Ask A Cycling Coach - Trainerroad Podcast

Jonathan goes KOM hunting with one of the best mountain bikers in the USA, why your pacing plan for CX is wrong, why your power and heart rate zones don't match and much more in Episode 186 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE • How to avoid illness as a cyclist • TrainerRoad's new Calendar and Analytics features • How to steal a KOM • How KOM hunting can make you faster • How to train with a newborn • Why cyclocross isn't a natural fit for sprinters • How to refine a nutrition strategy • Should you pay attention to breathing rate? • Why warmups are crucial for cycling • Why does heart rate rise when power is consistent? • When should you not carry two bottles? • Why intervals are always a better idea than junk miles More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join us for Episode 185 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! We'll be having a discussion on whether proper pedaling technique is a myth, how to win races with low power output, when triathletes should use a road bike instead of a TT bike and taking your live questions. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Adjusting your training plan when life gets busy How to select a specialty plan How to return to training after breaking a collarbone Does one pedaling technique trump all others? Riding to conserve energy in a race Is Traditional Base better than Sweet Spot Base if time is not limited? How to spark up your motivation to get on the bike When is a road bike faster than a TT bike? More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   LINKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCA

Training for a single event is straightforward, but what about a whole season of racing? Join us live for a discussion on this, fitting commuting into a training plan, how to build explosive power and more in Episode 184 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Hydration tips for mountain biking Why locked out suspension might not actually be faster How to use skiing as cross-training for cycling Can sprinters be good triathletes? How to train for a whole season of racing How to build explosive power Does a more aero rider give less draft? How to cope with early morning workouts How to fit commuting into a training plan Should triathlon change its order? More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   LINKS MENTIONED IN THE

Dropping weight while raising power, making peak fitness last for multiple races and recovering properly are all very difficult ideals for a cyclist to achieve. Episode 183 will explore how to discover and push your limits for each of these ideals.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE New TrainerRoad features! Nate’s race plan for 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Coach Jonathan’s lofty goal & annual plan How to taper for ultra-endurance events How to return to training after time off How to get better at steep climbs Is it possible to lose weight and gain power at the same time? How recovery workouts aid in nutrient absorption More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   LINKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST   Strength Training for Cyclists: 5 Exercises to Int

Justin Thomas is a Masters XC National Champion who shifted focus to a Cyclocross National Championship in 2017. Tune in and bring your questions as we dig into what it took to be nationally competitive in CX, how it differed from MTB, and how he balanced training, career and family responsibilities. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE Friend of the Podcast Payson McElveen wins Singlespeed World Championships! Follow up on Kona interviewee performances Takeaways from training block in Kona New Calendar updates! Justin Thomas interview More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   LINKS MENTIONED IN THE PODCAST   FLO Cycling - Tire Pressure: http://flocycling.blogspot.com/2014/09/flo-cycling-tire-pressure.html Garmin Radar: https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/

Michael Stanek is a young athlete with a background in Freestyle BMX, of all things, but more impressive is how he managed to qualify for Kona amidst 80 hour weeks and night shifts while finishing his Residency. Listen in to find out how Mike accomplished this and how he arrived at having such a detailed race plan. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE  Where Michael Qualified and what his times were  Michael's claim to fame  Flats vs Clipless pedals in BMX  How to go faster on the swim. It's not all about fitness in the water  How to improve swimming technique  Does pacing come naturally when you start training for running?  Visor, sweatband, or hat during the run?  Avoiding cramping during an endurance event  Michael's bike setup  Aero road helmet vs TT helmet for Kona  Michael's power goals for Kona  Nutrition on the run vs on the bike  Training for triathlon while going through residency. How is tha

Wes Thompson grew up racing motocross and surfing the eastern coast of Australia but never had any formalized training in any of the three disciplines of triathlon. It's easy to assume that Kona qualifiers are all blessed with natural talent or have decades of experience in one or more disciplines, but Wes is an example of tireless hard work and sacrifice. Tune in to learn how this father of two and multi-business owner has become a genuine age group threat. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE  Wes Thompson - background  How Wes manages his career, family, and training  How to split up swim, bike, and run workouts  Wes's FTP, weight, and height  Wes has a rough first race at Kona a couple of years ago  What changes Wes has made from previous Kona experiences?  How to use sweat test results  How nutrition changes from bike to run during an IRONMAN  Wes's bike set up  What to wear on your head during th

