'Ere we go!

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BY: Matthew Lewis

Published: 8th January, 2012

Actually I started back in November but things always start in earnest on this far side of xmas don't they?

Every year I get a little bit more structured with regards to my 'training' and like others I'm a right old magpie with ideas, stealing tips and advice from mates and the internet.

Yesterday I went out for one of my weekly scheduled long, slow and steady zone 2 rides. My love handles will rue the day they meet zone 2 (hopefully). These rides are designed to make your body more efficient at using your fat stores and to provide an effective base on which to build in some more intesnse efforts later in the year. The thing is I never realised how difficult it is to stay in zone 2! Especially when out cycling with a mate who wants to attack every climb. Usually I've just followed my mates up the climb and ignored what the widget on my wrist and bars are telling me but this year on my one, weekly long ride I'm actually going to listen to my HRM and ignore the ribbing from my mates about being a slave to gadgetry.

I went out for 3 and half hours yesterday and managed to spend 1hr 20 minutes in the dull zone 2 but cycling in the Black mountains means that never mind the ribbing from your mates, the terrain wil never allow you to stay in zone 2 all the time. I guess I'll have to stay in the flat bits of Wales and cycle on my own. I'm not sure if I can do that though!

Anyway the plan is to have one of these long rides once a week during term time to build a good base and to slowly up the distance and time in the saddle. I suppose my training advice is useful to anyone who wants to join me in the middle of the pack!

Thanks to xcracer.com for their continued support in 2012. Looking forward to it!

Matt Lewis