Training Aids

I thought it would be useful to list the aids I use for training. It’s a combination of online software, hardware and training plans.

Online Software

Strava: I use this to create courses to ride which I can download to the Garmin Edge 1000. It also logs all my ride data. A lot of people use Strava to compere themselves against others and compete for fastest times (King of teh Mountains – KOM) on various segments. I have a Strava premium account.
Training Peaks: Software that allows you to analyse your training sessions as well as planning future sessions. One of the key metrics is being able to measure training load using the Performance Management Chart.

Cervelo R3: My bike is a Cervelo R3 (2014 model) with SRAM Force kit. I’ve had it since January 2014.
Power2Max powermeter: Trainign using power measurement is a lot more straightforward. I bought a Power2Max power meter which replaces the chainset. Power data is collected by the Edge 1000.
Garmin Edge 1000:
BKool trainer: I have the original BKool trainer hooked up to aa PC in my garage with 2 screens, one to show the BKool data and the second to show a Sufferfest training video.
Elite rollers: I had never ridden on rollers till I bought these in April. I was very apprehensive about getting on them but actually found it pretty straightforward. The trick is to pedal at a reasonably high cadence – 90 or higher – and look about 5 metres ahead of the bike, not down as there is a tendency to do.

Sufferfest: Sufferfest produce a number of cycling (and running) training videos as well as 10 week training plans at novice, intermediate and advanced level. These are focused on people who want to get training benefits mostly form shorter, high intensity training sessions.