Ethan Caldwell 
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
A bike fit is a professional service where a trained fitter assesses your body measurements, flexibility, riding goals, and current position on the bike. They then adjust various components to create a position that maximizes comfort, efficiency, and power output while minimizing injury risk. Whether you are training for your first sprint triathlon or logging … Read more
I saved nearly four minutes off my Olympic-distance bike split after finally getting my aero bars dialed in properly. That is not marketing fluff, that is what happened when I stopped guessing and started following a systematic setup process. If you are new to triathlon or time trialing, adding clip-on aero bars to your road … Read more
An aero position is a semi-horizontal cycling posture where your elbows rest on the arm cups of aerobars with your arms extended forward on aerobar extensions. This position reduces your frontal area and lets air flow over your body instead of pushing against it, which is why triathletes call it “free speed.” When I first … Read more