I've been a bit quiet of late, and theres some good reasons for that. Firstly I went on holiday with my Wife and Wee man, I had simply the best most relaxing time. It was the perfect break from the normal routine to spend some quality time with both of them and to leave feeling refreshed…Read more Listening to your body
Training
Gotta Learn to Lean
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8sxY8yvS5o&?showinfo=0&w=645&h=363 The winter mud is refusing to freeze, so another wet and mild winter to grind through. With the winter season being the time for base miles and building the foundations for the coming years riding, the skills side of things can be easily left behind. Base miles, as important as they are for fitness, can…Read more Gotta Learn to Lean
Sessioning
I once wrote "Sessioning is not Strava". And it isn't, sessioning, stopping mid trail to push back up and practice a corner, drop or feature does not win PBs and KOMs. Or does it? Sure, on any particular ride a sessioned trail will sit you at a time of 20 to 30 minutes instead of…Read more Sessioning
Schrödinger’s Valve
When I was a toddler I had an aortic coarctation, it was treated with surgery. I had annual check ups which involved ECGs and x-rays to ensure there was no further coarctation. As an adult the medicals are far less frequent and thankfully there is no sign of narrowing of the artery. A common other…Read more Schrödinger’s Valve
Train in Vain
Returning to work is not without some advantages, There is an excellent on campus gym for a start. Back to work with a bump, sort of. I work at a university so returning to work after my paternity leave during the summer break meant I had a gentle reintroduction to the workplace. With no classes or…Read more Train in Vain
Dad with bike – Will Race
The countdown is on to my first proper race of the year, the Cream O the Croft Enduro. For past races I've put in a reasonably structured gym plan complimented by a more haphazard "time spent on the bike plan". With no access to a gym and time on the bike being my main source…Read more Dad with bike – Will Race
Progression – Chasing Form
Often when riding, I get the nagging feeling that even though I'm trying to progress my skills and become a smoother, faster rider. That last year, I was fitter and faster. Turning the cranks, trying to move forward, deliberately practicing skills and sessioning challenging trails, yet sometimes I feel like I'm just going backwards. Mostly…Read more Progression – Chasing Form
Progression – Local Loop
Your strengths are those you practice most, and your weaknesses those that are too hard or to rare an opportunity to perform. A few things have caused my riding to change and progress over the years, one of the biggest influences has been the local loop. We all have a local loop, somewhere we can…Read more Progression – Local Loop
