Spring is in the air and training is shaping up for the road ahead.

Once again I have not blogged in a long time. Mostly due to time, a little bit due to not having anything to say. Some people may argue that I never really have much to say. They would be being mean.

Anyway with spring just around the corner I figured it was about time to write up some of what I have been up to during the long dark winter months. Mostly as an aide memoir for my training but also just to share what I have been doing.

Firstly I have been out riding my mountain bike a lot. Mostly because of the reason below:

Mostly though because I got a GoPro for Christmas. Naturally this has been taken out everywhere and lots of videos and photos have been taken with it.

 Mostly of muddy rides or bikes. 

Or of the sky following yet another bail. 

Some to show that even Geoff has to walk some times.

Sometimes to show how stunning the scenery on a ride can be.

Or to get arty with how muddy a bike can get.

Some times even for none biking things.

Or just to making various videos of rides, visits, biking holidays, crashes or attempted edits. Sometimes with success, sometimes with little success at all. However it has all been fun. Which riding should be. It does mean I have neglected my road bike a lot - apart from a few big rides over the Christmas period. However as this article from Dave Smith shows it all counts as cross training right?

Training brings me to my second point - the first being my mountain biking and amateur film making in case you hadn't noticed!

Anyway with spring around the corner and the Spring Classics already started it is time for my training to ramp back up. I have downloaded a few phone apps (very tech savvy) 10 daily exercises and 7 minute yoga to support my time on the bike. I have also had a look at nutrition and signing up to the excellent bicycling.com has meant that I got a mini .pdf recipe book. The reason for all this? Well mostly because I have identified a few sportives I really want to be fully prepared for. Also there is a little bit of turning 30 that is in the back of my mind. Mostly though I just want to be stronger and more comfortable on the bike. 

Training my core and including some yoga as well as some regular none bike exercises will only help with that. Naturally I will feed back on any improvement I make (or don't).

My aim this spring/summer is to be out on some serious rides - 100km+ - which means ensuring that not only my legs and lungs but my core and calorie intake is as good as it could be. I am not aiming to suddenly be flying along at 30kmph average speed or trying to shed much more from my 6'2 and 86kg frame. However I am trying to be as good as I can be at the sport I love. 

Which surely is what this is all about?

p.s.

Before I sign off a few additional things firstly I have been playing around with Sisu. This allows you to turn your workout data into unique artwork (my data from last year is below). I really like this and there is something really pleasing about seeing your year reduced to a cool looking infographic.

...sure I rode more last year!

Another website I have been using is veloviewer this tracks the type of activity, the distance, pace etc and gives you a score based on other people riding (or running your routes). It feeds the competitive gremlin in me although I have used up all the free uploads I can and so my score is now capped - which is annoying.  

Finally I have started using Strava's route builder (in beta form) to plan routes home from work and the occasional weekend ride. There is no greater feeling than exploring a new route to shake up a ride. Obviously it is always nice to ride familiar routes but as the old adage goes 'familiarity breeds contempt' so finding a new alternative routes always helps keep things fresh.

Well unless you make an arse of it and end up on a potholed road in the rain.

Which isn't great.

Ever.