Criteriums are a special kind of racing.  They require a broad variety of skills to be successful, least of which is nerves of steal.  Since crits are the most prominent type of racing in the USA, it is arguably most important to prepare for this type of racing. Cornering – Every spring I would practice […]

Read more "Race Specific Training – Criteriums"

This relatively new race/ride type is really taking off in the US.  I think the relaxed atmosphere, no race categories and variety of bike types create a much more welcoming environment to sign up and enjoy a ride in the country.  That being said, they feel a lot like full on races to me as noted […]

Read more "Race Specific Training – Gravel Grinders"

I will be doing a series on training for a specific event.  The first outlay will be about hill climbs or climbing races. Look, I’m not climber.  In fact, I am so bad at climbing that when I was winning races I was still getting smoked by any recreational rider under 150 lbs.  For whatever […]

Read more "Race Specific Training – Climbing"

Here we are into summer.  Most likely a racer has hit their 1st peak of the year.  All that hard work paid off and they have finally found that 1st magic peak of the season.  I love that feeling when you worry about ripping the pedals off the bike and everything flows effortlessly.  (or at […]

Read more "The Double Bounce or The Razors Edge"

One of the harder things to get used to is the concept of two hard days on the bike in a row is a huge benefit to training.  Research has shown that alternating hard and easy days can help with your training as a basic concept.  Of course, the key is to go HARD and […]

Read more "Two Hard Days on the Bike"

Training for bike racing is hard enough. When you add travel, it can feel overwhelming and near impossible. If done right, travel can be perfectly plan to include your rest days and to recharge. It’s pretty difficult to get some of the folks I work with to take a break, so in those cases this […]

Read more "Reminder that Travel and Training isn’t Impossible"

I often forget how riding a road bike can both be simple and complicated.  The mechanics of riding a bike are pretty instinctual, once you learn.  However, entering the world of road riding can be quite complicated.  You are out in an uncontrolled environment that leaves little margin for error.  You are exposed to the […]

Read more "Road Bike Skills Training"