Rest Week
September 22nd, 2008 by Andy NicollI’ve been hammering the bike a bit this last few days in ‘preparation’ for the 3 Peaks Cross on Sunday and I can now see why I get blown away by all the road riders when I try and take them on in this race. I believe that the muscles used for running are obviously the same ones used when cycling but they are used in a slightly different way - and that slight difference really affects the way they perform. What I’ve found is that even just a week of cycling appears to have made a big difference to the way I feel on the bike and the speed I’m riding. I reckon it’s the muscles just adapting to the different conditions in which they’re being asked to work.
Another thing I notice, which is very strange, is that the time from feeling fresh to feeling completely blown (known as ‘bonking’ in the cycling world) is much shorter on a bike than it is when you’re running - I wonder why that is??? Both times when I was on my bike this weekend I had to stop for a quick can of coke and a snickers bar just to get some fuel back in the tank. It’s also amazing how quickly this relights the fire!! I need to get my nutrition right for the race this weekend - I think it’ll be Powerbar sports drink in the camelback and malt loaf and snickers in the back pockets.
I went to work on the bike a couple of times last week, then did 41 miles Saturday and 47 miles Sunday on the roadie then cycled to work and back today. (about 120 miles in 6 days - wow that’s good for me) I managed an average of 17.3 mph over the 47 miles on Sunday which I was really pleased with although the route was not particularly hilly and there was very little wind.
I’m really looking forward to the cross race now although I haven’t dug my cross bike out and given it the once over yet - there’s always Saturday!!!
I’ve even started to think that I might try and have a proper go at it next year by putting a bit more bike training in to see what I could do. I’m thinking of doing the Fred Whitton ride http://www.fredwhittonchallenge.org.uk/ next year which would certainly lay a good foundation.
Anyway there won’t be much to report this week as I now intend to rest up and let everything recharge before Sunday.
One thing’s for sure it’ll be an interesting race as my pal Pete Jowett will be gunning for me to try and level the series at 2 races each - there’s a good chance he’ll beat me this time as he’s spent a lot of time on the bike this year whilst I’ve been concentrating on running - however, he’s not having it on a plate and he’ll have to work for it if he wants the glory!!!!
Tags: 3 peaks cyclo cross, cycling, Fred Whitton ride, muscles