November is usually the time when many Irish riders of all categories get back into some small amount of training.
October is ending now and the thoughts of next year's racing season are already foremost in the minds of riders dreaming of success.
But before all the threshold sessions and intervals really kick off, we though we'd ask what some riders like to do when the desire to maintain peak fitness is not as great.
Some take longer breaks than others, while more take no break at all; chapeau Des Woods!
Derek Joyce
Club: Galway Bay CC
Category: A1
When did you stop training? “The Bog Week 2-Day was my last race. The wheels were cleaned and hung up after that.
When will you start training? “I don't really totally stop; I just do no structured training for September or October but I commute to work daily and do a Sunday spin if the weather is reasonable.
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“When November starts I do some longer weekend rides and take a longer way to work.”
What things do you like to do in the off-season? “I do some circuit training in the local GAA club to help strengthen a few muscles.
"I take a few drinks Saturday evening with my Dad but most of this off season has being consumed trying to build a stable for my daughter’s pony.”
Simon Ryan
Club: Mego Racing Team
Category: A1
Age: 23
When did you stop training? “Training stopped the minute I finished Rás Kilmallock. I just spent 3-4 weeks of having fun on the bike, just messing about.”
When will you start training? “Training started the first weekend of October. Nothing crazy, just steady miles.
“You have to enjoy the bike too at this time of year because there is a long winter ahead.”
What things do you like to do in the off-season? “I like to hang out with the lads on the weekends, have the odd few drinks and have a few good nights out.
“I'll be slated for this but I do love having burgers and chips, especially from Donky Ford's in Limerick.”
Darragh O’Mahony
Club: O’Leary’s Stone Kanturk CC
Category: First year U23
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Age: 18
When did you stop training? “I haven't been on my bike since the end of the fourth lap at the junior men’s road race at the World Championships in Richmond.”
When will you start training? “I've been running over the past few weeks in preparation for the cross country races with the school later this year. I'll start back on the bike in the next few days hopefully.
What things do you like to do in the off-season? “I've been playing catch up on nights out but I've a lot of ground to make up before the Lacey Cup.
“This off-season hasn't been so much fun for me though as I'm slowly coming to the realisation that I have to sit a Leaving Cert in June.”
Eoin O’Connell
Club: Blarney Stone CC
Category: A1
Age: 28
When did you stop training? “The day after the Bogman 2-Day.”
When will you start training? “I started this Bank Holiday weekend of October 25th.”
What things do you like to do in the off-season? “Catching up on my other non-torture related hobbies like electronics and I did some hiking in Morocco recently.”
Des Woods
Club: Newry Wheelers
Category: A1
Age: 49
When did you stop training? “I continue from the road season straight into the cyclocross season so I haven’t stopped.”
When will you start training? “I generally keep to my regular diet throughout the year: no cakes no sweets and no alcohol.
“The one additional element of training I concentrate on in the off-season (road) is strength and conditioning.
“As soon as the cyclocross nationals are over I then concentrate on longer miles on the road.”
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