TRAINING

Building a good preseason workout is paramount to a late season peak. Many of the Century rides and big events take place late in summer to accomodate better weather and larger turnouts. Working into a consistant weekly schedule of riding and cross training will ensure that you don't peak too soon or over train your new svelt cycling physique. Building up to a 250 mile week is a great start to a well oiled season. Your body will react to the consistancy and you will start to feel more comfortable in the saddle. This will equate to longer rides and quicker recoveries. Intervals once or twice a week will keep the body guessing and will build strength for climbing and pushing into headwinds. Always hydrate even if you aren't thirsty. A good rule of thumb for this is one 16 oz water bottle per 1 hr of ride time in temperatures above 80 degrees. On your longer rides of 40+ miles you will also have to fuel the machine. Fig newtons, bananas, fruit, power bars, gu, and other quick carb bars will do the trick. Just keep in mind that you can lose up to 10 lbs in a century ride and burn as much as 1000 calories and even more depending on the level of fitness. I am not preaching just giving out the gouge. Just don't be like the guys in these pictures as we can see, they can use all the help they can get.