Do you feel that riding a century is impossible? Are century rides for other riders and not you? Are you stuck doing the same rides every week? Are you reluctant to drive 100 miles in a single day, much less ride your bike than far? You can ride a century! Thousands of cyclists ride century rides with friends, or alone, every year. It is a physical challenge, but they are also fun social events where you meet dozens of other cyclists. With training and preparation, you can achieve this road cycling goal without spending thousands of dollars on the latest featherweight bicycle model and components. Charles Lindsey talks you through the current bike choices, the increasingly sophisticated bike technology and the ever increasing prices for them. He describes the benefit and the cost of these choices and lets you decide whether to upgrade or not. Charles keeps the focus on the cyclist. He provides simple training plans to achieve your goal. Charles takes the perspective of an average cyclist who is now riding 30 miles on a typical Saturday right now. He shows the way for anyone who has thought about riding a century through research, stories, and dozens of practical tips. In these pages you will discover: - How to train for your century ride - How to avoid the mistakes that could take the fun out of your day - How the proper bike components help and why maintenance is crucial - How to ride with a large group of cyclists - How to handle hills and weather along the route - How much, and what, you should eat and drink, before, during and after the ride - How to finish the ride strong and have fun Road cycling is a fun and important part of your life. A century ride is an achievement that will amaze your family, friends, and coworkers. If you are a road cyclist who wants to reach the next level but you do not know how to do it, this book is for you.

Provides a guide to achieving the one-hundred-mile-per-day biking goal, sharing counsel on how to customize a fitness-based training plan, select a bicycle and equipment, and use fueling and hydration strategies.

A comprehensive guide to choosing, buying and owning a bicycle. In addition it contains sections on riding in traffic, cross-country, competition riding, and the history and politics of cycling.

Everyone from experienced distance cyclists to those preparing for their first century ride will benefit from the training advice and strategies featured inDistance Cycling. Lead author John Hughes, one of ultracycling’s most respected names, helps inspire riders of all ability levels through practical advice for centuries, brevets, and more.

“Most how-to books are too technical or too shallow. Don Fink manages to pen a unique combination of information, anecdotes, and readability.”—Scott Tinley, two-time Ironman World Champion “Don’s book certainly made me think. A truly complete book for all abilities in the sport of triathlon that leaves no subject untouched.”—Spencer Smith, three-time Triathlon World Champion Ever dream of being an elite endurance athlete and competing in races like Hawaii’s Ironman? Pro athletes are not the only people who can attain such superior accomplishments. Every season tens of thousands of amateur triathletes compete head-to-head, pushing their physical and mental strength to the limits. The Ironman competition is a true test: a 2.4-mile open-water swim followed by a 112-mile bike leg and a 26.2-mile marathon run. In Be Iron Fit, sought-after multisport coach Don Fink draws on his time-efficient training methods to provide a practical program in a step-by-step, enjoyable way—so even everyday athletes can attain ultimate conditioning.

“No matter what or how you ride, read this book and remind yourself just how enjoyable cycling can and should be.”—Eben Weiss, author of The Enlightened Cyclist Just Ride is a revelation. Forget the ultralight, uncomfortable bikes, flashy jerseys, clunky shoes that clip onto tiny pedals, the grinding out of endless miles. Instead, ride like you did when you were a kid—just get on your bike and discover the pure joy of riding it. A reformed racer who’s commuted by bike every day since 1980, whose writings and opinions appear in major bicycling and outdoor magazines, and whose company, Rivendell Bicycle Works, makes bikes for riders ready to opt out of a culture overrun by racing, Grant Petersen shares a lifetime of unexpected facts, controversial opinions, expert techniques, and his own maverick philosophy. In 87 short, two-to-three page chapters, it covers: Riding: Count Days, Not Miles; Corner Like Jackie Robinson; Steer with Your Hips, Shift with Your Legs Suiting Up: The Shoes Ruse; Ponchos—the Ultimate Unracer’s Garment Safety: #1 Rule—Be Seen; Helmets Aren’t All They’re Cracked Up to Be Health and Fitness: Why Riding Is Lousy All-Around Exercise; Saddles Don’t Cause Impotence; Drink When You’re Thirsty—Not Before Also includes chapters on Accessories, Upkeep, and Technicalities, and a final chapter titled “Velosophy” that includes the essential, memorable thought: Your Bike Is a Toy—Have Fun with It. Winner Silver Medal 2013 Independent Publisher Book Awards

