(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best cycling books

Actually, Acadia is one of the smaller national parks in the US by area. One could probably experience most of the park in a few visits. It's certainly smaller than the other New England parks: White Mountain National Forest or the Maine wilderness. In those you could hike for days. Acadia offers more on the order of short (half-day) hikes.

Stop at the visitor center just after you get to Mount Desert Island. They have several nice guides to the trails that are free, and the rangers can answer specific questions you may have.

Acadia offers excellent opportunities for all these activities: Hiking, bicycling, and paddling. I suggest you do some of each.

• Bicycling: You can bring bikes or rent them on island. The carriage trails are an extensive network of car-free roads that are among the best cycling I've ever experienced. Most of the trails are hilly, but there's a ride that circles Eagle Lake that is rather flat. Cycling Acadia is a great experience.
  
  
• Paddling: You can take a guided kayak tour in Bar Harbor. I did a lovely tour of the harbor at sunset back in 2000. It was awesome.
  
  
• Hiking: Personally I like the Sargent Mountain hike and the Beehive trail. There are some "ladder trails" that are quite strenuous, though short. The nice thing about hiking Acadia is that you get semi-alpine conditions, so you get above treeline pretty easily and have excellent views of the coast.
  
  You could also pick up the excellent AMC book "Discover Acadia National park". It probably has more information than you need for a 4-day trip, though; it is divided into sections on hiking, paddling, and bicycling, with much detail on each, and a great map.
  
  ONE MORE THING. You must order popovers at Jordan Pond House. It makes a nice treat after a bike ride, and is one of the defining experiences of a visit to Acadia IMHO.
  
  Feel free to hit me with any other questions. Here are some photos I took in Acadia over the years. Some of the photos have captions with detailed info.

I dunno man. If you're racing for glory, I think you'll find that winning at your local series every now and then doesn't really bring it. If you're racing to race bikes, well, then you are in for a treat whether you are winning or not.

Motivation is complicated. Some people are motivated by progress. Some need to win. Others are motivated by a fear of losing. If you really want to enjoy this hobby and you're finding it difficult, I'd suggest talking to a sports psychologist and/or maybe picking up a book like [The Brave Athlete](https://www.amazon.com/Brave-Athlete-Calm-Down-Occasion/dp/1937715736/ref=pd_cp_14_2). I ride with a lot of people who simply don't train enough to win, but they love racing. Maybe if they can find joy in racing and competing, you can too. :)

What up, /u/LyraBelacqua_ ! As I've mentioned to you before, Lyra is one of my favorite protagonists, so good choice.

Get registered for some 2017 races! For someone who accidentally started running, you're fast. And with a 2:07 under your belt, I'm excited for when you break 2:00 this year.

As for crapping out mentally, (1) check this out, and (2) did Lyra crap out when she climbed through the window to another uni--- whatever you get my point. I'm excited for when you sign up for another training cycle. You got it. You're a Moose.

Also I now have a new goal which is to copy your goal and to visit all the national parks also. Wikipedia says there are 59, but that doesn't include North Woods yet, so 60's not that bad. I've been to.... like 5.

----

1 - I'm not sure I commented on the other thread, but I don't know what to think of this. I agree with others, I think Nike should pair up with some of the other sponsors. I'm already mad at them for the Olympics (which isn't really their fault).

3 - This video is hilarious and awesome. One of my good friends ran that race, so it was cool to see part of the views that she said were amazing. Also his time was crazy, dude ran two sub-3 hour marathons in a row on a tough trail course. And here I am, trying to kick it on one.

4 - Knock on wood, I haven't gotten sick in a year and half. A combo of working from home (hermit4lyfe!), eating better, and sleeping more because I don't set alarms, I think my body is able to stave off any sickness coming. I just got a coworking space this week, so, as I type this I just got nervous.

Edit: 3 - I was thinking of the finishing one, not this one. This one is cool too.

