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Time for the real racing to begin
by Zak Dempster | 12/03/10

All the work is done, the measurement of the proverbial hath been recorded during the training camp, and now it’s time for the real racing to begin.

Some will be kicking back in their lounge knowing they’ve put the necessary work down, confident in their own abilities. Some will be scrambling to find that last bit of conditioning that they may perceive was lost on the dance floor in December. Either way, everyone has their own idea of how to place the finishing touches onto their preparation.

As Tom pointed out to me; every cyclist in the world is on the cusp of their best season ever during the months of December, January and February. Some will be wondering whether this belief will hold true as moments of self doubt start to creep into the vulnerable mind of a cyclist.

I for one, am excited about what lies ahead. We are at the end of our longest non-racing period throughout the year. It began with the violent unravelling of our restricted lifestyles into one with not many at all. After which, everyone has to bite the bullet and throw oneself back into some form of routine that doesn’t involve a platter of cheese for dinner.

Some go cold turkey and jump into days filled with time in the saddle, pedaling forth on salad, water and guilt – all thinking about the upcoming season; which will definitely be their best yet. Others may follow a 5 stage process that involves slipping back a stage every now and then. Ultimately everyone has their own routine and way of preparing for the season and just because someone else is riding their bike for 8 hours in November; doesn’t mean you should. But you should probably ride your bike at some point just to be sure. Either way, everyone will hopefully believe in what they’re doing for a reason, otherwise the whole process might well be rendered useless.

Anyway; that feels like a lifetime ago – 5 hour rides are passing by with apparent ease and the fruit of my labour is hopefully ripe for the picking. After all; I think this could be a good season.

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