While the cycling season hasn’t started yet in New Jersey, that doesn’t mean that you can’t set New Year’s Resolutions related to your bike. In fact, since you can’t hit the road as often, now’s a great time to make sure you’re ready to get the most out of it during the spring.
Here are a few suggestions for resolutions to set. We’d love to hear about your goals for 2014. Leave a comment, or drop by the shop and let us know in person!
1. Stick with winter conditioning. Want to be ready to hit the road in spring? Then you need to train during the off-season. Create a routine, and stick with it. Keep cycling by using a trainer, and add other forms of training to keep your muscles in peak condition. We have tips for creating a winter conditioning program on the Hart’s Cyclery website here.
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2. Get a better fit on your bike. You’ll ride more often if you have a more comfortable bike that puts less stress on your body. The right fit can also improve your performance by optimizing for power and cadence. You can work with an expert at a bike shop to improve your fit, or come by Hart’s Cyclery to use the new GURU Dynamic Fit System, a computerized, robotic assisted bicycle fitting system. It actually manipulates your position as you’re pedaling, adjusting down to the millimeter to find the perfect fit for you.
3. Surpass last year’s times. If you enjoy biking marathons and races, make it a goal to surpass your times from 2013. Then create a plan to achieve that goal. Focus workouts on weight training and intervals, and be sure to incorporate recovery time with easier rides. Or consider hiring a coach to keep you on track and motivated.
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4. Ride instead of drive. Keep the car in the garage, and take your bike out instead. Commute to work with your bike if you can. Or find errands that you can run by cycling, and make a commitment to always do so in 2014. The extra ride time will benefit your health, performance, and the environment.
5. Get your family out for bike rides more often. It’s a great way to bond with your kids and keep them active. Keep it interesting by changing up the routes, incorporating games, or heading out with a fun destination in mind. If you make it fun, you’re more likely to have your kids bugging you about your next family bike ride rather than the other way around.
6. Sign up for a century. Bike 100 miles in 12 hours or less. Committing to participation now will help motivate you throughout the year. After all, you’ve already paid the registration fees, so you have to do it!
7. Join a riding group. Hart’s Cyclery has one that meets up every Wednesday night once cycling season starts again, but you can also form one on your own by reaching out to co-workers, neighbors, and friends. The key is to find or create a group that matches your riding style, whether that’s performance-oriented or just enjoying the scenery. Check out our Facebook page regularly for new route suggestions.
8. Maintain your bicycle. Clean it after every ride. Removing dirt and grime immediately can help components to last longer and improve performance. And get it tuned up regularly to ensure you’re not overlooking any problems.
Since 1988, Ross Hart has owned and operated Hart’s Cyclery in Pennington, NJ. The bike store sells and services the finest brands in the world, including Giant and Cannondale. We provide personalized customer service, taking the time to understand your needs, lifestyle, and athletic style. The focus is ensuring you discover the right bike and the right fit – for the best cycling experience possible.
The next time you visit, check out our newest addition: the GURU Dynamic Fit. The computerized robotic assisted system has revolutionized road bike fitting, and we’re the only shop in the area that offers the service.
