OVERVIEW
Christie Aschwanden is an award-winning science journalist and author of Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery. With all the hype and marketing dollars being thrown at recovery modalities like tart cherry juice, ketone supplements, ice plunges, and the timing of post-recovery meals, we brought Christie back to "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast" to take a look at the evidence behind the claims. Which recovery products work? How do they work and are they worth the expense? 

RECOVERY METHODS/PRODUCTS COVERED

• Tart Cherry Juice
• Ice plunges/Cold water Immersion
• Is inflammation bad for athletes?
• Ketones
• Post-workout recovery window

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Guest Bio – Christie Aschwanden:

Christie Aschwanden is an award-winning science journalist. She was the lead science writer at FiveThirtyEight for many years and is a former health columnist for the Washington Post. A finalist for the National Magazine Award, her writing has appeared in Outside, Discover, Smithsonian, and Oprah Magazine. She’s also co-host of Emerging Form, a podcast about the creative process. She was a high school state champion in the 1,600-meter run, a national collegiate cycling champion, and an elite cross-country skier with Team Rossignol. She lives and occasionally still races in western Colorado.

Read More About Christie Aschwanden:

https://christieaschwanden.com/

https://twitter.com/cragcrest

Book Link – Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn from the Strange Science of Recovery

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

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Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
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OVERVIEW
We receive a lot of listener questions, so we're batching a few of them together into one episode. In Episode 258 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Coach Adam Pulford and co-author of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist" book, Coach Jim Rutberg, rip through questions about the fear of descending, how to increase carbohydrate intake, preparing for big mountain days, and making the best of events when you're under-prepared.

TOPICS COVERED

• Question 1: How do I get over my fear of going downhill on a bicycle?
• Question 2: I understand I should increase carbohydrate intake on the bike, but how do I do it and how much should I consume?
  • Carbohydrate scaling for different types of rides and races
• Question 3: How do I prepare for a big ride (RAMROD: Ride Around Mount Rainier in One Day) of 160 miles with 10,000 feet of climbing, more than half of it in the first 50 miles?
  • Training by VAM (average ascent velocity) in elevation gain per hour.
  • Long range vs. short range training 
  • Pacing and nutrition advice
• Question 4: How should I make the best of an event if I'm going in under-prepared?

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Guest Host
Jim Rutberg has been an athlete, coach, and content creator in the outdoor sports, endurance coaching, and event industries for more than 20 years. He is the Media Director and a coach for CTS and co-author of several training and sports nutrition books, including Training Essentials for Ultrarunning with Jason Koop, Ride Inside with Joe Friel, and The Time-Crunched Cyclist with Chris Carmichael. He writes for trainright.com and his work has appeared in Bicycling, Outside, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Velonews, Inside Triathlon, and on numerous websites. A graduate of Wake Forest University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Physiology, Jim resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his two sons, Oliver and Elliot. He can be reached at [email protected] or @rutty_rides on Instagram.

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

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Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

Welcome to the Tour de France Femmes Podcast, from the producers of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast"
CTS publishes daily Tour de France Femmes podcasts with Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman. They recap the stages, but the unique aspect of these podcasts will be coaching insights about how athletes prepare for the demands showcased in that day's stage. 

STAGE 9 PODCAST OVERVIEW
Stage 9 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift was the finale of the entire race, and Coaches Renee Eastman and Adam Pulford recap the action from the stage as well as highlights from the week. They also showcase several athletes who had breakout performances or MVP rides, and discuss Alison Jackson's race day data from yesterday's Queen Stage.

ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST

Co-Host: Renee Eastman

Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and has been coaching with the company for more than 20 years. She has been a professional bike fitter for 15 years and was one of the first fitters to use the Retül bike fit system. She has a master's degree in exercise science, has worked for USA Cycling, and is a 6-time Masters National Champion.

Renee Eastman bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/renee-eastman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.eastman/

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

Welcome to the Tour de France Femmes Podcast, from the producers of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast"
CTS publishes daily Tour de France Femmes podcasts with Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman. They recap the stages, but the unique aspect of these podcasts will be coaching insights about how athletes prepare for the demands showcased in that day's stage. 

