Does anyone exercise to improve riding skills
 

I got talking about WSB and the fitness regime that most racers undertake to be able to ride.

I wondered if anyone here does any exercise to able to help them ride better.

I run about 15 miles a week and found I am more alert and not so knackered on a long ride.

Last year I was a regular down the gym, not training for riding but trying to shed a few stone and generally increase my fitness.

Like you I found that as my fitness levels increased I felt more alert, not so tired after a ride. I also found it easier to move about on the bike, not exactly hanging off but leaning in to the bends and such. But then the benefits of regular exercise could be seen in manner of other everyday ways, not so out of breath after taking the stairs at work, smaller waist sized jeans, etc :)

Unless you are a racer I very much doubt there is much point to training for riding, although the everyday benefits are worth do it anyway.

Having said that last time I was at the gym was about 3 months ago, time to cancel the membership I think and take up cycling. :)

Nope, all the girls think I'm already fit. :lol:

Seriously though does it really help? What do you class as a long ride? Also I don't want to lose weight as I'm already 8 stone 8 and already find it hard to find clothes that fit me.

8 stone 8 :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Do you blow away when there is a strong breeze?

MT (12 stone and counting...)

Bear in mind I am also short at 5' 4" so that makes me Pedrosa in size and weight.

Yeah, I do find it hard to keep the bike straight in a crosswind.

Law, Bloody Hell, that must give you about the same power to weight ratio as me on a GSXR. :wink:

I find that regularly scooping pints down the pub is perfect for building clutch and front brake grip. :wink:


Just remember to swap your glass-holding arm every other round for equalised dexterity and power.

That's my new year resolution (regularly for the last ten years) :oops:
I have now decided that a bit of weight is useful for helping to control an unwieldy bike with a strong mind of it's own. :lol:

:shock: Man you need to eat more - you should've taken that other half of my sandwich the other night.

I'd rather be out riding on my bike rather than spending time excercising. Time is precious during the summer.

Well I've always been into weight training and I like to run a lot too. I never thought it could have much of an impact on my riding other than brute strength, afterall I managed to pickup my VFR800 by myself after I'd binned it, but when I had a big accident a few years back the doc's said that because I was in good shape it helped lots with recovery time. I think generally speaking fitness improves many aspects of our life, plus it means that I mayl live longer so can spend more time on a bike which can only be a good thing! Shame my missus doesn't see it that way!