Robert Penn has saddled up nearly every day of his adult life. In his late twenties, he pedaled 25,000 miles around the world. Today he rides to get to work, sometimes for work, to bathe in air and sunshine, to travel, to go shopping, to stay sane, and to skip bath time with his kids. He's no Sunday pedal pusher. So when the time came for a new bike, he decided to pull out all the stops. He would build his dream bike, the bike he would ride for the rest of his life; a customized machine that reflects the joy of cycling. It's All About the Bike follows Penn's journey, but this book is more than the story of his hunt for two-wheel perfection. En route, Penn brilliantly explores the culture, science, and history of the bicycle. From artisanal frame shops in the United Kingdom to California, where he finds the perfect wheels, via Portland, Milan, and points in between, his trek follows the serpentine path of our love affair with cycling. It explains why we ride. It's All About the Bike is, like Penn's dream bike, a tale greater than the sum of its parts. An enthusiastic and charming tour guide, Penn uses each component of the bike as a starting point for illuminating excursions into the rich history of cycling. Just like a long ride on a lovely day, It's All About the Bike is pure joy- enriching, exhilarating, and unforgettable.

Conventional wisdom says that middle-aged cyclists should slow down and expect to achieve less as they grow older. But in Cycling Past 50, author Joe Friel shows cyclists that with proper training and the right attitude, the years after 50 can be their best ever. Written for cyclists of all types-road riders, mountain bikers, track racers-this book provides an in-depth look at the full range of considerations for cycling successfully into and through middle age. Joe Friel, a writer and contributing editor to several top cycling publications and a dedicated rider himself, will inspire cyclists toward better performance and more biking enjoyment as he presents: - basic principles of training; - advanced workouts to improve endurance, climbing ability, and sprinting; - training advice for 100-mile events and multi-day tours; - planning tips and a workout program for getting into racing form; - injury prevention tips and exercises; and - body fueling advice. In addition to explaining the physical adjustments seasoned cyclists can make to keep their biking effective and satisfying, Friel discusses the mental aspects of cycling successfully into middle age. He explains the importance of developing a positive attitude, maintaining a high level of motivation, and taking pride in their accomplishments. He also reminds cyclists that, above all, biking should be a fun activity that should be shared with fellow riders, family, and friends.

A nineteenth century leader of the women's reform movement describes how, at thirty-three, she learned to ride a bicycle

Ride Strong, Ride Long ... Whether Your Goal Is 30 Miles or 3,000 From Edmund R. Burke, Ph.D., and Ed Pavelka - two of the country's top cycling experts - comes the most comprehensive guide ever to achieving the strength, skills, and strategies you need for long-distance riding. Whether you're training for day rides, centuries, or cross-country trips, The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling helps you choose the right equipment, train step-by-step, and map out your riding strategy so that you can go the distance. Discover how to: * Make the most of every hour on your bike * Build your mileage base efficiently * Customize your training to suit your personality and physical capabilities * Build extra training time into your hectic schedule * Avoid injuries and the dangers of overtraining * Achieve the mental edge you need to ride farther and faster * Train for both road and off-road touring * Choose cycling gear that goes and goes * Eat for the long haul-- nutrition before, during, and after your rides To help you achieve your riding goals, The Complete Book of Long-Distance Cycling gives you complete, step-by-step training programs for riding a half-century, century, double century, and beyond. You'll also find strategies and techniques for special situations, such as riding in bed weather and riding at night. Published by the world's leading authority on bicycling, this informative guide is a must-have for all cycling enthusiasts.