The Importance of Base Training

In the cyclist training Bible, Joe Freel says that you need eight to 12 weeks of base training as quote unquote strength, speed and endurance. And he recommends building your longest ride up to the duration of your longest race. But one of the problems with this is that if you were time limited, and you know, like you can only ever get in two hours to ride, then it's not a good rule of thumb.