Cutting-Edge Cycling

Being a former serious amateur cyclist I can appreciate any book that can help push the athlete to a higher performance level. This book Cutting Edge Cycling does just that and more. This is a book designed to be studied and used. The information when applied will push the cyclist to their maximum potential. The book deals with whats important, speed, power and endurance techniques. But it also goes one step further with what's important to the elite cyclist. like: high intensity training, fatigue, overtraining, pacing, hydration, power meters and much more. A good read. Even a novice would benefit from reading this book.

If you're serious about cycling this book provides a detailed explanation of the physiology of performing at your best. For us not-quite-elites, Cutting Edge Cycling serves as an introduction to the elite world. The medical information assumes some basic knowledge, but the use of simple math to explain the relationship between calories consumed and energy expended, for instance, is very clear, and discussions of the true nature of fatigue is useful to cyclists at all levels. The authors challenge the conclusions of available studies and separate science from urban legend when it comes to training techniqe, hydration, and performance optimization.

I'm trying to figure out the market for this book. You would have to be a cyclist with a heart beat monitor and a power meter. You would probably have a coach and be a licensed USCF rider with a category 1 or 2 rating. I am a 65 year-old recreational rider who puts in 4000 to 6000 miles a year. I am obviously not the target for this book. It is filled with charts, graphs, and acronyms. A younger more, competative rider would get more out of it. I did like the latter part of the book that dealt with position, nutrition, bike fit, and hydration. I think what I will use from this book to improve my cycling is to drink chocolate milk while stopping at convienience stores on my next century ride.

A bicycle may be a very simple form of transit, but in the field of cycling it is an extremely powerful and complicated tool that can be engineered to provide the best times for cyclists. This book is packed with a lot of useful and interesting facts for cyclists who are beyond novices and intermediates. It starts with human physiology in relation to cycling, which can get a bit difficult to read for those not medically inclined. However, the book then turns to applying the physiology to maximizing the benefits from training. These topics include how to quantify one's exertion during training, how to prevent drawbacks from overtraining, finding a bike that fits, how to pedal efficiently and proper hydration and nutrition. I particularly show more liked the interviews from experts that helps explain much of the difficult concepts and terminology along the way. Definitely recommended for high-level cycling athletes and their coaches. show less

I assumed I would be in over my head when the publisher sent me a copy of this book. I have ambitions to be a cutting edge cyclist, but I'm much more of a dull edge cyclists. Most of mileage these days is sporadic bicycle commuting. The book's subtitle confirmed my assumption. I don't have the time of natural attributes to be an advanced cyclists or to engage in advanced training.

If you compete is bike races or desire to compete, then this book would be a great resource for you. It has detailed research on effective training, in different ways for different gain. Want to expand your vMax? The book has a training plan for you.

Even though I'm unlikely to engage in much of the training in Cutting Edge Cycling, it was still enjoyable to show more read about the latest research in cycling training techniques. Even if you spend more time on your couch than you bike (like me) there are some great ideas that will keep you reading this book. show less

As a recreational cyclist, this book was way above my skill level. My teenage sons on the other hand were found discussing the various aspects of the book over the past few weeks. I asked them their opinion about the book and they each pointed to several areas they thought were extremely helpful. My 18 year old who just purchased a new bike was interested most in the suggested training schedules that are detailed in the section, "Periodizing Your Training". He said it was helpful to see how to structure his workouts to gain the best advantage. My other son who is 16 is into getting fit and he said that the section on keeping hydrated and supplements was useful to him.

The bulk of the book is VERY technical and contains a lot of the show more "physics" of bike riding with charts and vocabulary. This book is not something the average reader is going to sit and read cover to cover but rather for the more serious or advanced cyclists looking for getting the edge on training. show less

This book is for very serious cyclists who can and will utilize the newest means of gathering workout information. I am not sure a novice would like this manual very much. It comes off as being very daunting and specific. That being said, the advanced cyclist would find many of the workouts and explanations to be very useful on helping to get that edge for competition.