STAGE 8 PODCAST OVERVIEW
Stage 8 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift was the Queen Stage, meaning the hardest of them all. There was a big shakeup on the leaderboard, which Coaches Renee Eastman and Adam Pulford discuss. They also talk about coaching athletes on descending skills and the impact of a woman's menstrual cycle on performance and perception of effort.

ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST

Co-Host: Renee Eastman

Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and has been coaching with the company for more than 20 years. She has been a professional bike fitter for 15 years and was one of the first fitters to use the Retül bike fit system. She has a master's degree in exercise science, has worked for USA Cycling, and is a 6-time Masters National Champion.

Renee Eastman bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/renee-eastman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.eastman/

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

Welcome to the Tour de France Femmes Podcast, from the producers of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast"
CTS publishes daily Tour de France Femmes podcasts with Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman. They recap the stages, but the unique aspect of these podcasts will be coaching insights about how athletes prepare for the demands showcased in that day's stage. 

STAGE 7 PODCAST OVERVIEW
Stage 7 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift was another significant climbing day, meaning there was a hard-working breakaway, fireworks in the GC group, and a bunch of riders in the grupetto looking to save their legs for another day. Coaches Renee Eastman and Adam Pulford recap the stage and talk about the Training Stress Score (TSS) differences between the front and the back, plus the hows and whys of pro women racing multiple disciplines (i.e., road, cross, mtb), and look forward to the Queen Stage of the TDFF tomorrow.

ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST

Co-Host: Renee Eastman

Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and has been coaching with the company for more than 20 years. She has been a professional bike fitter for 15 years and was one of the first fitters to use the Retül bike fit system. She has a master's degree in exercise science, has worked for USA Cycling, and is a 6-time Masters National Champion.

Renee Eastman bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/renee-eastman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.eastman/

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

Welcome to the Tour de France Femmes Podcast, from the producers of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast"
CTS publishes daily Tour de France Femmes podcasts with Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman. They recap the stages, but the unique aspect of these podcasts will be coaching insights about how athletes prepare for the demands showcased in that day's stage. 

STAGE 6 PODCAST OVERVIEW
Stage 6 of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift featured a fantastic solo win by an emerging talent. Coaches Renee Eastman and Adam Pulford recap the stage and preview Friday's stage, and also answer listener questions about bike fit for female cyclists, including why women sometimes look like they're "wrestling the bike" more than male cyclists. For even more insights, they tapped CTS Coach Jane Marshall, a 4-time MTB National Champion and mother of 2, about the changes in bike fit after pregnancy and about whether "Mom Watts" are real or a myth.

ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST

Guest Contributor: Jane Marshall

A two-time Collegiate and two-time US Masters National Champion in cross-country mountain biking and a mom to two children, Jane Marshall has been a coach with CTS since 2006. She has competed in and prepared athletes for some of the world's most challenging events. Bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/jane-rynbrandt-marshall/ 

Co-Host: Renee Eastman

Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and has been coaching with the company for more than 20 years. She has been a professional bike fitter for 15 years and was one of the first fitters to use the Retül bike fit system. She has a master's degree in exercise science, has worked for USA Cycling, and is a 6-time Masters National Champion.

Renee Eastman bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/renee-eastman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.eastman/

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

Welcome to the Tour de France Femmes Podcast, from the producers of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast"
CTS publishes daily Tour de France Femmes podcasts with Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman. They recap the stages, but the unique aspect of these podcasts will be coaching insights about how athletes prepare for the demands showcased in that day's stage. 

STAGE 5 PODCAST OVERVIEW
Stage 5 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift saw a major shakeup in the General Classification, thanks to a significant climb and descent right before the finish. Coaches Renee Eastman and Adam Pulford recap the stage and they're joined by guest contributor Alison Tetrick, a retired World Tour rider, commentator for The Move podcast online and on Peacock, and a long-time CTS Athlete. Ali provides personal insights on the evolution of the Women's World Tour in terms of the salaries, support, and competitive level. 

For more on Alison, visit:

• https://www.alisontetrick.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/amtetrick/

ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST

Co-Host: Renee Eastman

Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and has been coaching with the company for more than 20 years. She has been a professional bike fitter for 15 years and was one of the first fitters to use the Retül bike fit system. She has a master's degree in exercise science, has worked for USA Cycling, and is a 6-time Masters National Champion.

