Consistency

[bennydorano]

Have to say I am totally inconsistent when it comes to actual cycling performance, one week I can be very good (at my own newbie level) and the next week i can struggle badly. I can name a few things that i think effect my performance, but I'd like to hear tips on how to gain some consistency.

Factors that have caused poor shows:

• Dressed for winter on a mild day - overheated badly

• not being up early enough to get a good breakfast & let it settle before going for a spin at the weekend.
• Generally speaking I am a lot better on afternoon/evening rides than early morning ones?

 

[Bigsharn]

I find the same, I always perform better between 10am and 2pm, or midnight-6am, you're not alone mate

I head out in a wind/waterproof jacket and gloves, then add thin layers through the day if I get colder, which does mean carrying a backpack, unfortunately

 

[HLaB]

I dislike overheating too, so I usually dress on the side of chilliness and carry a gilet/jacket if I'm too cold. Bib longs, a thin & windproof base layer with softshell jacket (different thickness's for different temps) seems to work for me. I have thick, more windproof biblongs but they tend to only come out when its 0-2deg.
I'm not too bad for breakfast, I leave it quite late because I like my bed (funny how I can't sleep just now!). I usually go for a bowl of cereal (like 2 weetabix) and often have that just 15 mins before I go out.
I don't think I'm too fussy about ride time but I think I'm the opposite if I've programmed for an early start I do better.

 

[Keith Oates]

I prefer early morning starts but do try to get some breakfast inside me before going out. As for inconsistency, I think that happens to all of us at different times and it's just something we have to live with and accept until (hopefully) the next ride.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Blue]

Getting the clothing right will improve with experience. It's an area that is helped by using a layering system so that items can be taken off or put on as required. That's where arm/leg warmers and gilets etc come in handy. One thing I find useful is to be chilly at the start of a ride as the body will usually warm up after a short period of work. If I wear enough to be warm as I leave the house I get too warm within a short period of time.

If you can't eat adequately pre ride, try a good carbo sports drink during the ride and fuel up on the fly.

It's normal to function less well first thing in the morning as mind and body take a while to warm-up.

Everyone has 'off' days, perhaps more so at this time of year due to weather, illness etc. Just keep spinning those pedals!

 

[Col5632]

glad to hear im not the only one who has problems getting up in time for breakfast and struggling with early morning cycling, im just hoping one day it all gets easier

 

[Fnaar]

My fave rides are early starts, 7 to 8 am if I can start then. Been riding regularly for about 7 years now, and I've found that now I rarely get the clothes aspect wrong ... keep an eye on weather forecast, and I usually nip out into the garden for 5 mins before getting my cycling gear on, to get an idea of how the day feels. I always have a big bowl of porridge about half hour before getting out.
I got it wrong on a 100 miler in May this year... I just had a short sleeved top on, sunny day, and all the way out I was fine. But most of the way home I had a headwind, and my arms and hands got really cold. Could barely feel my fingers by the time I got home.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I generally do an early morning ride although night rides are great fun.

I've heard that it's easier cycling if you haven't stayed up the night before drinking beer

 

[Hicky]

Too warm =pedal slower.
Too cold =pedal faster.
Sort of works for me unless I'm running late.

 

[Nearly there]

Early evening was best for me until the dark nights came in now its morning but im slower dont know why