Congratulations! Based on textual analysis of key elements in your post, we've determined that you are a

B E G I N N E R

Kudos on embarking on a new pursuit! Enjoy all the possibilities that await you in the Great Big World of cycling. Ride often, enjoy yourself. Look for like-minded people who inspire you, and scenic and challenging routes to increase your motivation and stamina. If you're interested in a more rigorous development of your skills, consider one of the many available books on the topic, sign up for an indoor trainer based workout program, or pit your mettle against other cyclists in your area.

Now go ride!

Hi!

We had a tight acclimatization schedule (about 5 days total before day 1), so we took Diamox. We also have experience trekking over 10,000 feet (PCT thru hike and lots of climbing volcanos in the Pacific Northwest) and knew that we generally handle altitude well as long as we stay hydrated. I did feel generally tired, and the second day of the trip I just felt bad (no nausea or headache, just tired and irritable) so we rested that afternoon and I felt better later. But overall, it didn’t hinder our trip.

Logistics:

We went without a guide but many people choose to use local guides and arrieros (mule packers). Though I think guided trips don’t typically take this route. Guided trips aren’t our thing, and they’re not required, so we chose to go without.

We flew to Lima, then took a night bus to Huaraz after a few days acclimatizing in Cusco and Machu Picchu. Then we did an acclimatization hike outside of Huaraz. Transportation is very cheap, and Huaraz is a fun base camp city.

Finally on the first morning of the trip we took two buses to a village called Pocpa. Then we walked a road to the beginning of the trek. Most people spend the first night at the campsite at the beginning of the trek. We actually were able to hitchhike with mining trucks so it took us until around 12:30 pm to get to the start of the trail. We chose to eat lunch and keep moving.

Like I mentioned, we were able to finish the trail in 8 days. I wouldn’t have wanted to move any faster than we did.

There were 3 other people doing the trip without a guide at the same pace as us. There were a few other groups that were large and guided. But camp never felt terribly crowded.

Overall it was 8 days of jaw-dropping hugeness and feeling like I was on another planet. The landscape makes you feel tiny. There are lots of challenging alternate routes that require routefinding and map reading skills. We loved these routes compared to the mule route.

My pack baseweight is about 14 lbs right now. I’d say total weight was about 35 lbs with food and water. We didn’t measure though.

We carried enough food for 7 days and then resupplied in Huallapa, a town on day 6. It wasn’t much of a town. We were there at the end of hiking season so most places were closed. There was very little lightweight hiking food, and while our guidebook said there was a restaurant, we ended up asking the only people we met in town besides the innkeeper if they would make us food and they served us eggs, rice and potatoes in their backyard for about $3 per person. I was glad we overpacked food.

A couple more things: the route passes through around 7 communities land, and you pay a fee to each community to use their land and camp. It cost about $3-10 USD per community.

Also, our guidebook can provide much better info than I can. Here it is.

Nice! Have you read the book "Frostbike" by Tom Babin? He's an active and vocal commuter in Calgary. The book is absolutely delightful and very fun to read. Lots of great tips about winter biking!

https://www.amazon.ca/Frostbike-Pain-Numbness-Winter-Cycling/dp/1771600489/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=frostbike+tom+babin&qid=1570826294&sr=8-1

Also, I'm a bike commuter in the Vancouver area. I understand that I have it easy, but I'd much rather ride through snow at -10 degrees than through rain at 1 degree with the likelihood of going over black ice ;) good luck to you this winter!

Here, I have nothing to add to the topic, so I'll upvote you and take the downvote for my offtopic comment.

I don't read books, but my fiancée quite enjoyed The Bike Snob on her Kindle. A year or so after she read it, I started biking, and decided to read it. That and its sequel, The Enlightened Cyclist, are both rather fun to read. They're not novels, and you might not agree with his views, but I find his writing style engaging and the topic interesting.

But they are not novels, they are akin to a nonfiction blog that someone turned into a book. This is not far from the truth.

• Roadie is a fun little read
  
• Dog in a Hat is a classic.
  
• Slaying the Badger is the story of probably the greatest Tour de France in history.
  
