This October, researchers from all over the world will be teaming up for a first-of-a-kind study on probiotics and the gut microbiome of triathletes at the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. 　　The highly competitive field combined with the gruelling conditions on the Pacific island of Hawaii will serve as the perfect venue for this project, which is being led...

　　Elite, draft–legal bike legs can be brutal. Yes, high-aerobic threshold power is critical to be able to deal with the racing demands but there’s more to it than that. 　　Short laps on the bike generally mean lots of corners, so lots of decelerating and accelerating, while large packs make the effort more like an on/off light switch. 　　Often the hardest...

　　Can't get going on the bike leg post-swim? It's not unusual, and there are several factors and scenarios that could contribute to this frustrating situation mid-race. 　　Here are some considerations and tips to prevent and treat the feeling should it affect you. 　　Can the swim affect my bike leg performance? 　　If you've had a stressful swim – say you've been...

　　The only way to improve your downhill confidence and skills is to practise so, rather than treating descents just as a chance for recovery, focus on riding them as fast and safely as you can. Here's how… 　　How should you position yourself going downhill? 　　When riding downhill, a balanced position on the bike is vital. Essentially this simply means you...

　　Off-road riding isn’t for everyone. You’re going to get muddy (in the UK, at least), you’re going to crash regularly when starting out (at least the landing is generally softer than on the road!) and you’re going to need some new kit to get the most from your rides. The benefits are myriad, though. 　　You can explore the countryside in...

　　Pedalling technique is a big topic of debate among cycling coaches, with some advocating drill sessions, single-leg work and the use of pedalling analysis software. At the other end are those who say just get out, ride your bike and your pedal stroke will look after itself. 　　As with most things, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. If...

　　Interval training workouts involve structured exercising at different intensities with recovery periods in between. High intensity is usually anaerobic exercise, while the recovery periods involve activity of lower intensity. 　　High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts exercise the cardiovascular system, which will then improve the athlete's aerobic capacity leading them to exercise for longer and/or more intense levels. 　　To be faster come...

　　Cadence refers to the amount of times you complete a full pedal revolution each minute, and is something you will naturally settle on with time spent in the saddle. 　　Studies have shown that it’s an individual preference and also that different types of riding suit different cadence zones – time trialling is generally a slightly lower cadence; bunch racing a...

　　Whether we’re competing at a pimply Perranporth Triathlon or a pancake-flat Dorney, many of our training rides require the strength, skills and necessary strategies to peak up (and downhill) as, unless you live in East Anglia, ride long enough and you’ll be heading upwards… and then downwards. 　　Hills should be an integral part of your training plan. They naturally build...

　　Speed wobbles on the bike are a curious phenomenon. At best they’re frightening. At worst they can result in a crash. But the good news is that they’re completely avoidable. 　　What is a speed wobble? 　　A speed wobble is a fast oscillation of the front wheel. It starts as a little shimmy and can lead to the whole bike shaking...

　　If you've had a bad fall on the bike recently and are struggling to regain confidence on descents then help is at hand. 　　You've probably ridden downhill thousands of times without trouble but it just takes one 'off' to smash your confidence and reduce the enjoyment of cycling outdoors. 　　So, whether the road surface was wet, gravelly or you were...

　　A single-sided power meter works by having stress gauges on one crank arm or pedal, transmitting this information to your head unit and then this data is simply doubled to produce an estimated figure of your overall power output in watts. 　　Single-sided power meters have made training and racing with power far more accessible and affordable. There are however plenty...