It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to the summer months ahead and plans for epic rides or events are put into place. What ever type of riding you intend to do you’ll no doubt what to improve your fitness before you embark on new adventures.

Whatever your goals are, you’ll no doubt be planning to put in the miles over the following months so you’re ready. And it’s highly likely that many will want to lose a few pounds before the summer rolls around.

The lighter you can be of course means you will ride faster. If only loosing weight was as easy as putting it on though. The latest book from Velopress, ‘Racing Weight, How to Get Lean for Peak Performance’ could just have the answers.

Written by Matt Fitzgerald Racing Weight offers a safe and healthy 5-step plan to help you get leaner and lighter for competition. Chapters cover aspects such as improving the quality of your diet, managing your appetite and timing important nutrients.

“Packed with findings from recent studies on weight loss and endurance sports performance, Racing Weight explodes myths about fat and weight gain, protein and muscle building, macronutrient ratios, calorie counting, glycemic index, and weight gain during the holidays and off-season. Athletes will learn the truth about sports drinks, supplements, and recovery nutrition.”

Fitzgerald grounds his approach with practical examples of good nutrition, featuring personal food journals from elite athletes competing in six different sports and a selection of 21 recipes from professional triathlete and dietician Pip Taylor.

Available at all good bookshops or direct from www.cordee.co.uk priced £13.95.