A Wheely Good Cycling Guide
Written: Aug 09 '05
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Clear and concise, easy to read, great training schedules, health tips.
Cons: Not the most detail
The Bottom Line: A great quick reference guide for any cyclist. Lots of information from equipment to training schedules.
|
|
|
| p1rana's Full Review: Oliver Roberts - How to Get Wheely Fit: A Unique T... |
My Background and Cycling Experience:
I first gained my interest in cycling about a year and a half ago. I started out riding an ancient 10-speed Schwinn road bike from the mid-60s. This was okay for a little while but it was going to be hard to improve on a bike that had creaky wheels and could barely shift. My golf coach, a former cyclocross champion and avid road cyclist, sold me his 1999 Trek Team Postal Replica for a really great deal. This left me no excuses as far as what I was pedaling. I rode mostly on weekends during the school year and improved my endurance but when it came down to this summer I wanted to step it up but had very little guidance. This led to my most important cycling purchase since: How to Get Wheely fit
Layout:
How to Get Wheely Fit is a full color guide that has a very organized, easy to browse layout. There are four chapters: Introduction, All Kitted Out, Training Schedules, and How to... Within each chapter each spread is on a specific topic with a short essay and boxes with notes for quick reference. This allows the reader to easily find information without having to sift through paragraphs. I find it quite helpful if I need to check where I am on a schedule before I go out on a ride. If you are looking for more detail I would suggest looking elsewhere but the training schedules are a neat feature you may want to look over anyway. It appeared the Cycling for Dummies might be a good alternative.
Contents (by chapter):
Introduction:
This provides the new cyclist with insights into where the sport can take them. It talks about the different types from road racing to mountain biking. The book itself sticks to biking on the tarmac. It also asks the questions are you healthy enough, do you want to race, and do you want to club and lists the requirements.
All Kitted Out:
How could we bike without, well, the bike... and of course the right clothing, accessories, and food? This chapter deals with the necessities of the road as well as some helpful items to improve your abilities. There are sections dealing with the parts of the bike, bike buying, season specific clothing, accessories, food, injury prevention and recovery, and motivation.
This chapter is directed mostly at beginners but does an excellent job of pointing you in the right direction. I found it helpful because it listed different types of clothing to try, specifically winter clothing that won't drag you down too much. The food and diet section is great. It starts with a general overview of the types of food and their relevance to cycling and proceeds to what to eat before, during, and after cycling. Also included are some no-nonsense tips on weight loss such as alternative foods and counting portions as opposed to calories. I have tried these in combination with increased cycling activity and have lost about 7-8 pounds in the last month or so without changing too much of what I eat.
Training Schedules:
This chapter contains one of the best features of the book. It is packed with cycling form and training tips. There is an overview of heart rate and how to use it effectively. This is followed by an outline of training intensities complete with heart rate zones. Different forms of interval training in which intensity is varied is discussed. Cycling skills are explained including climbing, descending, cornering, and pack riding. Weight training and stretching for cycling and general well being is outlined.
This brings us to the training schedules. These range in skill level and purpose from complete beginner up to expert and race specific. Previously I would just go out and ride for as long a distance as I was comfortable going. The schedules have helped me to develop greater leg strength and increase the level of exertion I can withstand. I feel they are a great way to get on a specific track.
How to...:
This is a short section that expands on other parts of the book. It includes tips on creating your own training sessions and making the most of your time. Weight management is also discussed in more depth. Lastly, there is a small section on how to look like a pro.
Conclusion:
How to Get Wheely fit is a great book of reference for any level of cyclist. I feel it has provided me with and increased knowledge of all aspects of cycling from equipment to nutrition. As a fairly new cyclist, Oliver Robert's book has really helped me to get on track. Once again, this book is intended mostly for quick reference and not full detail. If you are looking for some cycling guidance I highly recommend checking out this book. Happy cycling!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
p1rana
|
|
Location: Jville, FL
Reviews written: 29
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
I am a golfer, need I say more?
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.