This is the second of two articles looking at pedalling technique using the unique force curve on a Wattbike. Our first article here on Cyclosport, looked at the theory of pedalling technique and introduced the force curve on the Wattbike. In this article we illustrate some practical aspects using real Wattbike force curves, from sprint and endurance cyclists and triathletes.

This is the first of two articles focusing on pedalling technique. In this first article we look at the theory of pedalling technique and introduce a practical tool – the Wattbike – which can be used to assess the effectiveness of pedalling technique. Basic pedalling technique is taught within all disciplines of cycling. We all know the technique - what could be simpler than turning the pedals in a circular motion to move a bike forward?

Although I need some more strength on the bike and more top end work, I feel efficient and my heart rate recovers very quickly after efforts on the bike - more so than I can remember in the last 10 years. I am really pleased with the results and learning a lot about how my body functions as I progress. I have not focused on losing weight as with travel, work and a busy lifestyle I feel I need to be mindful of the variety of stress we all endure on a day-to-day basis, writes David Kirkby.

My first blog dealt with an assessment of my current fitness status, the key focus being an assessment of my current fitness status. You may recall that Simon (my professional advisor) at F.I.T. had given me a set of exercises to reset my body after an analysis of my biomechanical set up. It does feel funny when someone tells you that so much is wrong but here's how I've progressed, explains David Kirkby.

On the face of it, cyclists and cricketers don’t have a lot in common but, just as it is for fans of leather and willow, hitting your maiden century is a special moment for those of us who prefer Lycra and wheels. To help you, we’ve put together a programme that’ll get you ready to ride your first 100-miler in 11 weeks – just in time for the Cycling Plus Sportive at BikeRadar Live on July 10. Nik Cook talks to top coach Mark Laithwaite and round-the-world cyclist Mark Beaumont.

When reading through the various websites and forums about training and zones, Howard Johnson was amazed by how so many people do not fully understand or can not translate the huge amount of information on training plans, into a personalised plan of their own. He gives his thoughts on the HR training concept and how it works for him.

Hi, I'm David. I’m 46 years old, devilishly (ahem) good looking but I’ve popped on a few kilos over the last few months with end of year merriment. Follow me on my new Cyclosport blog where I receive top advice and testing from experts at F.I.T as I train for sportives this year such as the Tour of Flanders, Verenti Dragon Ride and The London-Paris Cycle Tour. This week, I'm assessing my goals and being analysed by Simon at F.I.T.

With next year's main objective's a long way away, Sportstest give us Sportivers some good advice about how to approach winter training and group rides sensibly.

We are all dedicated amateurs, training to the best of our ability, fitting the sport we love around the rest of our family and life in general.  If you can hit four watts per kilo at your threshold your doing good. Learn how to maximise your climbing abilities.

As we enter the crucial phase of our winter training programme we become more susceptible to picking up coughs, sniffles, sore throats and other contagious infections from others.  There are, however, a few defence strategies we could be deploying to make sure we stay healthy; this factsheet will explain them.  The closer you stick to them the more chance they can help keep you riding this winter. 

Well, as ever its been a long season and youre probably glad to see an end to it, but it shouldnt be over yet.  Three things should now be at the forefront of your mind.  Reflection, rest and recovery.  Well deal with the easiest one first; reflection.

Just because the season is almost over doesnt mean you should switch off, veg out and drift towards a well earned, end of season rest.  Not yet anyway.  Why not record a fitness marker now, while you still have an element of race fitness, and use it to establish a baseline for next season?  That way you can remove all of the guess work and ambiguity over how fit you are now and how fit you need to be next season.

Okay, here it is.  I promised it, its a little late but its worth waiting for.  Just how good are the pros?  Bloody good is the answer.  To ensure fair play I can confirm, for all those people who dont know me, we were both using the same SRM Professional power system and the same analysis software.  The SRM is recalibrated before each ride, so all the wattages below are as accurate as we can get them.  Which makes the results even more scary.

Energy gels are, in a sense, sports drinks with the water taken out!  A gel, is a concentrated carbohydrate source that can serve as a get out of jail card, a pre-finish top-up, a compliment to your endurance event nutrition and a pre-recovery kick-off for post-event nutritional requirements.