I know I have already brought to your attention the Pareto principle multiple times. I also know that listening for the 10th time over and over again on the same topic can be boring. But this is important. It is important to realise how the beginner cyclist can quickly become an ambitious, better than average cyclist. It is not going to be easy, but as I am about to show you, it is within your reach.
The Pareto principle is currently widely used among many branches, industries, theories, etc. The 20/80 principle has multiple applications, as well is applicable to cycling. It is logical as well.
Let’s assume that a world class cyclist, say Chris Froome is a 100. World class, race winning and versatile cyclist. How do you get to his level, theoretically? If we would not consider born-in abilities and rider qualities, you just have to train enough. Training makes us better cyclists. And more training even better. But how much “better”?
Well, according to the principle stated above, you have to put 20% of the effort of Chris Froome, to achieve 80% of his results. Isn’t this optimistic? Of course it it! This guy is training probably daily, doing multiple kilometres a day, leaving loads of sweat on the tarmac, eating clean and you can have 80% of what he has? That’s just insane!
But the question now is: what are those 20%? 20% of what? Well the theory says 20% of it all. So this is definitely not nothing. You will have to train properly, eat properly, lift weights, get massages done, leave a sweat mark on the tarmac not once, not twice. Read a couple of interviews on how professionals train, what they eat, what they do after training, in their homes, at the gym. Prepare yourself, that it is not laying on the couch and drinking beer in front of the TV. You will see how much effort and pain a professional athlete has to sustain. But the good news is – you have to be only 1/5th of that and you already will be really, really good in cycling.
Cover photo courtesy of John Cameron on Unsplash
Caesar's Cycling 