THE MOTIVATION
FOUR Bike-components COLLEAGUES AND THEIR GOALS
Henning becomes an Ironman
As a triathlete, I’m already preparing for two major competitions in the season. Apart from my swimming and running routines, I currently spend every free minute on the roller and take the gravel bike for all my rides. Plus, I also need to set up my new triathlon bike before the season starts.
Despite the season’s challenging conditions, I’m already deep in preparations for the 2025 season: I plan to participate in the Ironman Mallorca on May 10 and the Ironman Hamburg in early June. For this, I spend every free minute on the roller or, weather permitting and for all journeys that I have to make anyway, on the gravel bike. This of course also includes ambitious, regular swimming and running training.
Motivation is, of course, individual. In the end, it's probably the sum of little things: visualizing the finish line during the K3 intervals at quarter to six in the morning on the roller helps me. It's a feeling that's probably engraved in anyone who has ever crossed it.
Above everything though, are goals: A printed registration confirmation on the pinboard from Ironman Hamburg or the Ötztal Bike Marathon works wonders. Without training, that hurts even more – and isn’t fun at all!
On top of all that, I've embarked on a building project: A new Factor Slick is necessary: the fast bike was launched in December and is a long-awaited opportunity for me to also position myself better in terms of material. I'm currently tinkering with the technical details for compiling a components list tailored to my needs.
And of course, I also have to go for a bike fitting at the beginning of the year: Especially for triathletes, it’s not only important to "sit well" on the bike – you still need to be able to run a long distance afterwards. So, there are quite specific requirements for the sitting position, and it’s useful not to only realize this during the competition."
Sergej trains for the Gravel Fondo Limburg
Sergej wants to participate in the Gravel Fondo Limburg and 3Rides Aachen in 2025. Being an old hand, he knows it’s never too early for good preparation. Find out here how he trains for his racing season.
Racers are made in winter
Even if you currently think it's still a long way to the first races in March and April, the saying "racers are made in winter" holds a lot of truth!
For this reason, I train as consistently as possible even in the cold season. Skipping a training because of rain, however, is no big deal. In general, I make sure that there are no long breaks, achieving about 6-10hours per week on the bike.
Especially during winter, a short interval session helps me when it's cold and rainy - you definitely won’t freeze if you really put your heart into it, and I prefer doing the long endurance sessions with the sun on my face.
It’s very important to fuel up well on the bike: The body simply needs a lot of energy to stay warm, and the risk of bonking in the winter always increases by 1,000% for me. So, despite the cake afterwards, eat well on the bike!
And if everything is terrible, wet, cold, and dark, then perhaps treat yourself to a nice jacket, a new pair of pants, or a great lamp. It helps make each ride more pleasant and also gives a little incentive to hop on the bike.
Leon flies to the Whip-Off
My heart belongs to action-packed cycling – dirt, slopestyle, and downhill. I will be competing at the Whip Off at Green Hill Bikepark and the IXS Downhill Cup in Winterberg in 2025. To perform well, I’m already training hard. For this, I don’t have a specific plan; I just spend a lot of time on the bike!
I am clearly rooted in gravity sports,
meaning big jumps, big rocks, lots of descent! Until now, I’ve specialized in slopestyle and big air, but now I also want to seriously attack downhill. Thanks to bc's cooperation with the growing brand Prime Bicycles, I received a sponsorship and thus the opportunity to compete with absolute top material – it doesn't get any better!
I want to prove my skills in 2025 at the Whip-Off at Green Hill Bikepark and the IXS Downhill Cup in Winterberg among other competitions. To be well-prepared, I use nearly every free minute to train with the dirt bike on the jump lines or the big bike on the local DH.
For me, there doesn’t need to be structured training plans and training as a necessary evil – my principle is: ride, ride, ride - practice, learn, improve! This way, I don’t put pressure on myself and always enjoy what I’m doing. And if the fun doesn’t stop, then nothing can go wrong on the track!
Marisa commutes to work
I’ve decided to commute by bike to work regularly starting in January. The thought of stepping into full, way too hot, and stuffy buses in the mornings has lost its appeal in the last few weeks, making this my main motivation. I gladly take the health benefits as a bonus – especially during the dark season.
Commuting by gravel bike to work
The distance is a manageable 8.3 kilometers with 90 meters of elevation gain. In just about 30 minutes, I can go from my front door directly to bc. Particularly pleasant: almost half the distance is on a well-developed cycle expressway between Würselen and Aachen. The other 60 percent of the route, I share the road with cars in city traffic.
Regarding gear, I had to first get myself some proper gloves. I managed to piece together the rest of my winter biking outfit from my closet and am now at least ready for temperatures above freezing and slightly wet conditions. If the weather gets nastier, for now, my only option is to fallback on taking the bus. But that's okay – after all, it's also about establishing a habit.
I generally like resolutions, and the start of the year often gives me that extra motivational kick. However, I must admit that since my last gravel adventure in September, my inner couch potato has really taken over – and I'm not an early bird. Waking up earlier and getting myself to hop on the bike will definitely be a challenge.
Riding my bike doesn't actually save me time, unfortunately. The time spent getting dressed, undressed, showering, and changing adds up.
So why am I doing this again? Oh yeah – to avoid buses. To avoid crowded, stuffy buses. And: to get more exercise.
Even though I'm not looking forward to the extra effort, I am looking forward to arriving at the office awake and refreshed – and being a bit more active every day.
NEW YEAR – NEW BIKE
The new year not only offers an opportunity to make resolutions but also the chance to start an adventure with a new bike. Whether you're into mountain biking, road cycling, or gravel – choosing the right bike promises not just modern technology and improved performance, but also the joy of moving around and discovering new trails. For seasoned bike enthusiasts or newcomers to cycling, the new year provides the perfect opportunity to set the course for a year full of exciting tours, challenges, and freedom. So, hop on the saddle and let's start the adventure of 2025 on two wheels together!"
