If you’ve been riding indoors all winter, it’s time to dust off your helmet and get outside.
Spring is here, and that doesn’t just mean it’s Classics season (although we’re thrilled about that too—listen to our new podcast here to hear all about some incredible behind-the-scenes moments from the Tour of Flanders). It also means for many of us, it’s time to take the bike off of the indoor trainer, or time to pull the bike out of the garage where it’s been collecting dust all winter, and time to get outside. There’s something magical about those first few rides in the spring where, even if there’s a chill in the air, you feel like it’s summer. You’re more aware of the sun on your face, the wind tickling your legs, the first sip of icy cold sports drink as you crest that hill. Here, we’re sharing a few simple ways to make this transition to riding outside as smooth—and beneficial—as possible.
Set a Goal
Having something specific on the calendar—like a bike tour with us in six months—is a good way to get out the door to ride even when the weather isn’t perfect. No matter where you are in your cycling journey, there’s always something new and exciting to look forward to.
And set some process goals as well. If you’re a newer rider, it could simply be trying to get out and ride a certain number of days per week. If you’re a longtime cyclist, set some goals around mileage, meters of climbing, power numbers, or average speed to stay motivated.
Use a Training Plan
You don’t need an expensive cycling coach for each of you, but some structure to your training is a good idea when it comes to getting ready for a bike tour without burning out. That’s why we developed our inGamba 3-Month Tour Preparation Plan with longtime cycling coach Peter Glassford.
While many base training plans assume you have 12+ hours per week to train, this tour-focused plan focuses on the most efficient training schedule and assumes that the people joining the trip are busy and have minimal time to train, especially during the week.
You can access the inGamba 3-Month Tour Preparation Plan on Training Peaks for free using code INGAMBA at checkout.
Give Your Bike Some TLC
If your bike has been tucked away all winter, or if it’s been on the trainer, it may need a bit of maintenance before it’s road ready. Do a quick check:
- Is the bike clean?
- Do the tires hold air?
- Is the drivetrain is clean?
- Has the chain been lubed recently?
- Does anything need replacing? (Saddle, handlebar tape, brake pads)
- If you have electronic shifting, is it charged and working?
- If you have mechanical shifting, does it shift easily into every gear?
If you haven’t taken your bike to the shop in a while, early season is a great time to take it in for a quick tune-up. Your rear cassette thanks you.
Find Some Friends to Ride With
If you’re usually a solo cyclist, become a social cyclist for a ride or two every month. You’ll make new friends, learn new local routes, discover new cafes, and generally enjoy the camaraderie of being surrounded by other people who love bikes as much as you do. Even if the pace isn’t perfect for your training, the social connection (and drafting practice) provides huge benefits.
Work on Your Bike Skills
You may be a bit rusty after a winter away from riding outside, so take time to practice things like cornering, getting started at a stop light, descending smoothly, drafting in a pack, and even things like rolling off of curbs. While indoor trainers are great for maintaining fitness, they won’t keep those skills up to date!
With that, don’t forget to fuel. It’s easy to eat and drink on an indoor trainer, but grabbing your water bottle from the cage on the bike when you’re outside can be a tricky skill to get used to again. If you find yourself under-fueling, set an alarm to remind you to sip or snack every few minutes.
Romanticize Your Ride
If there’s one thing we do at inGamba, it’s that we romanticize every moment of our trips, from the ride to the meals to the wine. But you can bring that same spirit to your everyday riding. Take notice of the little details: The way the sun hits that flower that’s just starting to bloom, the way the wind feels as you coast down your first long descent of the season, the perfect sip at a mid-ride espresso stop, even the exquisite burn in your quads as you hammer up that last climb. Its’ not about the watts, the metrics, the mileage. These small moments are why we ride.
