It’s still pretty cold here in Utah, but we are beginning to see the signs of spring. Before you dust off your bike and hit the pavement, it’s essential to prepare your body, bike, and mind for the upcoming riding season. In this blog post, we’ll explore 5 things you should do now for spring riding. This will get you prepared for a smooth transition into spring riding and maximize your enjoyment on the road.
Maintain Your Fitness Routine:
Winter may have brought disruptions to your regular cycling routine, but that doesn’t mean your fitness has to suffer. Use the late winter months to maintain or even improve your fitness levels through cross-training activities such as indoor cycling, strength training, and yoga.
Incorporating these activities into your routine will help maintain cardiovascular endurance, build strength, and improve flexibility, ensuring you’re ready to tackle longer rides come springtime. One item that is particularly important for older riders is flexibility. Stretching and Yoga are 2 activities that you really need to focus on.
Perform Bike Maintenance:
Before hitting the road for spring riding, it’s crucial to ensure your bike is in optimal condition. Take the time to perform a thorough bike maintenance check, including cleaning and lubricating the drivetrain, checking tire pressure and condition, inspecting brakes and gears, and tightening any loose bolts or components. If you’re unsure about bike maintenance tasks, consider taking your bike to a professional mechanic for a tune-up to ensure it’s safe and ready to ride. I always recommend you build relationships with your local bike shops, they’ll be glad for your business and will help you with all of your maintenance tasks.
Set Spring Riding Goals:
Setting goals for the upcoming riding season can help motivate and focus your training efforts. Whether it’s completing a century ride, improving your climbing abilities, or participating in a local race or event, having clear objectives can give you something to work towards and keep you motivated throughout the season. Take some time to reflect on your cycling aspirations and set realistic, achievable goals that align with your interests and abilities.
If you really want to go big, think about participating in LOTOJA (Logan to Jackson). Here’s a link to my blog post The Epic LOTOJA Ride for more details on the ride and experience. They’ve typically opened up for registration in early April, the race / ride is the first Saturday in September. Here’s a link to the LOTOJA website with all of the event info.
Mentally Prepare for Challenges:
Spring riding may bring its own set of challenges, from unpredictable weather conditions to adjusting to longer daylight hours. Mentally preparing for these challenges can help you approach them with confidence and resilience. If you’ve ever been caught in a rainstorm on your bike, you know it’s no fun! Not only are there safety issues: visibility, slick roads, etc. But you’re also going to be cold and wet. So, find a way to be safe and make the ride fun, it’s not going to last forever.
Practice visualization techniques to mentally rehearse handling adverse weather conditions or challenging terrain. Additionally, develop coping strategies for overcoming setbacks or obstacles that may arise during your rides, such as mechanical issues or fatigue.
Invest in Spring-Specific Gear:
As the weather warms up, it’s time to reassess your cycling wardrobe and gear. Invest in spring-specific clothing and accessories designed to keep you comfortable and protected on the road. This may include lightweight jerseys and shorts, arm and leg warmers for variable temperatures, and sunglasses with interchangeable lenses for varying light conditions. Additionally, consider upgrading or replacing worn-out gear such as helmets, gloves, and shoes to ensure you’re adequately equipped for spring riding. I created a blog post Essential Gear for Beginner Road Cyclists that you might find useful as you’re thinking about what you need.
Conclusion:
By taking these proactive steps now and doing the 5 things you should do now for spring riding, you’ll be well-prepared to hit the road with confidence and excitement when spring arrives. Whether you’re aiming to improve your fitness, conquer new challenges, or simply enjoy the beauty of the season from the saddle, these preparations will set the stage for a successful and fulfilling spring riding experience. So, lace up your shoes, pump up your tires, and get ready to embrace the joys of spring cycling!