| Long distance bike riding requires a certain type of | | | | As described above it is crucial to get the right balance |
| training. Training for any endurance event places a | | | | of training work load and rest. The easiest way to |
| huge amount of extra strain on your body. As you are | | | | achieve this is to follow a training schedule. A properly |
| pushing your body to its limits, it is so much easier to | | | | constructed training schedule will contain exactly the |
| push yourself too hard. Doing so can have two | | | | right balance of work and rest. This is usually achieved |
| different types of ill effect. First of all you can | | | | by having a carefully constructed mix of different |
| dramatically increase your chances of getting injured | | | | types of ride. Different workouts should be added to |
| as you increase the workload you place on the body. | | | | improve different aspects of your riding such as |
| Secondly training for long periods can cause you to | | | | climbing, speed, endurance, recovery, cadence and |
| work the body so hard that it does not have time to | | | | power amongst others. |
| recover leading to what is known as chronic over | | | | Riding over long distances also requires a structured |
| training. This is when the body slowly gets more and | | | | approach to your diet and nutrition. Did you know for |
| more worn out, leading to decreases in performance. | | | | example that if you want to lose weight you will do so |
| Many riders fail to grasp this concept that riding harder | | | | by riding at much slower speeds for longer as |
| or further may not actually make you fitter or stronger. | | | | opposed to riding very fast for shorter periods? |