• Team 7-11 gives the history of the team that essentially paved the way for American pro cyclists.
  
• Sex, Lies, and Handlebar Tape is great if you're looking for a little real world soap opera from the world of cycling.
  
• While I haven't read the book, I enjoyed Andrew Tillin's original bit in Outside magazine that he turned into The Doper Next Door.
  
• And while I've not yet read The Rider by Tim Krabbé, I've heard a lot of great things about it.

I did the huayhuash unguided and found it to be pretty easy. Obviously you end up with a large backpack but most hostels in Huaraz will let you leave some stuff there during a trek and organize transpo for you. Just make sure to acclimatize plenty in and around Huaraz before you go. It’s a good opportunity to do laguna 69 and churup and a few other hikes in the area that are fantastic. Here’s the guidebook I used

FYI - All of Acadia is 100% day hiking. There isn't really backpacking to be done in the park. I don't even think there are backcountry camping sites.

5-7 days is a lot of time in the park, I wish I had that much time (I had 3 days when I went). I find that none of the trails are particularly strenuous, none of the mountains are that high, views are still sublime throughout the park. It may be worth it to get a guidebook ($20 is a cheap expense compared to a long trip). I got this one which has pretty much every hike in the park.

Utilize Acadia On My Mind and Joe's Guide to ANP (Citrusmilo is the domain). Great resources.

This was posted a few days back. I commented there, too. Try /r/maine (use the search) as well.

Less crowded, great views - Acadia Mountain. A lot of the western half of the island is ignored by tourists. Take advantage of that by spending a day or two exploring that part.

cool. Yep I probably camped 75% / Warm Showers or strangers I met 20% / Motel or hostel 5%.

WS is definitely a good way to meet people and get tips on the road ahead. Good luck with your preparations - definitely buy this book for your coastal stretch, it maps out every day from Vancouver to the Mexican border and is generally still up to date: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001C36XSW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

sport nutrition is a detailed (ie textbook) look at nutrition. the coverage is a bit variable and it could have been edited a bit better, but if you want to understand nutrition in depth then it seems to be pretty good. i have the previous version (which is sold at a much lower price).

training bible is an introduction to training. maybe introduction is unfair - it covers quite a range, but it uses a lot of words to explain things. there's an excellent book one third the size hidden in there.

performance cycling is a collection of papers / chapters from different people. best see my review on amazon. not great.

cycling science i read so long ago i can't remember how it differed from 'performance cycling' (it's similar and also not great).

Diagnosing knee pain is pretty tough because it's usually some combination of biomechanical flaws (of which there are many different points for adjustment as shown in /u/salzgablah 's good link) and strength, where weakness/unbalance in stabilizing muscles in the leg allow the knee/leg to not track properly.

People who are properly fitted can bike for a hundred plus miles in a day without significant knee discomfort.

I would recommend trying the suggestions in the chart and trying to get the fit right, but if you need a more comprehensive source, this book is pretty good: http://www.amazon.com/Pruitts-Complete-Medical-Guide-Cyclists/dp/1931382808

There's a pretty alright book called Pedaling Revolution that's about the changing face of cycling in America.

Bicycle: The History is an excellent book about the history of the bicycle and its place in society.

To be honest there are more good books about racing than anything else.

I had great experience with the book The Brave Athlete which lays out 12 common mental barriers endurance athletes face and common, researched backed, solutions to those barriers. It's an entertaining and good read if you want to see if formal sports psychology is right for you!

This is a great book, been reading it to plan for my trip. It has a great section on converting mountain bikes into touring bikes, you can get a road worthy rig going for well under the cost of a surly.

Faster by Michael Hutchinson was great, and provides insight into coaching and how assumed best practices are upended or change over time. However, this is not a specific "this is how you train" book. For that, I've heard the time crunched cyclists offers some good guidance.

Yep! Read Pedaling Revolution. One of my favorite books and really made me that much more interested and passionate about cycling.

http://www.amazon.com/Pedaling-Revolution-Cyclists-Changing-American/dp/0870714198

It is one of the most in America, but that's because our cities are pretty appalling, bike-ridership wise, compared to European and Japanese cities. Check out the book City Cycling for an in-depth, intellectual read on the subject.

