Interval Training (with a difference)

I never would have thought when I first started doing intervals that one day the nearest uphill ‘slope’ to me for interval training would be Alpe D’Huez!  As it’s only a couple of minutes ride it is literally the closest place for me to go for hill intervals (that should probably be ‘mountain’ intervals!)  As such, it’s a great location for cycling accommodation near Alpe D’Huez – check out the link to find out more.

However when I fancy a break from Alpe D’Huez (yes it does happen occasionally when you live right next to it!) then I’ve found an alternative method to really increase the resistance on the bike – my two sons, Tom and Louis!  I bought a bike trailer last summer after trying bike seats and tow bars, and not really liking the way that these attachments affected the handling of my bike (probably fine on a mountain bike but not so good on my twitchy road bike).  The trailer however is great – not only can they both fit in there and are secured with 5 point harnesses, totally enclosed in an aluminium frame, but the steering and stability of the bike are not affected at all.

So – back to the intervals.  With the trailer on and two kids on board, I’ve suddenly got nearly an extra 50kg to shift.  The slightest incline and you can feel it – when the road gets up to 6% I’m hammering the pedals just to be able to keep going.  So Alpe D’Huez is out, but there are a number of other less demanding climbs in the area to tackle.  One of the boys favorites is the ride up to Venosc – as there is a playground there too everyone gets a break for 20 minutes before we carry on.  I now have a renewed respect for my ‘larger’ cycling friends (you know who you are, I’m sure!!)  Getting all that weight up the mountains takes a lot of effort (especially for my skinny legs!)

And the best thing? – taking that trailer off then going for a ride in the mountains, feeling like Marco Pantani after a double dose of EPO.