Renee Eastman bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/renee-eastman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.eastman/

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

Welcome to the Tour de France Femmes Podcast, from the producers of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast"
CTS publishes daily Tour de France Femmes podcasts with Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman. They recap the stages, but the unique aspect of these podcasts will be coaching insights about how athletes prepare for the demands showcased in that day's stage. 

STAGE 4 PODCAST OVERVIEW
Stage 4 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift was another sprint finish, but the mountains are coming tomorrow! Keeping athletes fueled for performance and recovery is a full-time job, and Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman check in with Kristen Arnold, MS, RDN, CSSD and Sports Dietitian for EF Education-Oatly on the team's strategies for in-race fueling, post-race recovery (including tart cherry juice), and day-to-day meal planning. Adam and Renee also discuss sweat rate testing and sweat sodium testing.

RESOURCES

• Find a Precision Hydration Sweat Testing Center Near You
• Kristen Arnold's Sports Nutrition For Women

ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST

Co-Host: Renee Eastman

Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and has been coaching with the company for more than 20 years. She has been a professional bike fitter for 15 years and was one of the first fitters to use the Retül bike fit system. She has a master's degree in exercise science, has worked for USA Cycling, and is a 6-time Masters National Champion.

Renee Eastman bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/renee-eastman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.eastman/

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

Welcome to the Tour de France Femmes Podcast, from the producers of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast"
CTS will publish daily Tour de France Femmes podcasts with Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman. They'll recap the stage, but the unique aspect of these podcasts will be coaching insights about how athletes prepare for the demands showcased in that day's stage. 

STAGE 3 PODCAST OVERVIEW
Stage 3 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift  was dominated by a 4-rider breakaway containing CTS Athlete and Canadian National Champion Alison Jackson from EF Education Oatly. Although the breakaway was caught before the finish, Jackson was strong in the finale and still led out her teammate. Coach Adam Pulford reveals insights and details of her pre-TDFF training and TrainingPeaks metrics to help put her fitness and preparation in perspective for everyday athletes.

RESOURCES

• https://trainright.com/cycling-training-terms-and-acronyms-explained/
• https://trainright.com/what-is-chronic-training-load-ctl-and-how-to-use-it-to-improve-performance/

ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST

Co-Host: Renee Eastman

Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and has been coaching with the company for more than 20 years. She has been a professional bike fitter for 15 years and was one of the first fitters to use the Retül bike fit system. She has a master's degree in exercise science, has worked for USA Cycling, and is a 6-time Masters National Champion.

Renee Eastman bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/renee-eastman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.eastman/

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete

Welcome to the Tour de France Femmes Podcast, from the producers of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast"
CTS will publish daily Tour de France Femmes podcasts with Coaches Adam Pulford and Renee Eastman. They'll recap the stage, but the unique aspect of these podcasts will be coaching insights about how athletes prepare for the demands showcased in that day's stage. 

STAGE 2 PODCAST OVERVIEW
Stage 2 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift saw a new leader in the yellow jersey and a stage win from a 41-year-old racer. CTS Coaches Renee Eastman and Adam Pulford recap the stage, catch up with CTS Athlete Alison Jackson who sent in a post-stage audio clip after Stage 1, and talk about how heat acclimation works differently for female athletes compared to male athletes.

RESOURCES

• https://trainright.com/ultrarunners-heat-acclimation-cheat-sheet/
• https://news.ultrasignup.com/your-quick-guide-to-heat-acclimation/

ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST

Co-Host: Renee Eastman

Renee Eastman is a CTS Premier Level Coach and has been coaching with the company for more than 20 years. She has been a professional bike fitter for 15 years and was one of the first fitters to use the Retül bike fit system. She has a master's degree in exercise science, has worked for USA Cycling, and is a 6-time Masters National Champion.

Renee Eastman bio: https://trainright.com/coaches/renee-eastman/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.eastman/

HOST
Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platform

GET FREE TRAINING CONTENT

Join our weekly newsletter

CONNECT WITH CTS

Website: trainright.com
Instagram: @cts_trainright
Twitter: @trainright
Facebook: @CTSAthlete