Ask A Cycling Coach - Trainerroad Podcast

We're taking your questions on today's podcast to come up with the beginner's guide to bike racing. Join us live and let us know what you wish you knew when you started out, or what you still don't understand about the nuanced world of bike racing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Nutrition, pacing and equipment strategies for Tahoe Trail 100 How to get into bike racing Which type of bike racing is best for beginners? How to find a group to ride with? How fast should you be before signing up for a bike race? Why bike skill is more important than fitness for new racers How to save energy in a race What category should you race? Should new racers compete in Elite and Masters categories? How to upgrade categories in USAC Why ketosis isn't a practical solution for cycling Drills to make you a faster sprinter A pre-race checklist for new racers How to find a nearby bike race Should new bike racers get

Six months of preparation has led to this 40k TT State Champs Recap. What we did wrong, what we did well, what we plan on changing moving forward, and your questions on tactics, naps and Leadville. Join us live for Episode 164 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Our takeaways from 40k TT State Championships How to pace a windy time trial How you should warmup before a time trial Pre-race nutrition for time trials Why you should always check your bolts How we would change our bikes without UCI rules To drink or not to drink Is carb loading more effective with liquid? Why cyclists should be taking naps How to get rid of a rider from a group Are the flats harder than the climbs at Leadville?   More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our 40k TT is right around the corner, and for this episode of the podcast we've assembled every detail of our equipment, nutrition and strategy for you, along with a look at what makes pros better than amateurs and whether weight loss always makes you faster or not. Tune in and join us live! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   What makes pros better than amateurs Two different ways to race a crit What we learned from the Carson City Off-Road Hardtail or full suspension: which is best? How Coach Chad is avoiding cramps Suspension setup tips for mountain bikers Our final preparations for the 40k TT How to choose between helmets for a time trial Do vents make a helmet slow? Why a disc wheel might not be faster Aerobar setup tips for time trials What data fields to show during a race? What to eat before a short time trial? Should you not eat breakfast before a race? How to pace a time trial perfectly

Keegan Swenson is one of the fastest pro mountain bikers in the USA, and we took a deep dive into the Stans / Pivot Pro Team rider's hard-fought second place at the Epic Rides Carson City Off-Road. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE - Hardtail or full suspension: Which is best? - How the pros carry spares and tools - A tube carrying hack you need to know about - Long sleeve jersey or arm warmers - What the pros eat before a big race - How pro riders plan their race nutrition - On-the-bike nutrition hacks - Why mountain bike races start hard - Why the pros ride singletrack different than all of us - How many times can the pros attack? - Why a higher threshold is almost always a good solution - When to know if you should lead or not on the trail - Why technical trails might actually be an opportunity for rest - Tips on how to follow a rider in singletrack - When does drafting come into play in a mountain

Pro mountain bike racers Payson McElveen and Sofía Gomez Villafañe joined us live from the main stage at the Epic Rides Carson City Off-Road for a deep dive on endurance mountain bike training and racing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE - How do pros taper for endurance mtb races - What do pro mountain bikers eat? - How to choose between a hardtail and full suspension - How the pros handle flat tires in a mountain bike race - How to pace a long mountain bike race - How to get by slower riders on singletrack - Pro tips for sandy descents - How the pros handle on the bike nutrition - What type of training do pros do during the race season - How to resist cravings and maintain race weight - What the pros do to adjust for high elevation - How pros make their tire choices More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center --------------------------------------------------------

Join us live for Episode 160 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast! We're going to analyze what Geoff Kabush did to get third place at Dirty Kanza, discuss whether running is a good form of cross-training, and dig deep into overtraining. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   How to register for the 40k TT challenge What it takes to race Dirty Kanza What we've learned about treating knee injuries for cyclists Safety tips for cyclists on the road Carson City Off-Road Preview How to get rid of "hot spots" while riding How to return to training after injury Does running make you a faster cyclist? How to organize the best cycling events How to push through hard workouts What are the signs of overtraining Three stages of overtraining How to avoid overtraining   More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------

What we learned at Lost & Found, is ending a workout with a sprint a bad idea, is flexibility necessary for cyclists and more in Episode 159 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Geoff Kabush's Dirty Kanza Recap Lost & Found Recap What are the best workouts for different types of fitness A complete guide to terms used to describe fitness How to pace yourself on variable terrain Are sprints at the end of a VO2 Max interval beneficial? Does increased flexibility make you a faster cyclist?   More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   THE ONLY PODCAST DEDICATED TO MAKING YOU A FASTER CYCLIST   Each week Coach Chad Timmerman, Coach Jonathan and TrainerRoad’s CEO Nate Pearson gather to answer queries submitted from

