So I’ve taken some time off from both writing my blog as well as riding my bike. It had been a very long season that started in the beginning of February at the Tour of Belize and ended in Los Angeles on December 9th. Needless to say, I was ready to not see my bike for a little while.

Following the race in LA, I took the about two weeks completely off the bike. The plan was to relax after the race in LA up until Christmas – so two weeks. I continued to stay in shape by walking as well as snowshoeing up in Vermont over the holidays. These things helped to keep my weight down during my break but once I started training again my legs felt like hell. Sure, two weeks off is a solid break but I think that my body was beginning to get accustomed to the new motions of walking (which I try to do as little of as possible during the season) and snowshoeing. Therefore, I think it really had to adjusted to the repetitive motion of cycling again.

Either way, all that is out of the way and I am full on into my training regime again. I’m working with a new coach, Adam Meyerson, this season as well. He has his own coaching company, Cycle-Smart. Adam and I were teammates on Nerac last year and his knowledge of power meters and training in general helped me decide he would be the best fit. It is really paying off so far – except for the fact that he is kicking my head in practically every day with my training program. Yesterday, for example, I did 4.5 hours averaging 234 watts (not normalized) and burned just under 4000kJ. I’m sure I’ll go into the season in good form but man do I hate how you have to get to that type of form!

Well speaking of the impending season, everything is set for next year with my team. The full name is Yawadoo-Samenkomst Cycling Team. I’ll be flying over to Belgium the first few days of February for our team presentation and then we get all of our gear for next year. We will be riding Scatto Bikes, a Belgian manufacturer, along with a slew of other Euro products. If anyone is interested, Scatto’s website is www.scatto-bikes.com. The roster is shaping up very nicely as well. We have a pretty big hitter with Marc Streel. He rode for CSC for a number of years and was Belgian TT Champ and placed 5th at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne as well. There are also two other anglophones on the team. That is great because now there will be some guys I can talk too! As for me, though, I better continue on these 4-6 hour death march training rides so I can save face in the races. The season officially opens with the Beverbeek Classic in Belgium on March 1st but we might be travelling to France for Les Plages Vendeenees in mid-February as well. Either way, it is going to be a fast and hard start to a big season!

Good luck braving the cold. The season is right around the corner!

David Wiswell

www.echappeonline.com