Spring is still a long way off, and the fattening festive treats are tempting us from all angles. The bike-cleaning rags are worn thin from all the muck-removing sessions, and the rug beneath the turbo is permanently sweat-stained. Keeping motivated in the very depths of winter can be tough. That’s why we’ve rounded up a host of inspiring tips from top experts to help you keep the pedals turning through winter’s grimmest weeks.
1 BE FLEXIBLE BUT CONSISTENT
Rich Lang, founder of Spok’d training app
When it comes to winter training, two fundamental principles can help you maximize your fitness: consistency and frequency. Who would be fitter, someone who rides once for five hours per week or someone who rides three times for 90 minutes? The rider with the higher frequency can generate more overall quality training stress to improve their fitness.
So focus on regular, shorter rides — you can dodge the worst of the weather and ensure every minute on the bike is quality training.
Garth Kruger, Vankru bike-fitting
Try to find other riders with similar goals to go out training with. This helps with accountability when you don’t want to get out of bed.
Emily Chappell, ultra-endurance racer
Be flexible — make the most of any small window of good weather, even if you hadn’t planned to ride far that day.
CW says You’ve got to be tough to conquer the winter, but by making the most of any small window of opportunity to train and keeping yourself accountable, you can keep the consistency required to go into spring riding strong.
2 CARROT, NOT STICK — REWARDS AND STIMULI
Max Stedman, pro rider with Canyon-dhb-Bloor Homes
This story is from the January 02, 2020 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 02, 2020 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Giant TCR Composite Gold
If this bike looks opulent, over the top and über-bling now, imagine the reaction of the bike-buying public 22 years ago when it was unveiled as a special limited edition made with real gold plate and costing the unthinkable sum of $10,000.
WATT WORKS FOR ME Kasia Niewiadoma
The Tour of Flanders runner-up talks lost bikes, altitude training and strength workouts
BREWING A BOOST
Coffee and cycling may be inextricably linked, but does the black stuff really improve our performance on the bike? Lexie Williamson investigates
Soto Helix Coffee Maker - £21.95
I really love the minimalism of this coffee brewer. It's a pour over stripped to its bare essentials: a conical spring that can hold a paper filter, and then compresses nearly flat when not in use.
Stanley Classic Perfect-Brew Pour Over
The Stanley Perfect-Brew Pour Over is the second simplest coffee maker on test, beaten only by the incredibly minimalist Soto Helix.
GSI Mini Espresso Set 1 Cup - £51.50
Starting off with the coffee makers that require a heat source, we have the GSI Outdoors Mini Espresso Set 1 Cup.
How do I up my coffee game?
How does the average Joe make the perfect mug of Joe? We sent Joe Baker to find out
THE HUB
All the news you might have missed from the last seven days
GOING FULL BEANS
Most cyclists enjoy a decent coffee, but some take it a step further. CW meets five self-declared obsessives who have pushed their twin passions, bikes and beans, to the nth degree
A love affair
Coffee connoisseur Adam Becket delves into the storied yet mysterious relationship between cycling and the original energy drink