Introducing JUST.RIDE

Cycling is for everyone. It’s that simple. Whilst in some respects we really have come a long way in recent years, the weekend club rides are still dominated by the same characters. The voice of cycling is still the same kind of person. Yet the world is so much more diverse.

Enter JUST.RIDE. Your place for positive cycling vibes.

More to come. But for now - subscribe and we’ll let you know when we’re up and running!

Q36.5 - Cycling Apparel Done Right

For the record, this is not a paid promotion and I am not sponsored by Q36.5. I am, however a fan of their products in general. That said if there is something they produce that I don't like - I will tell you.

So, why am I talking about this brand? Because it is rare that products in the cycling industry are as groundbreaking or as they claim to be. So, it occurred to me that a brand that is all about making the best quality product possible, in a time when all others are seemingly about volume and marketing, deserves a mention.

Q Who?

If you've never heard of Q36.5 before, I wouldn't be surprised. Whilst the household names in the cycling clothing market are out there chasing influencers and getting their names up and onto the backs of teams in the World Tour, the Bolzano-based brand is instead focussing all of its’ efforts first and foremost on R&D and the quality of their manufacturing.

This focus is something you'd come to understand when you learn that the Italian brand was established by Luigi Bergamo - the very man to whom ASSOS attribute a lot of their success following his 20 years as the their head of Research & Design.

Their research-first approach leads Q36.5 on an experimental quest to create cycling apparel that is functional and that simply performs brilliantly. Much like his previous employer's reputation, if there was a single word I would use to describe Q36.5, it would have to be 'Quality', but if I had three words, the other two would be ‘performance’ and ‘considered’.

Based in Bolzano, just 60Km away from the infamous Dolomites, Bergamo's Q36.5 are a surprise package. In a time when it seems a new clothing brand takes to the cycling industry each season, backed by some huge marketing campaign or a World Tour Sponsorship deal and a bucketload of hyperbole, Q36.5 continue to go about their business in a steadfast fashion. That being that rather than seeking to be the world's largest cycling clothing brand and shouting about watts saved, or seeking to partner with the biggest Influencers on Instagram, their uncompromising approach to quality and innovation remains top of their agenda and they instead choose to continue to produce outstanding clothing that will not only last longer than anything else out there but has some pragmatic, legitimate performance and comfort benefits.

Now, just because you may not have heard of them, don't go thinking that Q36.5 are some small mama's and papa's company. Oh no! Sure, they’re perhaps not one of the most well-known brands out there, but this gives Q36.5 license to do things that other brands simply are not. In many of their products, you'll find fabrics you won't find anywhere else. But not just as some marketing gimmick - it's all in the pursuit of producing the best product possible.

Love at First Ride

I was first introduced to Q36.5 by my local bike shop, 7Hundred in Windsor. Owner, Dave Butcher was always encouraging me to try a pair of the Q36.5 Saloppette Dottore Bibs and their Pinstripe Jerseys, but for a while I resisted.

Not because I didn't know the brand or trust Dave's opinion, but because of the price. With my first pair of Q36.5 bibs coming in at £250, I was concerned as to whether or not I was taking a risk. After all, there was ASSOS: a known quantity with similarly priced bibs, often recognised by everyone in-the-know to be about the best bibs you can buy. So why then, would I spend a similar amount on this little (at the time) unknown companies bibs?

In the end, I conceded. As someone that takes buying advice from those they trust, it made sense. After a couple of saddle sores and finding myself always having issues with the placement of stitching or bib straps that rolled up or even sometimes just stitching fraying and items not surviving a wash...it was time to see what all the fuss was about and to see if the products lived up to their price. So in summer of 2017 I invested in a pair, hoping they'd make some noticeable difference to my cycling comfort.

Why all the fuss?

Before I even put the bibs on, the first thing I noticed was how light they were. I'm no weight weeny (I've got another 10Kg to lose before I can be concerned about 50grams here and there), but my goodness they felt almost like air! Pulling the bibs on it was immediately obvious they were tight. Not in a way that suggested they were too small, but rather, there was a compression quality about them, yet there weren't any compressed spots or choke points on the quads or waist. It was evident the design was well thought out and the quality of the assembly of these bibs was next level.

I've been riding regularly in those same bibs since 2017. They're my choice of bibs for turbo training too. The chamois is slim and lightweight, yet still, somehow, manages to offer more comfort and relief than any bib from any other brand I've tried since.

