Alternatives to Road Riding

[hwentworth]

Hi Lynda,

 

Had a great season following your Cat 1 Cross Country Mountain Bike Build, Peak and Race Training Plan! I did not follow one of your base plans but plan to do so next year (didn't learn of your plans until after base).

 

I enjoy road riding but it's scarier for me than the most gnarly of trails. I skimped on my base last year and it showed – I'm solid on the singletrack but the girls fly by me on fire roads like I'm standing still. I road ride only when I have to.

 

Are there alternatives to road riding that would produce the same training benefits? Fat bike on dirt/snow roads, etc.? Other options?

 

Thanks!

Heather

[Lynda]

Why is the road riding scarier? Do you have long fire roads with no traffic you can train on instead of the pavement? Do you or will you have a fatbike and snow?

[hwentworth]

The traffic and narrow roads in my area make road riding scary for me. There are a lot of accidents, recent deaths and a very heated/publicized battle between motorists and cyclists. It's awful. I honestly wouldn't ride the roads here if I didn't need to for training.

There is a 54 mile dirt/grass bike path and we get a lot of snow. We have an expansive snowmobile trail system that runs 3 states and into Canada; hundreds of miles. If the benefits are there, I will get a cyclocross bike or fat bike. If not, I'll make road riding work or accept being weaker with the pedally stuff 🙂

[Lynda]

I hear you about the roads being scary and 100% support you staying off the paved roads with traffic. Stick to the dirt roads, safe areas and non-tech trails for the “road riding” sessions. No need to make road riding “work”. Do what makes you smile. If road riding makes you tense ditch it and spend your time and energy on training in a more enjoyable and safe fashion.

The key for most of the road sessions is not to be on pavement but is to hit the target intensity when you want and not have the intensity dictated by how steep and tech the trail is. A CX bike, fatbike, mountain bike all work.

Recovery rides are tough to do on trails. If you do not have mellow dirt roads for recovery rides a better option is to do an easy walk or swim or take the day off. 

Lynda

[Author]

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