Dan’s advice for those from other state’s who plan to ride the Clare Classic is to train on a local loop of similar distance and elevation.
Each fortnight experienced rider and event Ambassador Dan Bonello will provide Clare Classic riders with advice on training and preparation for the Gran Fondo event.
This week we started by asking Dan how interstate riders, or South Australian’s who haven’t ridden the Clare Valley region, can best-prepare for the 110km and 160km courses.
Clare Classic: Dan, many riding the 110km Challenge Classic (1000m elevation) and 160km Maxi Classic (1500m elevation) may not have ridden the Clare Valley region before. Having ridden the Clare Classic course what would your advice be for those preparing for the event?’
Dan Bonello: I would try and find a loop that is similar in both distance and elevation to the challenge that you have entered and use this for one training ride per week, two if you can make the time.
For me in Sydney that would be a bunch ride through the Royal National Park, to the city’s south. I would do a single lap for the Challenge Classic and a double for the Maxi Classic.
Once you have that your key distance training sessions can be taken care of, you can focus on everything from you climbing technique and pacing to the foods that you want to consume during the ride.
Clare Classic ambassador Dan Bonello is a well-known and highly-experienced cyclist. Dan will be providing regular Clare Classic training advice in the lead up to the event on April 8 – make sure you check back regularly for his latest tips!
Clare Classic Event Ambassador Dan Bonello leads a fellow rider during a recent criterium event.
