Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad

Professional mountain bikers Alex Wild from California and Zach Calton from Utah gear up for the grueling Cape Epic 2025. They dive into their pre-race nerves and expectations, contemplating the challenges ahead. Learn about their meticulous heat training and bike setups, and discover unique nutrition strategies tailored for endurance. The duo also discusses the importance of teamwork and adaptability in race dynamics, promising valuable insights in their journey through one of the toughest mountain bike races in the world.

Discover how to boost your Functional Threshold Power (FTP) with less training but greater effectiveness. The hosts analyze training data, demonstrating the power of structured workouts over casual rides. They share insights on the importance of voicing training experiences through post-workout surveys. Nutrition, especially carbohydrate intake, is highlighted as a key element to success. Expect humorous anecdotes and stats blending personal stories with training tips, illustrating the journey of enhancing performance in cycling.

Registered dietitian Alex Larson shares her expertise in sports nutrition for cyclists. She discusses balancing training with family life while highlighting effective nutrition strategies for late-night workouts. Alex provides insights on fueling and recovery, the impact of artificial sweeteners, and budget-friendly nutrition tips. The conversation also addresses sustainable weight loss strategies and the importance of self-acceptance in managing weight, emphasizing that nutrition should be personalized to enhance performance on the bike.

Professional cyclist Hannah Otto shares her thrilling experience from the Mediterranean Epic race, discussing race strategies and insights. She emphasizes the importance of adaptable warm-up techniques and the nutritional strategies that fuel success. Otto also delves into the mental blocks athletes face and offers tactics for overcoming challenges in competitive settings. Listeners gain practical advice on handling mechanical issues and the significance of leveraging data for racing tactics. Tune in for a blend of motivation, mental strategies, and actionable cycling tips!

Exciting news for cycling enthusiasts as TrainerRoad and Zwift integration finally takes the stage! Users can now conduct TrainerRoad workouts right in the immersive Zwift environment, with automatic syncing for a streamlined experience. The podcast highlights how personalized training plans and intelligent workouts adapt based on performance. Join the TrainerRoad Zwift Club for fun group rides while sporting their stylish kit. This seamless connection promises serious training with an enjoyable twist, perfect for anyone wanting to elevate their cycling game!

Dive into a thorough analysis of why an athlete's FTP might be decreasing, exploring the crucial link between training stress scores and performance. Consistency in workouts emerges as a key theme, along with the debate between structured and unstructured training. Tips for enhancing FTP are shared, emphasizing the importance of rest weeks and avoiding workout stacking. Uncover practical insights to reverse performance declines and optimize your training as you pedal towards improvement!

In this discussion, professional cyclist Hannah Otto shares her journey through injury recovery and the role of nutrition in healing. She highlights the challenges of returning to competition and how to manage pain and appetite changes during recovery. Hannah also explores her new sponsorships and the differences between privateer and factory teams. The conversation touches on practical training tips and the importance of proper bike setup for performance. Finally, she addresses the nutritional needs of junior athletes, emphasizing the right carb intake for peak performance.

Join professional cyclist Alex Wild, known for his impressive performances in the Life Time Grand Prix and Cape Epic, as he shares valuable insights on training and racing. He discusses his goals for 2025 and debates the potential rule changes for the Life Time Grand Prix. Alex elaborates on training periodization strategies, emphasizes the importance of mental recovery post-race, and details his favorite workout types. Additionally, he offers nutrition tips tailored for competitive cycling and updates on equipment choices, catering to athletes looking to enhance their performance.

The discussion dives into the crucial role of recovery in cycling performance. One cyclist's training calendar gets analyzed, shedding light on the balance between training intensity and recovery. The impact of activities like skiing and even blood donation on performance is explored. Listeners learn effective strategies for heart rate monitoring and optimizing training schedules. The episode highlights the importance of integrating strength training and recovery practices, emphasizing how structured days can enhance endurance and overall results.

Dr. Kyle Pfaffenbach, a sports science expert, shares fascinating insights on creatine for cyclists. He addresses common misconceptions about creatine leading to weight gain and explains its benefits in high-intensity efforts. The discussion highlights creatine's role in enhancing glycogen storage and overall performance, especially during sprint finishes. Dr. Pfaffenbach also emphasizes the importance of individualized approaches to supplementation and hydration for optimal results in competitive cycling.