2020 has been a strange year for those of us in the cycling world. All cyclists from pro racers to weekend warriors are feeling the effects of COVID-19. Races, events, trips, and adventures have all had to be put on hold or fully cancelled. Those of us passionate about cycling have had to start riding alone or are even confined to riding and training inside in some parts of the world.
Riding inside doesn’t have to feel monotonous, it can actually be quite fun. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. There are a few things you can try to help pass the time while riding the rollers. Here are a few tips to spice up your indoor training.
Start reading that book that’s been on your nightstand for years. We have a lot of new free time on our hands and what better way to pass the time then to read up on some of your favorite topics. Zen is something I could use more in my life, so I started there.
Work on your hand-eye coordination. I still remember learning to juggle in grade school with scarves. Today, I have stepped up to lacrosse balls. Juggling is great for hand-eye coordination and will definitely help you on the bike when you come across mid-ride obstacles you were not prepared for. Large potholes or herds of elk for example.
Cyclists aren’t known for their upper-body strength. While some might see that as a negative, I look at that as an opportunity to use non-traditional items as weights for curls or a bench press. Take your bike for example. When you’re done with your indoor cycling session, put that bike to use and do a few curls and bench presses before calling it a day. Some light upper bodywork will help you to become more stable and strong on the bike.
Remember, it’s not all about 6 hour days on the bike every day. At the end of the day, it’s about staying healthy while having fun. Eat good whole foods, do your best to exercise every day, and make sure you have fun and mix it up with your normal training. We will get through this and we will be better on the other side for it.