A comprehensive guide to fitness testing, why we created a new test, pro tips for your next fitness test and more in Episode 158 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast Facebook Group Lost & Found Gravel Grinder Preview Carson City Off-Road Live Podcast Recording! Workout Scrubbing Feature Plug What is the TrainerRoad Ramp Test? Why sustained effort tests may not be the best format for you How to find your FTP with a ramp test Why the TrainerRoad Ramp Test was created How to make cycling fitness tests better Should you take an FTP test in the aero position? Should you take an FTP test in erg mode? Should you take an FTP test on each bike you own? What you should know before changing a ramp test format Can you do a workout after the TrainerRoad Ramp Test? How often should you test your FTP? Should steady state athletes take ramp tests to

Do oval rings affect power data, when fasted training actually effective, how to stop cramps and more in Episode 157 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast Facebook Group Carson City Off-Road Live Podcast What we noticed at the Queen Stage of the Tour of California Do oval rings affect power data? How to balance work and training Why you aren't recovering as well as you think Group ride etiquette How to be smooth in a group of riders Why gravel racing is so complex Why do you need low gearing for gravel events? When is fasted training actually effective? How to maximize the effects of fasted training How to beat a weight loss plateau How to lose weight and increase power for cycling How to stop cramps on the bike   More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ---------------------------------------------

How to make a breakaway stick, can you do too much VO2 work, ideal pre-race and mid-race nutrition and more in Episode 156 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Are sprints at the end of a ride a good idea? How to get faster in the offseason Adjusting your training plan for outdoor rides How to race smart in a criterium An ideal pre-race breakfast How to train for short hill climbs More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   THE ONLY PODCAST DEDICATED TO MAKING YOU A FASTER CYCLIST   Each week Coach Chad Timmerman, Coach Jonathan and TrainerRoad’s CEO Nate Pearson gather to answer queries submitted from athletes around the globe, as well as dish about their latest training experiments, discoveries and tips.   Subscr

Why you need to do the Sagan dirt fondo, TrainerRoad's new ride analysis features, How to PR your next hill climb time trial and more in Episode 155 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Introducing Performance Analytics Sagando Review Geiger TT Chad's FTP Updates Mountain bike wheel size and setup Headphones to use on the trainer Estimating FTP and Ramp Test Discussion   More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   THE ONLY PODCAST DEDICATED TO MAKING YOU A FASTER CYCLIST   Each week Coach Chad Timmerman, Coach Jonathan and TrainerRoad’s CEO Nate Pearson gather to answer queries submitted from athletes around the globe, as well as dish about their latest training experiments, discoveries and tips.   Subscribe to the

Why every time trialist should do a Merckx TT, the Peter Sagan Dirt Fondo course preview, how to make sure your allergy treatment is legal and more in Episode 154 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   What is a Merckx TT? Preparing for the Sagando An update on Nate's Allergies How to make sure your treatment for allergies is USADA legal The definition of a national level athlete Preparing to race at elevation without having the proper time to acclimate Breaking bad habits on the bike What apps we use for cycling   More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   THE ONLY PODCAST DEDICATED TO MAKING YOU A FASTER CYCLIST   Each week Coach Chad Timmerman, Coach Jonathan and TrainerRoad’s CEO Nate Pearson gather to answer que

What you need to consider as you raise your FTP, the results from our first time trial, how to organize a busy race season and more in the Episode 153 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast.   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   - How vacation affects fitness- How to plan a big ride with friends- The best route to take from San Francisco to Sea Otter- Nutrition for long rides- Chad's ramp test results- Results from our first time trial of 2018- How to pace a short time trial- How to pace a climb- How to recon a course with Best Bike Split- What to know about sighting in a time trial- How to manage a busy season of racing- Is a higher FTP always the solution?- Consequences of having a higher FTP- Is raw wattage more important than relative power?- How to break bad habits on the bike- How holding your breath affects your performance- What apps should cyclists use while riding?   More training questions an

