Each new year is a great opportunity for self-improvement, closely followed by a heavy weight of
pressure not to let it go. New Year's resolutions are the way we apply some accountability to our
goals, but that doesn't make it any easier to succeed, especially given the time of year at which we
take on the challenge. The weather is bad, Christmas is over, and moods are low, all of which
make resolutions - often impossibly optimistic - all the more difficult to achieve. Here are five ways
to sustain your New Year's resolutions and make 2018 the most successful year yet.
New year, new bike
If there was ever a good time to invest in a new bike, it would be the beginning of the year, the turn
of a new season, the start of a new phase. We all try to rejuvenate our lives in January and any
cyclist will tell you how much of a motivation boost a new bike provides. We've got a whole fleet of
road, mountain and electric bikes with whopping discounts to ring in the new year, from beginner
level to pro spec'd race bikes.
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Find yourself a training partner
The equinox may have come and gone but that doesn't mean the worst of winter's weather is not
yet to come. January and February can bring with them the most unpredictable and chilly
conditions of the year which makes just stepping out of the door a major challenge. Probably the
best way to conquer this first hurdle is to recruit a friend. Adding a training partner to your winter
programme will dramatically improve your chances of success and make the whole experience a
whole lot more fun.
Nutrition
A properly-fed cyclist is a more efficient cyclist, and this fact is more important than ever at the time
of year when everyone is trying to lose weight. Starving yourself is not the answer. If weight loss is
one of your resolutions, you want to run on a calorie deficit, but not at the detriment of your overall
health and fitness. The best way to achieve this is to eat normally on the bike - perhaps making
better informed choices about nutrition - and be more careful about recovery. That is, don't get in
from your ride and go straight to the fridge for all your Christmas leftovers. Fuel properly with
carefully developed energy food in training and recover with pro-approved proteins.
Be prepared
You are far less likely to head out on a grotty, wet and windy winter training ride if you are under-
prepared. There will be that nagging feeling in the back of your mind - an excuse - that the chance
of puncturing is higher so you'd better not go out, right? Carry around a puncture repair kit and
ensure your tyres are pumped to the appropriate pressure before each ride to ensure peace of
mind. What's more, to improve the functioning of your bike it is important to look after it all year
round, not least during the winter months. So, get hold of some cleaning kit to keep you and your
bike rolling smoothly.
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Indoor
As much of the UK learned over Christmas, you can't rely on British weather, so don't let dodgy
conditions compromise your ability to train. Indoor training is all the rage thanks to the ever-
improving capabilities of turbo trainers and associated software like Zwift. We've got loads of
indoor training devices featured in our winter sale, so have a browse and invest in your long-term
fitness.
One of the best things about them is that you can swap winter longs for your favourite
summer shorts!
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