Those same bibs are as good today as the day I bought them, even after likely a near 1,000 washes (in a quality wash bag, of course) and many thousands of Kilometers in all sorts of conditions...and even a crash where they came away without a scuff on them!

What about other Q36.5 products?

Since that eye-opening experience with the Saloppette Dottore Bibs, I've gone on to invest in 2 vests (Gilet's), 3 more sets of bibs (summer and winter), multiple jersey's, all their varieties of base layers, leg warmers, arm warmers, caps, socks and gloves and even their Neck Buff (The 'Scaldacollo Neck Warmer'). There are a few constant themes with everything they make: Q36.5 have looked at a traditional item of cycling apparel, identified all of the things that make them great and all of the things that make them not so great and then set about improving them further.

The most prime example I can find of this unwavering approach to considered and quality design is in the Q36.5 TERMICA X Thermal Jacket.

I would argue that most half-decent brands can do a good job of summer jerseys and shorts (probably because you'll find most brands use OEM pieces with their logo on them), but where I think a company claiming to produce high performance, quality apparel should be judged, is on their winter kit.

Any fool can throw on a number of layers and get themselves warm. But the result of that is bulk, excessive sweat and then the eventual shivers as your wet body gets cold. Ultimately, performance suffers. I can attest to this having ridden in a fully sponsored team kit for a year and even had that sponsor come to a team camp to explain how best to layer up for certain conditions. I won’t mention the brand, but in short: The approach for winter was to use certain base layer (for wicking sweat) combined with a specific long-sleeved jersey (for the warmth) and a gilet over that (for wind protection). At first, it makes perfect sense. However, the three items of clothing actually don't work in harmony with one another. The sweat is wicked from the base and passed to the jersey, the jersey gathers the sweat, yet it can't get dry because the gilet is blocking it from the wind...

Surely that’s how all layering strategies work, right?

Q36.5 look at things differently. Rather than just creating a piece that uses a single material all over, they’ve taken a more scientific and intelligent approach. The TERMICA X, for example, is designed to work with your own body temperature and to control the heat loss in all the right places. There are different fabrics on the front and back. There are lighter, more breathable fabrics in the areas where you generate more heat or sweat more. The TERMICA X successfully keeps you warm, whilst at the same time stop you from overheating and then sweating...which in turn leads to getting cold. Oh…and there is no bulk! It weighs just 400g. Compared to other jackets that are slated to work in temperatures of 0-degree celcius with only a base layer underneath - that’s pretty special! (The Castelli ROS is 525grams).

But more than just using different materials to keep to let the heat out, there are some beautiful ergogenic features too. The TERMICA X has a 4-layer collar that doesn’t restrict neck movement or make you feel like you’re being choked - arguably quite important when doing an aerobic exercise. The 4-layer design stops cold air from sneaking in through the neck and ruining the wonderful warm air pocket you’ve built up.

Q36.5 have considered that the part of the body that is going to take the brunt of the chill when riding at speed is the front. The result being insulated chest and arm panels to protect your core, combined with a slim, breathable panel along the spine at the back to allow some heat to evaporate.

Lastly, something as simple as the cut, which is something Q36.5 consider with all of their products: It’s one thing for a garment to fit right when you’re standing straight. But when you’re on the bike, you’re not in that position. So Q36.5 tailor their pieces to fit right when you’re on the bike. This feels great, particularly with the TERMICA X, as when you’re hunched forward, down in the drops or in an aero position, there isn’t a gathering of material or excess flappy fabric up on the shoulders.

Simple things. But you won’t find these features elsewhere.

How does that work? I hear you ask:

Again, as with the Saloppette Dottore Bibs that I spoke of earlier; considering it's a deep winter jersey, it's incredibly lightweight and free from bulk. The most comparable product on the market that I'm aware of on the market (also similar in price) is the Castelli ROS Jacket, but that thing is like a knitted Christmas Jumper when put alongside the slim-cut, race-fit, snug TERMICA X.

You'll first notice that the TERMICA uses different fabrics and all over, unlike some other deep winter jackets. On the inside, the sleeves and front panels (chest) are insulated with a slightly thicker thermo shell that offers great wind resistance. After all, when you're out on the road power along, it is your arms and chest that are going to be taking the brunt of that cold wind.

Just as with bikes, in the world of cycling apparel, there really are only a handful of manufacturers out there in the world that churn out kit that is branded as this or that.
but if i had to save one of them from a burning building...it would most likely be The TERMICA X! Partly because it is the most expensive, but partly because it is the single item of cycling apparel that can get me through a damn cold winter in comfort!

