Resolve
Resolve really comes into play on the climb of the Grosse Scheidegg
I don’t make new year’s resolutions; in fact I don’t think I have ever really made a serious one.
But that’s not to say there isn’t a benefit to looking at ourselves and what we want to achieve at the turn of the year.
Pretty much all of us will have had some time away from work, a chance to clear our minds and hopefully relax.
The holiday break can also be a good time to take time off from the bike – where I live in Switzerland it ends up being a choice between skiing, or indoor cycling.
I try to use this time to think about the year ahead, but I honestly don’t think making a resolution that is going to be hard to keep, and then get me down when I fail at it is such a great idea.
So, resolutions, not really my thing, but I do find the English root of the word interesting.
Resolve.
And I think resolve comes into cycling in two major ways.
Firstly, resolve is key for getting something done.
Just getting on the bike, be it the indoor trainer, or heading outside (particularly in winter), takes a hell of a lot of resolve.
January is a time when a lot of us start preparing our training plans to get us ready for the cycling year to come.
These tend to be 10-, 12- or 16-week plans – and one of the first tasks ahead of starting a plan can be to do a fitness test. Something else that requires a large dose of resolve.
I’ll admit that I’ve been putting off my FTP test for a few weeks now – the thought of suffering like a dog for 20 minutes isn’t so appealing.
But I resolve to get it done in the next week or so – I’ll let you all know how it goes.
And more than just starting a ride, our resolve comes into play when we’re on a ride. It help us to hold a wheel, to grit our teeth on the steepest section of a climb, or when we’re grinding through mud on our gravel bikes.
Not to mention the resolve needed to turn away from the sweet treats, or the beers, or whatever else we’ve deemed “unhealthy” for us.
Secondly, I think it is interesting to look at the word split into two.
Re-Solve
Every new year I look at my training and am tempted by all kinds of different platforms, or new routines, or other new things that promise to raise my FTP or help me lose weight, or increase my VO2 max, or just get faster generally.
Some of the things I’ve come across recently include:
· Shorter cranks
· Super narrow bars
· Aero helmet
· Waxed chain
· Oversize jockey wheels
· Even wider tyres
· Train more in Zone 2 and below
· Do more intervals
· Add more sprints
And to be honest it all gets a bit overwhelming.
Do I really need to re-solve this problem every year?
I think the best thing for me to do is stick to what’s worked before. And whilst it might not be sexy and new, consistent training* and diet is the thing that’s going to make me a “better” cyclist in 2025.
Our new kit
The only new thing you’re likely to see from me this year out on a ride is the Borne Cycling kit which should be with us at the start of March. Get in touch (or come on a trip) if you want to get hold of a jersey, pair of shorts, socks or gilet.
So yeah, no resolutions, but lots of resolve, and no need to re-solve my training plans.
Today’s featured tour
One of the Mont Blanc views you’ll see on our women’s tour
A female only, female guided big hilly loop of Lac Leman. This tour includes some spectacular riding in the Vallée Verte and climbing the mythical Col de Joux Plane. You’ll ride along the lake shore past Montreux and Vevey in Switzerland and head up into the deserted Jura and cycle beside the beautiful Lac de Joux.
Length: 385KM - Days Riding: 5 - Elevation: 6,478m
2025 Date: 16th - 21st June
Click here for more details and to book
What I’ve been listening to while writing
BBC 6Music
Not an album, but what I think is the world’s best radio station. Right now it’s blasting out hardcore jungle, and no doubt next tune will be a chilled indie number, swiftly followed by some amazing dub reggae. The music is incredible, the presenters are great, any time of day, any day of the week (apart from Giles Peterson’s show on Saturday afternoon - too much mad jazz for me)
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/live:bbc_6music
*Get in touch if you want a copy of the training plan I resolve to stick to.