While it snows and rains outside, we continue to dream about the cycling season coming up! Last week I covered two things you can do right now to make sure your season starts off right. This week we’ll share a few more ideas:
- Set Goals– For more motivation, set your sights on specific achievements or events and log your rides. You can aim at riding a certain distance, route, or hill by a certain stage of your season, or target a specific organized ride, whether a club ride, century, bike tour or bike vacation. Keeping a log enables you to visualize accomplishments and track your progress.
- Research and Register-- Searching for suitable rides and signing up early will not only give your season some structure, but will help ensure that you secure a spot for yourself. Some popular rides fill to their maximum number of participants fast. Also, signing up earlier rather than later will often get you a lower entry fee, as prices on many rides increase as the event date approaches.
- Climb to Conquer Hills– If you choose to take part in events, excursions, or tours with hilly routes, start riding hills early in your season and ride them consistently – even if you must drive to the hills. It will pay off. Keep your earliest hill rides short and extend them week by week. Over the course of a few rides, you may notice that you’re slaying some of the hills that initially slayed you, and when it comes time for any paid ride with significant elevation gain, you’ll thank yourself.
Have fun getting prepared for your season, and watch this space for Tonik product updates in the coming weeks!