Feature

Get fit for 2008 with Cycling Plus

By Rob Spedding, Editor

Christmas is looming, and while the idea of presents and a drunken fumble at the office party makes that an exciting prospect, it also means that the New Year is on the way. And that means those bloody resolutions.

Every year I resolve not to make any New Year's resolutions, but by January 2 I'm swearing that I'll never mix Drambuie and Baileys in one pint glass again and deciding to, once and for all, stop sleeping in hedges.

And, of course, I always resolve to become a fitter and faster cyclist. Yep, I'll do the L'Etape du Tour. Sure I'll set a mega impressive TT best. Without doubt I'll shift a stone from my Lycra bulging body... you get the idea.

In fact, I bet most of you are the same. So, here's the deal: if you've got a plan for 2008, no matter how big or small - be it to get under 25 for a TT10, ride up Hautacam in the Etape without crying, save five grand by riding to work rather than taking the train, or shifting your spare tyre (not the one for your bike) in time for your honeymoon - then let us know here at Cycling Plus.

We'll then pick a select bunch of you to join Squadra CPlus. Once on board you'll obviously receive a much sought after Cycling Plus jersey, but we'll also help you reach your target with training advice, nutrition tips and bike buying know how. You'll also get to see your mugshots regularly plastered over the pages of the mag.

To help you out I'll give you an idea of what I want to achieve in 2008 - a big Sportive under my belt and, if they'll let me in, a respectable finish at the journos World Cycling championships. (Yes, they do exist.)

So - email your stories to Cycling Plus, and let's race into the New Year together.

Rob Spedding
Editor, Cycling Plus

User Comments

There are 6 comments on this post

Showing 1 - 5 of 6 comments

  • cycling goals for 2008 are simple

    To (again) cycle 160,000 metres of vertical ascent or one foot for every minute of the day.

    the real challenge is I am pretty mediocre cyclist.

  • Only started cycling in July 2007, not cycled since I was a kid (I'm 32 now) and I am seriously addicted...

    Hoping to enter my first races this year but not even done a group ride yet!

    I joined a club a couple of weeks ago but due to work / childcare I've not been able to get out with them yet :(

  • Well this could be interesting so I would be up for it.

    I am a 46 year old, returned to cycling after 23 years off having been forced to early retirement due to the miners strike!!

    I did play squash after that but only now been able to get back into cycling so back with a vengence with some ambitious targets.

    Last year was my first year back and I did a mixture of events, raced and got 3rd cat, won a few track races (ok b races) some good times in a few sportives, all with no real structured training, just club runs.

    My target for this year is loose some weight so I can climb faster!!, get into track 1 races, get 2nd cat in bcf and win some vets races and to get a decent time in the Marmotte.

    These target are a bit varied so will bee good if I achieved them all.

  • I'd like to complete the London to Brighton. I'm relatively inexperienced at road cycling and have only previously done the London Bikeathon (26 mile route). I could also do with losing a few kg's (now 5 foot 11 and 13 stone -whoops!) and see this as an opportunity to develop a healthier lifestyle.

    I'm 23 and i always believed I had athletic ability, but have never pushed myself hard enough to realise it. Perhaps this year is the time to do it.

  • Did Etape last year in 10hrs as a novice, then put a stone back on. Wanna do La Marmotte this year and break 8 hours in the Fred Whitton in May (if I can get in).

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