A 09:26:42 finish earned David Nicholls a slot at this year’s @ironman World Championship. To hear how this first-time Kona qualifier trained and set expectations for Saturday, listen to the latest special episode of the Ask a Cycling Coach podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Where David Nicholls qualified Equipment check with David Nicholls How to choose between a triathlon shoe vs a regular cycling shoe Balancing work, family, and training How to balance bike, run, and swim training for an IRONMAN Cutting certain workouts to prioritize work and/or family How to avoid injury as a triathlete How do triathletes manage their nutrition? Why would you get yourself off of caffeine before a big race? Dealing with heat and humidity when coming from a different environment How to use a sauna for heat training How to gauge your time for Kona How to make transitions quick and efficient Pacing for the

A top 20 AG finish at the IRONMAN World Championship is exactly what TrainerRoad user Tony weeks has his eyes set on. Behind that ambition is a lot of preparation. We dug into how Tony trained, his equipment, and strategy for Saturday's big race in our latest special podcast episode. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE Where did Tony Week Qualify? Balancing family, work and training Adjusting a plan's workouts based on how you are feeling. Tony's bike setup Why did Tony chose a different helmet for Kona? Can you run a disk wheel in Kona? What is a swim skin? What Tony has learned from past Kona races Nutrition for Kona What is "special needs" on an IRONMAN course? Can a High Fat Low Carb diet work for Kona? What does Tony eat during the run? More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Episode 177 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast is going to be a fun one! 24 Hours In The Old Pueblo registration is closed and it's time to strategize on endurance team racing, we'll discuss creative ways to stay cool on the bike, and the proper way to train your body to absorb more training stress. Join us live! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   24 Hours in the Old Pueblo Should I train for a specific climb in a specific race? Should I follow low volume plans before mid volume plans? How to cut a base phase short Is starting young an advantage in cycling? How to hold your head in the TT position Ways to stay cool on the trainer More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   THE ONLY PODCAST DEDICATED TO MAKING YOU A FASTER CYCLIST   Each week Coach Cha

Detailed show notes and discussion at forum.trainerroad.com/t/cx-road-endu…coach-176/1297 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A discussion on cyclocross, road enduro, block periodization, heart rate, nutrition and more, all in Episode 176 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE - New TrainerRoad Forum ( Forum.TrainerRoad.com ) - TrainerRoad kits now available! - New TrainerRoad Calendar - TrainerRoad Pricing Updates - Peter Stetina's Sierra Prospect - Best tires for grass cyclocross courses - Why starts don't always matter in cyclocross racing - Ride with the coaches in Kona! - When should you not train in the aero position - How to peak twice in one year - What is block periodization, and how should you use it? - Should you skip pedaling drills? - Why your heart rate stays high after a hard s

5x Olympian Katerina Nash joined us live from Interbike in front of a studio audience for a deep dive on cyclocross. Tune in and learn from one of cycling's most successful athletes! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Drills for Cyclocross Racing Choosing tires for specific CX Courses Using Running to get in shape for CX Season Changing your training from MTB season to CX season Nutrition for endurance races vs. a CX race What to eat for breakfast prior to a race What’s the best dinner the night before an endurance XC Race Daily eating habits to be a high level endurance athlete How do you pace for a CX Race Step through or step around when dismounting in a CX Race? What breaks to use when dismounting in a CX Race More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join us live for today's episode of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! We'll review a list of scenarios you can keep ready to manage every race situation, discuss whether ice baths are effective or not, tell you which body fat scales you can trust, and much more. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE Live podcast party during Interbike! What to do if you get stung by a bee in a race Why is your bike uncomfortable on the trainer? How to select ideal races How to analyze course profiles What tactics to expect for different course profiles Do ice baths help recovery and performance? How aggressive should you be in a race? How to maintain a cool head in race scenarios Why do you get a cough after hard training or racing? Are body fat scales inaccurate? More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How much of a role do genetics play in your ability to sprint, how do you recover from a bad race performance, and should your nutrition change for late night workouts? Join us live for discussion on all of this and more in Episode 173 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Team Clif Bar won the USA Crits Team Competition! Alex Grant won Part City Point 2 Point! How to recover from a bad race performance How to regain confidence after a crash How much of your sprint capability comes down to genetics? How to decrease muscle mass with cycling Should you change your nutrition when working out at night? How to integrate training camps into your training plan Road bikes vs. aero bikes More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Planning an entire year of training and racing can be intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Episode 172 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast will go over every detail you need to know before planning your next season. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   How a podcast listener won a 250mi MTB race What is the Bones to Blue Endurance Race? What Jonathan learned from racing enduro How to plan your race season Which training plan you should pick How to set goals for endurance athletes How to eat to reach your goals More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINKS TO MENTIONED PRODUCTS:   How To Become A Faster Mountain Biker: https://blog.trainerroad.com/how-to-be-a-faster-mountain-biker/ Nokia Body Cardio Wifi Scale: https://health.nokia.com/us/en/body-

