Base Level Training

My main plan for training at the moment, is to get as many miles in as possible before the weather keeps me indoors.

Often professional cyclists take a 3 week  break in November, but, I’d rather keep riding whilst weather is above freezing. Last winter, we had many days of snow and icey temperatures, I will save my winter break for that. In these days of power metres and training zones – ‘getting the miles’ in sounds almost Victorian. But, any good training plan would have this basis of improving aerobic fitness during the quieter winter months.

November can be quite a good time for cycling, if temperatures are above 6 degrees I find it to be acceptable. Below that and it can be tough no matter how many gloves and clothes you wear. One of the big drawbacks of November is the fading light. On a bad day, it can be getting grey by 3.30pm. I always have a set of lights on my winter bike, useful for when it was foggy the other day.

If the weather is good I may do five training rides. Sat, Sun, Mon,Tues, Wed. In reality, there will always be some bad weather or something else on. But, if I can get out 4 times a week, I’m pretty happy. Usually on Saturday, I will try and do a four hour ride, to gain that endurance for 100 mile races next year.

Lower Slaughter, in Cotswolds.

This Saturday I made it to Stow on the Wold, which was about 80 miles, I even got to see an unofficial hunt with lots of people riding horses through the field. I don’t know if they were chasing foxes or whether the fox is imaginary these days. It was interesting to see so many people. The riders on horses were very friendly, always smiling, perhaps they felt guilty for chasing foxes (though I doubt it) or maybe it is just easier to be happy seated on a horse than behind a wheel of a 4WD.

Related

• Winter Training