As the summer sun begins to set, I find myself reflecting on another less epic but still incredible season of mountain biking. This year, I discovered new trails, faced old fears, and learned valuable lessons. I hope you guys can reflect on an awesome Summer of Shredding and use that reflection to inform your planning for next year.
Winter Flats: A Solid Foundation
Winter riding on flat pedals was a welcome refresh after 6 years of clipping in. It highlighted the importance of body and foot positioning as well as giving me some extra insurance when riding th ewet slippery stuff. It also got me riding more with my little guy as I didn't have to think twice about throwing my leg over the bike and going for a cruise around the neighbourhood.
The Downside of Skipping Events
I decided this year was going to be about skill development, having pushed hard on the fitness side of things for the last 5 years. One thing I learned the hard way was the importance of signing up for events and races. Without them, I missed out on that extra training impetus that gets the indoor training sessions going. I only managed a handful of indoor rides this winter and I'm sure my spring legs weren't where they usually are. Next year, I’ll definitely be marking my calendar with a few key events or races to keep the adrenaline pumping.
Slow Start, Strong Finish
Here's the other side to that coin, though. Starting the season could be described as a blessing in disguise. It allowed me to build up my endurance gradually and avoid the dreaded August burnout. By pacing myself, I enjoyed a long, fulfilling summer of riding without feeling exhausted. And I'm still frothing, moving into September.
Riding with a 4-Year-Old: A New Perspective
One of the highlights of my summer (life?) was hitting the trails with my 4-year-old. It was a humbling experience that improved my track stand skills and taught me the art of sessioning skinnies – even if I didn’t always succeed. Sharing the joy of biking with my child has added a whole new dimension to the sport.
The Power of Training Camps
Training camps might not just be an excuse to go to Vegas in April... In July my family was away for two weeks and besides working and walking the dog, this left me with the freedom to ride every day. Pushing from my usual 5 and going up to 10 hours per week on the bike skyrocketed my mid-summer endurance and skills. If you’re serious about improving your skills and endurance, consider planning a training camp. You don't have to go off-location, just clear the schedule and add 50-100% of your weekly volume for a week or two. I know I'll be looking for opportunities to do this in the Spring.
Scars heal slow
Last year, I experienced a pretty spooky crash that left me hesitant to push my boundaries. Only recently have I started to regain my confidence. Crashes can have surprisingly long-lasting mental effects, but with patience and perseverance, it’s possible to overcome them and continue your forward progress.
40 Ain't so bad
This is my 41st year. And despite now qualifying for masters categories, I'm still getting better by several measures. My Bike Endurance (V02max, FTP and anecdotal evidence) peaked higher this year than at any other time since I started measuring it. My Skills continue to improve with new features complete, faster segments on strava, certain small gap jumps no longer cased.
Strength is Still the Foundation
The MTB Breakfast Club here in Squamish is ensuring that I get at least 2x strength training sessions every week. It's no coincidence that I haven't had an injury (Achilles tear running the River Thames in July 2023) in over a year. Staying Strong, healthy and injury-free has enabled me to remain consistent with my training for the better part of 3 years now.
Whether you're in Squamish or not, if you're interested in the MTB Breakfast club programming, get in touch. There are riders all over the world training along with us.
Your Turn to Explore
As I look back on my summer, I’m filled with gratitude for the experiences and lessons learned. Mountain biking has a way of helping us escape the BS while reconnecting to the important things in life. That's why I want everyone to be able to enjoy it now and for the rest of their lives.
Take a second to reflect on your Season on the Bike. What were the successes and what were the struggles? If you could map out next season, how would it look?
If you need to work on your fitness for next Season, My Free RideStronger assessment is a great place to start. It'll give you free actionable training recommendations and even includes exercise tutorials.
And feel free to share your own biking stories or tips in the comments below. I'd love to hear how everyone else's Summer has gone.
See you on the Trails!
Alex
Comments