Can cycling help your sex life? (video)

4 Secrets to the Perfect Plank

4 Secrets to the Perfect Plank
Bicycling.com
Amy Roberts
Link: http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/training-fitness/4-secrets-perfect-plank

Don't hold your breath while pushing against the floor waiting for the sucker punch to happen to grab that quarter from your bum!

"If done correctly, the plank can be the least complicated part of your off-bike routine—but it will have huge effects on your power and comfort in the saddle. When you really think about it, it’s kind of amazing how not moving while supported by your forearms and toes requires so much muscle coordination. In a proper plank ..."

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Four Power-Packed Soups

Four Power-Packed Soups
Bicycling.com
Jessica Girdwain
Link: http://www.bicycling.com/training-nutrition/nutrition-weight-loss/four-power-packed-soups?cid=NL_BIK_1985936_BIK_01162015_4_soups

"Lentil and Black Bean
This vegan stew is thick and superfilling thanks to the beans and lentils. Both are good sources of protein and fiber-rich carbs. "The body absorbs these nutrients slowly, keeping energy and hunger levels on an even keel," says sports nutritionist Monique Ryan, R.D. One cup of lentils contains almost all of your daily need for folate, a B vitamin that's key for the formation of energy-supplying red blood cells. Chili powder, cumin, and paprika punch up the flavor while providing a dose of anti-inflammatory antioxidants.

To make: Chop half a large onion and saute in a pot on medium heat until soft. Add 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1/4 teaspoon paprika; saute 1 minute. Add 2 cups vegetable broth and 1 tablespoon tomato paste; bring to a boil. Add 1/2 cup red lentils; cook until tender, about 25 minutes. Partially mash 1 cup drained, rinsed canned black beans; add to soup with 1/4 teaspoon salt, juice of one lime, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook five minutes. Garnish with cilantro."

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Brain Gains: Exercise If You Want To Remember

Brain Gains: Exercise If You Want To Remember
Study finds correlation between lack of exercise and deficient long-term memory
Oustideonline.com
Elise Craig
2014-05-09
Link: http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/bodywork/the-fit-list/Brain-Gains-Exercise-If-You-Want-To-Remember-Your-Life.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=facebookpost

"No matter how smart you think you are, getting some exercise might just make you a bit sharper. Researchers at Michigan State University have found that being out of shape could mess with your long-term memory.

Most research into aerobic exercise and memory has focused on children and the elderly, but Kimberly Fenn, assistant professor of psychology, and Matthew Pontifex, assistant professor of kinesiology, wanted to investigate how it affects healthy young adults. To test college-age long-term memory retention—long term is defined as anything longer than 30 seconds—they rounded up 75 students and had them memorize sets of two-word pairs, like “pants-zipper,” and “oxygen-air.”

They also evaluated each student’s fitness level based on factors including oxygen consumption during a treadmill test, participants' weight, percent body fat, age and sex. “About half of the students fell below what would be considered average for their age and sex,” Pontifax says."

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Vegetables: Benefits per color

CDC - Saddles and Reproductive Health

Okay guys, we've all experienced varying degrees of numbness while riding.  For me its during any prolonged hard effort, where I'm hammering in a pace line or fast club ride or pushing myself up a long climb (ie. GMR Fork plus 5 to 8).  

I think for most of us, we just deal with it and know its part of cycling.  There are a number of saddle companies who offer different saddles to help with numbness/comfort issues but I've never really explored this option.  For me, it is a minor inconvenience and a show out of the saddle push resolves the numbness.  Pain is temporary?

The CDC published this interesting article regarding bike saddles and reproductive health.

"Over the last several years, NIOSH researchers have investigated the potential health effects of prolonged bicycling in police bicycle patrol units, including the possibility that some bicycle saddles exert excessive pressure on the urogenital area of cyclists, restricting blood flow to the genitals, resulting in adverse effects on sexual function.

Several Police Departments with Bicycle Patrols were used in this study. Nocturnal Penile Tumescence = Morning Wood.

"A health assessment study was conducted in response to complaints of groin numbness in a bicycling police unit. The data suggest that prolonged bicycle riding may have negative effects on nocturnal erectile function and indicate a need for innovative bicycle saddle designs."

Read the complete article here ...

Specialized Toupé Saddle - This minimalist road saddle features a tuned flex shell for a compliant ride and patented Body Geometry technology.

 

Cycling Injuries

From Website, "For all the fun of cycling, it can be a dangerous sport when it comes to falls and repetitive injuries. Keep it fun by discovering how to prevent common injuries impacting on your ride.

Whether you are interested in road cycling, MTB or velodrome cycling the principles are the same."

This is a great resource, please check it out.