The art of Bonsai — a blend of horticulture and design — requires patience, planning and dedication over the long term. Results don’t come overnight. It’s not a stretch to see the similarity to training for cycling, especially as one grows older.
As I tottered around the garden yesterday, pruning my bonsai, I felt a close bond with those gnarly trees, especially ones that have survived more than twenty years of my mishandling.
It also occurred to me that the old back ain’t what it used to be. Yet, despite the ravages of time, I remain fairly fit.
I have cycling to thank for that.
Looking for a guide to cycling longevity? I’ve found the following books particularly helpful along the way.
Joe Friel’s Cycling Past 50 is targeted at riders facing the horrors of the half-century mark (rather than garden-variety mileposts) but regardless of age or “natural ability” all cyclists can benefit from following Friel’s “Cardinal Rules of Training:”
• Rule 1. Ride consistently.
• Rule 2. Ride moderately.
• Rule 3. Rest frequently.
These top my list of advice for new riders. Set yourself a reasonable schedule and stick to it closely. Ride regularly. Push but don’t exhaust yourself and, just as important, allow enough rest days for recovery — this is where adaptation really occurs: during “horizontal training.”
Here’s a straightforward, practical guide to training and nutrition that will carry you into a vibrant middle age.
Friel’s complete treatise, The Cyclist’s Training Bible, will be of interest to cyclists of all ages wanting to maximize their potential.
Lately, I’ve been studying a book that promises to teach me “How to Ride to 100.” Bike for Life by Roy M. Wallack & Bill Katovsky combines informative interviews with accomplished cyclists like Patrick O’Grady and John Howard with solid advice on everything from bike fit to bike sex — sometimes related topics, as we gather from the essay on “numbness.”
Other chapters cover physical and mental challenges of long-term cycling, as well as balancing important relationships (more sex!) with time in the saddle.
Right now I’m re-reading the sections on stretching and core work. There’s just no escape from these considerations is there?
Check out these books if you plan on extending your cycling pleasure.
An old bonsai master once offered me some cryptic advice: “Take care of your trees and they will take care of you.” I’m sure this wisdom can be applied equally to bicycling. In any case, whether I’m training my body or my bonsai, the object is the same: to remain bent, but unbowed.
Training Bible.com | Joe Friel’s Blog | Bike for Life
BC Bonsai Society | Vancouver Island Bonsai Club | Euro Bonsai
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