The Run For Your Lives!

I started another mini-blog to cover my foray into these "extreme 5k" races, with the main focus being Run For Your Lives. That's right, it took a hoard of zombies to convince me to get involved!

Here it is: http://zombieruntraining.blogspot.com/

I'll talk about training, preparation, zombie survival tips, and more!

If you're also drawn to these events, please follow along.

Trials riding vs Free running - which is harder?

I've always been impressed with trials riding. Having some BMX experience and messing around with some trials guys, I appreciate the difficulty of the extreme balance and handling skills required to hop back and forth between rocks and handrails and then spin off of them in precarious locations.

Like this:



But also having tried a variety of handstands and gymnastics moves to go along with my physical training, I know it's super hard to do free running (or parkour.)

It always impressed me, too, but this video I just saw really stood out because it reminds me of trials riding. Just watch the handstands and hopping between handrails and whatnot.

It's insanely difficult, but also adds a great penalty for error.

See this video:



Two great videos!

20% Off EVERYTHING at PerformanceBike.com

I've ordered quite a bit of stuff over the years from PerformanceBike.com. I also posted a PerformanceBike.com review on my site.

One thing I always loved was the "20% off orders over $100" coupon, which was released multiple times each year. I haven't seen as many good coupons this year, but they have one now!

For this weekend (August 1-2) they have a "20% off everything" sale. Sounds pretty good.

Lightweight, Cheap Road Wheels?

Yes, it's possible. Light and (relatively) cheap.

Light road racing wheels for under $500.

I was set on Williams System 19 if I had to recommend anything. But now I see the Revolution Wheelworks REV-22.

The Rev-22 is $19 cheaper and 90 grams lighter!!

I don't think you'd go wrong with either option. If you're looking for road wheels for hilly races, and you're on a budget, those are two wheels to consider.

Looking for kettlebells?

Kettlebells are a hot trend in workout gear. They're not huge in the cycling world (neither is any sort of weight lifting,) but there are some cool kettlebell exercises for building power in the hips that would benefit cyclists.

And kettlebells are great for building true strength.

They're expensive, so you're usually better off spending your money elsewhere if your goal is to improve your bike racing, but if you want kettlebells, here is good kettlebell buying advice.

Recycle your old bicycle tubes!

What to do with those piles of used inner tubes?

I'm sure most cyclists have pondered that question at one time or another. You can't use them for many things (unless you're crafty,) and you hate for them to end up in a landfill.

So... send them to someone who is crafty!

That would be Cycle-Dog, who makes dog leashes and collars from used tubes. And you can send your used tubes in to them.

Click here: Details on recycling your tubes.

Choose a 2x9 Crankset for XC racing.

Have you noticed that many pro XC racers are setting up their race steeds with a 2x9 crankset? In some cases you do need a BB30 bike, but there are a few options out there for square-taper and ISIS bottom brackets.

To help out, I put together a quick introduction into setting up a 2x9 drivetrain on your bike.

See it here: Guide to 2x9 Cranksets for XC Racing

Feel free to comment here if you have suggestions on what else I should add.