Stretching Out The Summer
Stretching Out The Summer
As September rolls around we can kiss goodbye to the summer sun and say hello to shorter evenings, colder conditions and wet weather – whilst this might all sound like doom and gloom, there are still plenty of opportunities to get out on your bike. We’ve compiled a list of tips and tricks to get the most out of your cycling before the winter woes settle in.
Tactical Timing:
Evenings are getting shorter and you may find yourself wondering how to get any effective rides in during the week – whilst it might seem like there’s never enough hours in the day to get on your bike, there are ways to do it if you’re tactical.
Timing is key. There’s no need to try and squeeze in three-hour training rides and beyond during the week at this time of year – keep it short and sweet. Make your rides between one and two hours, throwing in some harder efforts to keep the fitness topped up, whether it be hunting for a PR up a local climb, or slaving into a brutal headwind, it’s all good training!
By the end of September, the sun will be setting at around 18:30 so worst case scenario you’ll have at least an hour and a half to get in a solid ride in after work (assuming you work 9-5). That’s more than enough time to get the blood pumping, and it will pay dividends come spring the following year as you inflict the pain on your group ride compatriots.
However, longer rides shouldn’t be dismissed – that’s what weekends are for! Don’t be complacent though. Everyone loves a long day out in the saddle with their cycling buddies, but no one likes being cold. If it can be avoided, try to steer clear of chilly morning rides and make the most of the afternoon warmth by heading out a bit later in the day.
Sign Up For Events/Join A Club:
We get it, motivation can be hard to find when you roll out of bed and look out of the window just to see dark clouds looming on the horizon. No one’s going to make you go out, so why would you bother? Surely you’d be better off just putting your feet up in the warmth of your own home?
If you’re finding yourself doing this more often than you would like, force your future self to get up and go by signing up for some cycling events – whether it be a local sportive, time trial or just your club’s weekly social ride. A bit of friendly competition and mutual motivation at these events will not only do wonders for your fitness through this period, but they also present a great opportunity to socialise with like-minded cyclists. Time on the bike is time well spent, and if you commit to riding at a specific time and place excuses are harder to make – getting out of the door is the hardest part, once you’re on the road the rest will figure itself out.
Layer Up:
Now that you’re out of the door, you will soon realise that the temperature isn’t quite what it was just a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, we can’t change the weather, so the only option is to throw on some extra layers.
Layering is a vital part of comfort when cycling, especially as we transition into autumn and winter. However, it’s easy to make the mistake of wearing too little or too much on the bike – the natural reaction is to put on all of your winter gear at the first sign of goosebumps, but hold your horses. Overheating is one of the worst feelings to experience when out on the road, right up there with bonking, so regulating your head is key to making sure you enjoy your riding at this time of year.
Take advantage of all the zips and pockets that your cycling kit offers – perhaps start your ride with a simple jersey and gilet combination to ward off the wind chill, and throw a lightweight rain jacket in your pocket so that you’re prepared for the worst. Leg and arm warmers are also fantastic tools to regulate heat as they are easy to put on and remove, yet small enough to throw in your jersey pocket should you find yourself getting too warm.
Focus on the contact points. If you get too cold, your contact points will be the first to go – it’s important to find warm but breathable gloves and overshoes, and there are plenty of options out there that are suited to all conditions. Whether it be neoprene for wet weather or merino for cold days, there will be something to suit your needs.
Light Up:
As the darkness falls, it’s important to stay visible on the road. Cycling-specific lights are undoubtedly the most cost-effective method to improve your visibility. Day-time running lights are a great option if you find yourself in busy traffic during the day, but should you find yourself riding in the evening after work, it’s worth investing in a proper head-light so that not only can other road-users see you coming, but you can see what lies ahead!
Consider the kit that you’re wearing too – visible clothing is another easy way to improve your visibility. Nowadays, many jackets and gilets will feature reflective strips or luminescent colours to improve rider visibility, so it is worth taking notice of this when making your purchase decision.
The dwindling daylight hours and falling temperatures needn’t stop you getting out to ride – we all love the sport of cycling; it’s great for the mind, body and soul, so make the most of what remains of the summer. All it takes to maximise your saddle time is to time your rides right, keep them short and sweet in the week, find your motivation and layer & light up.
