What to do when there is no racing?

A month has passed since the Gorrick Spring Classic. At the time the first race of the season was met eagerly, everyone ready to assess their form after the gloomy winter months. Excitement was high in anticipation of the summer of exhilarating racing that lay ahead. Little did we know it would be our only race for who knows how long.


The Corona virus was only something we were vaguely aware was happening in China. Now it has put a stop to all local amateur and professional bike racing across the globe. Bike racing seems irrelevant and unimportant in the grand scheme of things right now.

So what do we do without the focus of racing goals to galvanise us into heading out for another hill rep or interval session? Well ever since the lock down was announced it seems the weather has been brilliant! The days have got longer and the sun has shone. Which means the trails are running perfectly! Fortunately in the UK we are still allowed our one form of daily exercise as long as we maintain a safe social distance from everybody we meet and pass, so we've been able to get out and enjoy those glorious conditions.

I'm working from home, and relieved of school run duties since the kids are home as well. So I've been creeping downstairs early in the morning and getting my ride in before work and Daddy responsibilities kick in! To be honest, lock down and isolation have had their benefits in this respect.

I haven't been "training" just enjoying riding my bike, which hopefully has a similar result. Before lock down I had a new regime of three 'proper' rides a week and I've continued this, but just fill the days between with additional family trailer bike rides and leisurely cruises around the local lanes and trails. Wednesday and Friday are 60 to 90 minute rides of a decent tempo, basically having fun and pushing myself! Sunday is a more steady paced ride, up to 3 hours. The frustration is that I'm unable to share the glorious spring trails with my friends, not able to chase their wheels through the dusty singletrack. Instead I've taken the opportunity to explore some more unfamiliar trails and revisit older routes from my past.

One thing about the current situation is the importance to not put unnecessary strain on the emergency services and from a personal Corona risk perspective avoid hospital! So the rides I've chosen have been less technically challenging, more old school mountain biking on the smooth open bridleways of the South Downs. I've also been taking extra spares and tools with me so if I have a mechanical issue I don't need to force my wife to have to make any unnecessary journeys.

Make the most of the opportunities you have, it's not all bad.