A Cheshire-born Olympic biking finalist and BMX World Champion is teaching a Chester delivery firm’s staff how to improve their riding skills.
Shanaze Reade, who reached the Olympic BMX finals in 2008 and 2012 and has won multiple BMX world titles, has been brought in by on-demand restaurant food delivery service Deliveroo.
Her mission is to help the current Chester-based riders improve their riding skills with some expert guidance on training, diet and how to handle different types of terrain.
Reade’s competitive cycling career spans 14 years to date, combining BMX riding, in which she has won the UCI BMX World Championships three times, and track cycling.
The Crewe-born biker partnered Victoria Pendleton in the Team Sprint at the World Championships in 2007, with the pair winning gold.
Think, eat and cycle
Deliveroo riders in Chester can cycle more than 150km a week and are reliant on their endurance and stamina.
Managing director of UK & IE at Deliveroo, Dan Warne, said: “We wanted to bring someone in to give them some guidance on endurance cycling and who better than an Olympian cyclist?”
Reade said: “I have had a lot of races in my career, from endurance races to sprints and so I know how the Deliveroo riders need to think, eat and cycle to achieve their goals.
“When Deliveroo asked me for my assistance, I was more than happy to put my knowledge to good use and help the Chester riders get the most out of themselves.”
Shanaze’s top tips include:
- Mix up your training with gym classes or gym cardio machines. This will enable a great base to allow you to go for a lot longer without getting tired, which is essential for Deliveroo riders.
- Strength training has its place, when you reach the bottom of a hill and you are thinking “How can I do this?” This is where your strength training kicks in, so regular exercises can be done to achieve this, such as: Back squats, leg press, press ups. This will give you the raw strength needed to make it up the hill a lot easier.
- Having the correct equipment is essential. Make sure that your bike is well maintained and fitted to your height and riding preference. Having a good pair of cycling shorts is also a must! For long hours in the saddle your clothing can become very uncomfortable and off putting! Invest in shorts to make your ride more comfortable.
- Selecting the correct gear on the bike is another key point. You don’t want to be spinning away with your pedals and not travelling far nor do you want to be pushing a huge gear. It’s about getting the gear ratio correct for the terrain you’re on. This could be a big reason you fatigue quickly if it’s not correct!
- Diet is one of the most important aspects! Having the correct fuel for the day and having a good amount of carbs will help with energy levels. Fuelling with protein after your shift will also aid your muscles and repair them.
- Most importantly, make it fun. Set yourself three challenges a week. Maybe that’s racing your friend, going for a swim or going for a run. Pushing yourself and completing these challenges will make it easier to achieve your daily Deliveroo duties.