Component upgrades should take more than weight and price into consideration. Every part of your bike should contribute to making you faster, whether through aerodynamics, comfort or mechanical efficiency. We dug into every important component choice you can make to get faster in the latest podcast with ENVE Composites.   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE   Why some pro racers run insanely low stack heights Why are ergo bend handlebars are less common these days? Why handlebar wall thickness matters What to look for in a road handlebar Why do pros run such long stems? The pros and cons of rise stems Do pros really need extra stiff stems? How do you make a seatpost comfortable? Why short seat rail clamps are better Why doesn't ENVE make a saddle? How to engineer flex into a component Why are wheels getting wider? Are wide wheels faster? How to make a wheel aerodynamically efficient What makes a whee

How to avoid running out of "matches", should steady state athletes skip VO2 training, a testing protocol for different positions and more in the Episode 151 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE • TrainerRoad's new fitness testing protocol • How much difference can you expect in FTP on your TT bike? • What is the difference between saddle soreness and saddle sores • How to treat saddle sores • How to test power output in different positions • Should steady state athletes skip VO2 work? • Is it bad to do an interval workout after a long ride? • Are "matches" real? • How to get more matches for cycling • Can you cram train for fitness? More training questions answered here: bit.ly/Training-Questions-Help-Center ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE ONLY PODCAST DEDICATED TO MAKING YOU A FAST

Why your FTP is different in the aero position and how to change that, are antioxidants worthwhile for athletes, and which upgrades get you the most value in Episode 150 of the Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE • What you need to know before climbing Haleakala • How elevation affects power output • How to pace Leadville • Is it normal to be slower in the aero position? • How to get faster in the aero position • Why TT bikes are hard to ride • Best way to "buy speed" for cyclists • Best dollar/drag saved upgrades • Should cyclists avoid anti-oxidants? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GET FASTER WITH TRAINERROAD Every indoor workout you complete using the TrainerRoad app is based on power and calibrated to your personal fitness level. Along with a vast library of structured workouts, you also g

A special live Q&A episode with Marc Pro Cycling's Dave Christenson covering everything from stage race tactics to recovery nutrition. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE • How to recover between stages in the same day • What type of fitness is needed to race in UCI races • Can steady state riders do well in criteriums? • Stretches and recovery methods for stage races • How much time should road racers spend on the trainer • How to communicate as a team in a road race • How to conserve energy in a road race • How to win a race from a breakaway • How climbing road race strategy varies from flat road race strategy • Is it normal to be sluggish after a stage race? • What you need to know before entering a road race • How much time should a road racing team spend together • What American cycling needs to become more competitive ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the second part of our mini-series on training camps we spoke with Team Marc Pro Cycling on how they use team camps to get faster, and dug into team roles and stage racing tactics and strategy. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE • The difference between crit and road race focused teams • How to bond as a team with training • How to use a training camp right before a goal race • How to use a training camp to start your season • How to use a team camp if you are coming back from injury • The different purposes of a team camp • How to rank team mates during a team camp • How fast are pro cyclists compare to average joes • How to decide team roles with a fitness test • How to prep for big stage races • Heat acclimation for hot racing • Is competition bad within a team? • How to race an unfamiliar race • What a GC rider should do on a sprint stage • How to read a race with new racers • How to adjust your

A special live Q&A episode with Team Clif Bar Cycling's Pete Morris covering everything from crit tactics to nutrition. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE • How to train with specificity for time trials • Pete's favorite Clif Bar • How to know when to brake coming into turns • How to "roll" turns without braking • How to time your pedaling for a turn • Nutrition strategies for ultra endurance racing • Best jobs for pro cyclists • Are beards slow? • The difference between fixed gear and geared racing • Bike handling skills that make you faster • How to become more comfortable on a bike • Does power to weight matter in criteriums? • How to balance weight loss and maintain strength • How to gain weight for cyclists • Strength training for cyclists • How climbers can win a criterium • How to make a breakaway • How to avoid saddle sores • How to sprint from a high cadence • How gearing can make or break

In this special episode we discussed how to use team camps to make you faster and team tactics for criteriums with Team Clif Bar Cycling. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE • The difference between team camp and training camp • The importance of team bonding for cyclists • How fit are pro cyclists? • Why power to weight doesn't always decide a race • What skills you need as a sprinter • How to learn your role in a race team • What are the different types of sprinters? • How to use a training camp to get faster • Why a sprinter needs teammates to attack • How to set up a sprinter for a sprint finish • How to know when you should attack • How to execute a leadout train • What it's like to be at the front of a pro race • How to know when you should leave your leadout train • How to move through a pack • How to set yourself up for a good sprint finish • How to use course recon to help win races -----------