Cyclists take their training very seriously and for good reason. They need to keep their body in peak physical condition, but some cyclists have acquired bad habits that are hindering their performance. Here are five of the worst cycling mistakes that cyclists make and how to fix them.
- Cutting The Best Fuels
Salt, fat, and sugar are not as harmful and evil to the body of a cyclist as they would be to the body of someone who lounges around the house all day. Sugar is an essential source of energy for a cyclist while salt is a vital electrolyte that can prevent dehydration. You want to include all three in your diet as you train.
- Overcompensation Of Training
You may miss one or two training days on your bike and decide to make up all that missed time in one day, thinking it will provide you with the same benefits. This is incorrect. Building your cycling fitness is more about consistent routine than total hours spent training. If you can’t train for your full time, ride as much as you can and continue as usual the next day instead of doubling up on your training time.
- Wrong Riding Snacks
While it’s easy to rely on protein bars and cyclist gel to reach your peak performance, these heavily processed items can actually hinder you. These items can cause you severe digestive distress if left out in the heat. Opt for real food that will provide you with water, real sugar, proteins, and fats.
- Eating Before A Ride
Cyclists often eat a large snack an hour before their ride to give themselves a boost of energy that will last through the ride and to help reach their optimal performance. Unfortunately, this sort of habit can actually choke your performance since your big snack will make your ride line up perfectly with an impending sugar crash. Move your snack back a few extra hours to around three hours before your ride to ensure your sugar crash is over and that the food is already being digested into energy.
- Sacrificing Sleep For Training
Sleep is more important to your performance than training. It’s common for cyclists to wake up early before work or school to squeeze in extra riding. This will not do your performance any favors. Instead of trying to stick to a complicated and exhaustive schedule, enjoy extra sleep instead of riding on days where you feel tired. Opt for a low-intensity ride later on after work or school to help aid in your recovery for tomorrow’s training.