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TITS

11.04.2010 by Ray Niekamp // 13 Comments

Sorry, ladies.  Didn’t mean to offend.  But it’s a good mnemonic for this time of year.  As the weather cools down, lots of bikers are moving to their indoor trainers.  Those of us fortunate enough to live in a year-round biking climate will change their riding habits, and not go out with the speed and intensity that marks the warmer months.

At this time of year, cyclists need to think about riding long and slow.  And that means Time In The Saddle.  TITS.

The pros know this.  For them, winter is an important part of their training regimen.  They put in lots of miles, and they don’t ride all that fast.

Time In The Saddle allows you to build your base — or rebuild, after some intense summer events.  It also trains your body differently.  You’re burning fat more efficiently when you ride at slow speeds for long periods of time.  When you ride hard, your energy comes from glycogen.

You’re building endurance.  You’re improving your aerobic system.  You’ll be able to ride faster longer.  Your bottom will also get used to being in the saddle for long periods of time.  Don’t underestimate the importance of comfort in training.  A comfortable biker is a fast biker.

In fact, some coaches say it’s a good idea to forget about mileage on your long rides.  Think about Time In The Saddle instead.  If your weekend long ride is 50 miles, try riding three hours, and adding time from that point.

My new derailleur is in.  I’ll be back on the road bike this weekend.  I can’t wait to grab some — uh, you know what I mean.

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Categories // training Tags // long distance, training

Comments

  1. Jeff says

    November 4, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    Now that was funny…

    Reply
  2. chrisfit2009 says

    November 5, 2010 at 2:14 am

    TITS makes us BOOBs (better on our bikes)

    Reply
    • mildstallion says

      November 5, 2010 at 7:33 am

      Chris wins the comment contest!

      Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      November 5, 2010 at 8:31 am

      Rimshot.

      Reply
    • Tim says

      November 5, 2010 at 12:24 pm

      well done!

      Reply
  3. Matt says

    November 5, 2010 at 6:42 am

    I’d just like to point out that there isn’t anywhere that ISN”T a year-round biking climate. There are simply some cyclists who lack commitment 🙂

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      November 5, 2010 at 8:32 am

      Sometimes, when I’m out on a cold morning ride, I think I oughta be committed.

      Reply
  4. Apertome says

    November 5, 2010 at 11:15 am

    I agree with Matt. Any climate *can be* a year-round biking climate. I think madness is spinning in your living room. I’d rather be “out there.”

    Long, slow rides are pretty much par for the course, for me …

    This post certainly has some useful acronyms. I’ll have to try them out on the wife later.

    Reply
  5. Tim says

    November 5, 2010 at 12:28 pm

    TITS as opposed to TOOTS (time out of the saddle). Long slow rides are also good for restarting after time away due to injuries.

    Reply
    • Bike Noob says

      November 5, 2010 at 12:33 pm

      Yeah, methinks TITS is a lot more fun.

      Reply
      • Tim says

        November 7, 2010 at 7:57 am

        😀

        Reply
  6. John says

    November 6, 2010 at 5:56 am

    I was the third owner of an indoor trainer. I think it has changed hands two more times at least.

    Icy or snowy roads is all that keep me from riding in the winter. Temperature is not a factor with all the clothing I have.

    Time in the saddle riding is all I have done for the past two years. On group rides, I’m always near the end of the pack. (by choice)

    Reply
  7. robdamanii says

    November 6, 2010 at 8:41 pm

    Always a good thing to grab some Time In The Saddle.

    I’ve been on the trainer for a couple weeks. It’s not bad at all.

    Reply

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