Rating: 
Summary: Good info for adding a base to your training
Review: Arnie Baker is very succinct in his writing. When he writes about a topic, i.e. bike fit or cycling shorts, he explains the terms and why it is important every rider. There is no fluff. Every subject is treated this way. This makes for a very easily digestable, quick read. Some of the sections on racing may not be applicable to everyone, but it's nice to know, esp. if you are watching a race on TV. The strategy is great, if you are into that stuff, like me :-)I bought this book primarily for the 12-week indoor trainer workouts, and it has not disappointed. If you perform the workouts every week, you will definitely see an improvement in your fitness. This is my second winter with the 12-week cycle, and I can see the improvements. Charting your progress is a great idea and is a definite motivator. At the end of the 12-weeks, I was able to easily complete a 100k rally. You can too, regardless of your level. If the workouts are too difficult, simple adjust your gearing or effort appropriately and you will see improvement. As Arnie says many times, the gearing and effort suggestions are nominal and should be adjusted based on your abilities. A very reasonable approach. The only reason this book did not get 5 stars is because the trainer workouts only cover one day per week. I ride at least three days a week in the winter, so I would like to see a more detailed plan for the entire week, not just the one specific workout.
Rating:
Summary: Good info for adding a base to your training
Review: Arnie Baker is very succinct in his writing. When he writes about a topic, i.e. bike fit or cycling shorts, he explains the terms and why it is important every rider. There is no fluff. Every subject is treated this way. This makes for a very easily digestable, quick read. Some of the sections on racing may not be applicable to everyone, but it's nice to know, esp. if you are watching a race on TV. The strategy is great, if you are into that stuff, like me :-) I bought this book primarily for the 12-week indoor trainer workouts, and it has not disappointed. If you perform the workouts every week, you will definitely see an improvement in your fitness. This is my second winter with the 12-week cycle, and I can see the improvements. Charting your progress is a great idea and is a definite motivator. At the end of the 12-weeks, I was able to easily complete a 100k rally. You can too, regardless of your level. If the workouts are too difficult, simple adjust your gearing or effort appropriately and you will see improvement. As Arnie says many times, the gearing and effort suggestions are nominal and should be adjusted based on your abilities. A very reasonable approach. The only reason this book did not get 5 stars is because the trainer workouts only cover one day per week. I ride at least three days a week in the winter, so I would like to see a more detailed plan for the entire week, not just the one specific workout.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for "all levels" after all
Review: As a commuter trying to train for a century, I thought this book would be great. However, the part of the title "for all levels" is misleading. You must have a heart rate monitor, clipless pedals and an indoor trainer to even consider buying this book, as it focuses primarily on medium-to-high level bikers. It refers very frequently to racing season, has an infuriating section about training with weaker riders, specifically your girlfriend or wife, and says often that if you can't make such-and-such a goal, you're out of shape. This book is for YOU, the male, hard-core racer with seven days a week to train for cycling, but not for riders of ALL LEVELS.
Rating:
Summary: Not for "all levels" after all
Review: As a commuter trying to train for a century, I thought this book would be great. However, the part of the title "for all levels" is misleading. You must have a heart rate monitor, clipless pedals and an indoor trainer to even consider buying this book, as it focuses primarily on medium-to-high level bikers. It refers very frequently to racing season, has an infuriating section about training with weaker riders, specifically your girlfriend or wife, and says often that if you can't make such-and-such a goal, you're out of shape. This book is for YOU, the male, hard-core racer with seven days a week to train for cycling, but not for riders of ALL LEVELS.
Rating:
Summary: Not for "all levels" after all
Review: As a commuter trying to train for a century, I thought this book would be great. However, the part of the title "for all levels" is misleading. You must have a heart rate monitor, clipless pedals and an indoor trainer to even consider buying this book, as it focuses primarily on medium-to-high level bikers. It refers very frequently to racing season, has an infuriating section about training with weaker riders, specifically your girlfriend or wife, and says often that if you can't make such-and-such a goal, you're out of shape. This book is for YOU, the male, hard-core racer with seven days a week to train for cycling, but not for riders of ALL LEVELS.
Rating: 
Summary: Training Bible
Review: Everytime I thumb through this book I find more information that I actually use. The trainer workouts are very challenging. I have most of them printed out in large time so I can see them from trainer and not sweat all over the paper! The only addition I would like to see is a good weekly schedule on how to use the trainer workouts.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent for beginning racers
Review: I have read this book at least five times cover to cover (no kidding). Every time I pick up something new. For a beginning racer who does not have access to a coach or more experienced racers, this book is full of training and tactical information. Best trainer workouts I have come across and will really get you into shape. Arnie Baker does an excellent job of conveying his book.
Rating:
Summary: Great tool for all cyclists
Review: Racing is one focus of this book, but the training methods and indoor workouts are valuable for riders of any ilk. I'm a pleasure and fitness road rider, now on workout 6. Combined with a HR monitor, I've seen measureable improvement and workouts fly by. The workout structure is easily understood. My only recommendation is to make copies of the workouts, so you don't trash your book as you record your performance. Enjoy the time on your trainer for a change.
Rating:
Summary: Good reading
Review: This book shows a scientific approach to riding and training. There are also some interesting workouts for indoor training and a little of the psychology of racing, quite a good variety of information for one book. It seemed that everytime I read it I would pick up something new. I loaned this book out to a friend and now have to buy another one for myself!
Rating:
Summary: Great indoor training workouts and readable cycling info
Review: This is a terrific book for those interested in getting to be stronger on their bikes. Arnie Baker starts off with helpful information on the body and different kinds of trainings - leg speed, strenth/hills, endurance - not the typical drink lots, ride with traffic, and always wear a helmet bike book! Very readable with sound advice. A large part of the book is devoted to wind/magnet trainer workouts. He has specific workouts for different results. I have done a number of them and they have been excellent for building my strength and leg speed. I used to avoid doing indoor workouts so much, that I would loose my base fitness level in the New England snowy months. Now I look forward to my 2-3 weekly workouts of about an hour each - before this book I never lasted more than 40 agonizingly boring minutes. I look forward to continue doing these workouts at night, even when the weather gets warmer and I can't get out to ride during the work week. I've been telling my training partners about this book, maybe I shouldn't, so I can surprise them with my strength!
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