The highest-rated tires for Unbound Gravel from riders who live and ride in the area! There may be no hotter debated topic than which tires are best for the unforgiving gravel of Unbound. Just take a look at any Facebook group or Reddit thread and you will see the debate rages on and is renewed yearly with new releases of tires. This is especially true for 2024 as the route will go north to what is typically more rough and sharp gravel than that of the south route. So, instead of forcing you into the depths of social media to find a good recommendation, we brought the best of local riders ..read more

Is Zone 2 Training Worth it? Is Zone 2 training a waste of time? While the easy answer is absolutely not, some athletes may benefit far less than others from spending time in Zone 2. As a cycling coach, I have rarely come across many athletes who wouldn’t benefit from Zone 2 training, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.  What is Tempo or Sweet Spot Training? Zone 2 or tempo or sweet spot training, whatever you prefer to call it, all falls fairly close together in the training band of your power and heart rate zones. This intensity is relatively far below your lactate threshold b ..read more

Pedal Without Pain: Managing Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Cycling If you’re a cyclist experiencing discomfort, it’s crucial to understand that pelvic floor pain and cycling often go hand-in-hand due to specific anatomical pressures involved in the sport. To help you maintain your passion for cycling while addressing this common issue, we’ve teamed up with pelvic floor specialist Dr. Lora Seacat, DPT, to explore the causes of pelvic floor discomfort in cyclists and provide effective strategies to ride pain-free. This insight is essential for avid and casual cyclists seeking to balance their l ..read more

Understanding and Treating Saddle Sores from Cycling Cyclists, from the professional racer to the weekend enthusiast, are all too familiar with the discomfort of saddle sores from cycling. These pesky and painful skin irritations can significantly impact one’s performance and enjoyment of the sport. Recognizing the causes and implementing effective prevention and treatment strategies is essential for anyone who spends time on a bike. Preventing Saddle Sores from Cycling Preventing saddle sores is far more preferable than treating them. Proper bike fit, high-quality cycling shorts, and meti ..read more

The Specialized Pathfinder Pro is Showing it's Age If you’re searching for the perfect tire to enhance your off-road adventures, you may need to keep looking farther than the Specialized Pathfinder Pro gravel tire. With its blend of performance, durability, and versatility, this tire is a legit contender in the gravel scene but there are better tires on the market. Very similar to the Panaracer Gravel Kings, these tires have been available for some time, and were at one point, the best around. However newer tires, from a variety of brands, have likely outpaced these once-best tires availabl ..read more

Cycling is a sport that requires dedication, hard work, and proper training. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cyclist, having a certified coach can make a huge difference in your performance. But with so many options out there, how do you find the perfect cycling coach near you or should you use a remote coach? In this article, we will discuss the benefits of having a professional trainer and how to find the right one for you. The Benefits of Having a Certified Coach A certified coach can provide you with personalized training plans and guidance to help you reach your cycling g ..read more

Eating protein before sleeping can help with recovery and weight loss. Eating before bed, especially protein before sleeping, has always had a negative stigma that has been following it around for decades. Recommending eating before bed sounds backward until you look closer at what it can do for you. Consuming protein before bed can improve recovery from your workouts, helps you wake up less hungry, and helps with weight loss! More than likely you are below the recommended amount of protein you should be consuming everyday and a protein shake before bed can help boost your intake dramaticall ..read more

Leveraging RPE in Cycling and Competitions Understanding your exercise intensity is crucial for a successful workout, especially in cycling. Often, we rely on measurements like power output, heart rate, or pace. But what about RPE? It stands for Rating of Perceived Exertion, a straightforward way to understand how tough you feel your workout is. Even with the advent of cutting-edge wearables and training apps, RPE remains an invaluable tool for cyclists everywhere. Leveraging RPE in Cycling and Competitions Cyclists and their coaches often bounce between two popular RPE scales: the classic ..read more

Heart Rate Variability for Cyclists As digital advancements forge ahead, athletes are presented with an overwhelming amount of data sources ranging from power meters to cutting-edge wearable sensors. Sifting through this data to find what truly matters is paramount. Rising prominently among these metrics is heart rate variability (HRV) for cyclists. It’s becoming a crucial tool in gauging fatigue. Deciphering Heart Rate Variability (HRV) for Cyclists Imagine a heart rate ticking at 60 beats per minute. It’s not as straightforward as one beat every second. There are minuscule variations bet ..read more

Reviewing the American Classic Aggregate Tires The American Classic Aggregate is a newer entry into the gravel scene of the last few years, but can it hold up like many more mature companies’ tires? As a long-time cycling coach and gravel native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, we didn’t hold back on our American Classic Aggregate review.  American Classic Aggregate 700x40 American Classic Aggregate Rating: ★★★★★ 3.5/5 Likes Reliable Roll relatively quick Great value Decent weight (477 grams) REPLACEMENT PROGRAM! Dislikes Wears down comparatively fast Measure what they ..read more