Question: I live in the Southeast and ride year-round. I’m 5-11 and 200 pounds. I recently completed a hilly century in a bit under 6 hours. I’m planning to ride another one in September and I want to go faster. I don’t have hills to train on but I do like to lift weights. I know I…
Question: I’ve been riding for five years. Next season my goal is 300 miles at the National 24-Hour Challenge. My previous best is 255 miles. I was drained afterward. How many miles should I accumulate before the event? Should I focus on long rides or shorter, more intense workouts? — Maria A. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: It’s…
By Coach Fred Matheny Randy Wilbur, Ph.D. is the senior sport physiologist at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, where he oversees operations in the Athlete Performance Laboratory. Wilbur knows about the effects of altitude on cyclists not only from scientific studies but from personal experience. He has completed the Leadville Trail 100…
Question: I moved to Florida recently and enjoy the cycling here. I have ambitious ultra-distance goals for next season. I plan to do a brevet series starting in January and want to peak for a long event in July. Your eBooks have been very helpful, but I can’t figure out how to train in the “off season” down…
Question: How long should I ride on the indoor trainer in the off-season? I race up to 112 miles in Ironman triathlons. A well-respected triathlon coach says to limit indoor rides to 2 hours, but with races over 6 hours this seems short. — Jeff M. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: The problem with indoor cycling…
