I would like to start this post with a short story. If you want to skip this here you can find all the topics I will write in this blog:

The Story
Bike Upgrades
Kit Upgrades
Bike Fitting
Strenght Training

The story...I'll skip the "It all started" so let me skip to today (end of season - September). What I am used to do in business it also applies to sports. What you should ask yourself. Did you checked all the boxes for 2025? Almost all of them are ticked. I am happy with my cycling season but I am already looking at the future, next season. I want to be slimmer, more powerful and better with my preparation before the race. I am already thinking where I will improve where were my weaknesses this year etc. Here is where we can go to my next point...

Bike Upgrades are dreadful to some but I truly enjoy them. Looking at new products. Pimping my bike to the best of my ability was always something that I loved doing and I guess helps me with our clients where I can advise them or turn them away from buying something that it doesn't make sense for them. For next year I already have my race bike in the shipped to me. Just waiting for it to arrive. So the machine for next year will be Nich Faith which will be custom painted and will look like this:

Why I choose this bike. Well we are a distributor. So it is only fitting, hehe. But the second thing are the riding qualities. I've ridden most of the bikes I wanted to ride in the past 3-4 years and this bike simply has it all. The transfer of power is good, it climbs exceptional and on the straights is fast as any other bike I ridden. But no bike is perfect. Where does it lack? Comfort and on the descends it's a little bit less nimble as for example Pinarello Dogma F or BMC TM R and Timemachine. But when we combine everything into one complete bike, wow it's the perfect bike for me. Keep in mind I got some KOMs on the descends and some PBs on the ascents with this bike so it is no slouch. Let's continue with this dream build. Groupset will be the best of what fishing equipment has to offer Dura-Ace di2 and the wheels will be Princeton Carbonworks Wake 6560 Evolution with Tactic TR01 hubs ltd. silver edition. I've talked a lot about this wheels but from what I have ridden this are the best wheels hands down. They are expensive but worth it if you are looking for marginal gains... Next stop the saddle like always Berk Lupina short carbon UD finish and BB + OSPW will be from CeramicSpeed to add to the bling factor the OSPW will be gold and with pre-waxed KMC black gold chain. I will still be using TPU tubes and Vittoria N.EXT 700x28 tires. Bike computer from Wahoo and Speedplay power meter pedals. What I got extra are some gold 3d ti printed bar end plugs and black rotors with gold lock ring and a gold lock ring for the rear sprocket. Like I said I want this bike to be special. Hopefully all the components are good and we will be offer them to our clients soon. We only sell what we test so it is important that I like them. If I won't like them I will address this issue in the video soon.

Kit Upgrades are something that we cyclists do pretty much each year something new is in our closet. For next season we are sticking with Assos clothing, I like the company, the products and maybe some new limited designs will be made for next season. But now they will be more limited to only 20 pcs per design. We are also planning for some new helmets and sunglasses. In the winter time always make a plan what do you want to ride in for the next season. Are you missing some pieces which you need etc.

Bike Fitting here I am not thinking of only going to a bike fitter but play around with the position on the turbo trainer/outside...I always recommend to change only one thing at the time; just the tilt of the saddle, higher saddle etc. But if you think everything works even better then all you need to focus on the last point which is...

Strenght Training is for a lot of road cyclists especially, something that is overlooked. How I know this is where I was lacking at the end of the season. My power data was far less at the end of the season. I could maintain good power over 10-15 minute efforts but my 1min or 2 min power is simply shit! I just started my leg and core workouts in the gym and I am only able to lift around 60-70% of where I ended back in March. Yes I felt really weak and that is not a good feeling. So the plan is to build back up and maintain it for the next season. I will also try end find some specific cycling training for cyclists with elastic streps, balls etc.

The Conlcusion. "Off season" is where you plan your next move. The better the plan the better you will feel and ride next season. Enjoy your "off season" and see you on the bikes next season!