Serious Cycling [Paperback]

Ed Burke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1994

This text explains cycling physiology and how it applies to endurance training, tempo (intensity variation) training, speed training and training "periodization" for peaking at important competitions. It also provides information on cross-training alternatives.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Not only is this book a top-rated synthesis on road cycling in general, it is also an invaluable tool for helping cyclists at all levels achieve their dreams of athletic success."
Chris Carmichael
Coach of three-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

”Not only is this book a top-rated synthesis on road cycling in general, it is also an invaluable tool for helping cyclists at all levels achieve their dreams of athletic success.”

Chris Carmichael
Coach of three-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics (Trade) (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087322759X
• ISBN-13: 978-0873227599
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,152,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I won't leave home without this one !!!, June 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Serious Cycling (Paperback)

Very detailed, I found "serious cycling" easy and enjoyable to read. Ideal for the self - coached athlete, it helps personalize your cycling program depending on your present abilities. While reading you find that there is much more to training and becoming a better rider then you first thought, but it puts the "why" into training in addition to the "how" giving a better understanding and appreciation with what changes your body must undergo to be a better cyclist.

Periodization, training modes, keeping diaries and more... The nutrition section I found to be a little "old school" but, nevertheless, interesting and backed by studies. This information is aimed at the "serious cyclist" and may be too much for someone not willing to put forth the 15+ hours a week.

45 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars detailed, very serious and technical tome, December 24, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Serious Cycling (Paperback)

Burke, a well known name among cyclists, gives very detailed and sometimes complicated advice about how to train, how to create a training schedule for various goals, how and why to make a training diary, etc. Readers should be aware that his advice is aimed at the very serious cyclist, and his training schedules range from those for serious collegiate cyclists (~15hrs/week) to professionals (~25+ hrs/week). His advice is sound, but it may be more than most people really need. His peak mileage (feb) is 2000miles--that's 500 miles per week!

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good info on training for competition not on tactics., November 29, 2001

By 

Daniel R. James "Daniel R. James" (Buckeye, AZ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serious Cycling (Paperback)

A big question for me when buying my first book on training for racing, was "Who provides the most reliable and important information?" I have seen Dr. Burke quoted in a variety of sources including Bicycling magazine, Velo magazine, and Chris Carmichael's web site. So I had the impression he is respected in the sport. Further, when reading his writings in other sources, he has gone into the underlying physiological processes that contribute to one's performance on a bike. As such, I decided to purchase his book based on his apparent credibility and the depth of information he provides. Strengths of his book include its excellent coverage of what goes into training for competitive cycling. From beginning "base training" to sprint training, periodization, and planning one's training for the entire year. He also speaks at length on nutrition, equipment/rider aerodynamics, body positioning on the bike, and adjunct training methods. Again, there is an emphasis on underlying physiological processes including some discussion of relevant research. I would say the book's weaknesses lie with it's failure to address racing tactics. Certainly, you learn about what is happening with the body at race pace, but this book will not tell you about positioning for a sprint or pacing one's self for a time trial.
In short, buy this book if you are serious about racing and want to enhance your knowledge of what goes into training for competition. Don't buy this book if you want to learn about tactics.