75 Make A Fartlek Playlist
Pass the time when training indoors on the turbo or in the gym by making suitable playlists on your iPod. Alternate something fast paced to thrash yourself to followed by something more mellow to recover. The length of the songs dictates the work/rest ratio.
76 Take A Fiver
Tea stops (and, if we’re honest, cake) on long winter rides are definitely an acceptable part of any training regime. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
77 Work On Your Swimming
Thankfully, most swimming pools are a) indoors and b) heated. This makes them ideal for winter training and, again, if we’re honest, most of us could do with improving the most technical discipline of the three.
78 If It Snows, Get On The Mountain Bike
A great excuse to go out and play if the UK grinds to a halt due to two inches of the white stuff. You could even impress your boss by being the only person to make it to work and get some training miles in at the same time!
79 Be Careful Wearing Ear Warmers
A fleecy headband will keep your ears warm on the bike but can also restrict your ability to hear the lorry bearing down on you from behind. Cover the tops of your ears so that you still maintain good hearing.
80 Slow Down When Riding Past Farms
Wet fields mean mud dragged onto the road by tractor tyres. Take care that you don’t whip round the bend onto a mud slick and end up in a heap three days before your expensive training holiday to Lanzarote – the result of which is that you can’t go into the pool for 10 days when you’re there.
81 Don’t Expect To Perform Like You Did During The Season
Warm temperatures, tapering, less clothing vs the cold, more volume and loads of layers mean that your training times will be slower in the winter. Don't worry about it; when the spring appears, you'll start to creep back up towards those training PBs again.
