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The Zom Preview for August 16th 2021

Check out what we have for our loyal hive of Zombeez this week! To subscribe to The Zom weekly newsletter please click here and share it with your friends. Thank you for the support!

Christopher Schwenker

Semi-retired as owner and director of his private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice after over 20 years, Chris is blessed with the freedom to pursue his passion for virtual cycling and writing. On a continual quest to give back to his bike for all the rewarding experiences and relationships it has provided him, he created a non-profit, and through its work and the pages of this site, Chris is committed to helping others with his bike. His gain cave is located on the North Fork of Long Island where he lives with his beautiful wife and is proud of his two college student children.

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Strength Training is Essential for the Senior Athlete and Masters Cyclist

Strength exercise is essential for the masters athlete to avoid the devastating effects of age-related muscle loss.

Johnny and Becki Roden Share Virtual Cycling to Cope With the Loss of their Son Tommy

Jon and Becki Roden turn to Virtual Cycling to help them cope with the death of their son.

Falk Levien Found Cycling as a Way to Cope With the Grief, and Recover

Falk Levien depends upon his bike to take him away. Long Covid is trying to steal it from him. He is taking it back with the help of virtual cycling.

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist: The Flutter Kick Series

The Flutter Kick is the perfect core exercise for a powerful pedal stroke.

Powering Through Contentment – Satisfaction, Complacency, or a Crutch?

It didn’t take much to motivate this cyclist to take a step closer to being the best he could be, but the results were profound and the lessons invaluable.

A Healthy Relationship With Food

We would enjoy food much more if we stopped labelling it good vs bad!

Drink Coffee and Do Good!

What could be better than that?

Click the Image and Shop now!

Virtual Case Study: Arm & Hand Pain While Cycling

Arm and hand pain that worsens as you ride can be prevented by following these simple tips!

The Zom Preview for July 12th 2021

You won’t want to miss what we have for you this week! It involves COFFEE!

Functional Strength Training for Cyclists

If you want more watts, do more squats!

Honest Race Nutrition: What Pro Jacqueline Godbe (Really) Eats To Win

The Race Winning Glycogen Refueling Chocolate Hydration Plan of an Elite Virtual Cyclist

Honest Race Nutrition: What Pro Jacquie Godbe (Really) Eats To Win

The Race Winning Glycogen Refueling Chocolate Hydration Plan of an Elite Virtual Cyclist

Warm-Up Essentials for Virtual Cycling Success

By preparing yourself mentally and physically for optimal performance, a proper warm-up is critical to virtual cycling success. But why is the first mile so hard?

**NEW RGT PHYSICS ENGINE GOING LIVE**

After several months of testing both internally and with the wider community, RGT is ready to launch an updated physics engine that promises even more realistic riding.

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist: Front Plank Progression

The plank is considered the best core movement and this exercise progression will help you get the most out of it.

Roasting those Pits – Part One

Coffee beans, road cycling, espresso, Caffeine, and History!

One Yes Vote For Cycling-Specific Footbeds or Shoe Inserts

Replacing the flimsy insoles of your cycling shoes with sport-specific footbeds may be the answer to your pedaling pain problems!

The DIRT Digglers and ZSUNR Meet-Up For Their Version of a NO DROP Ride

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A Pain Cave Built for Two

In-home trainer etiquette is the key to couple’s cycling therapy!

Peripheral Heart Action Training for the Virtual Cyclist

PHA is an efficient and effective combination of strength and cardiovascular training for any cyclist!

Carbohydrate Loading Lunacy

Should cyclists even bother with Carbohydrate loading?

vCycling News Episode 2

About vCycling News Virtual Cycling News will bring you news, rumours and reviews on all things RGT whilst looking at some of the other online training apps that are available. The show is hosted by Mike Lister, an eRacer with over 15,000 miles logged on Zwift and...

The Zom Preview for August 23rd 2021

Check out what we have for our loyal hive of Zombeez this week!

The Zom Preview for October 4th 2021

https://youtu.be/SL90KwZ9rZY Almost 25,000 views! Thank you for your support!Check out what we have for our loyal hive of ZOMbeez this week!The theme for this week is relevance and science. Watch the video to find out more.Please subscribe to The ZOM weekly newsletter for more great content delivered directly...

DIRT Florida Meet-Up with Casey, Graham, and Billy

DIRT mates Graham and Billy show the new ‘Rida transplant how it is done.

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist: The Bird Dog Series

When strengthening your core for cycling, it is essential to take a varied approach.

MIRT Cecelia Taggart Shares Her Love of Family and Community, With Bikes

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By including max efforts in your training, you will avoid losing muscle mass and strength.

