Tip of the week #2 - Training Camps

You've all heard about professional riders attending training camps prior to the start of their season. Usually they are in some exotic destination with warm weather and fabulous riding. I used to read about them and think about how great it would be to get 2 weeks of nothing but focused training in with no interruptions. Unfortunately for most of us it is too expensive travel for something like this, but you don't need to! Why not set up your own training camp with your base location being your house? This is what I have been doing for the past few years. I pick a 2 week period at least 1 month before my first race and start the camp (make sure you have some sort of base fitness already). I treat myself like I am a professional rider 24 hours a day. Typically I will try to get a good nights sleep. Eat a healthy breakfast. Go for a 5-8 hour ride. These rides are mostly long distance endurance rides with some occasional intervals sprinkled in. Come home and have a nap. Eat a good dinner. Prep for the coming season doing things such as: correspondance with sponsors, preparing strategies for upcoming races, preparing equipment, etc. Then it is too bed. The next day I'll start it all over again. Typically I will ride 2-3 days on (depending on mileage) and then one day off for rest/recovery. That rest day I might work in the garden, get a massage, go for walk or just enjoy a day off. Repeat this schedule for 2 weeks. The importance of this period is to put some strain on your body over and above what it is used to during normal training. Come race day your body will be better prepared for the rigours it will face racing your bike for 24 hours. It has worked for me and should work for you too!

Steve