So, I'm participating in my first crit this weekend, but I'm still not quite sure I fully understand how this is gonna go down. Chances are I'll be spit out the back and will just be looping around solo until someone tells me to stop, so it may not matter, but in any case, some questions...

I'm a newbie to cycling; I know that a trainer will be a wise investment to make. I'm looking to spend $200 or less. I've found some nice CycleOps trainers in my price range (eBay), but am clueless as to what model will meet my needs. Any recommendations are appreciated. Thanks!

If you are a relatively new rider, you may not know how to prevent the most common mistakes that can lead to physical discomfort during a ride. Even if you have been riding for a long time you can slip into bad habits, and end up hurting more than is necessary. Here are a few tips to help make every ride more comfortable:

A commonly overlooked variable for most cyclists is that of proper technique. In essence, proper technique presents itself as the foundation for which fitness should be laid upon. More often than not, it's the latter that gets the attention- forcing those who have poor technique to work perpetually harder as they go harder and so on. It becomes a "cat chasing its tail" scenario.

Lance has revolutionized cycling in several ways. He's shown you CAN come back from a serious illness like cancer and return to top form. And, unlike other top European racers, he's shown the value of focusing intently on ONE race, the one that matters the most to him ' Le Tour de France.

At least one time each week during your indoor 'trainer' rides, it is important to devote some time to improving pedaling efficiency and skills. Among your goals for this skill work are: 1. to refine your pedal stroke and promote pedaling efficiency/coordination/strength, and 2. to develop easily referenced drills that you can employ in training and racing situations.