| You can't ignore the role of time management when | | | | distance in stop-and-go rush-hour traffic takes 30 |
| training cycling. Here are some useful tips on time | | | | minutes. By using a 12-mile route that keeps you off |
| management. | | | | the busy roads, you can ride there in about 50 minutes. |
| Set goals | | | | So, you get 24 miles of round-trip cycling per day, and |
| When you have the date of an important event circled | | | | it takes only 40 minutes more than sitting behind the |
| on the calendar, you won't have difficulty motivating | | | | steering wheel, wondering how you'll find the time to |
| yourself to find riding opportunities. As the crucial day | | | | squeeze in a ride. |
| nears, you can justify arranging other parts of your life | | | | Commuting miles aren't likely to be top quality, given the |
| around cycling for a change. Afterward, reduce your | | | | stop-and-go nature of riding in town, but you can |
| cycling to recover, restore balance, and take care of | | | | improve them with some ingenuity. The simplest way |
| things you ignored. Then, identify another goal to build | | | | is to find a longer route home and do some real |
| toward. There's nothing like seeing progress to keep | | | | training while you blow away the day's work stress. |
| you interested in training. | | | | You'll get a decent workout and free your evening for |
| Know your needs | | | | other activities. |
| Let's say your goal is the club century. You may | | | | Ride for transportation |
| assume that you need to be doing time-consuming | | | | You want to do things with your spouse and kids on |
| 80-mile rides to train for it. In fact, most cyclists find that | | | | the weekends, but you also want to ride. Do both by |
| they can handle about three times the duration of their | | | | pedaling to the lake while the rest of the family drives. |
| average training ride, as long as they maintain a | | | | If you depart early you'll all arrive at the same time, |
| sensible pace, keep eating and drinking, and take an | | | | then you can enjoy the rest of the day knowing you |
| occasional short break. So, if you find the time to | | | | got your miles. Throw the bike on the car rack and |
| average 35 miles every other day for several months, | | | | return with the family (unless you can talk them into |
| you should be capable of a 100-miler. For beginners | | | | letting you ride back, too). |
| who have a half-century or metric century as their | | | | Emphasize quality |
| goal, a 15- to 20-mile daily average is sufficient. | | | | Get maximum results from each minute on the bike by |
| Ride early or late | | | | riding with a purpose. For example, if you're going with |
| With good planning, it may be possible to ride before or | | | | a group, practice your paceline skills. If you're solo, do |
| after your core work hours, however long they might | | | | low-gear sprints to work on your spin or climb hills to |
| be. Schedule weekday rides in your appointment | | | | develop power. On a recovery ride, practice cornering, |
| calendar so that they become as important as any | | | | riding with no hands, or other skills that don't tax your |
| other responsibility. | | | | cardiovascular system. You'll see how each day |
| Riding at dawn has several advantages. It sets the | | | | requires a different type of riding for maximum |
| tone for a confident day. You'll feel good about having | | | | improvement. |
| your workout safely behind you no matter what else | | | | Ride hills |
| happens. In summer, the air at daybreak is cooler and | | | | Minute for minute, it's hard to beat the benefits of time |
| cleaner. There's usually less traffic and less wind, and | | | | spent climbing. Take it from three-time Tour de France |
| you avoid the risk of afternoon thunderstorms. In | | | | champion Greg LeMond, who says, "There's no better |
| winter, a bright, reliable lighting system makes it possible | | | | training than riding hills. For me it was the easiest way |
| to be on the road despite late sunrises. | | | | to get in shape." It improves everything-strength, |
| Riding in the evening is possible thanks to modern | | | | power, stamina, cardiovascular conditioning. As |
| lighting systems. They expand cycling potential past | | | | opposed to a flat 90-minute ride, one that includes a |
| sunset, ridding you of anxiety about getting home in | | | | couple of thousand vertical feet will leave you feeling |
| time to squeeze in a ride before dark. | | | | happily hammered, satisfied that you got a lot for your |
| Ride at noon | | | | precious on-bike time. |
| Many companies now accept midday recreation by | | | | Be organized |
| employees. Some even encourage it with flextime. | | | | Keep your riding gear in the same place so that you |
| When you're forced to fit your ride into an hour during | | | | don't waste time hunting for something while your |
| the workday, you have the impetus to push yourself. | | | | cycling clock is ticking. Lay out your clothes and food, |
| The result should be lots of improvement for the time | | | | and mix your drinks the night before. After the ride, put |
| spent. Riding at lunchtime can work if you have | | | | your sweaty clothes in the washer while you're in the |
| suitable roads near your job (a park may be available | | | | shower. When you're clean, they're clean, and you can |
| if you work in a city), a way to clean up afterward, | | | | hang them to dry for the next ride. Routine means |
| and a safe place to keep your bike. | | | | efficiency. |
| Commute by bike | | | | We hope this article has helped you to understand |
| The oldest advice for creating training time is still the | | | | better the importance of time management in cycle |
| best: Ride your bike to your daily destination and back. | | | | training. |
| Let's say you live 10 miles from your job. Driving that | | | | |