Categories: Belgian AffirmationsThe HardmenTradition

Winter Training

There is drafting, and then there’s this.

Merckx famously professed that after a night of sinning, the body must be cleansed. He obviously meant this figuratively, not literally, because those mud guards on his bike aren’t going to take a big bite out of whatever that lorry has to offer him by way of a Flandrian facial.

Winter is a tough time for those of us pawing about in search of our climbing weight. With the shortening of days, the nesting instinct awakens. Darkness falls in late afternoon and when we wake, we are greeted by the same darkness that wrapped us all through the evening. Nature urges us to combat the darkness with food and drink; summer’s dinner salads are replaced by slow-cooked meat and potatoes served with a side of pasta and bacon and washed down with a few bottles of red.

Weight defies the conservation of mass; it is more easily gained than lost. Fitness occupies the opposite realm; it is more easily lost than gained. Riders like Kelly, Merckx, and De Vlaeminck were famous for their discipline throughout winter; training long and hard to lay the groundwork for their Spring and Summer campaigns. With a sea of months between us and next season’s goals, there is little urgency to train properly. But keeping our weight down and putting in the long base kilometers will reward us throughout the season. Besides, it hardens the character to train in the cold, wet winds that characterize the winter months. The training we do in summer feels a luxury by comparison.

I cherish the winter months when my training is peaceful and free of pressure. I look forward to the sun warming my muscles, but for now I am content to stock up on fresh Flandrian Best, prepare the bike for the winter roads, and submit to the solitude of the cold training hours that lie before me.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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frank says:

Oct 28 2013 at 2:27 pm

@wiscot

I also use mudguards on the winter bike - always have done: I grew up in the west of Scotland where to go on a winter group ride without them was to be highly antisocial - no-one wanted a face full of shit off perenially wet roads. Even solo, not getting icy water all over your feet and arse is worth the rule violation.

It's not a Rule violation; there is no Rule against it. It's just a moral contravention if Rule 9.
unversio says:

Oct 28 2013 at 2:33 pm

@frank The dog at the finish is awesome.
EricW says:

Oct 28 2013 at 2:35 pm

I have ridden so many cold wet winter miles in my life. Now living in the bay area, I'm looking forward to just wet winter miles.

Here's to moving up in the world.
Marcus says:

Oct 28 2013 at 2:41 pm

@frank If you are thining of a new trainer, may I suggest a combination? A set of rollers (must be Kreitler) to maintain souplesse, and a LeMond Revolution for interval sessions. You wont be sorry.

I use them both, even in good weather.
DerHoggz says:

Oct 28 2013 at 3:27 pm

What trainers are good to look into? Or, what do you look for in a trainer?
Weldertron says:

Oct 28 2013 at 3:31 pm

In my opinion, the Kurt Rock'n'roll is pretty cool as it moves. the Kurt Kinetic has also gotten very good reviews. I have had one for 2 years and have been very happy with it.
Nate says:

Oct 28 2013 at 3:59 pm

He who says a resistance trainer benefits his pedal stroke has never ridden rollers.
kixsand says:

Oct 28 2013 at 4:01 pm

Weight defies the conservation of mass; it is more easily gained than lost. Fitness occupies the opposite realm; it is more easily lost than gained.

This is good stuff Frank! Very nicely said!
Inspector Gadget says:

Oct 28 2013 at 4:05 pm

e-Motion rollers can't be beat in my experience. Living in Canada I'm often faced with ice conditions and I like my collar bones the way they are.

People cite Rule #9 all the time. I must ask, what is more mentally difficult, riding outside with friends (peer pressure to go out in the slop) or facing 90 minutes indoors alone on a trainer or rollers pushing out constant power and intervals?
xyxax says:

Oct 28 2013 at 4:19 pm

@frank

I am so fucking sorry in advance for posting this, but given that CX is a viable winter training option, I have no choice but to laugh to the point of tearing up looking at this.

Yes, tears...hilarious.