How Cranbrook Chiropractor Karen shaved 50minutes off her 100mile ‘Ride London’ time

Bike fit – There’s no point putting a well functioning person on a badly fitted bike, this can lead to injury.

Body maintenance – Your body needs to function well to perform at it’s best, and prevent injury.

Bike maintenance – Reduces the chance of mechanical failure, causing delays, or the inability to complete the ride.

Weather – Rather uncontrollable, however there are many factors that may slow you down.

• Headwinds will increase your input (energy) needed
• Rain will require you to slow down to avoid slipping and skidding
• Damp clothing can result in your body getting too cold, which can effect your bodies ability to function.

Bike – A newer bike tends to have less wear and tear.

Bike Storage – Outdoor storage exposes the bike to more elements, which can lead to wear and tear. The components of a bike work together. For instance replacing a worn cassette and not the chain is likely to accelerates the wear and tear of both. It may be more cost effective to replace both at once and try to keep your bike inside.

Pedal type – Cleats allow pushing and pulling forces, therefore you can optimise the use of two muscle groups. 

Nutrition – You are what you eat! Day to day nutrition is really important to rebuild the cells of your body. The better the nutrition the better quality the cell. Eating well the night before a ride is not enough if you really want to maximise your results.

While cycling regular snacking is also important, to prevent insulin fluctuations and food reserve depletion.

Hydration – It’s vital to keep fluid intake up, even more so when it’s hot. We loose water and salt when we sweat, hence the need on rides over 1 hour to replenish electrolytes too. Our Chiropractor Karen uses Coconut water, however there are lots of electrolyte products on the market. We advise you to try them out on training sessions as some people digestive systems disagree with certain brands.