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C2C Cycle Challenge 2010 | In aid of RNLI

C2C Cycle Challenge

Technique: Learn from your mistakes

One thing we don't want is for our C2C challengers to be in pain on 13th July. Follow these training tips from an extract by Nik Cook of Cycling Plus to finish the C2C Challenge in tip top condition.

A great maxim in sport is "get the basics right and the rest will follow". Regardless of your fitness or experience, if you make a point of correcting all of the common mistakes listed below, success on a bike will come a lot faster.

Train right

Are you riding or training? There's nothing wrong with just going out for a spin, but unless a ride has a definite purpose, you're riding rather than training. Learn to differentiate and resist logging the three-hour social jaunt with an hour spent in a cafe as three hours of training.

Wrong intensity riding: Coaches commonly complain that their riders don't ride hard enough when they're supposed to be giving it their all and vice versa. To monitor your output, either go the tech route of logging heart rate or power, or study your perceived exertion. Whichever you choose, use the information to aim at the correct intensity for the session you're doing.

Inconsistent training: Training has to be consistent, not logging 350 miles one week, next to nothing for a while and then posting another massive week. Be progressive: one week's efforts should build on top of your previous week's exertions.

Poor recovery technique: Training isn’t just about piling on more miles every single week. Do this and you'll hit a volume where you won't get any stronger, but you will get ill and pick up injuries. Schedule regular recovery weeks into your training every four weeks. These weeks give your body a chance to make the physiological changes that'll make you a stronger rider.

Follow further tips on www.bikeradar.com

05.06.2009.