It’s great that you want to improve your cycling this year but for goal-setting to be successful, it needs to be SMART.
SMART of course means Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Sensitive. If you just started cycling (let’s be realistic, even if you’ve been cycling for a while), you probably won’t be competing in the Tour de France come July - but if you commit, you could end the year off with your first century or race!
Here are our top 6 tips that you can start implementing today to improve your cycling in 2022.
Cycling is a data-rich activity that gives you countless opportunities to analyze and improve your performance, but it’s important to remember what got you into cycling in the first place.
If you’re anything like us, it’s the sheer sense of escapism - you don’t need to answer your phone, look at emails, or reply to any messages. It’s just you, your bicycle, and the road or trail ahead. In fact, for many of us, it’s the only quiet time we can carve out in the midst of hectic schedules and family life.
Not every ride can - or should be - a chance to beat your PB or take the KOM/QOM title. Some of the best rides are the ones where you’re simply enjoying time with your friends or family.
Here’s how your long, slow rides improve your cycling:
Okay, you got us. This step is contradictory to the previous one - but it’s all about balance!
After all, as the saying goes, “If it’s not on Strava it didn’t happen.” Sometimes looking after your wellbeing means switching off and having fun, but sometimes it means igniting your competitive spirit and challenging yourself.
Strava lets you track all of your rides with your GPS device, measure your performance, connect (and compete) with friends, and, if you have a paid subscription, you can enjoy a range of perks from Sundays Insurance at no additional cost.
Device damage $600
As a paid Strava subscriber, you don’t need to worry about your Strava compatible fitness devices. If it gets damaged as a result of an accident while tracking your cycling activity on Strava, we’ll give you up to $600 to repair or replace it.
Ride-share $50
If your bike meets an untimely fate while you’re out and about, no stress. We’ll reimburse you up to $50 for ride-share if you’re left stranded due to a bicycle accident or mechanical failure.
Running race entry fee $100
Missing a running race due to an illness or injury is frustrating, but at least now your entry fee won’t go to waste. We’ll pay up to $100 to cover these costs.
If you’ve recently taken up cycling (even if your intention is to lose weight), we’re happy to tell you that cycling will increase your caloric requirements. But, before you get too excited, this doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want.
If you want to estimate how many additional calories you should eat after a ride, multiply the distance travelled in miles by 40 to 50, depending on how large your frame is. So, if you rode 30 miles, you’d multiply it by 40, meaning you’ll need around 1,200 calories extra.
If your main goal is to lose weight, be careful about how many calories you eat back. You need to be in a caloric deficit to lose weight, so experiment with eating back less than your burned calories if the scale isn't budging.
Here are some extra nutrition tips to improve your cycling:
Whether you’re a seasoned mountain biker or just started hitting the trails, there’s always some part of your cycling that you can improve.
Skills clinics offer various courses where, if you’re a beginner you’ll start on the easiest course and work your way up to harder courses as you improve. Mountain bikers who are already comfortable or looking to polish up specific skills can join more advanced courses - although brushing up on the basics never hurts, especially if you’ve never had a coach or trainer.
Along with becoming a better cyclist, skills courses also teach you things like pressure control, body position, climbing and descending, and cornering at high speeds. When you’ve finished the course, not only will you be stronger and faster, you’ll also be more relaxed and comfortable on the bike - both of which are key for minimizing the risk of injuries and accidents.
Remember you never have to do anything you aren’t comfortable with, and no good coach will push you past your limit - so there’s no reason for beginners to be intimidated!
Here are a few of the skills courses offered around the US:
Some level of discomfort can be expected if you’re training hard and riding long distances, but it can be tricky to know what’s normal, what’s an indication that your bicycle doesn’t fit you properly, and what may be an indication of not having enough core strength to support your posture.
A great starting point to improving your cycling is to get a professional bike fit. A bike fit will help you optimize your power, comfort, aerodynamics, and help you avoid injury. Each fitter will have their own process, but you can expect an interview, assessment, adjustment of the main contact points, and a report.
Once you’re sure your bike fits you correctly, you can get to work on conditioning your body to hold your cycling posture. Core exercises like pilates are great for strengthening your muscles, and a stretching or yoga routine after rides can help you avoid normal aches and pains.
This probably goes without saying, but the quickest way to improve your cycling is to simply cycle more. But, for most people, that’s easier said than done. Sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in a day to work, spend time with your family, relax, and ride.
One of the best ways to incorporate more cycling into your daily routine is to start commuting by bicycle. Not only will it improve your performance and rack up training miles, but it’s also great for your overall well-being.
Studies show that commuting to work by car or public transport can wreak havoc on your mental health, causing increased levels of stress and anxiety. In fact, there’s even a term for it - commuter burnout. If your daily commute is more than 35 minutes each day, you may be at risk.
Still wondering if you should take the leap? Here's why you should cycle to work:
For ultimate peace of mind during your commute, get Sundays Insurance for coverage against theft (from and away from home), accidental damage, malicious damage, and more.
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