BikeParts.com Team Rider Racing in Colorado
With school starting and only about a month and half left of the Colorado cycling racing and touring season, many are filling up their calendars with the last big events of the season hoping to capitalize on the fitness gains made during the season.
Some of the popular Colorado races and tours on tap for August include:
- Pikes Peak Cycling Gran Fando
- Leadville 100 MTB Race
- Steamboat Stinger MTB Race
- Bike MS: Bighorn Country Classic
- Rampart Rager100k Gravel Grinder
- Estes Park –Nederland RR
- Golden Gran Fondo
- Oskar Blues GoldRush Bike Rally and Run
Yet, as we transition from summer to fall, many cyclist find their enthusiasm for riding dwindling. Have you noticed that at the beginning of the race season, enthusiasm and energy is high! About the mid-season point, accumulated season fatigue catches up with most racers and cyclist. Recovery rate from workouts and from races slows down and finally, by the end of the season, some find their motivation just plain lacking. With that in mind, what are the ways to maintain motivation while also capture added gains towards next year’s goals?
The key to late season racing and bike events is really to have fun! Try new events, ride routes, and races. Now is the time to enjoy the gains of your hard work. With fitness levels high, late season bike events offer a chance to experiment with race strategies and new cycling accessories. Venture out of your comfort zone and try racing a new road bike or mountain bike for one of the events mentioned above.
If experimentation isn’t your thing, then at least replace worn out bike parts or catch deals on bike close outs, bike parts and components. Stock up on cycling apparel for the fall and winter months to keep motivation high through the transitioning season.
Or, maybe training is too grueling for you this time of year. Switch from training to riding to work. Bike commuting helps get in the miles while offering up time for other fun activities. Other fun activities include strength training and yoga. Both of these activities help to extend the fitness gains you’ve made through the current year.
Another option for fun is adding in some skill training. During peak training periods, bike skills and technique is often overlooked. Why not spend some time improving your bike skills? The video: Five key skills to improve your bike handling offers great visuals and the post, Body Position on the MTB, dials in where you need to be on the bike to ride your best. Experimenting late season avoids the risk of injury during peak races but also can offer a new challenge – like learning how to do a track stand.
Enjoy the fitness gains you have made through the season. Have fun! Having a fun, relaxed attitude combined with a celebratory bike event is a great way to finish your season.
Posted by staffwriter8 
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