Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad HOW TO GO LONGER WITHOUT BLOWING UP | Pro Cyclist Ruth Holcomb | Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast 561
Nov 27, 2025
Professional cyclist Ruth Holcomb, a member of the Santa Cruz Hit Squad and U23 Lifetime Grand Prix Series winner, shares her journey from XCO racing to long gravel events while managing university life. She dives into effective pacing strategies to avoid early race burnout and explains the importance of managing 'matches' during a race. Ruth also discusses the benefits of consistency, effective warm-up routines, and the key to successful recovery and peaking. Plus, she offers invaluable tips for young riders to enjoy cycling without burnout.
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First HitSquad Race Went Very Wrong
- Ruth's first race with HitSquad at Belgian Waffle (Scottsdale) left her bonked and limping to the finish.
- She learned the hard way about fueling, hydration, and finishing responsibility on a hot 100-mile event.
Short- Race Roots Still Help Longer Events
- Shorter race roots give lasting punch and race craft that transfer to long events.
- But training shifts dramatically: your body adapts and long intervals become more tolerable over time.
Train Nutrition And Pacing For Long Rides
- Train your gut and practice consuming 90â100 g carbs per hour to prepare for long events.
- Reinforce pacing discipline: what works in XCO (all-out starts) usually fails in long gravel races.