A few times in this review I flip between calling this a jersey and a jacket. Honestly, it feels like and performs like a long sleeve jersey, but has all of the deep-winter prowess of far heavier, bulkier and more layered jackets...i the form of a jersey. You decide what to call it. All I know is that it is amazing!

The TERMICA X continues what has now become a tradition for me. I look at the product in the store, I compare to products I have used before and recognise, always, that there is a gulf in quality with Q36.5 being leaps and bounds better. So, how is the Termica X better? Well...

I bought by Termica X back in November 2019. I wanted a long sleeve winter jersey that would keep out the rain and remain breathable. I wanted to stave off colds and flu whilst continuing to ride and to do so I wanted to keep my core warm. Traditionally, with other products from other brands you'd have a compromise: Go for a waterproof jacket, but end up sweating inside what is effectively a non-breathable plastic bag with a zip, or, opt for something breathable that isn't waterproof in any way. Or, there's the middle ground where you keep the rain out for 10 minutes or so during a wet ride, but really, that jersey isn't good in the dry as it just makes you sweat.

The Termica X, however, is a master of all of these traits!

I expected the Termica X to be good (the price denotes it ought to be very good), but what I didn't expect was to wear only a single base layer underneath the Termica X throughout an entire Winter and Spring Season, without needing to add any additional layers for extra warmth. The range of this jacket / Jersey has blown me away!

Intelligent Design

Whereas other winter jerseys on the market can often keep you warm, it's often achieved through thicker materials, or layers of different materials that don't work well together. Just because the out material is waterproof and the inner lining is breathable does not make the garment itself breathable. I rode for a team last year that used Merino in its' winter kit. But, that's the ONLY material is used. In the cuffs. In the collar. On the front and the back and even the pockets. Sure, I was warm, for a while. Then I started to overheat and sweat! Then the Merino jersey became - If I'm honest - a bit stinky. Whatsmore it took forever to dry!

Q36.5, however, have intelligently considered the combinations and placement of the materials used. The front panels and the arms are insulated inside, keeping out the worst of the wind, helping to keep your core warm and negating the need for a gilet/vest. The back of the jersey does not have that same insulation and has an even thinner panel of fabric running up the spine allowing just the right amount of heat to escape, preventing overheating and excessive sweating. This serves to keep the jacket light and ensure that sweat leaves the garment, rather than building up (only to leave you wet and shivering at the cafe stop later!).

You would think that the thin panel on the back would just allow you to become cold, but in fact, Q36.5 has been very clever with this and considered how the garment reacts when you're getting hot. Very smart indeed! (also, given that the fabric is behind you, the wind isn't getting to it, so your back still doesn't get cold)

Clever use of materials

Another challenge that Q has given thought to overcome is the bulky aspect. Riding in the winter can be a lot less fun that a summer ride with long sleeves, neck buffs and all the paraphernalia to help keep out the cold. The neck on the Termica X is ingenious. Q36.5 have taken into account that necklines on jerseys aren't one-size-fits-all. Some find them incredibly restrictive and others will have a slimmer neck, meaning air rushes in and completely ruins the pocket of warm air you've worked to build up. Well, with the Termica X there is a 4-layer neckline to deal with this challenge without compromise. In practice, the only thing you need to know is that there is a think layer of light and stretchy fabric that comes higher up the neck, like a polo neck jumper (if you will). This contours your neck and quite neatly allows you to move, twist and rotate, all the while keeping out the cold air and helping to maintain the core temperature.

More details demonstrate the consideration of the design. The high-vis panels on the arms and lower back aid in visibility in the poor light conditions of the winter months. The pocket on the left arm; perfect for a mobile phone or gel (easier than reaching back with gloves on and trying to figure out what it is you're moving about and ultimately failing to grip!).

Lastly, it should be recognised that as a jersey that will most likely be used in the wetter months, this, like all Q36.5 products also takes drying time into account. Now, whilst that won't matter if you're getting home after your weekend club ride and it isn't going to be used again for another week; for those of us that commute or race back-to-back, a jersey that performs so well and dries so quickly (after both a rain shower and a wash) is valuable indeed! Many times I've had this hung in my office all day and enjoyed putting it on at 5 pm to feel the fabric is completely dry.

