Training Tips?

[pwpatton]

I bought some slick and have already hit the road a couple of times. I'd like to make it pay off on the trails.

Does anyone have any advice on what I could do on the road now to maximize any benefit on the trails later? Should I just put in time or are there a some techniques (like intervals) I could use that would be more effective?

Thanks,
Phillip

[nigel]

Ride with me :)

Well for road stuff (Any chime in, you know more than I) I tend to go for long miles with a steady heartrate rather than going for say 60 miles with an average speed of 21. Id rather go out for say 2 hours with XX avg heartrate and keep a cadance of at least XX as much as possible.

Just simply by riding on the road youll notice a HUGE difference in your body when you hit the trails. Youll be able to ride longer, spin better, climb better, forearms will feel stronger ect.....

So i guess if your on a mtn bike riding road, Id try and ride at least a minimum of 1-1.5 hours with a steady cadence (just feel for it) and if you dont have a heart rate monitor just make sure your working yourself evenly the whole ride.

HILLS HILLS HILLS are also a GREAT way to train on the road for anything!! Add them in your ride, find and seek them out!!! As for intervals I tend to do em everyonce in a while but for me i find just working the hills as hard as i can works better for me, but throw in a few low cadence then high cadence ones for about 1-2 min long, like a mini time trial when your on flat ground, also when riding against the wind dont let it get ya down and go slow, WORK IT, ride into it hard!!

Im sure there are better ways but thats kinda what i try and do. The more road ya do the faster youll be offroad, then ya just need to brush up them technical skills when the trails open, but once that happens whats a road ride, right!

D

[JayT]

Ride consistently. 1, 2, or 3 days on followed by 4 or 5 days off doesn't make much forward progress fitness wise. You don't want to ride too many days straight either. Ride & rest, just don't string too many rest days together. Keep a log of your rides, it'll help build motivation and keep you consistent.

[pwpatton]

Sounds good Doug. I'm working my Knee a bit too so I think the steady spinning cadence sound like the right thing for me. I think I'll go lookin for some hill (to go up) so I can keep the heart rate up.

Good idea on the Logs JayT. I could alway use motivation. And working my knee requires me to rest so I plan on every other day when possible. Ofcourse if there are 2 warm sunny days in a row it might be hard to stay in :)