Barbarians and Bikes
PEDAL FOR PROPS 2012 -
Training Plan - Now available.
Get Bike Fit.
Well here we are, 1 week into January, and I am sure many of you are thinking 'Maybe I should start some training for the PROPS ride to Bordeaux'? Training for an endurance event of this type can be a bit daunting for many riders, however experienced, and is open to all sorts of debate about the best ways to train!
After positive feedback from last years riders, we have compiled a 'Training Plan for 2012', which includes an indication of the volume of training you should be doing to build fitness and endurance, & lists the planned weekend rides that we have scheduled.
Plan can be found at:
http://www.propsforward.org/images/uploads/pfp2012_training_plan_final.pdf
As mentioned this is an indication of the amount of training you should be doing, and aims to gradually build up fitness as the ride approaches. The sessions indicated during the weeks can be interchanged with other fitness work that you may already be doing, but please be aware the only way to prepare for 4 hard days in the saddle is to spend many hours in the saddle!
Other Training Ideas:
Spin sessions that most gyms run are a great way to boost your cardio fitness, in a very intense cycling specific way.
Turbo Trainers/Rollers provide a perfect training tool at home for those cold wet and windy days when you really cannot bring your self to venture outside. Turbo sessions can get very tedious, so try to vary them in terms of intensity and focus (endurance, strength, hills, speed etc.)
Strength Work is also important in the early days of the training plan, and will provide a strong muscle base on which to build.
Our weekend training rides are a great way to get out and meet other PROPS riders, whilst getting in those all important hours in the saddle. The routes are all available for download by clicking the links on the training plan, and for those who have GPS devices these can be imported as a route or track file to follow while riding.
We aim to leave the start location on time, so please ensure that you turn up with sufficient time for any last minute bike tinkering! Also, please please please bring sufficient clothing, hydration, nutrition and money (as rides get longer coffee/cake stops will be included!). A few basic tools and inner tubes are always useful too, although normally someone on the ride will be able to lend a hand should the mechanical gremlins do their worst!!
Please note - our weekend training rides maybe subject to changes, so keep an eye on your emails, and our twitter & facebook pages for updates.
Hope this is all fairly clear, but if there are any training based questions please do not hesitate to contact me.
Ride Safe, and enjoy the training - it will make a difference (believe me!)
Andy Howe
Pedal For Props 2012
Our next PROPS game is coming very soon, just over 3 weeks. We are off to Yatton RFC to play against Old Blues, first PROPS visit to Yatton RFC.
Old Blues are a team of emergency service (ambulance, firemen) that have the occasional game and Ian Spiller (Old Blues Captain) that has played a few games for PROPS is looking forward to play against us with his team.
Sunday 22 January, kick off 1 PM and the referee will be Tony Swash who
enjoyed himself so much during our game in Thornbury RFC last week that he asked to be involved yet again! We have a few players confirmed already, thanks in advance for getting back in touch as soon as you can!
After that game will be another new venue, PROPS will be playing at
Kingswood RFC on 18 March. We will be playing against a team made mostly of Young Farmers and I understand there is a lot of talent in their side as well. So a tasty game, hosted by a great Bristol club in what will no doubt be all great fun. Ian Kirley (Kingswood RFC) is still recovering from a knee operation, but he is very much looking forward to welcome PROPS to his club!
Now, time for "the huge news"...
PROPS have been approached by Andrew Humphreys if we would be interested to play a game in memorial to his wife Carol. Andrew is a regular PROPS player, and also BRIS Trust Chairman. His close links to Bristol Rugby means that he has been offered the opportunity to arrange a game at Clifton RFC on Sunday 4 March. Bristol RFC asked for that date because there is no fixture for them, and most importantly because the team Andrew will lead will be made entirely of Bristol Legends. The old 101 front row will be re-united, meaning that Darren Crompton, Mark Regan and Dave Hilton will be in action again. There are talks that Keving Maggs will be blasting his way in centre, and the referee will be no less than Ed Morrison, legend!
Andrew asked if PROPS would be willing to honour this fixture, and we are
sincerely delighted to announce this to all our PROPS players. Nick Trivett
and me will be approaching a PROPS Select XV, we clearly have to put a
strong side in place. We will also need this elite squad to have at least
one or two training session together, as the Bristol Legends will be
training together as well. Amongst our mix we have quality and would love to give everyone a chance but we will have to go with a maximum of 23 lucky players.
So, Sunday 4th March, this is going to be one of the most exciting game for PROPS in quite some time. All proceeds on the day will be shared between the Breast Cancer charity in memory of Carol and PROPS. Andrew is meeting with Clifton RFC this week, and with Dave Hilton who will be assisting him in recruiting the Bristol Legends team.
More details to follow on this soon,
That's it for now, get in touch about Sunday 22 please.
Best regards,
Yann
07968 451354
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