One of my goals last year when I started to use my bike a bit more seriously was to cycle 100 miles in a day. It sounds easy after all those guys on the Tour cycle that every day for three weeks and more over mountains and stuff. So I tried for the first time, here in Spain we work in kilometres so it actually sounds further, I had to go 160 kilometres. It was summer and hot so after about the first twenty kilometres, 15 miles, I was a bit dehydrated. I turned around and just made it home before literally collapsing in a heap with jelly legs.
I thought that what I needed was some training so I got online and looked for a training course that suited me. Well what I found was this Training course. It told me what I needed to be doing, what mistakes I needed to avoid and a whole lot more. Three months later I did it. Therefore I highly recommend this course as it comes from experience. It takes you by the hand, or the pedal with step by step instructions of how to get to where you want to be.
If you want something for not so specific a target then check out David’s training programmes here. Loads of information about how to train for cycling from a master cyclist
The Giro de Italia has now completed 14 stages and Menchov is still in the lead after a few mountain stages. As stated last week Mark Cavendish took his revenge and won three stages in the current Giro but both he and Pozzato retired before the stage yesterday and are now out of the running for more stage victories. Cavendish retired as his team wants a full recovery before the Tour De France when the Pocket Rocket will be looking for stage victories and perhaps the Green Jersey for points winner. Pozzato was feeling pain in his knee as a result of a fall.
The general classification is still open though after the victory of an Australian, Simon Guerrans, yesterday in a semi mountainous stage. Menchov, Di Luca and Leipheimer are serarated by just 43 seconds so there is still a lot to play for in the Giro this year. Lance Armstrong is putting up a good show but not threatening to take the honours at the moment. Unusually it would seem that the presence of Armstrong does have an effect though as nobody else seems to be takng the race by the scruff of its neck due to the respect for the 6 times Tour De France winner.
There are three big tours in the cycling calendar and the first of the year is the Giro de Italia. Unusually it started with a Team Time Trial and this has given us an unusual early leader in Mark Cavendish. The Isle of Man rider, generally acknowledged to be the best sprinter in the World was helped by his team obviously and his storming finish crossing the line first meant he took the Maglia Rosa. Surprisingly enough he then lost to Petacchi in the next stage sprint and is now looking for revenge in one of the later sprint stages but Petacchi repeated the stage victory today and has taken the Pink Jersey. Why wasn’t Cavendish involved in the sprint today, a little matter of some smallish mountains near the finish line meant he finished down the field.
The Giro is a three week tour and like all tours each day has something different for various types of riders. Pettachi will lose the jersey as soon as a minor mountain stage comes along and total times are taken into account. The time trialers will come into their own on a couple of stages and the mountain goats will get their way in the mountains although Van De Velde won’t be one of them this year after falling and breaking two ribs today. As for Lance Armstrong, he twittered that he is feeling good yesterday after the first time trial but would it be too much to expect him to come back and start winning at his age?
Every year of sustained bicycle use adds about 10.6 days to the average person’s lifespan, “The Environmental Paradox of Bicycling,” Karl Ulrich, University of Pennsylvania.
Did you know…
- About 70% of all car trips are less than 5 miles; the ideal distance for a bike ride and if the weather is set fair even better!
- Cycling exercises the heart better than most exercises that don’t involve getting wet. It is better than walking without the pounding of jogging.
- One can ride a bicycle almost anywhere, at any time of the year, and at low cost, just buy the right equipment to accompany your bike to keep your hands warm or conversely to slap on the suncream.
- Little or no time has to be lost, as bike travel can be used to get to work, perform errands, or enjoy the outdoor, or even all three at the same time.
- Commuting by bike reduces pollution that causes asthma and bronchitis. It also increases your lung capacity helping you to breathe more easily even if you have these problems already.
Anything else you would like to add to this list of benefits of cycling.
