Dion Rides
04-30-2007, 10:51 AM
This pertains to dirt riding more than street riding as riding the dirt is a super-physically intensive style of riding. This may help with the track day goers, though.
I've been training for super high endurance for dirt riding. I was getting winded and beat after every dirt ride, especially if I wicked up the pace. Not only that, when you fall, pick up your bike, fall and pick it up again... it will zap your energy. So I decided to do something about it.
I've borrowed what I learned in my MMA fighter's training classes. I really don't do machine work (except when to cool down) but I do a lot of compound excercises (movements that work the entire body, especially the core) and I do 20-30 reps, or to failure. I use lighter weights, and try to mimick movements that you would experience when riding, including body squats, vertical presses, bench pressing, dips, push-ups, reverse curls (arm pump), etc.
The one excercise that has surpassed all other excercises in my new endurance has been jumping rope. I speed rope and try to get the spinning very fast. I can do knee highs, double unders (two spins/one jump), and other fancy footwork - this is to help me with timing and agility. Jumping rope has been the best thing I could possibly do for cross-training.
I also BMX and mountain bike (downhill and freeride) and I've really noticed that it all transfers back and forth. Again, this helps with agility.
All in all, I left the affects riding over the weekend. It used to be I would be winded and tired, but I feel no zapped energy the way I did about 2-3 months ago. It takes training like a boxer, but I love riding enough to push myself that way.
I've been training for super high endurance for dirt riding. I was getting winded and beat after every dirt ride, especially if I wicked up the pace. Not only that, when you fall, pick up your bike, fall and pick it up again... it will zap your energy. So I decided to do something about it.
I've borrowed what I learned in my MMA fighter's training classes. I really don't do machine work (except when to cool down) but I do a lot of compound excercises (movements that work the entire body, especially the core) and I do 20-30 reps, or to failure. I use lighter weights, and try to mimick movements that you would experience when riding, including body squats, vertical presses, bench pressing, dips, push-ups, reverse curls (arm pump), etc.
The one excercise that has surpassed all other excercises in my new endurance has been jumping rope. I speed rope and try to get the spinning very fast. I can do knee highs, double unders (two spins/one jump), and other fancy footwork - this is to help me with timing and agility. Jumping rope has been the best thing I could possibly do for cross-training.
I also BMX and mountain bike (downhill and freeride) and I've really noticed that it all transfers back and forth. Again, this helps with agility.
All in all, I left the affects riding over the weekend. It used to be I would be winded and tired, but I feel no zapped energy the way I did about 2-3 months ago. It takes training like a boxer, but I love riding enough to push myself that way.