“WHITE BOXERS”
NEWSLETTER No 32 – Spring 2025
Hi – we hope this quarterly / seasonal offering finds you fit and well.
At last, we can all start removing our mudguards and winter tyres we put on to get through the last few months, and getting ready for the upcoming better weather, events season and lighter nights.
News from the front –
In these days of following GPX’s, Strava sections, FKT’s, Zwift, Rouvy and Peloton + falling attendance numbers at road cycling events, we just wanted to let you know that are still here, organizing the best rides we can, in the areas we love to ride our bikes.
The Top Dog Events team are looking forward to not only getting together at this year’s “RIDE TO THE LAKES” event on 17 August this year, but also welcoming many riders, some we know and some new faces to take part in either “THE BEAST” 108 miler or “THE BOXER” 68 miler.
*Check rider reviews from past events*
Tour de France 2027 –
We were super excited to hear that Le Grande Depart 2027 will be from Edinburgh – but even better news is that day 2 – will pass through The Lake District and right past our house in Carnforth en route from Penrith to Manchester.
Possibly on some sections of road that our sportives pass over. So, we will be out cheering Poggi and Co.
Coaches Corner –
Strength Training – For fitness or for health.
I’ll admit the title is a little bit misleading, as strength training can provide massive benefits to both your health and your fitness on the bike. And whilst it’s probably the wrong time of year to be suggesting going back inside for your training, it’s definitely worth thinking about adding into your weekly schedule.
Injury Prevention: Adding in some strength training to your plan can go a long way to preventing unpleasant injuries. A common side effect with cycling is lower bone density with it being a low/no-impact sport. As we age bone density naturally decreases as well so it’s well worth doing what we can to keep it up. Adding in a bit of running can also help with bone density but that’s a whole other article for a later time. Strength training can also be used to help with any muscle imbalances and joint instabilities we may have as well.
Speed: Stronger legs allow better torque development when you’re pedalling, basically meaning you won’t fatigue quite as easily, as well as meaning the rest of the group ride won’t stand a chance when it comes to the town sign sprints.
Health: Even ignoring the cycling specific benefits (and without going to much into the science), the current research suggests that by using a combination of cardiovascular exercise (cycling) and strength training, that’s where the biggest improvements to health are and reduces risk of illnesses such as cardiovascular disease.
Heading into the gym doesn’t need to be a chore and you don’t have to loads of it. Even just getting two sessions in a week of around 30-45 minutes is enough to start seeing the benefits. As a rule of thumb, for each exercise you’re looking to do three sets of between six to eight repetitions, with three to five minutes rest between sets to maximise any strength gains. The one thing I will say is that if you’re not experienced in the gym, find yourself a PT, at least for the first couple of sessions to teach you the techniques, etc.
* We can wholeheartedly agree with Ben on this – Chris + Lynn do less riding (only once or twice a week) but more and more cross training ( 2 x yoga sessions, one or two runs and 2 x weights sessions each week) to stay strong, healthy and fit enough to enjoy our rides together and with friends as we get older. Along with resting, sleeping and eating well. *
Ben @ Apogee Performance
As always if anyone would like any advice or guidance, please do feel free to reach out to me for a chat.
Other Rides in NW –
A great event from Rivington, near Bolton on 27 April 2025 – several challenging routes available that explore The Pennines –
44 miler inc 10 x climbs
66 miler inc 13 x climbs
21 mile team relay in 7 x climbs
Great training for the 7892ft / 2406m climbed during our Beast and the 4380ft / 1335m climbed during our Boxer events.
More info –
https://lagans.org.uk/cycle-challenge/
Team Rides –
Chris and Lynn –
Have spent winter mainly riding off road on mountain or gravel bikes. Chris needs to start getting in plenty of road miles, now Spring has arrived, as he has signed up to ride The Way of the Roses – 170 miles from Morecambe to Bridlington over 2 x days in July. Also, our main joint riding adventure for 2025 will be riding The North Coast 500 in September.
Peter (finish area feed station) –
Has enjoyed a fortnights fair weather riding out in the Spanish Islands. Here’s his bike on the very top of Gran Canarias. On the island, he found the gradients are all pretty gradual but very long, providing very good cycling.
Steve (broom wagon) and wife Emma.
Escaped the British winter for a while to explore The Canaries by bike too
Tim (Registration, Feed 2 + Broom Wagon)
Like us Tim has been riding locally over the last few months, but plans for the coming season include,
- The new Kirkpatrick route in southern Scotland, Stranraer to Eyemouth. Next
month with Jackie driving the campervan. - Time trials at Salt Ayre Cycle Track each week from April, organising and riding
- Campervan & cycling trip in the summer with Jackie to the Dolomites
- Possible touring trip late August/September
What a brilliant team – it is little wonder that we share the mission of organising cycling events that we would want to enter and ride in.
Have a great couple of months – ride your legs off and we’ll see you for the summer edition of this newsletter
Chris, Lynn and All @ Top Dog Events Limited