An impressive piece of kit indeed. If this jacket were twice the price, I'd still buy it! It is that good!

recent public outings

Q36.5 is gaining more traction all the time. Although they’re not on the backs of a world tour team as yet, I wouldn’t be surprised if before long, we see them on a podium-topping team. Rumour has it, INEOS are moving away from Castelli for 2022 and beyond. Could it be that this Italian brand, what with their relationship with Pinarello, could be going from ‘Who are they’ to ‘where did they come from and where have you been all my life!?’ for most people? I wonder if we’ll see Q on the backs of The Grenadiers in 2022. Watch this space ;)

Q36.5 apparel was used in the launch of Pinarello’s new ‘Dogma F’ - the bike used by Team Ineos Grenadiers

Further to their relationship with Pinarello, Q36.5 kit is available in only selected stores. You won’t find them on Wiggle and other big outlets, but rather only selected and curated places. Pinarello’s own London shop, for example: https://www.q36-5.com/pinarello-store/

Alterantively, the place I choose to buy my kit is 7Hundred in Windsor @ https://www.7hundred.co.uk/q36-5/

2021 Half Year Update

Go! No wait, stop! Okay…go! Thats pretty much how my time on the bike in 2021 has been so far! Frustrating, because as anyone that tries to take their training with a pinch of seriousness will know, consistency is the key.

Here’s how the year has gone so far and what I have planned for the rest of the year.

What’s been going on?

October 2020

Moved house. More space was needed. The kids are getting older and we were all on top of one another. So, October was spent boxing, packing lifting and shifting. Sadistically, I tried to convince myself it was like cross-training and that once it was all done and I was settled, I’d benefit from it all.

In some ways, I wasn’t wrong. I certainly ached for a week! Thankfully, though, through the house move, I gained a garage, which was duly allocated, by me, as the pain cave and where I spent the latter part of of October (and all of the utterly crappy British Winter) dropping weight, getting aquainted with Zwift once again and enjoying the convenience of racing from my own home.

That allowed me a great run-up to Christmas and through to 2021. I’m lighter, stronger and have a bigger appetite to ride that i’ve ever know. But something was still bothering me: work.

November 2020 - February 2021

I found myself a new job in November that wouldn’t start until February. Whilst I still worked hard during my notice period at the old job, naturally, It felt like a weight had been lifted and for a while I refocussed my efforts toward training again. I wasn’t going to break my back doing over time and I certainly wasn’t going to be working late, that’s for sure.

February 2021

New job started. Immediately busy! The super exciting pace of the new company, coupled with a rejuvinated sense of wanting to make a difference at a company meant I was putting in a big shift to get my wheels spinning. Those first 4 weeks or so where you’re still remembering names, codes, passwords, practises and routines are exhausting! The everyday things become concious effort again. The result? February was a slow month. 17 hours in the saddle with very few rides being more than an hour.

A smattering of Zwift races meant I was somewhat treading water and not going backwards, though.

March 2021

I picked things back up again in March. A new routine was being formed, I was getting familiar with my surroundings and working from home, meaning Zwift continued to be my go-to tool for getting some quality riding in. I ended a relatively uneventful March with 29 hours in the saddle, much of which was spent exploring some of the new roads on my new commute, too. Being back outside again felt good!

The plan for April was to ease up on the intensity a little bit and spend more time in the saddle to push the endurance…

April 2021

The first part of April was a continuation from March: good training volumes, good efforts, balance of work and life. But it was clear things were getting busier as I transitioned from onboarding to owning things at my new job. Very little Zwifting took place. Lots of sleeping and recovering.

May 2021

The good weather is here (almost), but time was not on my side! Work picked up big time. Lots of projects happening at once and a need to want to show that I am up to everything meant I pushed cycling to the back of my priorities. Lots of late nights at the office, lots of time spent riding directly home rather than extended training rides meant May ended with a poultry 19 hours in the bank.

June 2021

That’s now! We’re now already 6 months into the year and we’re 14 days into the month. We’re at almost exactly half way through the year. I’ve done a couple of centuries, I’ve joined the local Tuesday night chain gang again, had my first Zwift race win, as well as a couple of top 10 placings. I’m currently at 16 hours for the month and expect to be closer to 40 by the time I reach June 30th. Suffice to say, I’m back on track.

I’m currently looking for some Cat 3/4 races to enter to start getting some points onboard for the team. Seems with the uncertainty around COVID (looks like the lockdown easing has been pushed back by another 4 weeks), many of the crit series are either all delayed, or, just not widely advertised or listed. Even British Cycling’s Event Planner seems harder than usual to find an event on!

Cancellations

In 2019, all events were cancelled. Annoyingly, the inaugral Tour of Essex was canned entirely, rather than postponed. So, that’s not on the agenda for 2021.

