Regular readers of this blog have figured out that I’m a professor at a nearby university. School is back in session now, and I’ve become concerned that full days at work will cut into my riding.
So today I made an effort to get home in time to sneak in a ride before supper. I rode to the Veloway, where I connected with my friend David. We set an easy pace down the trail.
After a lap of the track, chit chatting about stuff and such, he asked me a question: “What’s your plan for this ride?”
“What?” I asked.
“You’re training for a century. Every ride must have a plan from here on out. What’s your plan for this ride?”
“I don’t have a plan,” I said.
“Well, you’ve gotta start thinking about a plan for each ride.”
“You know,” I said, “I haven’t ridden since that ride Sunday with you. I wanted to get out tonight to get some miles in. I’m not thinking about intervals or hill work, or cadence — I just want to get in some miles.”
“OK. That’s your plan,” he said.
Earlier, he had steered me toward some training plans for a century ride, archived online. I bookmarked those sites, as well as some others I found in a search. I’ll be poring over them in the next few days. I’ve never approached a ride goal with a plan before. But I will now.
Very good advice. Especially if you have a goal in mind.
It can’t hurt to have a plan, in fact I can see how it might be beneficial. But I’ve never had a plan, myself. I just ride.
If training and fitness is your goal then rides should have a plan.
But sometimes it is also enjoyable to just get out and ride without a plan. Just let it evolve. I guess in a way that is a plan and is part of training for your mental and emotional health. The training of your soul which is part of what I love about bicycling.