Skills and techniques Archives

The Gravel Guru: Top Training Tips For Your Next Gravel Grinder
The Gravel Guru: Top Training Tips For Your Next Gravel Grinder

Coaching discussion, Dirt roads and gravel grinders, Skills and techniques

The Gravel Guru: Top Training Tips For Your Next Gravel Grinder

Gravel grinders have become one of the most popular types of cycling events out there. From events like Dirty Kanza and Battenkill to the myriad of smaller gravel grinders that happen on a weekly basis, people are learning that it's fun to turn down the road less traveled.

Whether you're riding a dedicated gravel bike or a regular road bike, there are plenty of things you can do to increase your enjoyment of a gravel grinder. In this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast, I'll get into the basics of a solid gravel grinder training program. So click on through the jump and learn what you can do to handle the gravel a little better next time you want to get dirty.

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Tags: classics, Coaching, gravel grinding, training|

The Importance of Cycling Pedal Stroke Work
The Importance of Cycling Pedal Stroke Work

Coaching discussion, Skills and techniques, Tailwind Coaching Podcast, Training discussion

The Importance of Cycling Pedal Stroke Work

I've long been a proponent of tuning your pedal stroke and increasing efficiency to squeeze the most out of your training. By increasing your efficiency, you increase the amount of power that goes to the pedals. That increased power translates into more speed and less fatigue.

But how do you go about improving your pedal stroke? What workouts will help you build an efficient pedal stroke?

Click through the jump to listen to this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast. I'll explain the importance of pedal stroke work and how efficiency makes your training more potent. Don't forget to like and share with your friends, and don't forget to rate the podcast on iTunes! If you want to support the show, consider doing some of your shopping through my affiliate program: remember, it costs you nothing and helps support the podcast.

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Tags: Coaching, podcast, skills, training|

Training With the Zwift Mayan Expansion
Training With the Zwift Mayan Expansion

Coaching discussion, Indoor Training, Skills and techniques, Zwift

Training With the Zwift Mayan Expansion

Zwift continues to expand their offerings with the new Mayan expansion to Watopia. Yes, the south pacific island wonderland just got a little bit bigger and unlocked yet another set of training options. With the mountain, the volcano, and now the Mayan expansion, Watopia has a huge variety of training possibilities. You can do a little bit of everything in a single 26 mile loop or you can focus on smaller loops and more specific training goals.

For more information about Zwift training, check out these links first:

Once you're up to speed on the different training options Zwift offers you, click through the jump and get the low down on the new Mayan expansion!

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Tags: Coaching, indoor training, skills, training, zwift|

Criterium Training and Racing Tips
Criterium Training and Racing Tips

Coaching discussion, racing, Skills and techniques, Tailwind Coaching Podcast, Training discussion

Criterium Training and Racing Tips

Call it a criterium, a crit, or a short circuit race. Whatever you call it, it's a tough race for sure. It's also one of the most common races on most racing calendars. What makes it so tough to succeed at and what training do you need to perform well in these races?

In this episode of the Tailwind Coaching Podcast, I'll tell you how to build the perfect criterium training plan. I'll show you what specific training needs to be included in your crit training plan to help you crush the field and hit the line first. There are also a few tips, tricks and secrets to help you make the most out of your training and races.

So if you're ready to tune up your crit fitness, click through the jump and listen for tips on dominating your next criterium.

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Tags: Coaching, podcast, racing, tips and tricks, training|

Muscular Endurance Cycling Training With Zwift
Muscular Endurance Cycling Training With Zwift

Coaching discussion, Skills and techniques, Training discussion, Zwift

Muscular Endurance Cycling Training With Zwift

Zwift has revolutionized the way we train indoors with a trainer. The emergence of smart trainers has turned Zwift into an immersive virtual riding experience. Muscular endurance (ME) is one of the basic fundamental skills that create a well-rounded cyclist, but it can be boring to accomplish on a trainer. Combining the two together provides you the opportunity to get tons of high-quality training and keep things from getting stale. But before you can go about building a ton of muscular endurance and making your body bulletproof, you have to understand what the goal of a ME interval is.

So, first of all, what is muscular endurance and why is it important?

Muscular endurance is your body's ability to resist muscular fatigue under pedaling tension. That pedaling tension is where the magic happens in your pedal stroke. The more tension in the pedals, the more power gets to the rear wheel and the faster you go. I'm sure you've experienced a time when you have to really dig in and push hard to catch your riding buddy. After a short time, your legs start to get heavy and tired and you have to rest. The more times you have to repeat this kind of move, the harder it becomes because your legs are just tired out. Maybe your legs cramp up or maybe you just can't make the move. No matter what the outcome, you just need more ME training in your program.

In this article I'm going to give you tips to improve your muscular endurance training with Zwift. Click through the jump to find out how:

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Tags: Coaching, indoor training, training, video, zwift|