Resources (aka Ammunition)

So here we are staring down the barrel of the 2010 racing season. Whether you are a veteran racer trying to get psyched up to put yourself on the starting line again, a newer racer who's had some success and are trying to figure out how to continue to gain speed, or someone entirely new to the racing scene, the best thing you can do is educate yourself. There is a ton of information out there regarding training, mental preparation, nutrition, racing strategy, equipment and anything else you can think of about your chosen sport. I like to think of it as gathering ammunition for the battle that is race day. What better place to start but with the internet?? Of course, you need to approach everything you read there with a critical eye, since anyone can post anything on the internet (look who's talking) but I thought I'd put together a list of some of the sites that I visit frequently and find informative, thought-provoking or just fun. After all, fun is why we ride and compete (and good results aren't bad either).

usacycling.org - the United States cycling organization - info about racing, racing licenses, American athletes, etc.

cyclingnews.com - racing news and pics - follow all your favorite pros!

pezcyclingnews.com - another perspective on pro racing; has a great post called the toolbox with info on training and sports psychology - check out older posts of the toolbox for some good info

velonews.competitor.com - more race reports from the American perspective; also has info on training, current events affecting cyclists and more

check out this article from VeloNews on Ina Yoko Teutenburg and how she stiff-armed Kristin Armstrong into the gutter to teach her a lesson early in her racing career - brutal!: http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/02/news/teutenberg-has-both-talk-and-walk_103660

A surprising source of good info is the New York Times' Fitness & Nutition part of the Health Section and the "Personal Best" column- a recent good article on body weight entitled Slimmer Doesn't Always Mean Fitter : http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/04/fashion/04best.html?ref=nutrition
Another good NYT Article about an athlete is this one in the Magazine about downhill skier Lindsay Vonn; it's a long article but the last few sentences are the best: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/07/magazine/07Vonn-t.html?ref=olympics

bikereg.com - find and register for races; absolutely necessary for putting together your racing schedule and racing goals

nytri.org - find and register for local triathlons and duathlons

cervelo.com - learn about cervelo bikes; and check out the link to the videos of cervelo testteam members on bartape.net - very inspirational

cannondale.com - learn about cannondale bikes

giant-bicycles.com and giantforwomen.com - giant bikes

specialized.com - specialized bikes; see also iamspecialized.com to learn about the athletes who ride specialized bikes, including alberto contador

Happy surfing!

-a