MAKING TIME! 14 WAYS TO SQUEEZE MAXIMUM GAS FROM MINIMUM TIME

Short on time for training? Rob Kemp shares smart hacks to stay razor-sharp on the bike while showing the schedule who's boss

Dwindling daylight hours, work demands, family commitments and pre-Christmas social events can all put a squeeze on the hours we'd like to spend in the saddle. As a 2023 survey by Mintel pointed out, one in four Brits cite 'not enough time' as the key reason for compromising on their pastimes. Meanwhile, a British Heart Foundation study found that, of the 40% of Brits who own a bike, three-quarters say they don't ride as much as they'd like. Thankfully, with the following time-efficient workouts, strategies for integrating cycling into daily routines, and time-management tips, you can find ways to ride more, improve your fitness and make significant gains without sacrificing other important parts of your life.

Audit your life

"The first step I take with a client who says they want more cycling time-in preparation for an event, to improve their fitness, or just get more miles on the clock - is to carry out a lifestyle audit," explains Paul Mill, cycle coach and founder of Elite Cycling (elitecycling.uk). "I ask them to assess their week - work, family, social commitments - so we can see how much time they have for training. Honesty here is crucial: if you overestimate your available hours, it's not going to work. If someone says they have 20 hours to train but only have 10, I can't prescribe the right plan." According to Mill, who has been training riders at all levels for over 25 years, once you've carried out that audit and got a realistic idea of how much time you have to ride, there are smart ways to shift the ratio in favour of cycling.

Smash a short sesh