Monitoring your training load
We have recently launched a short course entitled, “Cycling Science: the essentials of cycling physiology and coaching”. For further information about the course, please click HERE. In this article, we are covering content from the eighth module of this short course. The complete module covers the principles and theory of load monitoring, detail on how […]
The Science of Bike Fitting
We have recently launched a short course entitled, “Cycling Science: the essentials of cycling physiology and coaching”. For further information about the course, please click HERE. In this article, we are covering content from the seventh module of this short course, which covers the basics of bike fitting. Bike fitting, or cycling biomechanics when referring […]
Optimising High-Intensity Interval Training
We have recently launched a short course entitled, “Cycling Science: the essentials of cycling physiology and coaching”. For further information about the course, please click HERE. In this article, we are covering content from the sixth module of this short course, which covers high-intensity interval training. Cyclists will incorporate a variety of strategies to assist […]
Performing and analysing torque intervals
We have recently launched a short course entitled, “Cycling Science: the essentials of cycling physiology and coaching”. For further information about the course, please click HERE. In this article, we are covering content from the fifth module of this short course, where we provide examples of our favourite training sessions. Two weeks ago we discussed […]
Strength training for cycling
We have recently launched a short course entitled, “Cycling Science: the essentials of cycling physiology and coaching”. For further information about the course, please click HERE. In this article we are covering content from the fourth module of this short course, which includes the rationale for including strength training in a cyclist’s training programme, which […]
Periodisation for optimal cycling performance
We have recently launched a short course entitled, “Cycling Science: the essentials of cycling physiology and coaching”. For further information about the course, please click HERE. In this article, we are covering content from the third module of this short course. The complete module covers the principles and different models of periodisation and also includes […]
Assessing endurance performance – The value of field testing
We have recently launched a short course entitled, “Cycling Science: The essentials of cycling physiology and coaching”. In this article, we are covering some of the content from the second module which focuses on assessing endurance performance. For further information about the course, please click HERE. Performance testing is often implemented to assess adaptation to […]
The factors that determine VO2 max
Endurance exercise is a physiological challenge to the human body. Our ability to perform for a prolonged period of time is mostly dependent on four factors: 1. VO2max;2. Cycling economy;3. Maximal sustainable intensity (Threshold);4. Muscle power. In this article, we will provide a brief summary of the factors that determine VO2max. VO2max The most common […]
How to take that much-needed off season break
Every season has a beginning, middle and an end. What happens when it ends is often a source of confusion for athletes. “Transition phase” is a term that is frequently misunderstood and often not known about. This is traditionally a phase of active rest and recuperation and commonly prescribed after the season has finished. Some […]
How can a performance test help your cycling?
Cycling is a data-rich sport and we often hear cyclists mention values of VO2max, peak power output (PPO), lactate threshold (LT), and the increasingly popular functional threshold power (FTP). All of these terms are associated with performance in cycling, but what is the true value of knowing these numbers and how can a performance test […]
Winter training: The science of indoor trainers and cross training
“Winter is coming” A phrase often used to project fear in an episode of Games of Thrones. Luckily in South Africa, it doesn’t hold the same spine-chilling effect and we as cyclists and athletes are still able to go out and train, keep fit and enjoy the sport we have all grown to love thanks […]
The science of cross-country mountain biking: What does it take to succeed in XCO?
Cross-country mountain biking or XCO (the acronym given to the Olympic discipline) has increased in popularity in South Africa and globally over the past few years. So much so, that famed South African artist, Jack Parow, even wrote a song about it, Eksie Ou. Poor attempts at humour aside, the growth of this particular cycling […]