You’ve been riding steady for months—big weekends, post-work spins, maybe even a few long days on vacation. The base is there. But lately? The snap is missing. Your sprints don’t sting like they used to. Hard efforts drag. That crisp, punchy feeling isn’t quite showing up.
Now it’s the end of August and you just aren’t feeling quite the same. It doesn’t mean you’re out of shape. You’re just stuck in base mode. With plenty of summer left and September on the horizon, now’s the time to tune things up. Here’s how to put some edge back into your riding.
Hit a spicy group ride
Social, no-drop rides are great for keeping the legs moving and catching up with friends. But if you’re looking to level up your fitness, you’ll need more zing. Look for a fast drop ride—a proper effort where you’re chasing wheels, fighting to hang on, and getting pulled into harder efforts than you’d do solo. It’s the simplest way to add intensity without needing a structured workout. There are still plenty of good days left in September on the weekends. Sometimes going a little quicker is better too when it’s colder out.
Ease up on the big mileage
More isn’t always better. If your weeks are full of long, steady rides, you might not have the legs left for quality work. Ditch one or two of those endurance sessions and replace them with something shorter and sharper. Your body only adapts if it’s pushed. And it can’t push if it’s always drained.
Add some intervals
You don’t need a power meter or a lab to do interval training. Just find a stretch of road and go hard. Try 4×5 minutes at a tough pace, or short bursts—30 seconds on, 30 off—for 15 minutes. Mix it up based on your goals. Intervals train that top-end power that fades when all you’ve done is endurance.
Ride something different
Mountain biking, gravel, cyclocross—even a park path on your beater bike. Switching surfaces and styles forces your body to move differently and can wake up dormant systems. Plus, technical riding sharpens your reflexes and bike handling. That helps everywhere, even on the road. It’s some of the most fun things to do when Autumn arrives too. Slowing down a bit will keep you warmer when the temps drop.
Rest like you mean it
If everything feels flat—even after taking steps to add intensity—it might not be fitness at all. It might be fatigue. Give yourself permission to rest properly. Take a few days off the bike or cruise easy for a week. When…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Canadian Cycling Magazine…