TransPortugal

[skidmark]

Hi

Last year, I competed in the 8 day TransPortugal and used your masters base and 5-7 day stage race plans. They really worked! Managed a 22nd place with relatively low volume training so proof you don’t need massive load to prepare.

Having crossed the finish line, I said never again! Now ‘never’ is here and I find myself ~25 weeks to start date.

Question: what’s the best mix of base and stage race plans to use from here on in? Is it better to switch to the stage race plan and repeat the first 6 weeks x2 or continue a base 12 week and then the race plan? I have kept a good base over summer but not raced.

To anyone considering the TransPortugal, these plans really worked for me. The strength and endurance training is balanced and there is enough rest for 50+ athletes. I kept a good pace all week and gained places every day whilst many others faded.

[Lynda]

Hi Skidmark,

Thanks for the kind words and congrats on your great TransPortugal finish.

With 25 weeks to the start of TP I recommend you follow this training plan stack:

– 12-weeks Masters 40+ Mountain Bike Base Mountain Bike Training Plan
– 12-weeks Masters 40+ Mountain Bike 5-7 day Stage Race Mountain Bike Training Plan

Following the Base and then Stage plan is the best way to develop your performance and peak for TransPortugal.

Coach Lynda

[skidmark]

Thanks for the advice and prompt reply 👍

Skidmark

[skidmark]

One more……Portugal can get quite hot in May. Last year it topped out at 33c but there were warnings it might be 40c some days. I really struggle when the temperature gets above 30c. I live in the UK where a hot day is 25c 🙁

Is there any way to build tolerance to heat short of moving house to a hot country? Does training indoors in a warm room work?

Also, I took a tumble off my bike and injured my knee. Medics say it will be 2~4 weeks before I will be back on it. Any advice about adapting training for shortened training window to the TP? E.g shorten the base plan or repeat the start of the race plan before a final 12 week block?

I’ll spend time in gym doing anything that doesn’t hurt the leg in any case.

Thanks

[Lynda]

Hi Skidmark,

Sorry to hear about your tumble and injured knee 🙁 I recommend completing the entire base plan and shortening the race plan. Shorten the race plan by removing weeks from the beginning of the plan.

Heat adaption is most important in the 7-10 days prior to your event. The best scenario is to arrive early in Portugal and adapt to the local conditions.

Riding indoors in a heated room for low intensity workouts is a good method to heat adapt. Don’t do this for higher intensity rides or longer endurance rides. For these rides, sitting in a sauna or hot tub after the ride will stimulate heat adaptation.

Here are a few articles
– Are you prepared to race in the heat?

– USA Cycling on racing safely in the heat.

Coach Lynda

[skidmark]

👍 thanks

[Author]

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