Us Roadies (we'll be back to friendly cx riders in September) are a competitive bunch (pardon the pun......). We are always looking for more speed and more power. We have each week carefully planned in order to achieve this. But for what reason? There are only a finite number of races each season and unless we are the dominant rider in our category, raising our arms in triumph is incredibly difficult. So much so that many a strong rider has yet to win an open race. So what do most of us aim for? (besides raising our arms in glory). To begin with we simply want to be competitive within our category. Can we stay in the bunch? Can we be a part of the race? Can we make the break? Can we grab a result and get our name listed on the report Stickybottle? As you get stronger and become competitive within our category, we ultimately aim for one thing; The Upgrade. Whether it be from A4 to A3, A3 to A2, or A2 to A1, we all aim for higher. Getting upgraded shows that we have achieved consistently and are now ready for the next level. But how can you achieve this upgrade? First off you must plan your season and set realistic targets. Pick races that suit your skillset and plan your training around these races. Do you need a few races to get up to speed after your Winter training or will you be sharp and ready to go from race one? Once you have picked out your target races then you can really focus on performing to the best of your ability. Use your head. The strongest rider doesn't always win. Actually the smartest rider will win more often than the strongest one. Take note of who appears strong in the race. They can be your allies as you attempt to infiltrate the winning move. You will very rarely succeed in a lone effort off the front of the bunch so using others to help you in this effort. You also need to be aware of the dynamic of the race. While early breakaways may not succeed as everyone is fresh and as strong as each other (particularly in A4/A3 races), as the race goes on fatigue becomes a factor. Notice if the chase becomes laboured, and if moves take a little longer to come back. This is your time to make your move to go in a breakaway that goes all the way to the line. Train specifically to the demands of your category. If you are an A4 racing is usually between 60-80k and usually less than 2 hours long. This means regular 4 hour rides while neglecting shorter more intense sessions are useless to you. While you might be stronger than everyone in training after 3 hours, this means nothing after 90 minutes as you charge to the line. Likewise if you've been upgraded then training like you did when you were in the category below probably won't cut it. Finally enjoy your racing. If you are strong enough that being upgraded is a realistic target then it means you are fit and performing. Enjoy the thrill of racing and being in the front. You are a rider that influences the dynamic of a race and that is something to be proud of. If you are strong and you use your head, then that upgrade will come.
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St.Finbarrs Cycling ClubEst. 1938 Archives
October 2017
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