WHEN WHE SHOULD YOU START YOUR YOU SEASON?

To win a bike race or two is the dream of every road race. At this time of year the question is when should you actually begin your racing. Should you start sooner in the season or leave it until the spring when you have built a substantial winter base? The other question to consider is whether you’re really serious about improving on last year or just want to race lots for fun.

The arguments for racing earlier: Physically adapting your pedal speed to full on racing can be shocking and really hard for some riders, so the earlier you start training the better. Getting up to race speed sooner may also mean that you’ll enjoy the racing for longer. And, of course, you’ll be using the races themselves as specific preparation for when the season gets fully underway - by which time you should be ready!

The arguments for starting later: The season is long and ‘burn out’ is common, so planning the season is the best way forward... although following a periodised training program doesn’t work for everybody. You’ll need to figure out your strengths and your weaknesses. Are you lacking in pedal speed? What about thresholds, climbs and sprinting? The list goes on and is almost endless. Racing early could mean that you haven’t spent enough time to make the improvements you need and you’ll find yourself at the same level of fitness to last year.

The conclusion: Here at TrainSharp we come down on the side of a later start to racing. Building a base or foundation before racing will allow you to go fast although you will also need to work on the high end to go really fast! Get some advice and work with a coach to help ensure you train your weakness and play to your strengths.

Above all enjoy it!