Roadie: The Misunderstood World of a Bike Racer

It's a really quick and fun read. The author has a great sense of humor while still relaying very useful information.

/u/blueg3 is probably right. Furthermore, even if you are going all-out, it sounds like you're doing at least one 60 minute all-out effort a week. That's a LOT. Most cyclists at any level cannot continue to get stronger doing that. It's possible your true FTP is higher than what your numbers are currently showing, but you're too fatigued to achieve the actual number. Fatigue in cycling is weird and insidious and this can be true even if you don't feel "tired".

​

Training books I've read, like Training and Racing with a Power Meter, first of all don't advise to do 60 minute all-out efforts outside of an actual race, and second suggest doing the 20 minute all-out power testing efforts no more than once a month or so.

​

You've been seeing increases in your max power, which is awesome, but you might even see MORE increases testing your power less frequently and with shorter efforts.

This book helped me a whole lot: http://www.amazon.com/Distance-Cycling-John-Hughes/dp/0736089241

I use the RideWithGPS app with the $6/month sub. Offline maps, turn-by-turn directions, GPX exports for Strava bragging rights, good stuff.

Hill intervals have helped me the most I think. I'll do 45mns of them instead of a longer ride if I don't have much time, works like magic.

Also, it's fun to ride in weather. Everything is possible with the right gear. Experiment, and don't break the bank, use what you already have.

Also, wool base layer and wool socks.

Edit: spelling

Eurovelo 15 (the Rhine route) is definitely complete, and well signposted. I rode it this summer.

http://www.rhinecycleroute.eu/

I took with me a book called The Rhine Cycle Route: From Source to Sea with me, which was very useful.

I'm reading Gironimo about the 1914 giro. It is insane what they used to do in the grand tours. The 1914 giro went 3100+ km over eight stages. Eight Stages. All in the high-300 to low 400km range.

From wikipedia:

> It is remembered as the hardest Giro of the heroic period of bicycle racing. Besides five stages of over 400 km (and the longest ever average stage length), it included the longest stage ever in the history of the Giro: the Lucca-Rome stage won by Costante Girardengo. This edition of the Giro was run at the lowest average speed (23.374 km/h); marked the highest gap between the first and the second (1 hour, 55 minutes and 26 seconds); saw the longest ever stage by time taken (the Bari-L'Aquila). Only 8 riders (of 81 participants) finished the race.

Gironimo is the book by Tim Moore. He re-creates the entire route with an old Hirondelle bicycle specific to the period. Complete with wine cork brake pads.

He also did one on the tour which I own and hope to begin soon.

You might want to grab a copy of this:

https://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Biking-Arizona-Trail-Guide/dp/0966476999/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZJE91KCV8KSNRZ23KTCZ

They also sell this guidebook at every REI in the Phoenix area.

Trail 100 is my favorite and varies from very easy to moderately technical.

This is a pretty popular local guidebook. I've used his hiking book extensively.

You might consider hiking up Cathedral Rock, too. It's spectacular.

Mark Jenkins has a really good bunch of writing about this in his memoir about biking across the USSR, Off the Map.

They had to bike/walk rail lines all throughout Siberia, since the Russians who were with them had claimed they'd already done the whole ride once before, but there was no road through large swaths of western Siberia. It's a great read.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check them.

Here is an enjoyable book about biking in general http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004089TB4

One way to do it is to just try different things. Different pedals, shoes, socks, cleat placement, seat height, etc.

Another is to find a really good bike fitter or a sports medicine doctor.

Either of those can get expensive. I recommend reading this book to learn the basics first.

"Off the Map" by Mark Jenkins. It's about a team cycling across Soviet Siberia. It's amazing, and every page makes you want to hop on your bike and GO!

http://www.amazon.com/Off-Map-Bicycling-Across-Siberia/dp/159486764X

I have another great Matt Fitzgerald book for the list.