3x Olympian, 15x National Champion, Multi-time BCBR Champion and all around MTB legend Geoff Kabush (Yeti Cycles, Maxxis, Shimano) joined us to answer your questions on maintaining race fitness and motivation, equipment choices and technique, and a funny story that involves Chinese olympic basketball player Yao Ming. Tune in and enjoy! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Are aero bars beneficial in gravel racing? Is gravel racing just a marketing scheme? How Geoff maintains fitness throughout the year Keeping motivation throughout each year of racing Racing and training as an aging athlete Why Geoff has become such a great technical rider Pre-riding the Continental EWS Northstar course How do you assess an upcoming technical section of trail? What would Geoff change for Dirty Kanza next year? Advice on riding muddy conditions Cadence comparison on mountain vs. road Having confidence and controlling t

Nate had a day of ups and downs at Leadville, but did he get his sub-9 hour goal? Coach Chad and Jonathan will review Nate's performance, debate whether altitude training masks are effective or not, and dig into how pelvic tilt affects power output. Join us live for Episode 170 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   What went right and what went wrong at Leadville for Nate Why Leadville is so hard to pace What Chad and Jonathan learned about crewing The podcast hosts next big event Do altitude training masks work? The science behind altitude training How does pelvic tilt affect power output? More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LINKS TO MENTIONED PRODUCTS:   BiKnd Jetpack Bike Bag: https://www.biknd.com/jetpack-fs

Peak fitness is the end goal, but what actually happens to your body when you peak? We covered this, the different ways you can improve VO2 Max supplements vs. whole foods and much more in episode 168 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE - Nate's Leadville Preparation - The best way to hold your phone during workouts - How to inject tubeless sealant without clogging your valve stems - Do you have to change up your workouts to get faster? - Why progression is the most important principle to getting faster - A deep diving on "peaking" - What happens to your body when it peaks? - How long can you maintain peak fitness? - Are standing desks actually bad for athletes? - What is the best way to improve VO2 Max? - Whole foods vs. powders and supplements for recovery nutrition - Why dehydration isn't always bad for cyclists - How big of a difference 2lbs make on a climb. More

Every cyclist wants to burn fat, but it's more complicated than low intensity riding. Join us live for deep dives on fat burning, testosterone in cycling, and Chad's favorite books in this episode of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE How to burn fat with cycling What is “spot-burning” for fat? What is the difference between visceral and subcutaneous fat Why food matters more than training for fat burning What role intensity plays in losing weight How insulin and sugar affect fat loss Why athletes have a surprisingly complex time with weight control Testosterone and cyclists Is hormone replacement therapy banned for cyclists? Why taking testosterone is cheating Natural ways to increase testosterone production What effect sleep has on testosterone Should cyclists always avoid weight gain? How cyclists can ad weight that helps make them faster Why cyclists should strengt

Join us for a discussion on how to break through fitness plateaus, how people do VO2 Max intervals wrong, and a tactics discussion on how to win a bike race without a team. Episode 166 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast is coming right up! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Race analysis of Tahoe Trail 100 Why getting stuck behind slower riders may be a good thing How to deal with hot weather in a race What to do if your FTP is not increasing When it's good to be a heavier rider Why power to weight ratio isn't everything How to lose weight and get more fit Why maintaining fitness can be tricky to measure Why all Training Stress is not the same Why you could be doing VO2 Max intervals wrong How VO2 Max work can improve aerobic and anaerobic stores Why excessive heat isn't a good match with intense training How to implement heat training into your plan How heat training can help performance at altitud