by Coach David Ertl
In less than a week, the overnight towns for RAGBRAI XLII will be announced. Although RAGBRAI is still six months away, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be starting to think ahead to this year’s ride.
RAGBRAI XLII will be held on July 20-26 this year. Registration is already open for this year’s ride. So lock in your vacation days and get signed up.
It also isn’t too early to start thinking about preparing your bike for this coming season. If you have neglected your bike all fall and winter, dust it off and take it in to your local bike shop and have them go over it and get it tuned up. January is an excellent time to do this as bike shops aren’t too busy this time of year. So get a head start on your fellow cyclist and get your bike tuned up now.
In terms of your body, it also is time to think about getting it tuned up again. If you have been too sedentary this off-season, start getting some activity. It doesn’t have to be cycling. At this time of year, almost any activity that gets your muscles and heart rate going is good to do. But just because it’s winter, don’t write off riding. We get breaks in the weather, even in Iowa in January, where you can sneak out for a ride once in a while. You can also take part in spin classes or ride your own stationary trainer. The more you can do now, the better you will feel when you get out on your bike in earnest this spring.
I will once again be providing training blogs for RAGBRAI this year. While you are waiting for warmer weather, you can read my previous several years’ worth of blogs on the RAGBRAI website. http://ift.tt/1f3tUer
So get your bike, body and mind geared up for anther great RAGBRAI year!
– Coach David Ertl
David Ertl is a USA Cycling Level 1 (Elite) Coach. He coaches the Des Moines Cycle Club Race Team and is a national head coach for the the JDRF Ride To Cure Diabetes and he coaches individual cyclists. He also provides cycling training plans and ebooks at his website: http://ift.tt/KCPCu1 . He can be contacted at coach@cyclesportcoaching.com.
via RAGBRAI http://ift.tt/KCPAT9
