The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

OVERVIEWSprinting is something a Time-Crunched Cyclist can be very good at, because it doesn't take a lot of training time to develop a strong anaerobic kick. Yes, you still need an aerobic engine to reach the finale with enough energy left to sprint, but a strong sprint can be a Time-Crunched Cyclist's secret weapon! DJ Brew wins Masters and Pro/1/2 criteriums in the Washington DC area with a strong kick and smart sprinting tactics and skills. In Episode 253 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", he and his coach, Adam Pulford talk about key workouts, strength training, sprint practices, and even the differences between 10-, 20-, and 30-second sprint efforts.TOPICS COVEREDThe basics of how to sprint on a bicycleThe best cadence for sprintingCan you train for sprints on an indoor trainer?Neuromuscular drills for high cadence sprintingHow 10-, 20-, and 30-second sprints differ physiologicallyKey Sprint WorkoutsStrength training for powerful sprintsASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCESAnalysis of standing vertical jumps using a force platformAnaerobic Power Assessment in Athletes: Are Cycling and Vertical Jump Tests Interchangeable? - PMC DJ Personal and Music: SoundCloudBike Doctor Race Team and Bike Fit:GUESTDJ Brew races Masters and Pro/1 on the Bike Doctor Team and has been a regular on the local group ride and race scene in Washington D.C. and surrounding areas. A true time-crunched cyclist, he is a father, husband, and works long hours as a Maryland-National Capital Park Police officer. More than 10 years ago he started racing as a Category 5, progressing to Category 3 within a year and Category 1 the following year. Competing primarily in criteriums and supplementing his training with fast, competitive group rides, DJ’s developed a reputation for having an explosive sprint.HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWIf you or your child is interested in racing bikes (road, mountain, cyclocross, track) as an under-18 competitor, this is the podcast for you! CTS Coach Adam Pulford is one of the top coaches to Junior and U23 Cyclists in the United States. Much of this work is through the DC Devo Cycling Team in Washington, D.C. In Episode 252 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Adam is joined by Chris Hardee, Justin Mauch, and Ryan McKinney of DCDevo to answer listener questions on how the development pathway works in cycling, how to get started, and what to look for in a development program.TOPICS COVEREDAge-specific aspects of training junior cyclistsHow many hours should junior cyclists train?How do you find a good junior program?What to look for in a junior development programCyclocross and High School Mountain Bike as entry pointShould your kid be riding/racing with grown men/women?ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCES// General Recommendations by Age (hours per year):- Under 12 (U12):   Volume: ~100-150 hours/year   Weekly Average: ~2-4 hours/week- Ages 13-14 (U14):   Volume: ~150-250 hours/year   Weekly Average: ~4-6 hours/week- Ages 15-16 (U16):   Volume: ~250-400 hours/year   Weekly Average: ~6-10 hours/week- Ages 17-18 (U18/Juniors):  Volume: ~400-600 hours/year (competitive juniors)  Weekly Average: ~10-12 hours/week  Elite or highly competitive juniors could range up to ~600-800 hours/yearTraining for Junior Cyclists: How LUX Cycling Trains Juniors to Join World Tour Teams - CTSCase study: A Finnish junior’s eight-year road to cycling’s World TourBuilding An Annual Training Plan For CyclingTraining Periodization, Intensity Distribution, and Volume in Trained Cyclists: A Systematic ReviewGUESTSChris Hardee, Justin Mauch, and Ryan McKinney of DCDevoHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWIs there a real benefit to a recovery ride or would you be better off just taking the day off completely? Both recovery rides and complete rest are beneficial, but the choice between the two depends on how fatigued you are, your mood, and what else you have going on in your life. Sports science says they accomplish the same thing and are essentially interchangeable. But there are absolutely times when Coach Adam Pulford recommends active recovery (easy ride, walking, yoga, etc.) and other times when he advocates for complete rest. Learn to make the right choice when it really matters in Episode 251 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast".TOPICS COVEREDActive vs. Passive RecoveryWhen to choose complete rest or passive recoveryWhen to choose a recovery ride or active recoveryOff-the-bike active recoveryResearch on active vs. passive recovery effectivenessLINKS/RESOURCESPassive vs Active Recovery on Peak Sprint Power Production: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0032-1331717Passive vs Active Recovery on MLSS Performance: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/abs/10.1139/h2012-105Passive