I had hoped to do L’eTap Du Tour UK, but received notification to say that my 2019 entry (that was delayed to 2020) was again delayed to 2021).

I’m currently looking at The Tour of Cambridgeshire, hoping for The Redbull Timelapse 2021 and will no doubt do a couple of other sportives, just to add a couple of touristy medals to my growing collection.

I can foresee, right now at least, that much of the end-of-year look back will be about performances on Zwift than anything in real life, but still, with the number of amazing events now being put on, on Zwift, i’m excited to see how I can get better to achieve more in those events.

Outlook

So, whilst 2021 has so far been relatively uneventful on the bike, it’s been a busy one off the bike. I’m still hopeful I can achieve something of note this calendar year, whether it’s on the road or in Watopia.

Smashing a Carbon Aero Bike with a Hammer

Since 2016, I’ve been riding a Giant Propel. I love it!

Initially, I bought a Giant Propel with 105 groupset and some pretty poor aluminium wheels. It was a replacement for the Cannondale Synapse that was written off in 2015 when I was hit by a car.

The plan with the Propel was to focus on frame-first and to upgrade the groupset and finishing kit over time. I did exactly tha; over the course of 3 years, finally, in 2019, It was all but upgraded: a set of 65mm SLR0 carbon rims, Deda SuperZero Aeor Carbon Bars, Full Ultegra Di2, Carbon-railed Fizik Argo Vento Saddle and a new, longer Pro Vibe Stem to accomodate the Di2. A stages power meter gave me the data and that was it…upgrade complete!

Like with all things cycling, I took (note the past tense here) great care of that bike, regularly washing it 2-3 times per week. In winter months and especially on wet rides, the drivetrain was thoroughly degreased after each and every ride. So, much to my upset, when I had the wheels out and the bike up on the work stand, I spotted what appeared to be a small, hairline crack in the back of the Seat Tube.

On the Propel, the seat tube curves around the rear wheel. The hairline crack I found was tiny and at first I didn’t think it was a crack. Perhaps a small peice of debris had simply gauged the frame as it was dragged between the frame and the tyre? Being unsure, I took the bike down to Dave and Jaundre at 7Hundred for their opinion.

The prognosis was…It was indeed a crack. Disaster!

Long story short, if you want to see me cutting and smashing the bike, watch this video. If you want to know more about the warranty replacement, keep reading.

Now, the crack was small. I still believe I could have ridden on for a while before it became truly structural, but Dave was adamant we do something about it. But I wasn’t in a position to fork out £2k for a new frame!

Have no fear. Dave jumped onto the phone, puts in a call to Giant UK, explains the issue and sends through a photograph. There is a bit of a back and forth discussion, I hear it mentioned that there isn’t that frame in my size in stock and then a moment of silence. Then, I hear it “Oh, no, we DO have one. I’ll send through a photograph. We’ll get it shipped tonight”

Well…if that’s not good service I don’t know what is!

I leave the bike with Dave and the guys and head home. A few days later I’m told the new frame had arrived and they’ve already built it up for me! I head into the shop after work and there, just inside the door is a familiar looking bike, albeit it in a fresh new colourway with a perfect gloss finish…the new frame. Same as the old frame, but far smarter and shinier!

I ask Dave what happens to the old frame, out of curiosity. “It’s a warranty write off, so it’ll need to be smashed and disposed of and we’ll provide evidence to Giant…Hey, do you want to do the honours?!” he asked.

Gulp!

We head down to the workshop and my carbon frame is there in the vice. Stripped bare of all components, looking rather sad. Dave hands be a carbon saw and says “Go for it!’. I pass Dave my phone and ask him to record it…then I reluctantly and somewhat sadly (and surprisingly easily!!) cut a line into the downtube…

I didn’t need to cut all the way through, just enough to deter anyone from recovering the frame and trying to use it. Dave suggests we need to do a little more damage to the frame to be sure. I take back my phone, he picks up a hammer, I stand back…he swings away at the same spot I cut with the saw and caves in the downtube.

A bitter sweet day indeed! A sad farewell to a frame on which I had become so much fitter and faster, but had ultimately used and abused in every single type of weather you can think of. It was nice to know that upstairs in the shop was the same bike, but just a little newer, ready for me to continue my training.

Learning to Love Indoor Training

If you’re not a fan of Zwift, then this post is for you.

