Ethan Caldwell 
Nothing ruins a perfect ride faster than the hiss of escaping air and that sinking feeling when your tire goes flat miles from home. I have been there more times than I care to count, standing on the side of a winding road with grease-stained hands and a growing sense of frustration. The debate between … Read more
Here is something that might surprise you: I used to pump my road bike tires to the maximum pressure printed on the sidewall before every ride. I thought higher PSI meant less tire flex, less rolling resistance, and therefore more speed. I was wrong. After testing different pressures over hundreds of miles and reviewing data … Read more
There is nothing quite like the burning sting of post-race shower water hitting chafed skin. I learned this the hard way after my first half-Ironman, when I hobbled to the showers only to experience what felt like molten lava cascading over my neck and inner thighs. That was the day I committed to never letting … Read more
Chafing is skin irritation caused by repeated friction between skin and skin or skin and clothing, resulting in a painful rash or raw skin that can ruin your race day. Every endurance athlete needs to understand what causes chafing during a race because the combination of repetitive motion, heat, and moisture creates the perfect conditions … Read more
After finishing my first century ride, I spent the next week wincing every time I sat down. The saddle sores had won that round. Over the next three years and thousands of miles, I tested every prevention method I could find. Some worked. Many failed. This guide contains everything that actually kept me pain-free on … Read more
Every cyclist faces the same question at some point: should I train with a heart rate monitor or invest in a power meter? After 12 years of racing and coaching triathletes through the Malibu Triathlon and beyond, I have watched people agonize over this decision, often buying the wrong device for their goals and wasting … Read more
If you have ever wondered how power meters work, you are not alone. I spent my first year as a triathlete glancing at the mysterious watt numbers on my training partner’s bike computer, completely baffled by what they actually meant. A power meter is essentially a device that measures the force you apply to the … Read more
The optimal cycling cadence for triathletes falls in the range of 70 to 90 revolutions per minute (RPM), with most athletes finding their sweet spot between 80 and 85 RPM. This range maximizes pedaling economy, reduces muscular fatigue, and sets your legs up for a strong run off the bike. Unlike road cyclists who often … Read more
Cycling cadence is the speed at which you turn the pedals, measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). It represents how many complete pedal rotations you make in one minute while riding. Understanding your cadence is one of the most important skills for improving your cycling efficiency, especially if you are training for triathlons. I remember … Read more
Most cyclists riding 2,000 miles or more annually should get a professional bike fit once per year as a baseline check-up. This frequency increases to every 6-12 months if you are over 50, training for competition, or recovering from injury. A proper bike fit reassessment prevents overuse injuries, maximizes power output, and ensures your position … Read more