Coaching and Training for Cycling and Multi Sport Athletes

Its August, and some of the biggest cycling events have already taken place, such as unbound gravel in Kansas, the USA Cycling national championships and many regional gravel and mountain bike events. Some events are just happening like the 6 day stage race, the Breck Epic in Breckenridge Colorado and the long time Leadville 100 mile MTB race taking place this month.  So when you get to August, for the majority of riders, the bulk of training has been completed. If there are more events to tackle in the fall, such as the Vermont 50, or the Iceman challenge in Michigan, among many other events across the country, training need to be more specific, with less duration, and well timed intensity in order to prep the legs but to not over do it going into the late season. 

More zone one and two rides are important this time of year to allow for additional recovery between harder days. If you have been training consistently since last fall, your aerobic endurance and aerobic strength have been built, so its more important to focus on specific intensities to any events you have in the fall. If its Cyclocross, then shorter, 5 plus minute, zone 5 plus efforts are key. If its a long gravel event with a few big climbs, then focus on a few big climbs or climbing in general, working the zone 4-5 plus ranges on climbs for 10-20 minutes each hour of the ride. If you have logged a lot of time in the saddle, you can still long time in the saddle but this time of year, the general rule is "when in doubt, keep it out" applies. You can train but there's no need to push limits too far beyond at this time of year. 

August, September and October and the best months of the year to enjoy the fitness you built. Events, races or not, go have fun and enjoy time on the bike.