Winter Training Part One

Alright Guys, over the next couple of months, I will be keeping track of my progress to imporve my riding, my weight and my bike. First installment covers my diet changes, exercise and first try on clipless pedals!OK, so i decided on looking at my expanding waistline one day, I really need to sort myself out. I'm putting on weight, feeling bad and really not as good as I want to be on the bike.

My riding background goes back a few years, I've always enjoyed being on a bike and had BMX's as a teenager. I never really got good but had a lot of fun. After an accident at work about 6 years ago shagged my knees, I bought a Cannondale SV3000DH to get into downhill, it was easier on my knees and a lot of fun. The cannon was a bit too big so I got a second hand bullit frame that retired earlier this year when I found the swingarm was cracked. I hung it on the wall and bought a Charge Blender frame. Its a bit heavier on the knees but I am adapting too it and nearly as fast as I was before.

After entering my first 4x race this winter it was obvious that i need to work on my riding as much as possible if I want to race more. Jumping and manualing are top priorities.

I've been doing this for about 3 weeks now and already loosing a bit of weight, but the last week I sort of fell off the wagon! hopefully putting it all up here will give me a kick up the arse!

I'm not going to write out my full food-plan but basically ive cut down on crap like crisps and chocolate and bacon sarnies, and increased my intake of veg, fruit and lean proteins. It's all basic stuff that will help me on my way.

Exercise is up and down, but in the dark evenings i try and do a short road ride on my bike or a session in the living room on 'wii personal trainer' its suprising how hard it works you, much better than the wii fit!

To make this more fun, the better I do, the more I get for my bike or gear. Just bought a Giro Hex helmet so I dont have to wear my Full Face everywhere, got some tools and a hydropack so i can build some trails over winter and got some CB Acid 1 pedals to try out - review up in the next installment!