4 Lessons to Apply to Any Ride

Despite an ice storm that week, and continuing frigid weather, Atlanta's annual Tundra Time Trial went off without a hitch this year. I ride it every year as a benchmark with my riding buddies to gauge where we are in relation to last year at this time.

Like many recreational riders, I seldom do a time trial. It's just not my preferred type of riding. But I mention the Tundra because it holds a few lessons that are worth sharing and can be applied to any ride.

Sometimes You Need a Push

There were plenty of no shows whose cabin fever was not enough for them to brave the 28-degree (-2.2 C) temperatures and the 15-mph wind at the start. Not exactly ideal conditions, but the TT must go on!

The Crucial First Ride

Considering the winter that much of the U.S. and Canada suffered through, I don't blame the riders who decided to stay in bed instead of get up early, drive from over an hour outside of Atlanta, gear up in the car and then "warm up" on a trainer outside in temperatures way beyond our Southern comfort zone.

To be honest, if I hadn't been riding with three of my buddies, I may have slept through the event myself. But there are times when we all need the push of a friend to get over the psychological hurdle that sometimes compels us to not try that "stretch" event, not ride on a particularly cold winter day, or not tear ourselves away from that home project that can be done later.

Sometimes you need to be the "pusher." Sometimes you need a push.

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Pack Your Gear the Night Before

You're not a normal cyclist if you've never forgotten something you meant to bring along on a ride. This is why it's especially important to choose your gear carefully and pack it the night before. Doing so will prevent you from scrambling on the morning of the event. Instead, you can give yourself plenty of time to eat an appropriate breakfast, drink a cup of coffee, start sipping on a bottle of water or sports drink and get the bikes and gear loaded without issue.

How to Hold Your Own Club Rides

No matter how many events I do, I still get a little nervous beforehand. Running around in a tizzy looking for your trainer-specific skewer when you're trying to get out the door does you no good. By getting your gear together and having your bike prepped ahead of time allows you to focus on your ride, which will ease the nerves.

Adjust your Dress Specifically for the Conditions

This tip isn't as obvious as it might sound. The Tundra is a short TT, only 8.3 miles (13.4 km). Since my buddies and I arrange to start one after another, staggered 30 seconds apart, and because we are all fairly equal riders, we could safely assume we would all finish in around 22 to 24 minutes.

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And with the type of effort put forth in a TT, at or above your lactate threshold or functional threshold power for the entire ride, your body is going to generate some heat. So there was no need to dress as if we were doing a longer time trial or a slower, normal road ride. (I would have added at least one more layer on my feet, probably another one or two layers on my torso, and thicker gloves for a normal ride under the same weather conditions.)

The same holds true for rides that include serious climbs or changes in elevation, or rainy rides that include climbs—where peeling off or putting on arm warmers, wind vests and jackets is par for the course. You want and need that rain jacket riding down a rainy mountain on even a slightly cool day. But it can surely roast you in your own juices if you leave it on going up the climbs.

Match your gear to the conditions, even if you face them just for a few minutes.

Don't Launch Like a Rocket

The Tundra is a testy little TT that starts on a minor uphill grade for the first mile. That initial stretch ends with two short, steeper climbs—the 2nd one requiring some out-of-the-saddle effort to get over. And this year, the start was directly into that icy 15 mph wind.

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Redlining on that first stretch makes for a miserable rest of the ride, to be sure. It's vital to stay within yourself and not fire your thrusters right from the start. You'll be burned out and be regretful if you do.

The same can be said for pretty much any ride, but especially longer, endurance-based rides. Warm-up, build as the ride goes on, and measure your effort so that you can finish strong. This is the recommended approach.

Don't Ride with Untested Equipment

For the Tundra, I decided to dust off an aero helmet I acquired a couple years ago but never wore. I made sure to get the fit dialed in and, as I do with all my helmets, cut off the excess strap length and cauterize the ends with a flame.

Tips to Ride on Wet Roads

I drove to my typical circuit in Stone Mountain Park (it was the first time I've ever driven there to ride, much preferring the 10-mile trip on my bike, instead). I wanted to test the helmet in conditions like those I would be riding in. Granted, it was just a helmet, but I didn't want any surprises on the day of the event (like the helmet pushing down my glasses, or sliding back on my head when I was in aero position, etc.).

It's crucial to test all of the equipment you'll use on race day beforehand. Never show up with something you're using, or wearing, for the first time. It can be a recipe for, at best, consternation.

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