How bad do you want it?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle

A well reviewed book by Fitzgerald with Pre on the cover? I was sold right away and I was not disappointed. Every chapter tried to push me out the door to work harder.

Why would he need to reach out to Hunter Allen?

Given what OP is asking about here, he'll just end up asking Hunter about things already covered in his book: Training and Racing with a Power Meter

I mean, you can also just read the various beginner guides in /r/Velo, listen to a few podcasts, and get enough knowledge to train yourself effectively. Coaching, especially from someone at the top of the field, can come after you've mastered the basics.

Do you like to read? Your story reminds me of some stuff from "How Bad Do You Want It?" and "Endure" - both great books.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937715418/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_ns2pDbGKVMJXZ

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062499866/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_0s2pDbPW4EN5R

Get her this book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1934030171

Real cyclists never stay out late on Friday night, because they have to get up for a 7am century ride on Sat. morning ... they schedule free time and vacations around cycling. If this bothers her, she may want to reconsider the relationship ...

I used this book,

The Rhine Cycle Route: From source to sea (Cicerone Guides)
Mike Wells

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1852846917?pc_redir=1398182553&robot_redir=1

I would recommend it to anyone. It's very detailed.

If it were me I would stop running if it hit more than a 2 on the pain scale. Maybe see a Dr. or PT to at least be sure you're not doing damage?

If you just want to gain mental toughness I would highly recommend this book.

If you like reading, here are a few other great books:

• A Walk in the Woods
  
• How Bad do you Want it
  
• Once a Runner
  
• Born to Run

One of your locals has a YouTube Channel and also wrote a book on winter cycling. I like his work.

This past winter was my first riding all through the winter, even in "cold weather alerts." I think the coldest I did was my half hour commute in -20 C. Lots of merino wool layers were the key. Costco actually has cheap 100% merino wool base layers. If your core is too cold, your body constricts blood flow, so having a warm core is key to keeping fingers and toes warm. A rookie mistake is over tightening your shoes, again restricting blood flow. Glad to hear your toes were okay.

In the US bike law is based on a theory called "vehicular cycling". It says that bikes are to be treated like a car on the road. This makes running a red light illegal on a bike.

However, vehicular cycling is based on the premise that behaving like a car is safest for a biker on the roads, a claim that has no valid studies to back it up. You can read more on this topic in City Cycling by John Pucher. http://www.amazon.com/City-Cycling-Urban-Industrial-Environments/dp/0262517817/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422389125&sr=8-1&keywords=city+cycling

Also, the rules of the road are not designed to keep bikers safe. Their purpose is to maximize travel speeds for personal automobile travel. You can read more on that here: http://www.pps.org/reference/shared-space/ and here http://usa.streetsblog.org/2013/10/03/the-beginning-of-the-end-for-level-of-service/

IMHO: Ride with safety as the priority. Usually this means following the rules, but sometimes it means breaking them.

I got two cycling-related books and can recommend both for different reasons.

First is Mid-Life Cyclists - a story of two MAMILs training to ride L'Etape du Tour. Throw a Belgian father-in-law into the mix and hilarity ensues.

Second one is The Obsession, Science and Luck Behind the World's Fastest Cyclists - how the pros train, how they think, what they eat. This book shows you how much you have to sacrifice to achieve victory.

http://www.amazon.com/Roadie-Misunderstood-World-Bike-Racer/dp/1934030171/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1304027318&sr=8-2

that's a good book. otherwise just ask someone who rides.

The Adventure Cycle-Touring Handbook is one of my favorites.

I've nover done an organised tour, I do know some people that did red spokes and they say they are great http://www.redspokes.co.uk/ but tend to be mroe exotic locations.

but for italy, read this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gironimo-Riding-Very-Terrible-Italy/dp/0224092073

Don't know anything about this model of saddle, so I can't comment on its value in terms of "collectibles" or hand-crafted-ness or whatever.

