The Short Cut To Endurance

Epic rides into unknown territory are advised against for now, but that needn't erode your hard-earned fitness. Chris Sidwells explores how to maintain endurance without 'going long'

- Chris Sidwells

Social distancing affects everybody in different ways. UK cyclists have to contend with confusing government advice: now that lockdown rules have been slightly eased, we’re allowed to ride with one other person from outside our household provided we stay two metres apart, i.e. no drafting. But how far can we ride? Thankfully we can now undertake unlimited exercise and riding solo is low risk, but it’s understandable that following weeks of lockdown many people remain concerned about long periods of time out of the house. The key is to ride responsibly, be self-sufficient and only be out for an amount of time with which you feel comfortable.

Personally, I am limiting myself to an hour a day, and continuing to ride solo. Sure, I could ride with one mate within the rules, but keeping the necessary distance apart would be annoyingly impractical. But what about our hardwon endurance? Conventional wisdom has it that the best way to build and maintain endurance is regular long rides at a fat-burning intensity – conversational pace. But it’s not the only way – and that’s what this feature is about: how to maintain your endurance without long rides.