Starting 2018 on the right foot by joining positive ‘cyc’ology group
NOW that you’ve tucked into your 2,200 calorie Christmas dinner plus, plus, plus whatever preceded and followed – it’s time to guilt trip you, dear reader, into getting into the New Year’s get-fit mindset.
Yes, I have followed the fitness fad – not through any affirmative action of my own – but once again through being offered to take part in a six month challenge, namely to go from couch to 100km on a bike.
My previous challenge almost two years ago nearly killed me, but in a good way. Back aches, lethargy, fatigue all became a thing of the past thanks to Farrell Fitness in New Ross (formerly WHL).
I was out running thrice a week, lifting weights etc. OK, I did become a bit self-obsessed – but that’s the columnist’s duty, right? Having bought a bike on the Cycle to Work scheme in September I had great plans to get out on the road twice a week for a decent spin. Then the cold weather arrived and the icy roads and there were a few tragic road deaths involving cyclists. Ultimately – apart from a short cycle recently - the bike has been little more than an item of furniture clogging up space in a toy strewn, eye-poppingly busy living room.
The Christmas period is a time of war-like mental stress. There is never enough time and some people succumb to the season of goodwill when Christmas cakes have to be made (even if this means waking at 6 a.m. to do the almond icing). All of us have our idealised version of what Christmas should involve. The wise among us see it as an opportunity to catch up with family and friends and to not lose our heads while all around are losing theirs.
By signing up for Bike Positive – which is run in County Wexford – I’m hoping to reap the physical and mental benefits of exercise in 2018. The new year is a good time to start and commit to something new. ‘In the process you can get fit and encourage others to get fit and either try cycling or a fitness class,’ I’m reliably informed.
By joining you learn a new skill, meet new people, see new parts of the county, getfit, learn about healthy nutrition and get healthy overall. What’s to decide! Cycling is good for the body and the headspace afterall.
The target I have set myself is to get from 0 km to completing a 100km event. These events are known as ‘sportives’ – where all participants compete the event at their own pace. Cycling is all about repetition and regular exercise so I’ll be attending a weekly Cycling Club ‘tour’ – gradually increasing my distance and – all going well – my speed, the fitter I get.
Bike Positive also involves a weekly winter fitness session. I get ‘ buddied up’ with an experienced cyclist, who will act as my mentor and answer any questions – poor guy, his ears will be burned off with the endless and repeated questioning.
A nutritionist will make sure I’m taking enough water on board and outline the best foods to eat, when to eat and how much to eat. Cycling burns a huge amount of calories – but also can create a balancing ‘appetite’ that can cancel out the burned calories.
I will also get a ‘gear’ talk to explain what I need for cycling and how to dress for the weather. Considering I’m that Kerryman of the old joke fame, perplexed by changing a lightbulb, (well almost), there is much for me to learn.
Having turned 40 this year, no better time to get back on the bike. It will help with the back and hey ‘it is as easy as a riding a bike’.