I’ve lambasted Turbo Training, Indoor Training and whatever else you want to call it as much as anyone. But I’ve recently learned to realise that platforms like Zwift are not trying or pretending to be just like ‘the real thing’ and if you use them for their strengths, you too can learn to love indoor training for what it really is…

This is how I went from loathing turbo training to becoming a complete turbo-loving convert.

Give me wind, give me rain, give me cold…but get that Turbo away from me

If you’ve followed me for any length of time on Instagram, you’ll know I’ve been somewhat indifferent toward indoor/turbo training for a long time, often posting about how It wasn’t ‘real riding’ or that the sensations are not the same as being out on the tarmac. I’ve always favoured the road even if the weather is terrible. Though I have recognised its’ value as a training tool, I’ve just not enjoyed the turbo in the same way as I have when out on the road.

I was so unenthused by the prospect of Indoor training, in fact, that I’d happily lent my Wahoo Kickr to a friend for the best part of 6 months during 2020 and had all but forgotten about even owning it at one stage!

Why then do I even have a Wahoo Kickr If I’m not a fan of smart trainers? Well, thankfully, during my time with Alpecin, we were sponsored by Wahoo and each rider received one as a means to perform FTP tests and to aid in training. So it has to be said, full disclosure: I didn’t buy mine but was simply fortunate enough to be given one, like all of the riders in the team. My teammates at Alpecin hailed from 5 different countries and with our coach being based in Germany, we couldn’t simply visit the Alpecin team base for these tests.

Throughout 2019, Coach Florian set our training each week. For those of us holding down full-time jobs and families, the Wahoo Kickr was a godsend. For a short while, I made good use of it. But the British summer was a good one and the road called to me and I started doing my training outside again. After that, I hardly ever went back on the Kickr again in 2019, save for an FTP Test and the occasional social meetup with my international friends and teammates.

Speaking of Social Meetups…

At the start of 2020 COVID19 forced us all apart. As we all know, cycling is a massively social activity - weekend social groups were disbanded and in the UK, cyclists were limited to riding with just one other person. The social aspect of riding for many people is just as important as the health and fitness aspect. Having a good chat with a friend as you pedal along is a fantastic way of making those kilometres pass by more quickly. And so, whilst many more cyclists could be seen on the road, many were riding alone.

For me, whilst the weather was good, I continued to ride solo, preferring the solitude and the road, to any virtual meetup on the Wahoo Kickr.

Working From Home - A Training Opportunity for Cyclists!

In 2020 bikes were sold out everywhere you looked and so were Indoor Trainers! Cyclists, arguably more than any other group, seized this as an opportunity and flooded virtual training platforms such as Zwift!

My local bike shop - 7Hundred in Windsor - were selling Indoor Trainers as quickly as they could book them into stock! Models from Wahoo, Tacx and Elite and even the high-end products such as the Wahoo Kickr Bike were selling like hotcakes.

But I still wasn’t keen.

View fullsize

Wahoo Kickr Bike and other Indoor Trainers were selling like hot cakes!

Why did I dislike Indoor Training so much?

As I eluded to earlier, I’ve said in a number of posts that Indoor training wasn’t real cycling and lamented that you didn’t actually go anywhere. One of the appeals of cycling for me was (and still is) the freedom that it offers; the means to get somewhere far away powered by your own body. It’s an adventure, it’s a workout and it’s meditative.

So when on the indoor trainer, I used to think that I was just stuck in one spot, staring at a screen with a fan feebly trying to cool my body as I hopelessly overheated. Riding on the turbo often felt a little aimless for me. I’d get on, hit 'Let’s Ride’ and feel like I’d put in a huge effort for an hour, only for Zwift to read some poultry low distance of something like 25k. It was hard to put that into context when I got off the bike. Hard to feel any sense of achievement, even if the power numbers were good or I’d had a pop at Alpe Du Zwift and racked up some good virtual elevations. Sure, they all add up on Strava, but it still didn’t feel real.

But back then, at least, I didn’t have a dedicated space to ride. I was open to that distraction. I had to set up the turbo before each session and then put it away again at the end. Add to that, my wife would bug me, asking how much longer I was going to be. I would train in the evening, meaning needing to sneak around as not to wake the kids…it was just a lot of faff and just deterred me from bothering. I even went as far as to set the turbo up on the patio at the end of the garden away from the house a few times.

So, with all that in mind and the fact that I felt like the adventure aspect had been removed guess I just wasn’t attracted to the notion of indoor training at that time.

At least when I was on the road, I was free. Just me and the bike. This is something I hear often from other people that criticise indoor training. I understand that perception. It used to be mine.