I can say that this saddle embodies the opposite of current thinking as far as saddle shape is concerned. The trend today is to focus support on your Ischial Tuberosities (sit bones) and take it away from the soft tissue of your perineum. This saddle appears to put all the pressure on the perineum and take all the pressure away from your sit bones.

Probably wouldn't buy it if you put a lot of miles on the bike, as saddles of this shape have been proven to permanently compact blood vessels and reduce blood flow.

Source

Read this book. It will give you an insight into bike racers, and to a degree, a short explanation of tactics etc.

For anything else, read a book on the history of the grand tours, go to Wikipedia and read about Eddie Mercx, Lance Armstrong, Miguel Indurain, Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil, Greg Lemond, Laurent Fignon, Bernard Hinault, Marco Pantani and follow the links about the different races and rivalries and controversies. It will get your foot in the door and get you accustomed to the various cycling terms and customs. For more up-to-date info, read about the Schlecks, Mark Cavendish, Tom Boonen, Cadel Evans (wimpering Australian), and Alberto Contador (slimy douchebag that he is).

As far as live coverage goes, there isn't much that's free, and most of it sucks. Good luck.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004089TB4/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Training and Racing with a Power Meter by Allen and Coggan.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937715930/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4Po1CbZW6SBKY

I have this book. My dream of bicycle touring died when I sold my bike, you can have it if you are willing to pay for shipping. The first part might be of interest to you, it goes through the logistics of touring and gear you might need. The second part is route plannings, and third is just tales from the dudes experience.

READ THIS BOOK

Training and racing with a power meter

If all this advice doesn't work, try reading this:

https://www.amazon.ca/Brave-Athlete-Calm-Down-Occasion/dp/1937715736/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?adgrpid=60877193453&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiYLdhfa55AIVXSCtBh2ocgTLEAAYAyAAEgLyvfD_BwE&hvadid=309992852331&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9001330&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t3&hvqmt=b&hvrand=14594267459115017693&hvtargid=kwd-298922396582&hydadcr=25069_9637241&keywords=the+brave+athlete&qid=1567694758&s=gateway&sr=8-1

The book Distance Cycling has various century (and longer rides) training programs. I think it has an 8-week and a 15-week version.

Check your local library.

Because the brain has a huge amount of control over your body (that's not meant as a sarcastic answer.) Read the book How Bad Do You Want It by Fitz for more. Essentially, the brain is acting as a limiter far before you're physically at the end.

This is a pretty big topic and there is no one real answer for this, it will be different from person to person.

I would suggest reading How Bad Do You Want It?: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle by Matt Fitzgerald as this is pretty much the basis of his book.

Andy Pruitt (http://www.amazon.com/Pruitts-Complete-Medical-Guide-Cyclists/dp/1931382808) says 25-35 deg, so Grantrules's recommendation is 100% accurate. 15% is almost straight and puts your saddle too high, and makes you at risk for IT band problems.

From my reading of this book the optimal negative stimulation is not external but internally.

What is it you dread deep down the next time you do a task?

Understand that things won't get any easier and your current task is already the "easy mode" to the task you are already doing so set your expectations/fear towards "bracing" yourself for the next task and not the current one.

This assumes you have a competitive mindset and if that doesn't work, picture yourself in a negative manner. Have interviews with your negative self. Visualize fat you and asks questions like, "What went wrong? What would you have done a couple of months ago?"

Sometimes it all comes down to how you use a tool rather than what tool to have.

For example, you could create a group in WeDo and title it Dialogue with my Fat Self or if you prefer Oberon_Swanson's advice: Interview with Myself 10 years from now and on it create a habit of talking to my self today or a task of Speaking with my Clone after I tried out x diet after he didn't try it out.

The possibilities are endless as far as negative stimulation goes.

You could create an entire fat avatar habits in Habitica or you could set massive slices of negative habits with a sliver of positive mindset in Goalscape Connect

What it comes down to theory wise is that you have to define an identity that would push you in the opposite direction and until you figure that out, all the tools and techniques won't convince your subconscious to "run away".