“Ask Levi” – Coach Levi’s Advice Column

OK, so here’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while. Answer your questions!

I am not a medical doctor or registered dietitian or anything fancy like that, but I can give you real-life answers based on my personal experiences. Really, I am just another cyclist trying to lose weight and race faster. If you have a question about training, nutrition, or anything I might know, feel free to ask me!

If your question gets picked, it will be published on this website. Feel free to use your real name or make one up like if you were writing to “Dear Abby.”

You can email me using the “Email Me” link in bottom right corner of the website.

Be sure to review the Disclaimer and Terms of Use before asking me anything though. There are certain questions I will not answer, so please don’t write in asking for medical advice, among other things.

Also, I cannot guarantee that I will be able to answer your question. I will answer as many as I can in the time I have, but please understand I cannot provide personalized training plans and advice for every single person out there.

Here are a few of our past “Ask Levi” features:

• How to stop blue jeans from fading?
• How to make my own energy drinks?
• Drink FRS if I have high blood pressure?
• If I shave my legs, will my hair grow back thicker?
• What does ORAC stand for?
• How do I dye my blue jeans?
• What is a good woman’s starter bike?
• How do I work the gears and shifting?
• How much caffeine is in FRS?
• How do I prepare for a hill climb time trial?
• How can I build huge leg muscles?
• What are some sugar-free energy bars for diabetics?
• How do I fit exercise and nutrition into my busy schedule?
• How can I ride indoors during the winter?
• Could a tire pump force an air bubble into my bloodstream?
• Do you really need electrolytes?
• How do I calculate complex carbs?
• What is a good stationary trainer?
• How to choose a good elliptical machine?
• What are these little red bumps after shaving?
• How long should it take a guy to shave his legs?
• What cycling shorts do you recommend?
• Any more mixed sport training advice for an Ironwoman?
• Could diet drinks be causing my bladder infections?
• Does cooking diminish all food’s health benefits?
• What diet would I need for six pack abs?
• How can I get back in racing shape?
• Should I buy a road or cyclo-cross bike?
• How can I cure my heel spurs?
• Is my Heart Rate Lower Than Normal?
• What Is That Plastic Disc on My Rear Wheel?
• Are Recovery Drinks Worth It?
• Will I Get Back In Shape In Time to Race?
• Is Maca Root Banned In Pro Cycling?
• What Is The Race Pace For Kayaking?
• Should I Start Off With a Full-Blown Time Trial Bike?
• What Sports Drink For 3 Hour Rides?
• Should I Do Upper Body Weights/Conditioning?
• What to Eat for My Cross Race?
• What If I Need Totally Waterproof Socks?
• Is It Normal To Be Starving After a Ride?
• Should I Upgrade my Rear Derailleur?
• How Can I Speed Recovery?
• What and How Much Should I Eat and Drink for Training Rides and Races?
• What Should I Eat Before and After a Workout?
• Can I Eat Before Exercise?
• What Is The Best Road Bike Saddle?
• Should I Stop Exercising If I Start Shaking?
• Should I Take Cytosport Fast Twitch with Caffeine?
• Chamois Colors and a Sore Butt?
• Will Upgrading Tires Actually Make a Difference?
• Why Do You Like Artificial Sweeteners?
• If This Exercise Burns Fat, What’s With My Belly Fat?
• How Do I Get Rid of Sore Muscles?
• What Should I Eat Healthy Daily?
• Why Are My Feet Hitting The Wheel When I Turn?
• Can I Mix and Match Drivetrain Parts?
• What is the Difference in a Road Shoe and a Triathlon Shoe?
• Which Cadence Is More Efficient for Mountain Biking?
• Why Am I Losing Weight Instead of Gaining Muscle Mass?
• What is The Correct Mountain Bike Size For Me?
• I’m Skinny But I Want Big Arms!
• Should I Take Creatine?
• Nutrition for Longer Road Rides?
• Can I Use a Hydration Pack for Road Cycling?
• Which New Road Bike for Getting in Shape and Racing?
• Should I Have Two Wide Tires On My Bike?
• What Is A Good All-Around Mountain Bike Tire?
• What Do Numbers On Chainrings Mean?
• Should I Trade In My Hybrid for a Road Bike?
• How Do I Get The Energy I Need Without Caffeine?
• Should I Mix NUUN Tablets with Hammer Gel in my Water Bottles?
• Recovery Drink or Protein Shake for Post-Ride Recovery?
• What Are The Proper Types of Water Bottles To Use?
• How Long Should I Warm-up at Race Intensity?
• What Cogs Are Used With Which Chainring?
• What’s Your Favorite Sub-$200 Repair Stand?
• What Sunglasses Keep Wind Out?
• How Much Mileage Do I Need Before a Century?
• Feeling It In My Back, But Not My Abs?
• Do I Need a 130mm Crankset Replacment?
• How to Place Rear Tire on Stationary Trainer?
• Can I Change Gears to MegaRange?
• Minimalist Running Shoes for Wide Feet?
• Good Carbon Water Bottle Holders?
• Numbness When Riding Rollers, But Just Fine Outside?
• I Can’t Mix My Own Post-Workout Shakes at College, What Should I Drink?
• What Exercises Will Help Me Do Pull Ups?
• Ever Tried an Energy Shot Powder?
• Am I Too Old To Start Bike Racing?
• Will Training On a Heavy Bike Make Racing On My Road Bike Easier?
• Numb Fingers on Brake Levers?
• Do I Need a Cyclocross Bike or a Hybrid for Riding Road and Rail Trails?
• Do I Need to Scuff and Clean Tires Before Riding?
• Why Do I Blow Up When Hitting This Hill Climb?
• Shin Splints from Road Cycling?
• Is The Slow Carb Diet Compatible With Cycling?
• Proper Road Bike Position… Flat Back or Rounded Back?
• Can I Go Faster With Skinny Tires on My Hybrid?
• Why Do My Legs Get Tired After The First Rest Stop?
• What About Malt-O-Meal and Cream of Wheat?
• V8 Juice As a Recovery Drink?
• Disadvantage From Restricted Junior Gears?
• Any Flat-Resistant Tires Suitable for Racing and Training?
• How Does a New Rider Take On a Seven Day Tour?
• When Do I Stand When Riding Outside?
• How Can I Treat This Cramp and Prevent Future Cramps?
• What About Cramps When Just Riding for Enjoyment?
• When To Come Out of The Saddle During a Time Trial?
• What Are the Differences Between Running and Cycling Tops?
• Wendy’s Chili for Post-ride Recovery Meal?
• How Does Sqwincher Compare to Sports Drinks?
• How Do I Increase Mileage for a Big Ride?
• For a Better Workout, Start With Headwind or Tailwind?
• Can I Jump Up To a 45 Mile Ride?
• What Is The Easiest Pedal To Disengage From?
• How Does Kashi GoLean Compare to Oatmeal and Other Cereals?
• Do I Have an Ankle Tendonitis Issue?
• The Ab Wheel Hurts My Elbows, What Can I Do?

There you have it! 100+ cycling and multisport questions answered!