Paarl Boxing Day winner Josh van Wyk is working on improving his track skills as he focuses on endurance and power while training indoors during this lockdown period in South Africa.
Josh van Wyk is working on improving his track skills while training indoors during this lockdown period. Photo: Owen Lloyd
The 21-year-old, who trains in the garage at his Benoni home, says training indoors is different for a track rider than for a roadie.
“I’m working on improving my ability to ride at 54km/h on the track for 15km, so it’s a ‘track endurance’.
“I’m also focusing on gaining a bit of weight and I’ve been doing this through gym and big gear efforts.”
He feels that a big benefit of training indoors is that it is a controlled environment where there are no cars, pedestrians or other cyclists to impede you as you do your session or effort.
“But riding in an uncontrolled environment is a vital part of training as well, because a race will never be fully controlled by you and getting used to unexpected things is good.
“So indoor training has its benefits, but riding on the road is definitely important.”
Van Wyk says training outdoors is definitely easier as we have an incredibly beautiful country and riding in it is always a pleasure.
“So jumping onto the indoor trainer and being forced to stay in one place is challenging. But I’ve moved a TV into the training room for the four-hour rides I have to do in there. That helps a bit.”
He added that a change of scenery was a good thing and some places were better than others.
“I would love to be riding at the track and out on the road, but being stuck at home has given me a chance to get my home gym and training room sorted again, which makes it pleasant to train here.
“I can’t wait to get back out and racing again though.”
He believes there is a mental benefit to training indoors.
“Sometimes life can be busy and this is a good time to just reset and refocus on how I want to move forward.
“Physically it has been beneficial because I’ve been hitting the gym quite hard, and having slightly shorter rides has changed the dynamic of my training.”
Regarding reaching his goals on an indoor trainer, he said he had heard many stories of people who were in situations where the only way they could train was indoors and they were able to race at a world level.
“So yes, it is possible. But the motivation needed for that is immense and I need to enjoy myself while pushing for my goals. So if I had to do this for longer I would, but training outdoors again will be great.”
Van Wyk, who rides for Team Enza, has a coach who is giving him guidance on what to do during this time.
“I communicate with him about everything I want to do. He knows my goals and provides what training I must do on training peaks.
“He helps keep me motivated and guides me on the direction I need to go.”