Part Two-Rhabdomyolysis: A Hidden Risk of Virtual Cycling

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Core Strengthening Essentials for Virtual Cyclists

Learn about your core and how strengthening it will improve your cycling performance.

DIRT Jon Izagire Wins the Inaugural Zwift Cup of Panama

Hear the amazing story in his own words as he describes what it felt like to win!

Kinder Gentler Bike Racing Coms

Language is a powerful tool, especially when communicating with your cycling mates while racing when oppressive words and phrases have a tendency to just slip out.

The Zom Preview for August 2nd 2021

A sneak peek into what we have for you this week at The Zom! Plus a bit of background into our mission!

Kevin Korenthal is Proof That Adversity and Calamity Has Its Purpose

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Authority Magazine and Thrive Global – eSports: Christopher Schwenker On The 5 Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In eSports

Tyler Gallagher of Authority Magazine asked me some great questions. I hope you enjoy my responses.

DIRT Andrew Holland Wins the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship

Way to go Andy!

The Zom Preview for October 11th 2021

Check out what we have for our loyal hive of ZOMBeez this week! What good is a warm-up without a great cool-down? What does esports mean to you? What does an elite female eracer REALLY eat to win? You will find the answers to these questions and...

Part Two: Zwift eSports Ruleset Excludes Racers Under 16

The creation of a Zwift Junior Racing League will prove that our kids ARE worth it!

The Zom Preview for August 9th 2021

Check out what we have for you this week!

DIRT Mates Turn a Chance Encounter into Something Epic

Two DIRT teammates tell the story of how their chance meet-up turned into a physical challenge and how they crushed it just like they have 100’s of times before.

The Power Phase of the Pedal Stroke

Knowledge of the Power Phase of the pedal stroke is crucial, and by following these tips you will be able to maximize it!

DIRT does Surrey Hills – IRL!

When DIRTs hit the hills, they do it right!

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist: The Dead Bug Exercise Series

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Virtual Case Study: Pain on the Outside of the Knee While Cycling

Eliminate and prevent the pain on the outside of your knee by following these simple tips!

Strength Training is Essential for the Senior Athlete and Masters Cyclist

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This is Your Brain on Bikes

Strenuous race efforts that leave you cross-eyed may make it hard to think straight, but you can prevent it from going any further than that by being mindful.

Virtual Case Study: Lower Back Pain While Riding

Eliminate and prevent low back pain while riding by following these simple tips!

DIRT Christian Jensen formed a Chapter of myTEAM TRIUMPH and Changes the Lives of Differently-Abled Individuals Through Cycling

Christian uses Zwift and the support of his DIRT mates to touch the lives of many.

The Zom Preview for September 27th 2021

This week we will be kicking off the Indoor Specialists season by highlighting the Virtual Cycling community. I hope you enjoy it!

The Zommuniqué Weekly Preview

See what we have coming this week to The Zommunique’!

A Healthy Relationship With Food

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vCycling News Episode 1

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Virtual Case Study: Upper Body Pain While Riding

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Team Italy XTRA League – A Mixed Categories Zwift Event That Gives Racers of All Abilities the Chance to Contribute the Team’s Success

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ZMS Live Stream- Behind-the-Scenes

Damon Bates and his Crew are enhancing the virtual cycling experience through innovations in live stream viewing and interaction.

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It is important to become mindful of our energy needs and avoid the severe consequences of sport-related energy deficiency.

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist: The Superman Series

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The Day my Grandson Met His First Sporting Idol – Mark Cavendish

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Jeff Rooney to Attempt 12 Hour World Record!!!

Another great VCN Interview with Jeff, and how to be a part of his world record attempt!

Periodized Strength Training for Cyclists

Keep your body guessing, so it doesn’t get too comfortable by varying your strength training stress in a meaningful and focused way.

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It didn’t take much to motivate this cyclist to take a step closer to being the best he could be, but the results were profound and the lessons invaluable.

How to Keep Bicycling Into Your 50s, 60s and Beyond

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The Zom Preview for September 6th 2021

Check out what we have for our loyal hive of Zombeez this week!

Two New Studies Will Change the Way You Look at Strength Training and Cycling Performance

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Make the best training plan decisions with a solid understanding of these strength exercise basics.

Part One: Poor Indoor Air Quality – The Invisible Danger to the Virtual Cyclist

Training and racing in a fresh air environment is vital to our health and performance.

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Coffee beans, Cycling, Espresso, Caffeine…need I say more?!?

The Zom Preview for October 18th 2021

Check out what we have for our loyal hive of ZOMbeez this week!

