Peak Cycles – BikeParts.com Blog

Happy New Year folks!  What big goals do you have for yourself this year? If you’re looking for some fresh and alternative goals to motivate you in 2020, then look no further.  See which one or all of these cycling goals you want to take on for 2020. 

Ride regardless of the weather. There’s a saying about the weather and it goes like this, “There is no such thing as bad weather. It’s just bad clothing.” So, bail on the bad weather excuses in 2020 and invest in the right cycling apparel to do the job. Ask yourself, what clothing do you need to wear in different weather conditions?  Do you have waterproof and wind-resistant clothing? Do you have enough of the basic cycling necessities, as in leggings? Arm warmers? Knee warmers? Scullcap? What about your base layers?  Do you have enough of them or do you need to add in some fleece-lined clothing?  Lucky for you, at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we still have some holiday sales on these items so you can stock up and save money too.  

Make friends with indoor cycling. So maybe there are days when riding outside just isn’t going to work. The trainer can be a love/hate relationship but you can make it more of a love relationship by getting the equipment you need and setting up your environment to support your goals. Check out our post, Indoor Cycling Made Easy for tips. And while you’re at it, you might want to glance at one of our more popular trainers: Feedback Sports Omnium Portable Trainer. It’s a great overall trainer and you can basically take it anywhere. No excuses here. 

Ride a different bike. Mix it up. If you are a roadie, try riding a mountain bike.  If you only ride trails, opt for a gravel grinder event. Have you ever ridden a fat bike? Try it! You might like it! Opt for variety and trying something new. Keep it fresh and fun! If you ride only during the weekend, opt for bike commuting during the week.  Ride a different bike each day of the week! Get creative with it and have fun! By mixing it up, you keep your ride routine fresh which keeps you riding more regularly.    

Experiment with your gear. Many of us get in a rut with our favorite cycling brands. New technology keeps innovating cycling clothing, bike parts, and gear. Take for instance the Specialized S-Works Prevail II with ANGI.  When combined with Specialize’s iOS or Android app, the sensor will detect a crash and send a text message to specified contacts on your phone.  It’s definitely worth a look if you are safety conscious.  Or, experiment with different cycling shoes like the S-Works 7. They are super light and stiff to maximize power transfer.  There are so many innovative bike parts and cycling accessories on the market. Use 2020 to see what is out there.  Just because your favorite tried and true brands have worked for you in the past doesn’t mean something even better is available to you now. You just have to experiment with it. 

Build up your core with core exercises.  For some cyclists, strength training is a welcomed part of the training process; however, for others, it is a necessary evil. Yet, to avoid injury as well as get stronger on the bike, strength training is becoming a critical aspect of year-round training.  The best way to train all parts of the body is through working with a full range of motion while strength training. Commit to overall strength in 2020 and dial in the best core exercises for you by reading Year-Round Strength Training for Cyclists.

Improve your flexibility.  Consider doing yoga. Yeah, stretching hurts but it helps cyclists who have overdeveloped quadriceps and tight hamstrings, which can pull the hips out of alignment. Also, a cyclist’s spine is constantly flexed forward. If the proper form isn’t maintained, it can result in muscle pain and strain in the back and shoulders. Yoga helps ease the tightness, creating core strength, and aligning the spine.  Even if you aren’t into yoga, there are 3 poses you should practice.

Set epic goals for 2020. Set your sights high! Reach for bigger goals in 2020!  Stretch yourself and see what you can accomplish. Think big! Many cyclists resolve to ride more frequently or adventure on longer rides in the coming year; yet without actually quantifying the specific actions required to support these goals, no gains are actually made. The post, Make Proper Goal Setting a Priority for Your Next Cycling Season highlights this fact offering 10 questions to evaluate the past season’s cycling performance and arms you with insights to making better training choices that lead to better performance in 2020. Write down your goals and make them happen! 

The New Year is all about out with the old and in with the new. Maybe last year’s cycling resolutions were to get in shape, build fitness, or get stronger on the bike. This year, branch out! Challenge yourself!  Wishing you many happy miles in 2020!