Graeme, “do you hate your road bike?”
I had a customer ask me that yesterday after several FACEBOOK POSTS and STRAVA comments, that I only have mountain bike events scheduled for 2013.
Singlespeed-a-Palooza, Wildcat Epic, Landmine, D2R2, VT50, and a few others I will announce later. Yes, planning on doing all or most of them…SINGLESPEED. (photo of my singlespeed above)
Yes, it’s true I have moved more towards mountain biking the past few years…BUT I STILL LOVE MY ROAD BIKE and use it as a “training tool” to help with my MTB goals.
This time of year, I only use my ROAD BIKE on the trainer for CYCLO90 Base Training and Trainer Sessions from Workout Pass.
All of my outdoor riding is either on my SINGLESPEED or on my geared 29er for the “In-Ride Workouts” from CYCLO90 Base. The SINGLESPEED is my preferred bike for the higher intensity in-ride drills from CYCLO90 and when I’m working on MUSCULAR ENDURANCE or SUPER-SPINS, I use the geared bike. It depends.
Once I finish CYCLO90 Base (soon) I shift to CYCLO90 IN-SEASON MTB and will use a combo of the XC Race, Enduro/Epic, and Climbing Plans for the events. Each event will require different fitness assets such as ZONE 4-5 for SSAP to the ultra endurance needed for the WILDCAT at 100 miles on a SINGLESPEED. Can you say, MUSCULAR ENDURANCE? I will use each plan(s) at specific times for the needs of each event. (You can do the same for your MTB or ROAD events, here.)
SSAP 2012 after CYCLO90 Base. Placed 4th. Now, back again in 2013.
I’ve been a “roadie” for 25+ years. I will always love and use my road bike–always. But, I have to admit that the past few years I have fallen in love with MOUNTAIN BIKING more that road biking, at least for my IN-SEASON GOALS.
Here are 3 Honest Reasons Why I Prefer MTB Over Road (right now):
1. Safety. I prefer to be off the roads, away from traffic, cars, cell phones, etc. I feel safer. Too many close calls in the past few years. I would rather the blame be on me for an accident than some random driver, not paying attention. I have three wonderful boys and lots of customers to serve. Safety for me is always a concern, as it is for you.
2. I love NATURE and ADVENTURE! I admit, road riding has gotten stale for me over the years. Miles and miles of “road” gets kinda old. I like how Mountain Biking brings me more adventure and outdoors to my life. I love that the topography is constantly different, everywhere I ride. I even like getting lost in the woods. My dad was an Army Ranger, so maybe it’s in my blood.
3. MORE CHALLENGES! Although road biking still offers great challenges, the mountain bike events are HARDER if you ask me. Whether the short track XC training, the Enduro/Epic Endurance Training, or the Dynamic Skills needed to do it mountain biking at intensity–IT’S REALLY CHALLENGING! I obviously love training the “core” and although a stronger core has big benefits for road cycling, ask ANY mountain biker and they’ll tell you–CORE IS EVERYTHING for Mountain Biking! Getting over rocks, trees, 25% pitches on loose dirt, off-camber trails, high speed ZONE 6 Hole Shots–lots of fitness and skill needed.
SINGLESPEED: Although I have both geared and SS bikes, I prefer the simplicity and challenges of the singlespeed the most. I feel like a kid again, back in those years of a singlespeed BMX bike like so many of us started on. I like not having to worry about gears, technical issues, and such. Plus, SS riding offers gains in technique and form very similar to my HIT30 sessions from CYCLO90, only you don’t have to think…just ride your darn bike!
Don’t worry my fellow roadies, I am not abandoning you.
In fact, quite the contrary. I am encouraging you to DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Whether it’s road cycling, mountain biking, triathlon, or all of the above!
That’s the whole point of sharing this with you. I want you to be OPEN to new ideas about your training and what cycling has to offer in so many different ways. Don’t limit yourself. There is so much fun to be had my friend!
Training Suggestions for Roadies AND Mountain Bikers:
CYCLO90 Base for Roadies and MTBers.
Whether you are a ROADIE or a MOUNTAIN BIKER, the CYCLO90 Base Training System is UNIVERSAL for both applications. I have thousands of both roadies, mountain bikers, and cross-overs using the base training system, AVAILABLE HERE.
Now, once the CYCLO90 Base is complete, THEN we want to move into the more “specific training” for your road and mountain biking goals with the CYCLO90 ROAD and MTB IN-SEASON Systems, AVAILABLE HERE (special).
The IN-SEASON training is more specific for racing, endurance events, climbing events, epic events, enduro, EVERYTHING for road and mountain bike and you can mix and match the plans for your SPECIFIC GOALS, just like I am doing and will share with you in podcasts coming up.
Open your mind my friend. Explore the bike in as many ways as you can. I bet you’ll find even more love and joy then you thought possible.
Ride Hard. Ride Safe. Love Your Bike(ssssssssssss)
–Graeme Street
ROADIE SUCCESS on CYCLO90
“Dear Graeme,
I did my ’6 Gorges’ ride today – 90 kms with 3 Gorges (i.e. 6 when you come back the same way) with each one between 2.5 and 4kms long and decent gradients too (steepest an average of 6%). I hit Strava PRs on each one today! Training (and weight loss) are clearly working already! Made a real effort to do the shoe scraper/ knee raises and wagon wheels on the climbs too which made a huge difference. I took 2mins 38secs off my previous PR on my favourite 4km climb too!!!!! I’m pumped!!!!! Thanks for being such a good training buddy.” — Tim R
P.S. Please feel free to comment below or share with friends. Have a great day!
Basically I like bikes period. Tried a moonwalker mountain bike on the snow…fantastic. Bikes connect me to the environment and to myself. I love the quiet and the idea that it is just me and my machine..no gas, no engines. Riding a bike has enabled me to really see small towns and to interact with people in other countries who would write you off as a rich tourist if you came on a car.
I don't race but I love to ride. A bike tour enables you to stop when and where you want. Cars do come too close at times but the more riders are out there, the more people will come to understand that roads are meant to be shared by all and the car is really a pretty poor means of transportation.
Biking is fun…lots of gadgets..minimal mechanical skills needed…can dress up in skin tight outfits with wild designs…feel self righteous when you ride…and I love riding strong and having that fantastic feeling when my fitness level is great, my ride is fun, I am relaxed and the hills just dissolve under my pedals.