French Life-expat France

The first part of this entry was made on 26th May. You might like to read that first if you have not already done so.

Two weeks ago, when I wrote about cycling lessons, I claimed there were only a couple of lessons to be learned if you wanted to be the next Lance Armstrong - get on your bike more often, and learn to pedal fast. That was (and is) true, but now you have had two weeks to practice that, as I’m sure you have been, there are a couple of other handy tricks to learn, that will help you improve further and faster.

I assume that you are now perfectly able to cycle 30-40 kilometres at 20-25 kilometres per hour, which you are doing three times a week. Well done. If you are still way below that level, you might like to focus on the ‘get out on your bike more often’ section a bit more first.

For those ready to reach new and giddy heights, todays handy tips are:

1. Start off slow. Not pedalling slower, but going slower - using an easier gear. Now I am not talking walking pace, but perhaps 10% slower than your normal. Do this for at least the first 10 kilometres of your ride. This enables your legs to warm up properly before you get up to speed, and you will find that your overall average speed for the journey is higher, and you will feel less beaten up at the end of it. Unbelievable, I know, but true.

2. Cycle over the top of hills. Usually, if you are like me, you struggle to the top of an extra long or extra steep hill, and stop pedalling as you reach the top, or even a few metres before, and then coast for a minute while you take a breather. Perfectly normal, but I’m afraid you are going to have to try that little bit harder. Cycle as hard as you can until you are a few metres passed the top of the hill instead, with the same energy that you used to get up the hill.

That little bit of extra effort means that you start the descent or flat that follows the hill at a much higher speed. Only now can you think about recovering. Starting the next section at higher speed brings very great benefits in terms of overall effort needed, and will increase your overall average speed. I know very well how you feel ten metres from the top of the hill, when you think you can’t find a single scrap of energy, but give it a go. It works.

3. Make sure you are exhausted when you get home. Go all out on the last hill, sprint along the final two kilometres, you can do it, you’re nearly there now…this practice at finding a last morsel of strength is good for you, good for your stamina, and also helps when you are confronted by the ‘end of ride’ sprints so loved by cyclists. It is demotivating to stay with a group of cyclists for 50 kilometres, think how well you are doing, and then be left 500 metres behind in the last two minutes.

Well that’s enough for today, class, perhaps I’ll offer more lessons in another couple of weeks. Or perhaps not, who knows, I might be out on my bike instead.