Beyond two wheels
By Zachary Morvant
It’s usually September or October when I start fantasizing. I’ll be riding along, usually training for a late-season race, when I catch myself dreaming of doing something else. Gee, that trail runner looks like they’re having fun, I’ll think. Ooo, the waves look pretty; maybe I should finally get back into surfing. My wife thought I was cooler when I surfed.
This is how I know I need a break from cycling. And soon.
There are myriad reasons for even the most dedicated riders to intentionally take some time off the bike. For professional and amateur racers, a physical and mental reset is the first step to success before training for next season. For folks living in wintry climes (hello and condolences from my perennially temperate tower in San Francisco), riding outdoors may not be an option. And of course there are people who are just generally less obsessed with bikes or simply enjoy a more balanced athletic life. (Must be nice.)
Photos: Amy Smith, Raimundo @fixieray
Getting some much-needed rest and embracing perfect laziness has its place. But eventually, boredom creeps in. (Speaking personally, this happens maybe a week into my “off-season,” a term that makes my spouse’s eye twitch.) I’m possessed by a near-constant need to be active, and simultaneously strive to keep myself from touching the bike for just a bit longer. So, what else is one to do?
I conducted a highly informal survey through Instagram to see what cyclists in my network had to say.
Amy Smith, crit and road racer for Super Sprinkles: “My two fav off-season activities: yoga and snuggling with my cat Joan. My favorite thing about yoga is that it’s a simple thing you can do every day to bring strength, flexibility, focus, and mental clarity. You can do it pretty much anywhere, which is a bonus — even 5 minutes a day makes a difference.
“When it comes to my cat Joan, I love when she crawls into my lap and falls asleep. I always feel a bit honored that she could sleep anywhere, but she picks my lap.”
Raimundo aka Fixieray, bike rider and descent artist: “Boxing. Although you’re using your upper body to strike, the power and agility all comes from the lower body. It’s an explosive sport, which balances the body as a cyclist. The coordination it gives you is also something you don’t find very often in most cycling. I’d say it gives you the explosiveness of track cycling with the body movement and coordination of downhill mountain biking. If you decide to spar, then it brings in the masochism of riding a track bike in the streets of a hilly, car-filled city.”
Miles Cooper, attorney, lifelong cyclist, and recovering rower: “As a driven individual who gets pleasure thrashing myself and working through pain, my biggest challenges historically have been overuse injuries and ignoring small injuries until they become bigger injuries. As I closed on 50, I found that if I incorporated yoga into my routine I was able to hear what my body was telling me before it was too late. While I’ve done yoga at a variety of wonderful places, nothing compares to Grace Cathedral’s Yoga on the Labyrinth. The soaring ceiling, stained glass, outstanding instruction, and world-class sound performance accompanying the practice is simply magical. Keeping the mind and body limber and open doesn’t hurt either. If you’re visiting San Francisco, drop by (they rent mats) and you’ll be transported.”
Grace Cathedral’s Yoga on the Labyrinth.
Marissa Axell, cycling coach for 40+ women: “Weight lifting! Getting strong to go faster… slowing down aging, upping my metabolism, and feeling f**king powerful!”
Zachary Piña, cyclist and photographer: “Long trail hikes with the dog, weighted vest. Forest bathing, but tiring. Honestly, it’s the time of year. Forces me to go slow but not so slow that I’m not getting at least a small workout. Plus, the leaves, the creeks are ripping, it’s all just magic.”
Carissa, Fat Cake Club ride leader: “Gym time, yoga, strength training and some indoor spin classes. I actually really like they all take significantly less time than cycling, and also new communities and feeling stronger! I always get aches and pains on the bike so I really want to build more strength off the bike.”
There are planks, and then there are planks
Besides core work and yoga being very popular with the two-wheeled set, there is another activity that many enjoy this time of year: skiing. As a child who grew up shredding skinny planks down Alyeska, alpine skiing is a nostalgic pastime for me, even if I’ve lost contact with it the past several years.
For those who are looking for more aerobic stimulus (and a lower chance of high-speed impact), cross country (aka Nordic) skiing can be either a leisurely way to enjoy the snow or a Technicolor yawn-inducing VO2max workout.
Coming back around
I knew a coach who gave his athletes one piece of advice regarding the length of their off-season: “Don’t touch your bike until you are absolutely itching to ride it again. Then, wait another week.” Sound advice for those of us with the discipline to follow it.
The whole point of taking a break from cycling is to recharge and rejuvenate yourself, both physically and mentally. Whether it’s through yoga, boxing, hiking, weightlifting, snow sports, or furry friend cuddles, the key is to find activities that bring fun and balance to your life. By stepping away from the bike, even briefly, we can return to it with renewed vigor and joy.
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