vs Active Recovery:Passive Recovery Is Superior to Active Recovery During a High-Intensity Shock MicrocycleGood to Go Book: Christie AschwandenASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWHow do you climb fast at the end of a race? Many road, gravel, and mountain bike events finish at the top of extended climbs. In Episode 250 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist", a listener asks how to prepare for a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) finishing climb at the end of a 2-3 hour race. Everything comes into play: aerobic fitness, power at lactate threshold (LT2), anaerobic capacity, VO2 max, durability, and tactical savvy. Coach Adam Pulford breaks it all down, tells you how and when to focus on specific aspects of fitness and conditioning, how to test durability, and finally, how to tactically take advantage of your fitness on race day.TOPICS COVEREDPhysical demands of hill climb finishes"Edge-finding" or fatigue resistance workoutsHow to test your durability with a workoutTrain "performance first"Train specificity lastWorkouts: OverUnders, Front Loaded Power Intervals, Speed Intervals, How to execute an effective taperRacing tactics on uphill finishesASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWPower, heart rate, or RPE (rate of perceived exertion or how you feel)? Which data point is best for gauging intensity during training or a race, and which is best for monitoring training progress? Coach Adam Pulford tackles these frequently asked questions in Episode 249 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast". Although ALL THREE metrics have their place, Coach Adam reveals the hierarchy for what matters most and what metrics are used for context. TOPICS COVEREDPower vs Heart Rate vs RPE HierarchyHow to keep HR from drifting up during intervalsWhy HR might drop during intervalsWhy prioritize Power first, then RPE, and HR lastTraining at the top vs bottom of power zonesAll about Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE)Why three data points are better than oneASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCESEston, R., & Connolly, D. (1996).Use of Ratings of Perceived Exertion for Exercise Prescription in the Elderly.Validates RPE as a tool even without heart rate monitoring.Shows strong correlation between RPE and physiological markers like VO2 max and lactate threshold.Faulkner, J., et al. (2008).Rating of perceived exertion during isometric and dynamic exercise is influenced by the duration of exercise.Indicates how fatigue alters perceived effort.Garcin, M., Fleury, A., & Billat, V. (2002).The correlation between RPE and physiological variables (heart rate, lactate) in cycling.Found strong correlation between RPE and lactate threshold, especially in trained cyclists.Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine.Seiler, S., & Kjerland, G.Ø. (2006).Quantifying training intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes: is there evidence for an "optimal" distribution?RPE used as a monitoring tool for training load in elite cyclists and runners.Source: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports.González-Alonso J, et al. (1999). Influence of body temperature on the cardiovascular response to exercise. Journal of Applied Physiology, 86(2), 599–605.https://doi.org/10.1152/jappl.1999.86.2.599Berntson GG, et al. (1997). Heart rate variability: Origins, methods, and interpretive caveats. Psychophysiology, 34(6), 623–648.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-8986.1997.tb02140.xHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWColin Izzard and Adam Pulford have more than 45 years of coaching experience between them. In this casual conversation between two old friends and colleagues, they pull back the curtain on how the coaching process works, how it differs from a training plan or AI-generated program, and how coaching has changed for the better with the introduction of new technologies - including artificial intelligence. ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCESLearn About Cycling Coaching with CTSSchedule a no-charge, no-commitment consultation with a CTS CoachGUESTColin Izzard graduated from Syracuse University in 1998 with a BS in Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics. He served as the Head Coach for USA Swimming Teams as well as working at UNC Chapel Hill as a swimming and strength coach. He joined CTS as a coach in the early 2000s, developed CTS’s first regional center in Asheville/Brevard NC, and mentored, developed, and trained dozens of coaches. Other fun projects have included writing stage races for Zwift and working with Training Peaks to help develop WKO 4 software. He served as a bike fit/sports science advisor for the Hincapie Racing Team, Columbia Es Passion Professional Cycling Team, The Toronto Maple Leafs NHL Team, and Trek