Dirt, gravel, road … the biking industry has put a lot of effort into developing machines that can dominate their respective disciplines. Now, with the help of new technologies, bikes are emerging that can do it all - or so they claim. Spencer provides a review of the Salsa WarRoad after putting it through the group ride paces. The boys explore the complexities of tire and wheel sizes and what the industry changes mean for the average rider. Oh, and Matt unknowingly curses the Tour of California’s stage 4.

Come join us this weekend for the Fat and Skinny tire fest.  Check out the details at https://fatandskinnytirefest.com/  See you in Winona!

Spencer and Matt sit down with Tim Drescher, event organizer and generally great guy, to discuss the upcoming Pumpkinvine Bike Ride on June 15, 2019. Focusing on the finer points of the ride, the group also dives into the rich history of the event, its purpose, and provide some updates on new trail expansion. Spencer and Matt also take some time to answer listener questions about purchasing used parts.

 

If your interested in volunteering for the Pumpkinvine Bike Ride reach out to us here [email protected]

 

If your interested in riding the Pumpkinvine Bike Ride sign up at: The Pumpkinvine Bike Ride – Goshen-Middlebury-Shipshewana …

 

… and as always, find us on Instagram!

The road cycling season has officially launched in the Michiana region! The long winter hibernation has ended and the wait is over. Power hungry cyclists are on the prowell, keen to shed their winter coats. This marks an exciting time so the boys decided to sit down, catch their breath, and discuss some of the finer points of group rides. Etiquette, tactics, and tech tips for safe group riding punctuate this Hot Laps episode with something for the seasoned and amatuer cyclist alike.

 

Do you have more group ride questions? Let us know @ [email protected]

Interested in Pumpkinvine Cyclery group rides? Check them out @ Pumpkinvine Cyclery’s Club Page on Strava PVC Club Page

Spencer and Matt spend this episode addressing some important topics of safety which are often neglected. Following Melting Mann, Spencer asks some insightful questions regarding first aid and safety preparedness for cyclists. The discussion includes past experiences, recommendations, and newly available tech available to keep cyclists safer and more aware while in the saddle. As the weather turns and we find ourselves out on the roads and trails more often, these are some important points to ponder!

On this episode of Hot Laps the boys give a quick update on some upcoming road and gravel events to help you plan your ride calendar. With spring coming into force, riders will be ready to move outdoors. However, Spencer and Matt have some interesting news to share regarding an upcoming Zwift beta release which may conflict your indoor/outdoor riding decisions. Happy April!

 

See Matt and Spencer trial the new Zwift update here:

Zwift trial

Spencer is joined by guest host Steve Prendergast, a local cycling personality, to bring race day coverage of the 6th annual Melting Mann Dirt Road Bike Challenge. Racers were met with ideal roads and blue skies, but those conditions didn’t necessarily translate to ideal race days for the riders. Listen in to hear the stories from the peloton, as podium finishers give their perspectives.    

 

Guest Racers:  

 

Chris Uberti with Team First Internet Bank

Logan Miller with Team Pumpkinvine Cyclery Racing

Summer Gilbert with Andrie Junior Development Team

Luke Hileman with Wheel in Motion Racing

The cast brings attention to the upcoming spring season. With Melting Mann just around the corner the boys pull Mark Wright from the Colorado slopes to chat about some important race day information and updates. The fun continues with a more in depth look into ideal rigs, recommendations for newcomers, and other ride day considerations. The cast finishes with Spencer offering some important recommendations to get your ride ready for Spring riding.

 

Interested in volunteering for Melting Mann or have recommendations for future casts? Reach out @michianaspoken on Insta or [email protected]

 

*Suspension service intervals are ~50 hours for fork lowers and air can service and ~200 hours for full overhaul.

Flexibility training is imperative for both performance enhancement and injury prevention. We discuss the finer points of flexibility training by examining why stretching methods are so useful for cyclists, when you should stretch, and what methods are recommended.

 

We invite Theresa Hochstetler, a local Yoga Alliance registered instructor and Michiana resident, into the studio to help us better understand the ins and outs of stretching with a specific focus on the benefits of yoga. Theresa shares her wealth of knowledge to help you grasp why this often overlooked area of your fitness is so vital to a successful cycling season.

 

Check us out on Instagram @michianspoken for more content and updates and be sure to keep the great questions and feedback coming our way!

The guys do science. Continuously increasing heart rate during endurance exercise is well documented, but how can it affect your training and performance? On this episode of Hot Laps, Spencer and Matt define Cardiac Drift and help you better understand the phenomenon. Plus, they discuss strategies to help you prepare and combat against its influences which may lead to negative performance.

 

References:

Coyle, E. F., & Gonzalez-Alonso, J. (2001). Cardiovascular drift during prolonged exercise: new perspectives. Exercise and sport sciences reviews, 29(2), 88-92.

 

Ekelund, L.G. Circulatory and respiratory adaptation during prolonged exercise of moderate intensity in the sitting position. Acta Physiol. Scand. 69: 327–340, 1967.

 

Sawka, M., & Pandolf, K. (1990). Effects of body water loss in physiological function and exercise performance. Perspectives in exercise and science and sports medicine, 3(1-38). Carmel, IN: Benchmark Press

On the first Hot Laps episode Spencer and Matt take some time to discuss the recent release of SRAM’s new electronic groupset. Also, the two talk about innovations in mountain bike tech and how consumers benefit.

Hot Laps give the boys a chance to dive into topics which may not be as involved, but still worth talking about. This quick hitting format provides a fun, fast, and informative way to discuss important updates in tech, highlight local events, and review local rides and trails. Stay tuned for more Hot Laps episodes. As always you can reach Spencer and Matt by leaving comments in your preferred podcast app, through [email protected], or on Instagram.