Todays About.com cycling column takes a look at an often neglected segment of the sport – stretching. In addition the normal cool down stretches many people do, the article also looks at several stretches riders can do before a ride, as well as when they are in the saddle.
Word is that Team Astana, whose ProTour license was application was denied several weeks ago on a technicality, has been granted a wild-card slot for the three Grand Tours. The inclusion of Astana should make the grand tour that much more interesting with riders like Vinokourov, Kloden, and Salvoldelli now in mix of potential winners.
Back when we first started using online mapping services to check out routes, the market was dominated by the likes of Microsoft, Map Quest, and Yahoo. But then of course, Google came along and spoiled their party with an easy to use, socially-integrated, uber-slick mapping service that had everyone logging on to see an aerial view of their house. Microsoft of course fired-back, with a redesigned service called Virtual Earth (VE), which offered better satellite imagery in some areas, but was still not as easy to use as Google Maps. Thankfully Microsoft’s latest Virtual Earth release has addressed many of the services issues, and now offers a more Google-like map-drag feature, a measurement tool, as well as route sharing. While the new VE won’t have us dumping Google any time soon, its nice to know there's another option available, especially in areas where Google can only offers us low-resolution satellite imagery.
USA Today has posted a list of holiday gift ideas aimed at those on the go. On the higher end the paper suggests both the Specialized Roubaix ($1,900 - $7,100) and Cannondale System Six ($3,400 - $8,000). If however you’re not in the market for a pricy set of wheels, the article also suggests a few stocking stuffers, including a cycling calendar ($35), Livestrong pooch collars ($14), and ProBar nutrition bars ($2.99).
A new study suggests that a caffeine placebo can provide a boost in cycling performance. In the study, researchers assembled a group of six well-trained male cyclists who each rode a 10km time trial after receiving what they believed was a 0mg (placebo), 4.5mg, or 9mg dose of caffeine. All doses were in fact a 0mg placebo. After riding two baseline time-trials, cyclists who thought they had taken a placebo dose, showed a 1.3% decrease in power output, while cyclists who believed they had been given a non-placebo dose showed a power increase of 1.3% at 4.5mg, and 3.1% at 9mg.
