The winter months aren’t very conducive to maintaining a solid level of fitness and keeping in shape. Yet spring is right around the corner and with the warming temperatures and the start of daylight savings time it’s fair to say spring is near. This can be both hugely exciting, and also slightly nerve-racking for cyclists who have spent the winter months working towards spring or summer goals.
So, what are the best ways to optimize your cycling to prepare best for the upcoming season? Rest assured, we’ve got you covered. It’s a matter of having three important elements. Read on.
Importance of having the right training tools
If you’ve been looking to get faster on the bike, then most likely you have explored cycling training tools, as in power meters, heart rate monitors and the like. No doubt, today’s technology provides instant biofeedback and structure to workouts. And over time, this aggregated training data offers visibility to your training program and progress. The ultimate goal of using training tools is to get faster, stronger, fitter, and optimize athletic performance. If you haven’t already, now is the time to invest in the tools that will help you the most. Our suggestions? Consider investing in one or all of the following: a power meter, a bike fit, and even a new cycling computer. The right training tools will keep you motivated through the spring season as you transition your fitness and form from the winter coach potato to the cycling warrior that you are!
Importance of having the right bike parts
Most cyclists can’t get enough bike parts. We are gear junkies at heart. But new cycling accessories aren’t just a passion! Having the proper bike parts makes a difference in injury prevention. In a sport based on such a highly repetitive action, like pedaling, the first line of defense against injury is having a proper saddle with aligned seat position, height, and angle – not to mention a few other important factors like handlebars, stems, and the correct bike position. All of these factor into a comfortable riding position as well as a rider’s stability, endurance, and safety. As you transition to longer and more intense training rides during the spring months, consider upgrading bike parts and also getting a bike fit. Nothing beats a comfortable and well-engineered bike!
Importance of having the right supplements
At the end of each ride, most cyclists understand the importance of cooling down appropriately. Yet, it’s easy to forget the importance of fueling appropriately post-ride. Immediately following your ride, Carrie McCusker, an endurance coach, recommends to “restore fluid and electrolyte balance, to replenish muscle and liver glycogen stores, and to stimulate protein synthesis. You can accomplish this by consuming carbohydrates, protein, and fluids within thirty to sixty minutes of finishing your workout. Based on research data, athletes are encouraged to utilize this “glycogen window” to restore the muscles. It is particularly important for glycogen-depleting workouts, those that are longer than two hours or those with high-intensity efforts, or if the day involves two or three workouts.”
At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, a favorite nutritional product available for recovery post-ride is PhysioPhyx. Here’s what we like about this product. PhysioPhyx LPR takes recovery nutrition to a new level of support and performance by delivering a powerful, evidence-based blend of Carbohydrates + Protein + Leucine. This potent combination of nutrients has been precisely formulated to help ensure you rapidly and effectively restore muscle energy (glycogen), minimize muscle soreness, stimulate muscle repair and speed training adaptations after moderate, intense and exhaustive exercise or competition. In fact, recent studies have shown the nutrient trio of Carbs + Protein + Leucine taken after exercise creates an absolutely ideal environment for your body to quickly go into recovery overdrive.
Spring training is transitional. The weather fascinates from good riding conditions to riding indoors and back again causing well-intended cyclists’ motivation to wane. By having these important elements, you can keep your motivation and training in check. And when the weather finally improves, you’ll be able to look back with gratitude that you had the right bike parts and training tools to assist you in meeting your goals.
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