Cycling Fitness / Training Advice

what are you training for?

No specifics, it's been more an experiment during COVID to see how much I can get from fully structured training.

If racing opens up, will be heading to some crits and maybe HHV. Have thrown in short power build for this.

“Winning races” is the only sensible answer to this question.

Nah, there's lots of reasons.
Health
Challenge
To better a time/speed/distance
So I'm not the last on our weekly cafe ride
Because if I don't, I want to murder everyone

Winning races happens so infrequently for most people it can't be why so many people "train".

Lies.

I haven't won anything for a couple of years now. This list is the only thing keeping me from golf.

So I'm not the last on our weekly cafe ride

who rides with you?!

Good point, well made.

Thought it might be good to have a place to discuss reasons

Why do you train?

Anyone that's a gold British Cycling member willing to share their TrainingPeaks discount code? I get the 20% discount, just looking to see if I can get the extra. Is it just "40BritishCycling20"?

No its something else. I cant remeber what. Someone will come along with it

@hazzelfrazzel

.

Legend, thank you!

Any recommendations for good training plan on training peaks for boosting short efforts?

My endurance stuff is ok but I lack a bit of top end power, would like to build on that. I wondered if the BC track training plan might work or will it be too track specific? Some element of strength training seems a good idea...

Any positive feedback on training plans people have liked would be great

short efforts

Define.

Then look to train durations around that.

UK hill length - 2 to 10 mins I guess, veering towards the lower end?

I can do nice consistent 20 min+ and 1hr+ efforts but my punchy climb legs aren't as good so I want to train the shorter ones.

I see vO2 max intervals in your future.

Yep, VO2s and maybe some tabata style stuff. Also, on-bike-strength work aka high gear low cadence force drills.

Will have a look for vo2 booster training programs then, ta!

If anyone has seen any good ones on training peaks then shout... Feels like a bit of pot luck which are any good

Have fun. Vo2 max sessions are just the best.

Training plans aren't good/bad. Everyone responds differently anyway, plus everyone has more/less time to do the work in, people have different priorities - ie. the monks that will do EVERYTHING to recover for the next session vs. the headbangers who'll smash a session then get smashed. So, a plan that works well for muggins might have you bored or crawling around in agony and giving up the next session or whatever.

Fair point - if they weren't all paid for through training peaks I'd be more relaxed about just getting stuck in and trying some!

I'm def not a monk

Cheers! I'm guessing you mean type 2 fun....

Just hoping to recreate that "top of the climb probably going to be physically sick" feeling a few times

Here you go:

20min warmup
5 x 3min (5min) @ 120% threshold
15min warm down

You're welcome. :P

Nice, gentle introduction there. That’s what I appreciate in a coach.

Bonus because I'm feeling generous:

20min warmup
5 x 3min (5min) @ 130% threshold
15min warm down