Christmas Indulgence Looming....

The inevitable is here. We stuff ourselves silly, then moan about it in January! I always start out with good intentions working on the principal that a little bit of what you fancy, does you good. But then it all goes wrong and a lot of what I fancy, makes me suddenly 5 pounds heavier. I only need look at a mince pie or a nice slice of yummy Christmas cake and that's enough to make my trousers tight...very tight!

However, this year is different! I have, after considering lots of various advice out there, joined a gym. I figure it will help me stay on the bike this season, not off it and in the refrigerator as per usual. In fact, I am counting on it. If I get fit at the gym during the week, then I can enjoy my rides at the weekend. I have, until now, struggled to get out - for lack of motivation, the cold and to be honest, because of my fear of feeling unfit on the bike. But, I now realize that my fears are unfounded. I actually feel pretty good even though my fitness levels from the summer have faded. I will use the gym to create my base fitness and then can build on that during weekend rides. And the great thing is that I can actually enjoy my riding without worrying about having to actually get fit on the bike.

Muscle memory. I love this word. All muscles remember the work they have done, including the heart. So, when you train after a break, it will take you less time to get back to your previous fitness levels. I find that I can train more effectively knowing there's this little helping hand which again in turn helps me to reach my goals.

So, the countdown has begun. The festivities are looming and I'm pretty confident that I can stick to it. I'll keep you posted on my progress and maybe you can let me know about yours.....

In the meantime - enjoy the festivities.....but all in moderation!! Cheers!

Stocking Fillers Aplenty.....

With Christmas well and truly upon us, it's time to consider what to give our nearest and dearest. If your man, Dad or Mum, Grandad or Grandma, son or daughter loves cycling then it won't be too difficult to find an appropriate little stocking filling number amongst these handy Trek goodies:

Trek Beacon Road Bar End and Trek Beacon ATB Bar End are a must for all cyclists at this time of year. These handy beacon lights fit inside road or mountain bike handlebars for additional, simple, out-of-the way safety lighting and they look really cool too! Great for the commuter, enthusiast or kids! (RRP £12.99 for ATB and £11.99 for road.)

Wrench Force Pint-Size Pocket Pump is a neat little addition to your cycling accoutrements. Incidentally, the pump got a great 8/10 review in Cycling Weekly recently; “If you want lightweight and no bulk, then the Pint Size is excellent. For such a small pump the amount of air it exhales is excellent.” So size really doesn’t matter! At only 6.75inches and weighing a mere 85grams, it’s perfect for your jersey pocket and anybody’s Christmas stocking. (RRP £19.99)

Trek Incite 8i and 9i Wireless Computers. If you want to track any piece of your cycling performance, you'll need a computer. Look no further! Featuring high resolution colour screens for outstanding readability and aesthetics, auto-start/stop, new aero magnet and new Speed Trap technology which allows you to put a wireless sensor directly into the fork leg itself, the result is a pretty neat stocking filler. (RRP £29.99 and £24.99 respectively)

Pedros Green Fizz is an earth-friendly foaming bike wash developed to work on the entire bike. With special foaming action, the surfactants of Green Fizz coat the bike and help wash away all the troubles from the toughest of rides. Pedro's created this product for use in the sloppiest of conditions without harming the flora or fauna. Green Fizz can be used with or without water. We’ve stocked up so make sure it fizzes into your order bucket! (RRP £4.99/470ml spray and £8.99/1 litre spray)

Waterbottle Soft Shell Pack. This pack is designed to make your life easier and is all about function and easy access. Basically it’s a pack that holds its shape empty or full and handily fits into your water bottle cage – use it for inner tubes, snacks, mobile phone – whatever you like….and it’s right there in front of you. (RRP£14.99)

Don't delay, get down to your local Trek dealer today where you'll find these and other stocking fillers aplenty!!