My earlier setup. Desperate to be outside I’d often setup the turbo in my lovely garden in a bid to try to emulate ‘real riding’

Why the change of heart?

I stopped viewing Indoor Training as ‘The Virtual Outdoors’ (despite Zwift trying to create that experience). I stopped viewing it as a replacement for or a contender to outdoor ‘real world’ cycling. I started, instead to see My Wahoo Kickr and Zwift as a super efficient way of training when you’re time poor, have a hectic life, but still want to train seriously and get back out on the road in the summer fitter, faster and stronger than before the ‘Off Season’ began.

Don’t view Zwift as a replacement for cycling, but rather a supplementary training tool. Use it in this way, with all it’s structure and convenience and you’ll be loving your road season even more when it returns.

Okay, but other than a mindset shift, what helped me learn to love indoor training?

Quite simply, three things changed my view of indoor training: Convenience, Purpose and Comfort

Convenience

Firstly, as I mentioned above, I needed to remove all those distractions. I needed to be able to sit on the trainer and get myself into that zone. That was never going to happen when I was setup in the garden or the dining room. I needed indoor training to be more convenient and a viable option for when I wanted to ride. So, we moved house and I gained a garage space.

Purpose

Secondly, rather than getting on the bike and trying repeat what I did on the road and going on adventures and riding a set distance, I recalled something that Jorge Ludewig told me: “Pro’s don’t ride to distance, they ride to time”. The idea being that no pro ever says that they’re going out to do 80 or 100k, but instead, that they’re going out to do 4 hours or 5 hours and within that, they have set zones and targets to hit. They have structure.

For me, this fed back into the idea of once again training with purpose; setting a target for the season, setting milestones to work towards, setting a training plan to achieve it, setting times during the week to work on that plan and then, from that, knowing what I was going to be eating and when I was going to be eating to fuel for those efforts. I built this routine and purpose like a pyramid from the bottom up. The convenience of the bike now being permanently set up on the trainer removes all obstacles and I can just get on with fuelling and pedalling.

Furthermore, to the purpose part of this, I’m also taking part in various virtual group rides, races and challenges in addition to my structured training. I’ve done a couple of races with Orien.CC Team Manager, Wayne, which has kept my competitive fire burning and made me feel like I’m doing something to actually represent the team. These events all prevent these junky, aimless miles and keep me pedalling with intent.

Is it really that simple?

Well, almost. It’s fair to say that this newfound love is as a result of the convenience and purpose I’ve mentioned, but it’s also winter here in the UK and I’m enjoying the other benefits of not needing to head out on the road in the cold, dark evenings too: No punctures, no mechanicals, My family are reassured I’m safe and I’m doing a good job of avoiding illness by keeping my body warmer and drier than were I out on the road. Also, much less bike cleaning. My components are thanking me! So I’m seeing it all as a whole.

I know my northern friends will be calling me a southern softy at this point, but it’s more the case that it’s energy better spent on maximising my training efforts, rather than all the faff that comes with riding on roads that are covered in grit and salt. It’s efficient.

What can you do to make indoor training viable for you?

I’m not suggesting that you too need to move house, but I would say that where possible, try and find yourself a space that you can dedicate to training. It doesn’t have to be a garage or a purpose-built outhouse. It can be any space. That way, if you do find yourself with a spare hour, you can jump on and make the most of it. But more than that, try to establish that when you’re in that space, on the bike, that you’re doing something to help make yourself fitter and stronger. And we all know that in these trying times, that is of paramount importance right now.

But if you can’t find that space and like so many others your turbo is in a shared family space in the house, try to get some structure going at least. Commit to a Zwift training plan or a regular social ride with friends, or even a race every week. It may not be the easiest to negotiate, but if you’re here in the northern hemisphere, just remember that the lighter mornings and afternoons are not far away and will return soon.

I have a pretty full-on job in IT, I have two kids of 7 & 9, I’m the main chef in our house and the kids’ bedtime routine is my thing. So for me, I’ve decided that 5-6 nights a week, once my kids are asleep, I do a little bit of foam rolling whilst I talk to my wife, then I’ll be out in the garage for a couple of hours. When those slightly warmer, drier months return, my commutes will once again become my training times.

Give yourself something to aim towards and establish that in your routine. Manage everyone’s expectations. You need to make a case for yourself. (and don’t be afraid to set up on the patio occasionally if needs must!)

Don't Harden The F Up

Asking for advice when it comes to cycling is like opening Pandora’s Box and you’re usually left none-the-wiser as to what to do about your particular problem.

