Missed Your Winter? Don’t Ruin Your Season Trying to Fix It
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
As the season approaches, it’s a familiar feeling for many riders
“I’m behind.”
Maybe winter didn’t go to plan. Maybe consistency dropped. Maybe motivation dipped. Or maybe you trained harder than ever… and now you’re already feeling flat.
At this point in the year, it’s easy to panic and that’s where most riders make their biggest mistake because trying to “catch up” quickly is often what derails the entire season.
The Reality: There Is No One Scenario
One of the biggest misconceptions in cycling is that everyone starts the season from the same place.
In reality, I see a wide range of situations at this time of year
• Riders who trained too hard all winter and are already mentally and physically fatigued
• Riders who’ve jumped from plan to plan, never fully committing to one approach
• Riders who’ve been inconsistent, with no real structure or accountability
• Riders who’ve done very little, then try to panic train into race shape
• Riders who’ve built a great aerobic base, but don’t know how to transition into racing form
All of these riders feel the same thing:
“I need to do more, and I need to do it now.”
But that’s rarely the answer.
Why Panic Training Backfires
When riders feel behind, the instinct is to increase intensity, add volume, and chase fitness quickly.
But this often leads to
• Fatigue building faster than fitness
• Loss of consistency
• Poor race performances early in the season
• And ultimately, burnout just as the season gets going
Fitness isn’t something you can rush and is something you need to layer properly.
The Key Shift: From Catching Up To Getting It Right
Instead of asking:
“How do I catch up?”
The better question is:
“What do I actually need right now?”
And that answer is different for every rider.
• If you’ve overdone winter then you may need to freshen up before building again
• If you’ve been inconsistent then the focus is routine and repeatability
• If you’ve done very little then you need to build foundations first, not chase intensity
• If you’ve built a strong base then it’s about layering in race-specific work at the right time
There is no generic fix or secrets in training which is exactly why so many riders get it wrong.
What Actually Works
Across all of these scenarios, there are a few constants that matter more than anything else
1. Consistency Beats Urgency
You don’t need a perfect block, you need repeatable weeks.
2. Specificity Matters (But Timing Matters More)
Specificity is important but only when you’re ready for it. Don’t skip steps, and don’t try to go back and redo winter. Focus on building what you need now, then layer in race specific work at the right time.
3. Control the Load
More isn’t better right now, appropriate is better.
4. Stay Patient
The riders who perform best mid-season are rarely the ones flying in March.
The Hidden Opportunity
You’re likely not as far behind as you think.
In fact, this point in the season is often where things can be reset properly, with the right structure, the right load, and the right focus, you can still build into some of your best form.
But it requires stepping away from panic…
…and committing to a plan that actually fits you.
Final Thoughts
Every rider comes out of winter in a different place.
That’s normal.
What matters isn’t what you did in December or January it’s what you do next.
The riders who get this right don’t try to fix everything at once.
They take a step back, understand what they need, and build forward with purpose.
That’s where good coaching makes the difference not by giving the same answer to everyone, but by giving the right answer to the individual.
If you’d like help understanding where you are and how to move forward, the team at Matt Bottrill Performance Coaching are always here to help.
Get in touch via any of the contact us buttons on
Written by MBPC coach Simon Beldon
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