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2010-03-06 9:12 AM

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San Gabriel Valley, California
Subject: Bicycling book(s)
I want to get a couple books on bicycling, not so much for workouts, but everything else, like information on training and the philosophy/science behind what we do.  I am also very interested in solid bike handling skills, techniques and strategies and perhaps drills to reinforce them.  It seems that Joe Friel's The Cyclist's Training Bible is a necessity, but is his The Triathletes Training Bible redundant?  I don't mind some crossover to triathlons, but my primary focus is becoming a better cyclist.  

Can I get everything in one book?  Are there other useful books that might say some of the same things, but perhaps better or different?  (I can be a slow learner and sometimes the same thing said different ways makes all the difference in comprehension and retention.)  I am planning to get a power meter of some sort so information about how to use that effectively would also be necessary.

Thanks for any suggestions.


2010-03-06 9:39 AM
in reply to: #2711524

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Master
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Subject: RE: Bicycling book(s)
Friel's Cyclist's Training Bible is great.

If you are adding a power meter, I'd also strongly recommend Allen and Coggan's Riding and Training with a Power Meter
2010-03-06 11:56 AM
in reply to: #2711524

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Subject: RE: Bicycling book(s)
mrs gearboy decided to get serious about her riding as well (so as to not embarass herself when we do this years Bike Virginia).  She just bought 2 books, both from Bicycling Magazine:
1,000 All Time Best Tips
Complete Book of Road Cycling Skills
2010-03-06 12:01 PM
in reply to: #2711547

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San Gabriel Valley, California
Subject: RE: Bicycling book(s)
dredwards - 2010-03-06 7:39 AM Friel's Cyclist's Training Bible is great.

If you are adding a power meter, I'd also strongly recommend Allen and Coggan's Riding and Training with a Power Meter


The criticism of this book (in the Amazon reviews) is that the book is like an advertisement for the authors' web-based services.  Is this unjust criticism? 
2010-03-06 4:11 PM
in reply to: #2711524

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Subject: RE: Bicycling book(s)

Instead of either of Friel's books, I would consider Training and Racing with a Powermeter for information about how to use a powermeter in training (if you plan to).  Although focused for triathletes, both of Phil Skiba's books (available at www.physfarm.com) do a great job of explaining the physiology and structure of training.

If you want a solid free read regarding cycling training (even if you aren't planning to using a powermeter) The Road Cyclist's Guide to Training with Power is a great starting point.

Shane

2010-03-06 4:31 PM
in reply to: #2711662

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Subject: RE: Bicycling book(s)
LeahDD - 2010-03-06 1:01 PM
dredwards - 2010-03-06 7:39 AM Friel's Cyclist's Training Bible is great.

If you are adding a power meter, I'd also strongly recommend Allen and Coggan's Riding and Training with a Power Meter


The criticism of this book (in the Amazon reviews) is that the book is like an advertisement for the authors' web-based services.  Is this unjust criticism? 


Yes, in that I think it is probably most useful as a package (the book and the WKO+ program together).    I bought the WKO+ program when I bought my PT, so a book that used the same terms and parameters was useful to me.  Since I like WKO+, I find the direct relationship between the book and program to be an advantage, but I can appreciate the criticism for someone using a different data analysis program.



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