The three stages - Stage 1
There’s a lot of debate around how you should train but the truth is, we are all different so one individual’s training program could be totally different to another. But we all want to train without sustaining injury and to do that And improve your fitness you need to follow the 3 stages to fitness.
Think of it like a pyramid and with a broader base your pyramid will be able to support a broader mid-level and that mid-level will support a broader top-level. Make sense?
The first stage of your training should be to build a solid stamina base. To do that you need to spend time in the saddle at a comfortable pace, a pace slow enough (but not too slow) to maintain a conversation without breathing heavy. You also need to be on a gear light enough to maintain a high but comfortable cadence.
- Don’t even think of using your big chain ring.
- Stick to your small chain ring and 17, 19, 21 or 23 at the back.
- Ride more than once a week, short rides on the weekdays with one or two rest days and a long ride on the Sunday.
This will most certainly improve your endurance. After each ride you should feel good and the next day you should feel great. One very important aspect of training that athletes tend to forget is recovery so make sure you recover between rides. The three rules of recovery, refuel, stretch and rest…
I’ll tell you what stage two is all about later in the week…. but for now… get on your bike and ride, safely…
From business to e-business
Whether you are already doing e-business or plan on doing e-business, you need to have an e-strategy. With the constant need for business efficiency it’s necessary to look at your internal functions to determine where processes can be improved.
An efficient business is one with efficient processes, so review those internal processes and streamline the internal business functions. Something as simple as ordering stationary can be done electronically and, if done properly, can save your business valuable time and money.
But before you consider implementing an e-Business strategy, you need to consider:
- your business vision
- your expectations
- who and where your customers are and
- the impact of e-business on your current business functions and processes.
You can only have a successful e-business implementation once you have sound internal and external processes. So sort that out first and plan your e-strategy around effective business principles rather than attempt to streamline your business with an e-business strategy.
Keep in mind that your e-business strategy should improve your business processes that are already effective.
So now you’re probably wondering what the point of e-business is when you already have effective business processes…
I’ll explain that next time
Pre season ride
The cycling season officially starts on the 1st of September but with so many cyclists out on the roads you’d think the season started weeks ago. Even though I went cycling on Sunday past, I’m not really one of those pre season cyclist… it’s just too damn cold.
I went cycling on Sunday regardless of the ice cold morning and it turned out to be quite nice. So I guess my training for the double century cycle tour has started with a short 50km ride at a comfortable pace which is a good way to start the season.
The idea is to build a solid stamina base by doing some long slow rides (not too slow). Then I’ll work on strength training and only then, like two weeks before the event I’ll do some power training…
But for now it’s stamina, stamina, stamina and by working on stamina you also improve your strength…
So what is e-Business?
Let me get this e-business ball rolling with an explanation of what e-business is. Quite simply, e-business or electronic business refers to the use of telecommunication networks, like the Internet, to conduct business. So, if you use the Internet to conduct business then you are doing e-business.
We constantly strive to improve business processes (and our daily lives) by making our daily tasks more efficient, effective and economical and e-Business makes use of Internet technologies to achieve this. Simple enough? Good…
e-Business can be used for different transactions or processes like e-procurement, e-marketplace, e-supply chain, etc and not just for e-commerce like many people may think. These are really just the usual business processes or transactions that’s done electronically with the use of the Internet or some other telecommunication network.
The business environment is changing very fast so for a business to survive in the technology age, they need to have an Internet presence. They need to engage in some form of electronic business to be competitive and it’s not as daunting or costly as many small business owners may think.
But you need to be thinking and planning for e-business…
