Elite Cycling Performance
There’s a route I want to cycle. It takes me across the Lake District National Park and passes by the building which was once a Youth Hostel and where I worked. I would sit in its garden looking onto the mountains, then I’d hike with packs laden on climbing trips, accompanied only by the wonderful quiet of special company, my climbing partner beside me and no words needed as we headed into the hills.
I’m 55 years of age today and I want to ride this route. To take on the numerous mountain passes and to do so with at least some smiles on my face. I like a challenge – I’m still a competitor at heart. But the distance involved in travelling to practice and, the onset of colder weather means my training has to be adapted. Yes, I can go out into the smaller hills in my local National Park, the Dales. They’re truly beautiful, but the winter is coming. Yesterday we had snow! My wife’s parents sent a picture of it.
Yes, I’ll be back onto the rollers again I guess, spinning away and wiping away the sweat, as I try to retain my legs in readiness for spring or a crisp winter day. It won’t give me the strength though, just the stamina, which as a former distance athlete God or my parents already gave me. So this year I’ll try a new tact, a new plan. I’ll mix things up a bit, because I will ride that route before spring. Simon, my former climbing partner is scattered in the valley and I’ll ride past him smiling as I head upwards on the leg torturing tarmac.
I’m going to be using new rollers that add resistance to my pedalling and the effect of slope. Wow! Who knew! The application of science into the most simple of cycle trainers – 3 parabolic rollers lined up beneath my wheels, but now able to test my strength, to raise the ground or at least to simulate it and to give my training direction, as it links me into the Elite ‘My Training App’. The Italian engineers at Elite describe their Quick Motion rollers thus: “Pedal floating in the air…”
“Roller with a floating-system that aids balance during training.”
I like the idea of floating on air. Yes, the rollers move beneath you to simulate the movement of the cyclist on the road. It makes it possible to stand up on the rollers while pedalling and to attack the hill, or the resistance produced by the new Quick Motion rollers at least. And so my only question is: “does it also allow me good coffee and cake when I reach the summit!” 😉 Only time will tell, but I can’t wait to try out the new Elite Quick Motion rollers and to see how they’ll help this middle aged athlete enjoy the mountains next spring.
I’ll also combine the rollers with a Smart Trainer, the new Elite Suito which is light and portable, so that even when I’m away visiting family I can train. And, when I don’t want to have to balance on rollers, it’ll give me the necessary results through it’s science and resistance. Best of all, I can combine it with videos of my rides that are replicated through their ‘My Real Video’ software, so I’ll stay warm and dry as I ride in real hills – def worth a cappuccino! Yes, indoor training is about helping me stay fit and able to tackle those special routes still and to immerse myself in the mountains. But for now, it’s my 55th birthday and I need good coffee and cake!
