Since the holidays are here and the season has ended, most of us have put our training season to bed. We're tired, we're busy with holiday commitments and we're not really interested in fighting freezing temperatures and precipitation to get a ride in. On the other hand, we're not really interested in setting up the indoor trainer, either. So we take advantage of the warm days when we can, and we go out and ride, ignoring training, ignoring goals and ignoring all our power, heart rate and speed metrics. We go out and cruise along, sightseeing, taking advantage of this rare opportunity to put in “garbage miles.”
Slowing to smell the roses
Throughout the season, many of us live and die by our weekly training plan, our intervals and our racing schedule. The end of the racing season leaves us in a state of transition: no training plan, no races to peak for and nothing to do but reflect on our season and think about the next one. But therein lies the trap: as much as we all need a mental break and some time away from the bike, we can't afford to sit on the sofa for two months and fatten up. Instead, heading out for some easy, almost mindless spinning is a great way to not only maintain some fitness but to rediscover the wonder of riding and enjoying the world around it. Too often we're plastered nose to stem, deep in the pain cave and we miss everything that goes by us. After an entire season, training is no longer fun, and those garbage miles give us the chance to catch up on what we've been missing.
rediscovering “fun”
Maybe you've been meaning to do that “B” ride with the local club that takes you out into the middle of cow country for no other reason than a coffee stop. Maybe you've been meaning to tackle that beastly local climb that makes you wish for death every pedal stroke, but pays out with a million dollar view from the top. Perhaps you've always wanted to turn down that dirt road on your regular training loop but it's never been in the daily workout plan. Or maybe you'll finally have a chance to lay down the power meter and spend some time cruising along the rail trail with your family. Leave the gel flask at home, forget the high octane energy drink and switch from your little pocketed tool kit to a saddle bag. Fill your pockets with a camera, a map of the local roads and a sense of adventure, plan to wander for a while but without any specific distance or time in mind. No matter what your destination, the goal should be fun, not fitness.
All too often, between power numbers and intervals, build cycles and the Tuesday Night World Championships, we can lose sight of what it means to ride a bike. While increasing fitness is motivational and fun in itself, nothing quite beats being able to let it all go, lift your head and take a good look around. You'll probably be surprised at the wonders you'll observe, and you never know what you find. Maybe you'll find a few new roads to incorporate into your regular training, maybe you'll snap that picture that you frame and hang on your wall, or maybe you just get a few hours of quality time with your family. Whatever it may be, it'll be memorable and without thinking you'll maintain the fitness you worked so hard for and refresh your mind.
Thoughts? Comments? Get the conversation started below.
