Book Review: The Triathlete's Guide to Bike Training

The bike training book of the Multisport Training Series written by Lynda Wallenfels, The Triathlete's Guide to Bike Training.  The purpose of the book is to specifically improve the bike leg of triathlon through equipment selection, bike set-up, and training strategies/techniques.

Lynda Wallenfels is an elite-level USA Cycling coach, USA Triathlon Level II coach, and an Ultrafit Associate.    Wallenfels has been racing professionally since 1994.  In 2004, she won the U.S. 100-mile mountain bike national championships.  Her passion for triathlon and cycling is expressed through her regular contributions to VeloNews, Inside Triathlon, Active.com, Ultrafit e-tips, and her online site www.lwcoaching.com.

The book begins with a description of cycling equipment and position setup.  Items are described in different categories such as frame/geometry, components, monitors, etc.  Each essential item is explained in a simple but thorough manner.  Wallenfels then goes into the details of bike fit and how to get the most out of your position.  The descriptions and instructions are easy to follow.

The rest of the book is about training and training plans.  The types of training are grouped into flexibility, core strength, technique/skills/tactics, exercise physiology, training principles, and intensity.  Each topic is explained in a such a way to keep even a non-athlete interested (a lay-reader) in the subject.  Wallenfels description of a training plan is congruent with the popular periodization techniques set forth by Joe Friel, The Triathlete's Training Bible.

The book ends with a menu of bike workouts.  Workouts are categorized by endurance, force, speed skills, muscular endurance, anaerobic endurance, and power.  Several workouts in each category are offered to keep training fresh and enjoyable.

Similar to the swim training book, I was surprised at the length of Wallenfels' book on bike training.  The book finishes off at 208 pages.  I was expecting it to lengthier.  To my surprise, all essential topics were covered from equipment selection to writing a training plan to proper transitioning with a bike.  The book is an enjoyable read and very easy to understand.  Definitely a good read for beginning and intermediate athletes.  Even advanced athletes would benefit from reading this book.  Wallenfels mentions very little on bike maintenance.  Need-to-know topics are covered, such as changing a flat.  I am not bitter about leaving out bike maintenance as it would make the book much longer and  unenjoyable to read.  There are plenty of books that are devoted to bike maintenance and no need to repeat the information here.  I am glad to have The Triathlete's Guide to Bike Training as part of my book collection.  I'm sure you would be, too.

Wallenfels, Lynda. The Triathlete's Guide to Bike Training. VeloPress. Boulder, CO: 2004.