A summary of my preparation for my first ultra race at age 65 and a brief description of the event
Continue readingA ‘trainining makeover’ written for Cycling Weekly magazine and published in December 2019
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The dilemma for Ireland’s Rás Tailteann: tradition, sustainability and strategic purpose
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Why you should stay competitive through the decades, and how
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Reflections on the coming of age of my former club-mate, Eddie Dunbar
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There is no one-size-fits-all advice for older riders Continue reading
Suffering and its management is a central element of cycling Continue reading
Our bodies change as we age and we have to modify training to be the best we can possibly be
Cycling can be healthy and stimulating, but it may become a lonely and damaging place.
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Judging recovery is essential to making sure you benefit fully from your training. Here I review ways to judge if you’re ready for that next session
Nail your Key Sportive – A System for Preparation and Performance
At last we have some good evidence from research on the High Fat Low Carb Vs High Carb diet debate. These are some of my thoughts on the issue.
“The facts about the relationship between alcohol and fitness may help to make sensible choices over Christmas”
At the end of the season a lot of leisure and sportive riders will be mulling over the prospect of racing in Category 4 next season. The challenge is daunting for many and some never take the leap. Others do, but without being ready.
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Do you fancy competing in the UCI World Road Cycling Championship in 2017?
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This is a good GCN video on protein needs for cyclists and is well worth looking at. However, it doesn’t mention the fact that even more protein is normally recommended for older cyclists. This is a key aspect of recovery and performance, and therefore worth paying attention to.
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“If you feel that your mood and motivation is low, and that you are slipping into a kind of summer hibernation before the start of the winter training, think about a bit of Fartlek speed play”
“Science and wisdom have their place and finding that balance is important – both should be judged on their merits and none should be taken at face value”
In this post I discuss problems with mental health and well-being associated with competitive cycling and suggests that the cycling community begin a discussion about taking a more proactive approach in addressing the issue
“This margin of gain, over such a short period, is almost impossible by any other legal means”
“I often encourage riders who would like to have a go at racing to try track cycling as it helps overcome fear and improves skill and confidence – here’s why”
“Cycling is more than a test of strength, power and speed – it’s also a game of strategy”
“A vein of either good or bad form can strike unexpectedly at any time, but a proper reaction will avoid key mistakes that lead to overtraining and injury”
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On the occasion of the death of ‘The Iron Man’ – Mick Murphy – I am making available this chapter from my book The Rás: The Story of Ireland’s Unique Bike Race (Collins Press 2003).
Some background to this story, along with a reflection on the wider character that was Mick Murphy, is also available here ….
I wrote this reflection on the death of the legendary Kerry cyclist, Mick Murphy, at the time of his death in Sept. 2005. It gives some background to the story that I wrote about him in my book about the Rás , along with a reflection on the wider character that was Mick Murphy.
“The Sunday morning group spin is one of the undervalued cornerstones of cycling development but, with many new clubs, they are sometimes occurring without the benefits of tradition and long-experienced riders”
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“Recovery is even more important for older athletes – for our performance, overall health and enjoyment of the sport in general”
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“It is a mistake to think of physiological ageing as a linear progression, with the various elements of fitness declining in tandem with each other”
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“To retain as much muscle and bone density as possible from our mid-40s, we have to prioritise load-bearing, strength-type training”
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“With appropriate training, the physiological impact of ageing can be hugely reduced and older cyclists can achieve levels of performance beyond their imaginations”
