PLAN THE PERFECT RIDE

Author of a new book on British rides, Simon Warren has become something of a planning expert over the writing process. He breaks down the formula for the ultimate day out

- Simon Warren

As we stare down the barrel of potentially the longest and darkest winter in living memory, we’re all going to need some big rides to motivate us more than ever. With no organised events on the horizon, no sportives, no races, no cross or indoor track, it’s going to be up to us to set our own challenges, or our own goals, to get us through the months ahead.

Whether they are solo rides or (depending on restrictions) with mates, it’s essential to place a few dates in your calendar to act as beacons to help guide you through. This winter, it’s time to plot that route you’ve always wanted to do or to visit that hill or road you’ve been meaning to tackle, but never got round to. Whether you trace the route of a famous sportive or race, or go for a crazy distance or altitude challenge, the planning and anticipation of the adventure will help to keep you positive and say “to hell with the weather”!

Begin with key focus points

When writing my new book, my focus points for all the rides were, of course, the hills. They add the interest, they provide (hopefully) great views and test me both physically and mentally. There will always be at least one hill in a ride.

It could be a really famous one or it could be a local killer I want to set a new best time on. It could be an obscure ascent I want to try to KOM or, better still, a completely new climb all together. With these pins dropped on a map, the next task is to join the dots and along the way add some more locations like café stops or, if you like, places to get good Instagram fodder. Before you know it, you have five or six definite points of focus, ideally at regular intervals, which will serve to keep you motivated all the way round.