Lake 60
• Sunridge Canyon 36
• Terry’s In-N-Out Burger 42
• Tour De Scottsdale 67 (Inverse Cycling voters’ favorite ride for 2011)
• Via Linda 22
• Westworld Loop 2.29

The deal was a buy-one-get-one-free, which expired because I sat on it too long before I could share it (store.cleanbottle.com is having a buy-three-get-one-free deal for $29.85, though, which isn’t bad).

Anyway, the whole BPA-free thing piqued my interest; just because something is labeled a certain way doesn’t always mean it’s better.

For example, I used to buy cultivated blueberries, thinking I was doing something really great for my body, until I looked up “cultivated” and learned that, although cultivated blueberries are still good for you, they contain fewer antioxidants, have less flavor and are better for baking and processing because they hold their shape, color and texture better (see this article). So the word “cultivated” is a little misleading, but you’ll still do well to eat cultivated blueberries over, say, M&Ms

So, back to BPA-free plastic.

BPA is bisphenol A, which is an “organic compound … used to make polycarbonate plastic and expoxy resins,” according to Wikipedia. It’s toxic and has been banned in baby bottles in Europe and Canada. Look for plastics with recycle codes 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6, which are unlikely to contain BPA and avoid types 3 and 7. So, yes, BPA-free is better!

IMAGE: In image library, recycle 7

We read the site’s review and were intrigued by the claims that dispel conventional theories that say pronation causes injuries. This article, and the theory behind Mizuno’s The Wave Prophecy running shoe, says the key to healthy running is “how the foot strikes the ground and how it moves from back to front once on the ground.”

I met with a running coach earlier this year, who basically told me the same thing. He videotaped my run on a treadmill and said my foot was striking the ground on the heel, which was like putting on the brakes every time my feet struck the ground. No wonder I was having back pain and tendinitis in my heels and feet.

Read the review here and post your thoughts on shoes and running. Does the shoe make the run, or is it better to work with a coach and learn proper technique?

I’ve become so used to wearing it that when I leave it behind, I worry that my calorie burn won’t “count.” My husband reminds me, “you burn the calories whether you wear your monitor or not.”

Oh… yeah…

Here at Inverse Cycling, coaches use a variety of metrics – heart rate, wattage, cadence, as well as perceived rate of exertion – while looking at your distance, pace and the slope of the course.

Heart rate alone is a useful tool for training (see Velonews.competitor.com), and it works even better when used in conjunction with other tools.

Schedule an appointment today for an Aerobic Fitness Field Test and get a training program started!

According to this article from Competitor.com, hand numbness can occur when handlebars are too high, if your saddle isn’t in the right place or if you are sitting improperly. The author explains that our wrists are not good weight-bearing joints.

If a refitting doesn’t work, your problem might be nerve compression.

Before you make an appointment with your physician, you might consider cycling gloves, gel cushions or different-shaped saddles. Core strengthening also helps because it helps support your body and take pressure off your upper extremities. (I know … we never want to hear that we need to strengthen our core …)

If you’ve had hand numbness and found a solution for it, share your experience in the comments.

1. Train progressively. For long-term improvement, challenge your body to build endurance and strength. Fitzgerald suggests using a “base phase, build phase and peak phase” for swimming, biking and running. The base phase is for building endurance and improving technique. The build phase is for short interval training at high intensity. In the peak phase, you introduce long intervals and challenging long workouts.
2. Train with varying intensities. Fitzgerald refers to “no man’s land” as those of us who train at full intensity for every workout.
3. Train your techniques. Do drills. We know they can be boring and repetitive, but they work. Concentrate on form and, if you have the resources, work with a coach who is specialized in swimming, cycling and running.
4. Train your weaknesses. I’ve yet to meet a triathlete who loves all three disciplines equally. For me, it’s bike, swim then run. I loath running! Fitzgerald suggests working on your weakest link during the off season. We might even begin to enjoy it!
5. Recover! Our bodies need rest as much as they need food, water and training.

Our coaches at Inverse Cycling are ready to develop a training program to get you ready for your next race. Schedule an appointment today!

Despite what I’ve learned over the years about nutrition and food (ain’t no such thing as a free – or calorie-free – lunch), I still get suckered by misleading headlines that lead me to believe that perfect food exists – something that tastes as good as chocolate but won’t tip the scales. Humph.

The article, from realage.com, touts eating beans in lieu of meat because it’s shown to have waist-thinning effects, rather than waist-widening effects of meats that are high in saturated fats.

So, you can eat more beans for fewer calories and less fat.

The eat-more-beans thing usually elicits the response: Beans give me gas.

If beans give you gas, it’s probably because your body isn’t used to so much fiber (tsk, tsk). Once your body gets used to the high fiber, your gassiness should disappear and you’ll be able to resume spending time with your family and friends in closed spaces again.

TAGS: nutrition, whole food, foods to avoid, protein, hydrogenated fats

We found tips from registered dietitian Jennifer Ward, courtesy of Spinning.com. Ward suggests avoiding these ingredients:

• Hydrogenated fats
• High fructose corn syrup
• Five artificial sweeteners: aspartame, neotame, sucralose, acesulfame potassium and saccharin

Ward goes on to say that the rule applies to energy bars, protein drinks and sports liquids, and those that promise a boost in performance can be the worst offenders.

Source: www.spinning.com/spinning-instructor-news/2011-5-2.asp

This year marks the 98^th TDF. It’s in 21 stages and covers 3,430.5 kilometers (about 2,200 miles), and is comprised of 10 flats, six mountain stages, three medium mountain stages, one individual time trial and one team time trial.

For those of us who are newbies when it comes to the big race, here is a little guide for those big-deal colored jerseys:

Yellow = general classification leader, or the guy who has the fastest time when all stages are added together. (Photo from www.tdf-gear.com)

Green = the top guy in sprint points, for finishing flats, intermediate, high mountain and time trials. (Photo theroadbike.com)

White with red dots = goes to the “king of the mountains,” or the rider who is the best climber. (Photo wiggle.co.uk)

White = the best young rider. (Photo champ-sys.de/)

By the way, Tour de France has always been a men-only race. The women have their own French race, but they can’t call it a Tour de France, and good luck finding out information on it online.

We know die-hard cyclists love the road, so watch for signs of heat exhaustion:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Sweaty skin
• Weariness
• Cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fast heart beat

and heat stroke

• Red, hot dry skin
• High temperature
• Confusion
• Convulsions
• Fainting

Prevent heat exhaustion & heatstroke

• Get plenty of water, rest and shade. Drink water every 15 minutes, even if you aren’t thirsty.
• Wear light-colored clothing.
• Let your body get used to being in the heat. Start out with a shorter time and each day add minutes gradually, letting your body adjust.
• Carry a cell phone with you at all times.
• Rest in the shade.
• Drink water every 15 minutes, even if you aren’t thirsty (it’s worthy repeating!)

Watch out for each other. If you see someone who might suffer from heat stroke or exhaustion,

• Call for help.
• Move the person to the shade.
• Give him or her water if they are not vomiting.
• Loosen his or her clothing.
• Cool the person with damp cloths, ice if you have it and by fanning.

Source: OSHA “Health Effects of Heat”