The following are the five most read posts on my blog in 2012. There is only one that is new to the list. The others are perennials.
1. A Quick Guide to Setting Zones (November, 2009)
This one moved up from #3 last year. If you want to know how to set your heart rate, power, or pace zones for cycling, running or swimming this should help. It takes you through the step-by-step process of setting them up. It’s one I send readers to who have questions along these lines.
2. Road Bike Posture (September, 2007)
This one was also #2 two of the last three years - #1 in 2011. It discusses hip position in a seated position on a road bike and shows examples of two riders, one with a position I like and another that’s not quite as nice, but common.
3. Simplified Base Bicycle Training (December, 2008)
This was #5 last year. It’s basic advice for the road cyclist in the winter months. Here I discuss “Christmas Star” riders, training patiently, and the 3 abilities I have riders work on at this time in the season.
4. Cleat Position (January, 2007)
This was the first blog post I ever wrote and it continues to be one of the most read of all time. It is slowly slipping down the list having been #1 or #2 for the last five years. Here I discuss a midsole alternative to the traditional forefoot cleat position for cycling shoes. There have been numerous comments posted to this blog by readers, many of which describe their experience after moving their cleats. Some with pictures. There have also been follow-up posts to this blog which you can find by doing a search on “cleat position” on the home page www.joefrielsblog.com. And, yes, I still use a midsole cleat and wouldn’t go back.
5. Why You Need a Power Meter (January, 2012)
This is the only new addition to the list. And its popularity confirms what I find no matter where in the world I travel to speak – more roadies, triathletes, mountain bikers and other cyclists are adopting power-based training. Just a couple of years ago if I asked a crowd of 100 at one of my talks how many have power meters, two or three hands would go up. Now it’s more like 25 to 30. There are probably lots of reason for this, but contributing factors are more products available in the past year and prices have remained stable or even come down a bit. In a few years I expect to see well over half of an audience using power meters in addition to their heart rate monitors.
On to 2013.
