NicoleWe’re talking about off-season cycling in the third of the a multi-part series with off-season tips for endurance athletes. We started with off-season nutrition and swimming, and will get to running and strength training in future posts.
If you don’t race cyclocross, you might need a break from your normal in-season cycling training. We can only be motivated to do so many VO2 and lactate threshold workouts throughout the year. And sometimes the weather forces us indoors more often than we’d like. We might need a break from structure the saddle, but riding is so much fun!
Here are six tips to mix things up but keep some fitness.
- Ride different. You might already have a few different kinds of bikes, so if you do, get out on the one you don’t typically race. Or race cyclocross.
- Plan a social group ride with a creative destination, even if it’s cold outside. Just wear the right gear!
- Do a few short sessions on the trainer with cadence and pedal drills each week.
- Replace a bike session with some hip mobility (like yoga) and strength work. (This will help if you run, too.)
- Join an indoor cycling group that has focused workouts. If you’re ready for some intensity, some off-season hard work can pay dividends, and being with a group can keep you motivated.
- Throw a New Year’s Eve trainer party to pedal into the new year.
What do you do in the off-season to keep some cycling fitness?
Nicole
