Endurance Radio has some great free audio content for cyclists and multi-sport endurance types;
this cycling specific interview is right up the CycleBetter.com alley.
Among other interesting topics,
Benjamin Sharp talks
about efficiency, aerodynamics, and bike-fit in his interview. I
thought the dialog about "torque by degree on the pedals" was very
interesting; many people push down too hard on the pedals instead of
engaging the muscles througout the pedal stroke and using fibers
besides those just in your quads. A good drill to train for full
muscle
engagement is to unclip from one pedal and go with just one leg for 1
minute at a time; do 3 or 4 sets with each leg. He suggests
starting on a trainer bike and gradually working up to a real
bike. Your goal should be a smooth stroke with the chain taut
throughout the duration of the stroke. Get the proper technique
down first, and then worry about doing it with more strength or
speed.
I'll be giving this a shot today or tomorrow so if you see a guy
pedaling in the gym or down the road with only one leg attached to the
bike, don't ridicule him -- he's just in the
EnduranceRadio.com (or
CycleBetter.com) know.
This reminds me of the Asheville 12-hour Mountain Sports Festival
adventure race when a friend of mine, racing on another team, hurt his
knee early in the race and was unable to pedal with his right
leg. He did most of the biking leg (40 miles or more) just pedaling with
his left leg. I think he got help from a tow from a strong biking teammate,
but still . . . that's a hard way to spend an afternoon.
Anyway, check out EnduranceRadio.com for some good stuff!