Knowledge Level: Beginner
Although when you sit down to write your list for Santa it can be tempting to wish for carbon bling, fancy new cycling threads or, if you’ve been really good, maybe even a new bike, those things probably won’t have the biggest impact on your cycling performance. Here are five suggestions that, although maybe not quite so exciting to unwrap, definitely have the potential to raise your cycling game in 2021.
A power meter
Training and racing with a power meter offers a number of advantages over simply using a heart rate monitor or riding on feel. All of our Digital Training plans are tailored to power meter users and using one will revolutionise how you pace sportives, races and training efforts, how you plan and structure your training and how you plan towards key events.
The official power crank supplier to the Great Britain Cycling Team, Verve Cycling, is offering British Cycling members a 15% discount off your new InfoCrank package.
A structured training plan
Following a well designed structured training plan that is appropriate to your ability and goals is essential for optimising your performance. The 2020/21 British Cycling Digital Training Plans are suitable for a wide range of cyclists, cover all disciplines - including sportives, time trials, cyclo-cross and MTB and are fully built and hosted on TrainingPeaks. British Cycling Members receive a 20% discount on all plans.
To follow one of our training plans you’ll only need a free TrainingPeaks Basic Account but, to get the most out of the platform, a Premium Athlete Account offers a full suite of analysis and planning features. British Cycling Members can get a free 30-day Premium trial and then up to a 40% discount off a monthly subscription.
An indoor trainer and a Zwift subscription
Using an indoor trainer isn’t a soft option for riders who don’t like the cold or wet. They’re a way of getting unbeatable, time effective, controlled and focused workouts. Without the distraction of other road users, having to pause for junctions and varying gradients, you can do exactly the intensity you’re targeting for precisely the right duration.
Zwift, British Cycling’s Official Training Community, is a great way to stay motivated and to get the most out of your indoor cycling. The workouts within our Digital Training Plans are built and scripted to be compatible with Zwift.
British Cycling members can train and race with fellow members, join group rides led by pros, coaches, as well as special guests, and participate in workouts that are designed exclusively for British Cycling members. Sign up to get access, and to unlock your exclusive British Cycling member kit.
A professional bike fit
A physiotherapist led 3D motion capture bike fit can make a massive difference to both your comfort and performance on the bike. This especially applies if you have an injury history, current injury or suffer from discomfort on the bike. It’s essential that the process assesses any anatomical or physical limitations, how you actually move, not just sit, on the bike and combines this information to deliver both a sustainable riding position and, if appropriate, exercises you could do so that you can further improve it.
A foam roller
A cheaper option but, with a mat and maybe a trigger point ball, you’ll have all the kit you need to improve your mobility. Not only can this type of work directly improve both your performance and position on the bike but, by improving your all round robustness, can help to safeguard you against injury. Check out our Back and Lower Body and Upper Body.