The thing is, when you pick up your first bike and head out on your first few miles, It’s often assumed that aside from keeping the bike working and mechanically sound, all you need to do is get out on the road and enjoy yourself. In time though, as I’m sure you may have found by now, there are plenty of little things and nuances that make this a sport that you can both love and loathe in equal measures! An issue you haven’t had for days, weeks or years can all of a sudden become a problem that keeps you off the bike for weeks!

The Rules…

Saddle sores, pain in the knees, pins and needles, hot feet, blisters, stiffness and back pain to name but a few of the common ailments that have possibly hit us all at some stage. Then, come the array of solutions to these problems; Padded shorts, cycling-specific shoes, different jerseys, electrolyte drinks, bike fits, crank length and gearing, changing a saddle and bars…the list of ways to tackle specific issues are endless. But, despite this, if you take to the internet to seek advice to almost any of these issues, you’ll no doubt be offered the same piece of advice, I’m sure. It may come in the form of one of two phrases;

1. “Rule 5”.

2. “Harden the fuck up!”

The first of these two phrases, of course, refer to Rule 5 of the Velominati rules – a silly and sartorial set of rules that do have some grounding in cycling tradition. Rule 5, in truth, is the same as the second phrase and instructs you to Harden the fuck up. The issue, however, with these so-called rules and this specific piece of advice is that far too many cyclists take them seriously and apply them too harshly and too literally. Which, when it comes to an ache, a pain or injury is, absolutely, most definitely not the way to go!

A Bike Fit Is All You Need

Now, if you’re new to cycling, it can, of course, seem hard to decipher which advice is good and which advise is bad. After all, there is an element of truth in Rule 5 when it comes to breaking in your undercarriage. If you’ve never cycled before (or been off the saddle for a prolonged period), then your body simply will not be used to the position and the pressure that is applied. Time in the saddle, therefore, is often a good way to become normalised to this to the point where it isn’t an issue any more. That said, however, if you’re in severe pain or experience anything more than some moderate discomfort, at first, then it’s more likely you’ve got the wrong saddle for your body and/or you need a bike fit. 

Whether you’ve been a cyclist for years and have just bought a new bike, or are brand new to cycling, the first thing every cyclist should go for is a proper bike fit. If you’re serious about cycling, the ideal situation is to go for a fit before even purchasing a bike!

A professional fitter will look at and assess your position on the bike and identify areas of pressure, discomfort, overstretch or even under-stretch and will work with you to explain how an incorrect position can both cause and exasperate an existing issue. Some issues you experience on the bike may seem like nothing to worry about and so you ride through them, but trust me, when you start clocking up more miles, those little issues won’t seem so little any more.

Bike Fit = Avoid Injury + More Speed

There are injuries that you simply cannot come back from. Knee issues and back pain can often be life-long issues that you simply cannot ride through by way of hardening the fuck up. Instead, perhaps you need a more relaxed geometry or shims in your shoes or a longer crank. And whilst you could be forgiven for thinking that having certain aids are for old riders or those less fit, you would indeed be mistaken. These changes and adjustments are almost always about getting you into a more comfortable position and lead not only to you being able to stay in the saddle for longer but quite possibly even, as a result, helping you put down more power. After all, if you’re comfortable in the seat and the blood flow is better, your legs are simply going to be able to work harder.

Now, I don’t want to oversimplify anything here and I’m absolutely not a bike fitter, but if you read enough and watch enough videos and simply give it some thought, there is a cause and effect for all changes on the bike. Perhaps with your body type a more upright position will make you less aero, but if you can breath better as a result and your lower back aches less (or, ideally not at all), you’re going to be peddle faster for longer. It’s really quite a science.

Every cyclist will require a position unique and optimised for them, so I can’t, with this post, simply give you a magic bullet and tell you how to adjust your bike to get rid of all your aches and pains or to make you go faster, but if you want my advice, instead of that next upgrade, spend the money on a decent bike fit. That, in turn, will help inform the upgrade that follows and that will translate into – quite possibly – both a more enjoyable ride and a faster one at that.

So, next time some tell you to harden the fuck up, ignore them. Listen to your body. Consider what is causing the pain and go and get a bike fit. Speak to a professional. Then, you can spend more time in the saddle, get faster and ride past your buddy as he or she grimaces through the pain as they harden the fuck up!  

Bike Fitters I know about;

• 7Hundred, Windsor

• Sigma Sports, Kingston

• CycleFit