DIRT Father meets DIRT GrandFather IRL – The History of DIRT Prequel

A two-hour breakfast meeting that only felt like 20 minutes and three years seemed almost the same way.

A Proper Cool-Down is Essential for the Virtual Cyclist

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The Zom Preview for September 20th 2021

Check out what we have for our loyal hive of Zombeez this week!

Virtual Case Study: Pain in the Ankle and Foot When Cycling

By following these bike fit, shoe choice, and muscle flexibility tips you can prevent ankle and foot pain from taking the fun out of your ride.

The Zom Preview for August 30th 2021

Check out what we have for our loyal hive of Zombeez this week!

Johnny and Becki Roden Share Virtual Cycling to Cope With the Loss of their Son Tommy

Jon and Becki Roden turn to Virtual Cycling to help them cope with the death of their son.

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist: The Flutter Kick Series

The Flutter Kick is the perfect core exercise for a powerful pedal stroke.

Falk Levien Found Cycling as a Way to Cope With the Grief, and Recover

Falk Levien depends upon his bike to take him away. Long Covid is trying to steal it from him. He is taking it back with the help of virtual cycling.

The Recovery Phase of the Pedal Stroke

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A Virtual Cyclist Reluctantly Takes a Vacation

My Active Cycling Vacation Tips for Balancing Family, Fun, Fitness, and Fear!

Part Two: Poor Indoor Air Quality – The Invisible Danger to the Virtual Cyclist

Is my ‘Gain Cave’ doing me more harm than good? I decided to conduct an informal experiment to find out.

The Zom Preview for September 13th 2021

The recent changes to Zwift’s eSports Ruleset concerning Junior racers. Check out what we have for our loyal hive of ZOMbeez this week!

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist: Side Plank Series

Do these side core exercises to get the most from your out of the saddle pedaling power.

Virtual Case Study: Hip Pain While Cycling

Hip pain, the result of long periods of time slumped over the handlebars or seated at work, can be prevented by following these simple steps.

Virtual Case Study: Pain Behind the Knee When Cycling

Eliminate and prevent the pain at the back of your knee by following these simple tips!

What does eSports mean to you?

The Zommunique asked elite eRacers from around the world to share their experience and thoughts on what eSports means to them!

The Creation of D. I. R. T. Culture

The Badger is a fine writer! Who knew? You will, after reading his account of what made DIRT what it is today!

The Midlife Cyclist – A Book Review and Interview with the Author Phil Cavell

An interview with the author of The Midlife Cyclist and founder of CycleFit Mr. Phil Cavell.

Improving Pedaling Technique

By following these tips, you will pedal perfect circles and produce more power with less energy.

The Zom Preview for July 19th 2021

Coming to The Zom this week is a two-part feature you can’t afford to miss. Poor indoor air quality is a serious concern and one which can have an adverse effect on your health.

Muscle Fiber Types and other Basic Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist

With an understanding of muscles and how they work, you will be able to make educated training decisions and maximize your virtual cycling potential.

Three Olympic Training and Treatment Trends – Why You’ve Never Seen Them Before and May Never See Them Again?

Olympic competition brings out the best in athletes and their trainers! Blood Flow Restriction Training and other Olympic Treatment Trends in 2021.

Virtual Case Study: Pain in the Front of the Knee While Cycling

Ride strong without that nagging pain in the front of your knee by following these tips!

An Interview with Zwift Academy Group Ride Sweeper Matt Yankow

Sweepin’ isn’t easy, but Matt does it with a smile (I think)!

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist

Learn about your core and how strengthening it will improve your cycling performance.

Part One: Zwift eSports Ruleset Change Excludes Racers Under 16

When attempting to find the proper balance in this complex and complicated debate, it is essential to ask, “Are our kids worth it?”

Core Strengthening Essentials for the Virtual Cyclist: The Bridge Exercise Series

Bridge the gap between your trunk and the pedals by following this core strengthening progression.

Breaking Bones in the Virtual World of Cycling

The tendency for cyclists to develop brittle bones can be avoided by following these tips.

The Hardest Reset of All – How I Managed My Expectations after a Major Injury

Recovery from a major injury is a journey to be embraced, but not taken lightly.

Roasting Those Pits – Part Two

When faced with the daunting pressures of life, allow the nuances of your character to mature like a finely crafted roast.

The Zom Preview for July 26th 2021

Check out what is coming to The Zom this week!

Part One-Rhabdomyolysis: A Hidden Risk of Virtual Cycling

Rhabdomyolysis is a serious health concern we can avoid with knowledge of the disease and how to prevent it.

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The Zom Preview for August 16th 2021

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Drink Coffee and Do Good!

What could be better than that?

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