Variety of routes

Motivation plays a big factor in getting the most from your training therefore it’s good to have a few different route options available, from longer endurance based rides through to shorter more intense sessions and recovery spins to keep the legs ticking over, all should play their part in your overall training schedule.

Get to know your local roads but don’t be afraid to venture a little further afield to explore. Often this feeling of ‘unknown’ can bring another stimulus to your training, keeping you fresh and alert as opposed to just going through the motions. Map your routes in advance and check to see if there are any roads that you can add to make an extra loop, or subtract should the weather turn.

Having this knowledge will give you extra confidence and put you in the right frame of mind from the start. If you’re looking for completely new roads then plan some time away, either another location in the UK or if budget allows further afield. If you plan to ride a European sportive then a few days in the mountains in advance can really help prepare you in the right way.