UPDATE 2 months gone

[screenman]

I would also add that he might like to do some upper body strength training to strengthen the body core which will be essential if he is planning upon racing, example...http://www.bicycling.com/training/s...n-the-most-important-core-muscles-for-cycling

Again I agree, but I am sure most people do 30 minutes of press ups, planks stretches etc. Every evening, if not why not?

 

[Roadrider48]

No sarcasm, just giving an insight into what others do. He wants to race, and not hopefully finish last.

You lot can be the nice cop and I will be the bad one.

LOL....

 

[Shortandcrisp]

Why ditch the swimming in favour of press ups, planks etc?
Recent personal experience -during which my core strength plummeted - has shown me that swimming improves core strength more than any other exercise I can think of.

 

[huwsparky]

I say, ditch everything in favour of more cycling if your goal is to race a bike. Can't see the point in doing anything else especially considering how little time you spend on a bike.

Maybe if you were cycling 15+ hours a week it may be worthwhile complimenting it with another form of exercise, but that's not the case here.

 

[Cuchilo]

Again I agree, but I am sure most people do 30 minutes of press ups, planks stretches etc. Every evening, if not why not?

Too busy drinking beer and watching shoot on the tv if i'm honest . It's far to early to start training for next year !

 

[S-Express]

It's far to early to start training for next year !

Not if you're currently doing three hours a week, it isn't.

 

[S-Express]

Recent personal experience -during which my core strength plummeted - has shown me that swimming improves core strength more than any other exercise I can think of.

If your goal is to achieve the 'ultimate core' - then crack on. If, however, your goal is to get good on a bike, then simply riding a bike will give all the muscles involved in riding a bike the perfect workout.

 

[screenman]

Too busy drinking beer and watching shoot on the tv if i'm honest . It's far to early to start training for next year !

Are you kidding, it is never to early to start, only to late.

 

[screenman]

Why ditch the swimming in favour of press ups, planks etc?
Recent personal experience -during which my core strength plummeted - has shown me that swimming improves core strength more than any other exercise I can think of.

I swim 12 to 14k a week, but although I engage the core I am sure it is not as beneficial as the other core work I do.

Now kayaking done properly really does give the core a workout.

 

[steve50]

I train all year round whether I am cycling or not, but that is my personal choice, I am knocking on the door of sixty and just want to keep a decent level of fitness.

 

[screenman]

I train all year round whether I am cycling or not, but that is my personal choice, I am knocking on the door of sixty and just want to keep a decent level of fitness.

I have opened the door on 60 my aim is to stay as fit as possible, not just cycling fit.

 

[Cuchilo]

Are you kidding, it is never to early to start, only to late.

I dunno , i waited until after dinner before i had the first beer .

 

[ColinJ]

If your goal is to achieve the 'ultimate core' - then crack on. If, however, your goal is to get good on a bike, then simply riding a bike will give all the muscles involved in riding a bike the perfect workout.

Generally, I'd agree with that but (as I just posted in another thread) my core/back never seem to get fit from cycling as fast as my legs/heart/lungs do.

I am riding 6,500+ kms a year with 100,000+ metres of climbing, That is enough to give me reasonable cycling fitness but I still get backache on tough local rides (100+ kms, 2,000+ metres of climbing).

Lack of flexibility might be a factor too - if I tried to bend over and touch my toes I would be lucky to get within 15 cms of them.

The problem is that whereas I enjoy riding my bikes, I find off-bike exercise a bit boring so I never do much apart from the odd hilly walk.

 

[S-Express]

but I still get backache on tough local rides

Doesn't follow that your core is weak though - it might be a function of your position, bike fit or something completely unrelated.

 

[r04DiE]

Well the first week of my new training plan is done and i enjoyed it but there is a few tweaks to be made but apart from that its been great hopefully i'll see improvements when it comes down to races next year.

All the best