Welcome to the October Pedal Durango Newsletter! So many things happening in the world of cycling. Thanks for checking us out and we hope you enjoy this months edition.
Durango Riders Sepp Kuss, Riley Amos and Savilia Blunk Shine on the World Stage!
Durango will welcome home Sepp with a parade on October 19th, 2023. Details are being worked out now. Be sure to check the Social Calendar on Pedal Durango for the latest updates on the time of events!! Visit https://pedaldurango.com/event/sepp-kuss-celebration for updates.
Sepp Kuss, Jumbo Visma, won the Red Jersey in the Vuelta Grand Tour! One of three Grand Tours that are held during the cycling season. He is the first American rider to win a Grand Tour since Chris Horner in 2013. Having performed well on the world stage throughout his career it is no surprise that he showed the world his incredible riding abilities winning this prestigious world event. Congratulations to Durango’s own Sepp Kuss.
Durango’s Riley Amos, Trek Factory Racing, also has had an amazing year in 2023. Finishing second over a few races Riley took a first place podium in the U23 XCO UCI Mountain Biking race in Vallnord, Andorra. Prior to taking first place in the cross country event Riley also took the second place podium spot for the short track event. In 2021 Riley also was the first American man to win a U23 World Cup in Leogang!
Savilia Blunk who lives in Durango of Rockrider Ford Racing got to spray some champagne on Sunday at the mountain bike World Cup in Les Gets, France.
Competing in the women’s elite cross-country Olympic race, Blunk finished fifth out of 69 cyclists to earn her first spot on an elite world cup podium.
“Been hunting for this for a long time,” Blunk said. “No words, just thanks to my whole team.”
Blunk earned a second-row start for the race after placing 11th in the short track cross-country race on Friday.
How should I train for a 100 mile event? Brought to you by our partners at Leland House / Lola’sEvery cyclist dreams about completing a 100 mile event. Even though it is near the end of the season there are still plenty of opportunities to enter an event to meet your goal.
Here is a training plan that might give you that extra edge. Good Luck!Training for a Century bike ride, which is a 100-mile (160.9 kilometers) cycling event, requires careful planning, dedication, and consistent effort. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare:
Set Clear Goals: Define your goals for the Century ride. Do you want to complete it, achieve a specific time, or simply enjoy the experience? Knowing your objectives will help you structure your training plan.
Get the Right Bike and Gear: Ensure you have a reliable road bike that fits you well. Invest in a comfortable helmet, padded cycling shorts, cycling shoes, and other necessary gear.
Assess Your Current Fitness: Before starting your training plan, evaluate your current fitness level. This will help you determine a baseline and set realistic goals.
Create a Training Plan: Develop a structured training plan that spans several weeks leading up to the event. Your plan should include the following elements:
Base Mileage: Start with a foundation of consistent, moderate-intensity rides to build endurance.
Long Rides: Gradually increase the length of your weekend rides, simulating the conditions of the Century ride.
Interval Training: Incorporate intervals to improve your speed and strength. For example, do short bursts of high-intensity pedaling followed by periods of recovery.
Hill Training: If your Century ride includes hills, incorporate hill workouts into your training to build strength.
Rest Days: Allow for adequate rest and recovery in your plan to prevent overtraining and injury.
Cross-Training: Include activities like strength training and yoga to improve overall fitness and flexibility.
Nutrition and Hydration: Pay attention to your diet. Fuel your body with a balanced mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats. Stay hydrated during rides and consider using electrolyte drinks or gels for longer rides.
Pacing and Strategy: Practice pacing during your long training rides. Learn to manage your effort throughout the ride, keeping a consistent pace and avoiding burnout.
Group Riding Skills: If possible, join group rides to improve your drafting and group riding skills. This can make the Century ride more enjoyable and efficient. Be sure to visit the Pedal Durango Social Calendar for a list of all the group rides in town.
Simulate Event Conditions: As you get closer to the event, simulate the conditions you’ll encounter during the Century ride. Ride on similar terrain, at the same time of day, and in similar weather conditions.
Recovery: Prioritize recovery. Get adequate sleep, use foam rollers or massage to alleviate muscle soreness, and listen to your body. If you’re feeling fatigued, consider taking extra rest days.
Taper: In the week leading up to the event, reduce your training volume to allow your body to recover and be fresh on the day of the Century ride.
Plan Logistics: Ensure you have all the logistics in place for the ride, such as registration, accommodations (if necessary), and transportation to and from the event.
During the Century Ride: On the day of the event, pace yourself, stay hydrated, and consume energy gels or snacks as needed. Don’t forget to enjoy the experience and stay positive.
Post-Ride Recovery: After completing the Century ride, focus on recovery. Stretch, hydrate, and replenish your energy with a well-balanced meal.
Evaluate and Set New Goals: Reflect on your performance and use the experience to set new cycling goals.
Remember that consistency and patience are key to preparing for a Century bike ride. Listen to your body, adapt your training plan as needed, and enjoy the journey of becoming a stronger cyclist.
Pedal Durango is pleased to announce our newest partner Durango Cyclery. Durango Cyclery is the oldest, continuously running bike shop in Durango. We’ve been selling, servicing, and renting bikes for over 35 years and we are a local employee-owned and operated shop. Stop by our location and you may run into many of cycling’s most famous names hanging out reminiscing about wrenching on bikes back in the day. Thanks to the generosity of community donations, we recycle old and forgotten bikes and transform them into affordable, sweet rides: mountain, road, townie, fat, BMX, and kid’s bikes. We are proud to keep people riding and the earth just a little greener. For more information please be sure to visit:https://www.durangocyclery.com
There is a lot going on for the month of October! Be sure to check out Pedal Durango’s Social Calendar this month at: https://pedaldurango.com/event/
Promote your business and the Durango Cycling community by listing your business with Pedal Durango. Contact us at https://pedaldurango.com or at pedaldurango@gmail.com to find out more details.
I rode in last Sunday morning’s Church Ride (10/15/2023) and I want to thank everyone for being so kind and encouraging. I thought getting serious about riding at 61 might leave me discouraged about ever improving enough to ride with a group like those who rode that day. Getting to Bread 30 minutes early may not have been necessary but then I wouldn’t have met Walt, the first one to arrive. Thank you Walt, for giving me the ride rundown and a strategy to stay with the group. I really enjoyed getting to know you; have a great 90th birthday this week!
I rode in last Sunday morning’s Church Ride (10/15/2023) and I want to thank everyone for being so kind and encouraging. I thought getting serious about riding at 61 might leave me discouraged about ever improving enough to ride with a group like those who rode that day. Getting to Bread 30 minutes early may not have been necessary but then I wouldn’t have met Walt, the first one to arrive. Thank you Walt, for giving me the ride rundown and a strategy to stay with the group. I really enjoyed getting to know you; have a great 90th birthday this week!