Ok, so the title of this article probably sounds a little odd – becoming a better cyclist without actually riding your bike! However, it’s often these additional actions that you take when you’re not actively participating in your sport that can result in big dividends.

Here are three factors to consider that will help improve your cycling performance, no extra hours on the bike required.

As women, we all understand that in our forties and fifties, we begin to approach menopause, which is officially reached when a woman goes for 12 months without menstruating. In the years leading up to menopause, the time known as peri menopause, most women start noticing that their bodies are changing. Many women report aching joints, forgetfulness, loss of libido, insomnia and vasomotor (hot flushes/difficulty regulating body temperature) symptoms. It’s important to note that not every woman will suffer from every symptom, however these changes can impact upon how well a woman can perform, both in their daily life and their athletic training.

It may sound a bit over the top but I consider strength training to be the miracle exercise for women experiencing the transition towards menopause and beyond. The proven benefits of strength training are numerous and the great news is that for a relatively small investment in time, you get a lot of bang for your buck.