Training [rss]

I've been fascinated by what it takes to improve cycling performance for many years. It also turns out that this inquisitive nature makes it very difficult for me to be coached as I'd rather be my own guinea pig...so consider this a random collection of lessons learned along this road. I have nothing to gain by sharing this - except stiffer competition - and do it only in the hopes it helps someone else get that jigsaw puzzle to make a picture.

Gettin' to the core of it all

posted Monday, January 01, 2007 10:14 AM by Dave :: 5 Comments
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In the fall of '04 I made some significant changes to my training routines, habits and mindset. The effect on race outcomes was huge.  It really is true what they say about training smarter, although I still tend to think harder is better Read More

More power tools

posted Tuesday, December 12, 2006 4:42 AM by Dave :: 0 Comments
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Many cyclists focus on limiters in the early season.  I haven't been doing that for a few years, mostly because there was no "early" season and no "late" season...it's been one continuous season for 3 years ;)  Well, it's definitely the early Read More

The comeback trail

posted Sunday, December 10, 2006 9:59 AM by Dave :: 3 Comments
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CTL has risen 6 points in the last week and it feels good.  It's time to plan the comeback. For the past 2 (or is it 3?) years, I've been a beta tester for EweTSS, now termed the Performance Manager as part of Cyclingpeak's WKO+ software.  Read More

Enduring Nutrition

posted Saturday, October 21, 2006 6:15 AM by Dave :: 9 Comments
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Meet Shane Ellison, founder of HealthFX.  An organic chemist by training, Shane has seen the ugly side of the pharmaceutical industry.  He is on a crusade to re-educate a misinformed populace on solid health and nutrition practices.  Read More

Holding the edge

posted Friday, July 14, 2006 5:36 AM by Dave :: 1 Comments
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It's been awhile since I've gone into full-on geek mode, and if you disagree, hold on to your britches... Those from the wattage forum already know that I'm a beta tester of Dr. Andrew Coggan's latest creation, the Training Manager (TM).  This came Read More

The Passes

posted Sunday, April 16, 2006 5:30 PM by Dave :: 9 Comments
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I'll admit it right here, right now:  Durango cyclists have an (unfair?) advantage for a number of reasons, but the one I really like is the proximity to the million dollar highway, US Hwy 550 between Durango Mountain Resort and Ouray.  Read More

Executing your first 24 solo, part 5 (training)

posted Sunday, March 12, 2006 6:02 AM by Dave :: 18 Comments
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Part 5 addresses how to train for your first 24 solo effort.  The first 4 posts in this series are here. Yuri:  Do you do any 24 hour simulations...or just go for it?? Dave, I really appreciate all of your input on these matters and putting Read More

Executing your first 24 solo, part 4 (pacing)

posted Saturday, March 11, 2006 6:34 AM by Dave :: 5 Comments
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Now it's time for the fun stuff.  Yuri:  Last, how do you pace yourself? Did you preride so you knew what kind of times you should be laying down, or did you just go out and base your pace off your first lap? Dave:  There are several Read More

Executing your first solo, part 3 (pits, chammies, the run)

posted Friday, March 10, 2006 6:31 PM by Dave :: 0 Comments
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Yuri:  How long were your pit stops? Dave:  They've been all over the map.  At Old Pueblo, they varied between 0 and 5 minutes, probably averaged about 1-2 minutes - except for the 8 hour forced stop :(  Moab was similar, quick stops Read More

Executing your first 24 solo, part 2 (lights)

posted Friday, March 10, 2006 8:43 AM by Dave :: 4 Comments
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Update 3/22/06:  Pivvay (Chris) has done a great write-up on DIY LED lighting.  It's a bit of work and no guarantees you will have light out in the boonies, but check it out:  http://slipangles.blogspot.com/2006/03/geek-this.html. Part Read More

Executing your first 24 solo, part 1 (nutrition)

posted Wednesday, March 08, 2006 4:11 AM by Dave :: 7 Comments
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A long time racing bud shot me an email the other day with a great set of questions on how to make his first 24 hour solo attempt a success.  It seemed like a great thing to share here...so here we go.  Don't worry Yuri, I'll send you a few Read More

And on the 7th day...

posted Friday, February 03, 2006 5:01 AM by Dave :: 6 Comments
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4 of the last 5 weeks have been between 1,100-1,500 TSS, and let me tell you, that has kept me in the hurt locker for the week.  Brent mentioned his sensations of his first recovery day...well I've had that for the past 6 days pretty much.  Read More

Building for Old Pueblo

posted Tuesday, December 13, 2005 3:44 PM by Dave :: 5 Comments
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It's December 13 and Durango finally got some of the white stuff.  It's been the first year I recall that you could ride your MTB all the way to December.  It's been great, but oh man the Nordic and Alpine folks are jonesin. According to my Read More

Glossary

posted Wednesday, November 30, 2005 10:22 AM by Dave :: 2 Comments
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Training aided by power meters is the best.  Much of this glossary defines power related terms.  For a crash course in terminology/methodology, check out these articles: power 411 at cyclingpeakssoftware.com.  Most of Andrew Coggan's Read More

Life as a chronic geek

posted Thursday, November 24, 2005 7:44 AM by Dave :: 3 Comments
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Chronic.  The term conjures up visions of terminal smokers hacking their way through the day.  I once worked with a gent that went by "chronic", and indeed he was (still is so I hear) keepin' it real.  But as Miles points out, it's my new Read More