training & skills

cyclocross training and skills

Training Tuesdays: What is Creatine, and Should You Care?

7 June 11 • 3 comments

Creatine is one of those supplements that you hear about with relative frequency, but what exactly is it supposed to be doing? Studies about the supplement have been cropping up for the last couple of years, and they all seem to have slightly differing opinions on the usefulness of creatine. It’s been suggested that creatine supplements help to reduce fatigue on muscles, improve recovery, and increase muscle strength. That’s a tall order for a nitrogenous organic acid. Today, we’re looking at a round-up of studies done on the topic to see what the experts have to say.
Training Tuesday: Building a Base in the Off-Season

24 May 11 • 6 comments

June is here in just a week, and September and racing season are not too far behind. If you haven’t started coming up with a plan for the season, now is the time to start. We have a great article here by USAC Level 2 coach Mike Birner about how to start the season strong by building a good base over the summer. Birner believes that, “Base period should be about building the ‘engine,’” and following his advice will get you one high-horsepower motor!
Training for Cyclocross: How to Peak for the Big Race

13 October 10 • 2 comments

With the 2010 Cyclocross National Championships registration now open, it’s the perfect time to think about training specifically for the big event or another goal race. Which means it’s perfect time to revisit an article from Michael Birner on this…
The Infamous Stringdusters’ World Tour: No Bike, No Problem

12 September 10 • 1 comment

Travis Book currently resides in Nashville, TN, but anticipates an imminent move back to his homeland of Colorado. He may not look like much (by design), but he was the Tennessee state champion in 09/10, a year he spent nearly…
Update: Boulder Cycle Sport / FasCat Cyclocross Training Camp Moved to August

30 July 10 • 0 comment

It’s already almost August, which means that the US cyclocross scene is right around the corner. While most of us are doing something bike-related, either on or off road, to keep up the fitness, many of the ‘cross-specific skills are…
Ask A Pro With National Champ Tim Johnson

14 June 10 • 1 comment

Joining us again for our bi-weekly column, Ask a Pro, is 2009 national cyclocross champion Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld.com). If you missed our first reader submitted Q&A session, check it out here. Have a question for Tim? Send it to [email protected]…
New Bi-Weekly Column: Ask a Pro with National Champ Tim Johnson

22 May 10 • 1 comment

Cyclocross Magazine is proud to announce a new bi-weekly column, Ask a Pro, with 2009 national cyclocross champion Tim Johnson (Cannondale – Cyclocrossworld.com). While winning one National Championship is impressive enough, Tim added this year’s win to the two Elite…
Overtrainers Anonymous – A Column by Lee Waldman

9 April 10 • 1 comment

Cyclocross Magazine columnist Lee Waldman checks in on his training progress and reports on his enlisted help to reign in his obsessive training tendencies. In case you missed it, go back and check out Lee’s previous column on instant gratification….
Training with Power for Cyclocross: Kenton Berg’s Diary #6 – Hazardous to Your Health?

4 December 09 • 1 comment

Not sure if you’re training effectively? Have some ambitious goals for the season but feel like your racing has plateaued? Cyclocross Magazine’s Kenton Berg has been stuck in this situation and decided to seek professional help. This is his sixth…
Riding the Night Train – Tips and Tricks for Cyclocross Training at Night

13 November 09 • 1 comment

by Dr. Clifford Lee Days are shorter and our lives are busy. How does training time fit in to a day with already too few hours? Even Michael Birner’s three-hour training plan featured in Cyclocross Magazine’s Issue 7 is constrained…
Training with Power for Cyclocross: Kenton Berg’s Diary #5 – Don’t Call It a Comeback

10 November 09 • 1 comment

Not sure if you’re training effectively? Have some ambitious goals for the season but feel like your racing has plateaued? Cyclocross Magazine’s Kenton Berg has been stuck in this situation and decided to seek professional help. This is his fifth…
Training With Power for Cyclocross: Kenton Berg’s Diary #3

17 September 09 • 1 comment

Not sure if you’re training effectively? Have some ambitious goals for the season but feel like your racing has plateaued? Cyclocross Magazine’s Kenton Berg has been stuck in this situation and decided to seek professional help. This is his third…
To Hop or Not? Bunny Hopping Cyclocross Barriers

15 August 09 • 2 comments

Sven Nys’ early days of BMX racing developed his mad bunny hopping skills, and his ability to dominate races by hopping the UCI’s 40 cm barriers single-handily changed cyclocross courses and rules forever. Wonder why we see so few high-speed…
Making the Leap to Coaching: Kenton Berg’s Training Diary

24 July 09 • 0 comment

Not sure if you’re training effectively? Have some ambitious goals for the season but feel like your racing has plateaued? Cyclocross Magazine’s Kenton Berg has been stuck in this situation but this summer he’s been motivated to do something about…
Tough Love Cyclocross Training with a Personal Trainer

4 May 09 • 0 comment

Yesterday we brought you Michael Birner’s article on planning your pre-season training for cyclocross. But putting it all together is easier said than done. Perhaps you need a trainer to help you stick to your plan? Hector Finely tells us…
Training for Cyclocross – An Off-Season Plan for a Strong Next Season

9 January 09 • 2 comments

Done for the season? Put on a few holiday pounds? Want to race better next year? In this fourth installment of our Training for Cyclocross series, USAC Level 2 coach Mike Birner of Mid-Maryland Coaching helps guide you through your…
Euro Cross Camp 2008-2009: Arriving at the Kingdom Hall

22 December 08 • Comments Off

by David Hutton Crossing the Pond with Euro Cross Camp 2008 For many ‘crossers, the season came to a close last weekend on the frigid knolls of Kansas City. ‘Cross fanatics are already starting to stockpile parts for next year,…
Race Winning Diets: More Than Oatmeal?

20 December 08 • 6 comments

Inspired by our interviews of ALL the national champions at the 2007 Kansas City nationals (we’ll be doing a version of this again), Bill Schieken has been interviewing the winners at his local races to discover their secrets. In this…
Countdown to Nats: An Interview with Tim Johnson

5 December 08 • 2 comments

This is part of an ongoing series of national championships-related articles to get you ready for KC as a racer or spectator. You can view the rest of the series articles here. National Champion Tim Johnson, © Cyclocross Magazine 2008…
Training Towards a Goal – by Coach Mike Birner

5 October 08 • 6 comments

We’ve continued our series of articles on training from Mike Birner. Part I was in Issue 3, and Part II is in our Issue 4. In this series of four articles, USAC Level 2 coach Mike Birner of Mid-Maryland Coaching…
Two Perspectives on ‘Cross Clinics

4 September 08 • 0 comment

With ‘cross clinics underway across the country, newbies and experienced riders both have an opportunity to learn and refine ‘cross skills from the experts. Two riders, Ed Miszkiewicz and Guy Smith share their past clinic experiences with you to help…
Ease Your Way (Back) Into Cyclocross with a Clinic

31 August 08 • 1 comment

New to the sport? Raced for a while but your technical skills have hit a plateau? Looking for an edge on those guys or gals who beat you last year? Try attending a ‘cross clinic in your local area. A…