This is always a hard time of year. It gets colder. It rains. A lot. Most mountain bike trails are closed, and those that aren't probably should be anyway. How does one get ready for a race like the Snake Creek Gap Time Trials when all of the local trails are closed? How do you get technical training into your weekly schedule too, so you can survive those gnarly rock gardens?
There are lots of excuses not to ride. I don't have a good light... so I cant ride at night. Or... I don't have a road bike so I can't get any riding in at all. Or how about this one: The family is all in town and I have to relax with them, and can't get away for a ride to save my life. Well, who said you had to have a road bike? Do you think the family would mind if you went to the garage or the basement for an hour or two? I doubt it. Lights? If you don't own a bike light what's wrong with you!? Just kidding, if you can't afford the expense, or you just haven't gotten around to buying one yet, why not just get up earlier and ride at first light? That would definitely solve that problem.
Here are some fairly simple solutions to help you keep your fitness in this time of crisis...
A good trainer: While Fluid trainers used to be the best thing in this category, now there are other, more expensive, and much more advanced trainers in this category. I use a fluid trainer, with my laptop in front of me, or some hard rock, and jam out while I stand up off the saddle and practice hill climbs.
A set of Rollers: Rollers are another great idea for keeping the cycling muscles working, and you can add resistance to make them an even better workout. Not only does training with rollers keep your pedaling muscles trained fairly well, but they also help with you balance. Balance is a great bit of ammunition for your Snake Creek Gap conquering arsenal.
Mountain bike on the road: You can do it with another set of wheels and tires, to protect your knobbies, or you can take the slower route and just swap rubber. There are plenty of big hills on the road nearby. You could find some monster in a neighborhood someplace and do hill repeats while listening to so AC/DC or drive out to Kennesaw Mountain and climb that over and over. It will leave you breathing hard for sure!
Go for a hike or a run: If the trails are closed you shouldn't go hike on them either, but maybe A run up Stone Mountain is in order? I suggest the season pass if you plan on becoming a regular, otherwise you are just throwing money away that could be spent on upgrades... Running strengthens your quads, and calves, which are both important to keep fine tuned for hiking the "Horrible Hill" aka "The Wall" at the Snake. No joke here... 95% of riders hike this section.
Spin Class: I always picture an 80's video with neon pink and orange tights and chicks with giant hair spinning away. I've heard stories about people walking by and slipping and falling because there was so much sweat on the floor. Keep in mind, Spin classes, trainers, and rollers may keep you from losing all of your fitness, but there is no replacement for ACTUAL HILL CLIMBS and REAL technical challenges. Which reminds me:
Cornering Drills / Trackstands
Go to the local Target, Wal-Mart, (yeah I said it...) Sports Authority, Dicks, or REI, and pick up a few sets of small soccer cones. You can lay them out in all kinds of formations and practice your low-speed cornering. This type of skill, along with trackstands, really help improve your balance and your ability in technical areas like rock gardens, rooty steps and drops, and tight twisty singletrack. You will thank me later. Some of the best drills in my opinion are Figure 8's and the staggered slalom. You will be amazed at how much these drills help you turn!
See you at the Snake boys and girls! Hope you are ready.........
There are lots of excuses not to ride. I don't have a good light... so I cant ride at night. Or... I don't have a road bike so I can't get any riding in at all. Or how about this one: The family is all in town and I have to relax with them, and can't get away for a ride to save my life. Well, who said you had to have a road bike? Do you think the family would mind if you went to the garage or the basement for an hour or two? I doubt it. Lights? If you don't own a bike light what's wrong with you!? Just kidding, if you can't afford the expense, or you just haven't gotten around to buying one yet, why not just get up earlier and ride at first light? That would definitely solve that problem.
Here are some fairly simple solutions to help you keep your fitness in this time of crisis...
A good trainer: While Fluid trainers used to be the best thing in this category, now there are other, more expensive, and much more advanced trainers in this category. I use a fluid trainer, with my laptop in front of me, or some hard rock, and jam out while I stand up off the saddle and practice hill climbs.
A set of Rollers: Rollers are another great idea for keeping the cycling muscles working, and you can add resistance to make them an even better workout. Not only does training with rollers keep your pedaling muscles trained fairly well, but they also help with you balance. Balance is a great bit of ammunition for your Snake Creek Gap conquering arsenal.
Mountain bike on the road: You can do it with another set of wheels and tires, to protect your knobbies, or you can take the slower route and just swap rubber. There are plenty of big hills on the road nearby. You could find some monster in a neighborhood someplace and do hill repeats while listening to so AC/DC or drive out to Kennesaw Mountain and climb that over and over. It will leave you breathing hard for sure!
Go for a hike or a run: If the trails are closed you shouldn't go hike on them either, but maybe A run up Stone Mountain is in order? I suggest the season pass if you plan on becoming a regular, otherwise you are just throwing money away that could be spent on upgrades... Running strengthens your quads, and calves, which are both important to keep fine tuned for hiking the "Horrible Hill" aka "The Wall" at the Snake. No joke here... 95% of riders hike this section.
Spin Class: I always picture an 80's video with neon pink and orange tights and chicks with giant hair spinning away. I've heard stories about people walking by and slipping and falling because there was so much sweat on the floor. Keep in mind, Spin classes, trainers, and rollers may keep you from losing all of your fitness, but there is no replacement for ACTUAL HILL CLIMBS and REAL technical challenges. Which reminds me:
Cornering Drills / Trackstands
Go to the local Target, Wal-Mart, (yeah I said it...) Sports Authority, Dicks, or REI, and pick up a few sets of small soccer cones. You can lay them out in all kinds of formations and practice your low-speed cornering. This type of skill, along with trackstands, really help improve your balance and your ability in technical areas like rock gardens, rooty steps and drops, and tight twisty singletrack. You will thank me later. Some of the best drills in my opinion are Figure 8's and the staggered slalom. You will be amazed at how much these drills help you turn!
See you at the Snake boys and girls! Hope you are ready.........
