Goals for the Offseason

// October 5th, 2008 // Cycling, Personal Crap

cyclingThis time a week ago, I had returned from my final crit of the 2008 season in Jacksonville, NC, satisfied with my results on the year. I’ve kind of relaxed and have put in less training in the past week – a little sore from a lot of miles in 2008 – substantially more than 2007.

Anyway, I’m in the position to do a free fitness assessment at the private gym in the same building I work in. I’m going to do that to setup some goals and training for the offseason. Here’s my preliminary plan for ways to make 2009′s bike racing even more successful than 2008 (possibly upgrading to Cat4 racing):

  • Workouts off the bike – focusing on cross-training and working muscle groups that aren’t getting their fair share of workout on the bike
  • Upgrades – The biggest weight reduction I’ll have in racing next season will hopefully be through continued drops in body weight thanks to the goals directly above and below this one, but a few upgrades are desired for my setup:
    • Wheels – I have a possible hookup in D.C. who can possibly get me a steal of a deal on a Easton EA90 SL clinchers wheel set, adding some zip and weight reduction to my Allez Comp.
    • Pedals – This one is probably a pipe dream, but I’d love to reduce my rotational weight and increase my pedal stroke efficiency via a lighter set of pedals. Currently, I’m running classic Look pedals, but would love to upgrade to their newest and lightest KEO TI pedals, but God they’re expensive!
  • Continued time in the saddle – I’m going to try to continue riding throughout the winter. The trainer’s OK, but I need to try to put more miles on outside even in the cold months of Carolina. Maybe some more layers and warm clothing will be in order, but nothing beats more actual road miles than more road miles.
  • Focus and on 2009 – Getting out there in crits and road races often and early in 2009 is the ultimate goal. The more races I hit next year, the better.

So anyway, those are my basic and completely doable goals for me to succeed next year in my second full season of bike racing. Wish me luck and look for updates, revisions and additions as the temperatures cool, the days shorten and my off-season training ramps up.

Fellow riders, racers, etc., feel free to interject with your own off-season goals and suggestions.

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