sábado, 24 de junio de 2023

How to use cycling to feel great about yourself


Yesterday I had a look at the profile and the result of my analysis was “A short ride (131km). Only one hill, Green Dene, at Km 25. The rest all flat” (Send me your route if you want this type of in-depth analysis).

Today, while having breakfast, I finalized my plan. “Have a coffee at breakfast. Sit at the back of the group the first 25km. Then, at Green Dene, ride at 350w for five minutes and get a PB” (I’m also available if you need help coming up with a winning strategy for your ride).


Then, at LW, as soon as the group started to ride, I hit the front and my first turn was pretty much all the way from LW to Esher. My execution didn’t exactly follow my plan.


Worse than that, in that first turn I realized my legs were still tired from Thursday’s ride (https://www.strava.com/activities/9315615637). The idea of 5 minutes at 350w going up Green Dene didn’t look that feasible.


Even worse than that, as soon as Green Dene started I started to pray for someone (not me obviously) to lead us up the climb at a steady pace. A pace below 350w I added in my prayers. 


From there I sat at the back of the group for the rest of the ride. Only to see GC Denis, The Pope and Richard L. taking town sign sprints left and right. 


My completely destroyed ego rebuilt itself as soon as I took the final sprint at Esher. To do so I very conveniently ignored all the wheelsucking I had been practicing all day, including all the approach to the sprint. 


Rebuilding my ego is more important than the fairness of the sprint. 


Follow me for more tips on how to feel great about yourself.


The ride in Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/9325208700/


Take care

Javier Arias González


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