June is here! Welcome blue skies, sunny days, and longer days! All the perfect ingredients becoming us to ride, race, and enjoy being on our two wheeled friends.
Whether you are a recreational cyclist or a competitive one, no doubt you have some cycling goals in mind for the season.
As we’re just launching into this year’s cycling season, it’s important to make the most of it by planning now. When you plan, goals get met. You don’t want to look back over the season at the end of the year with regrets. So, whether you’re entering your first event or you’re a seasoned racer, planning your early season events can lay a foundation for confidence and physical fitness in which to build upon for the cycling season. And at year end, you can look back with satisfaction with your achievements. Here’s how to do it.
#1 Think strategy first. High level. What are your goals for the season? Are there races or events you have always wanted to do? Register – mark it on your calendar – and plan! We’ve written extensively on strategic planning. Check out these posts for good ideas: Cycling Success: A Guide to Launch Your 2018 Spring Cycling Season and Keys to a Successful Cycling Race: Think Smart, Eat Smart.
#2 Next, prepare. Preparation means alot of things. Research your ride route. Identify the bike you will be riding. Replace old bike parts. Dial in your nutrition needs. Decide on your training plan. Preparation paves the way for success. And not to be overlooked, is dialing in your cycling accessories. Get a checklist ready to have on hand for all your events. We have a handy one here: Ready to Race? A Comprehensive Checklist for Spring Racing.
#3 As most living in Colorado know, weather conditions can change rapidly. This means you have to be agile with your bike maintenance and cycling apparel. You might want to read our popular posts Dry Pavement, Sloppy Slush and A Muddy Trail: Which Chain Lube Works Best? and Effective Training Techniques for Cycling in the Heat. Both offer useful information for making the best of your ride. As for those afternoon rain storms, we suggest reading the post: Wet Weather? No Problem! 5 Essentials for Riding in the Rain.
#4 After a long or hard ride, recover. it’s important to note that during the summer months it is easy to get swept away in the joys of riding. The temps are great – the trails are great- riding a new mountain bike or road bike is great! But, with all the bike riding accompanies fatigue and over doing it. Be mindful to build in recovery to your training plan. Some post worth reading include: Recovery: Ride Hard – Recovery Harder: Ways to Speed Up Recovery and Avoid Early Season Training Injuries with Rest and Recovery.
#5 Finally, take care of your bike! Bike maintenance keeps you riding. You can either do bike maintenance yourself or bring your bike to us and we can do it for you. Either way, some basic maintenance is necessary and to make sure you’re covered, you’ll want to read: 4 Essential Bike Maintenance Tips to Get Your Bike on the Road.
When you’re working toward a goal that’s important to you, the last thing you want is to face an obstacle or unexpected challenge. There you have it – a 5 step plan to kick off your 2018 cycling season! Set up your 2018 right by planning ahead, getting your road bike or mountain bike in order, and getting the gear and resources you need. With the right mental attitude and the best bike parts, your successful training and race prep is well underway.
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