aneededchange
03-10-05, 09:09 PM
To help with your workouts:
If you only have an hour to ride, make the most of it. Warm up for 15 minutes, then ride hard, really hard, for a half an hour. Then cool down by riding easily for 15 minutes.
Strength is important to cyclists. The next time the weather is lousy and you were planning on doing intervals or practicing time-trialing, lift weights at the local gym instead. Give your legs a good workout, but don't try to lift too much. You don't want to destroy your knees.
If weather or sunlight prevents you from riding, another great workout is spinning. It's a great aerobic workout, and spinning classes are typically an hour long, so they are time-friendly, too.
Cross-training is always a great idea. Go running, swimming, or hiking. You'll work muscles that might be atrophying, and give your bicycling-specific muscles and joints a needed rest.
And, of course, don't forget the importance of eating well. Don't starve yourself. Stay hydrated. Cycling takes energy, so eat!. On rides that are longer than two hours, you'll have to eat during the ride or you'll be in trouble. After the ride, eating carbohydrates immediately is critical for recovery.
If you only have an hour to ride, make the most of it. Warm up for 15 minutes, then ride hard, really hard, for a half an hour. Then cool down by riding easily for 15 minutes.
Strength is important to cyclists. The next time the weather is lousy and you were planning on doing intervals or practicing time-trialing, lift weights at the local gym instead. Give your legs a good workout, but don't try to lift too much. You don't want to destroy your knees.
If weather or sunlight prevents you from riding, another great workout is spinning. It's a great aerobic workout, and spinning classes are typically an hour long, so they are time-friendly, too.
Cross-training is always a great idea. Go running, swimming, or hiking. You'll work muscles that might be atrophying, and give your bicycling-specific muscles and joints a needed rest.
And, of course, don't forget the importance of eating well. Don't starve yourself. Stay hydrated. Cycling takes energy, so eat!. On rides that are longer than two hours, you'll have to eat during the ride or you'll be in trouble. After the ride, eating carbohydrates immediately is critical for recovery.