Regional Factory Programs. HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWWheels and Tires and Tire Pressure. These are the subjects of endless debates among road, gravel, and mountain bike racers. Wheel and tire technologies continue to change. Internal rim widths allow for wider tires, as do modern frames. In Episode 247 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Coach Adam Pulford and Velosmith's Tony Bustamante discuss how cyclists can narrow in on the wheel + tire + pressure combination that works best in specific situation, like SBT GRVL vs. Big Sugar. TOPICS COVEREDWhy are tires so important to cycling performance?Why you should be testing multiple tire choicesSourcing course-specific info on tire selectionHow tire pressure affects wheel system performanceTinkering with tire pressure to find your preferred setupSweet spots for rire size and handling characteristicsASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCESVelosmith Bicycle Studio- SRAM/ZIPP tire pressure guide - Schwalbe tire width guide - WTB Tire/Rim fit chartGUESTTony Bustamante of Velosmith Bicycle Studio. A second-generation bike shop owner, Tony Began working for his father in 1986 and over time worked in shops from L.A. to D.C. In the late 90s - early 00s. He worked at Seven Cycles in production/manufacturing and design before starting Velosmith in 2011 with a focus on building custom bicycles and delivering an exceptional level of mechanical service and hospitality. One last bit about Tony: he was an athlete Adam Pulford worked with for a handful of years and Adam has utilized Tony's skills and guidance on equipment choices, bike fit, and more.HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWWhen it comes to the equipment choices and mistakes athletes make before big events, Tony Bustamante has seen it all. The founder of Velosmith Bicycle Studio, which specializes in customized builds for discerning cyclists, and a second-generation bike shop owner, Tony has been that guy you implored to fix your brakes last minute or install that super-important part the afternoon before your flight. Not only does he not recommend you do that, he has other potentially race-saving, trip-saving, and money-saving advice for cyclists as we head into the height of summer event season.TOPICS COVEREDThe 3 Categories of Concern for CyclistsRider: Apparel and Contact PointsBike: Frame/Fork, wheels/tires, drivetrain, controlsVariables: Bags, aero bars, on-bike tools, lights, etc.How to choose a mechanic you can trustTimeline for event-specific equipment choices/changesTimeline for having your bike worked on before an eventASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCESVelosmith Bicycle StudioGUESTTony Bustamante of Velosmith Bicycle Studio. A second-generation bike shop owner, Tony Began working for his father in 1986 and over time worked in shops from L.A. to D.C. In the late 90s - early 00s. He worked at Seven Cycles in production/manufacturing and design before starting Velosmith in 2011 with a focus on building custom bicycles and delivering an exceptional level of mechanical service and hospitality. One last bit about Tony: he was an athlete Adam Pulford worked with for a handful of years and Adam has utilized Tony's skills and guidance on equipment choices, bike fit, and more.HOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

OVERVIEWInterval training works, but there are ways to get stronger, ride faster, and win races without interval training. There are even aspects of performance that are better suited to no-interval training blocks. In some cases, the structured intensity with planned recovery breaks hinders an athlete's flexibility to use power and fitness spontaneously. Coach Adam Pulford breaks away from the dogma of interval training to show you how to improve your fitness and performance with a period of reduced structure. TOPICS COVEREDThe 5 reasons we do intervals in training3 Ways to train without intervalsSample workout 1: Hard Climbing DaySample workout 2: Kilojoules per hourSample workout 3: Normalized Power Game3 Ways to use Group Rides for productive trainingMonitoring your fitness when you're not doing intervalsSubjective feedback: "real feel" vs. "should feel"ASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCASTLINKS/RESOURCESThe Evolution of EnduranceHOSTAdam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world.Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, or on your favorite podcast platformGET FREE TRAINING CONTENTJoin our weekly newsletterCONNECT WITH CTSWebsite: trainright.comInstagram: @cts_trainrightTwitter: @trainrightFacebook: @CTSAthlete

Stephanie Howe, PhD, is an elite ultramarathon runner and CTS Coach specializing in nutrition for athletes. In this discussion, she shares vital race day nutrition strategies, emphasizing the significance of thorough planning and adaptability. They tackle palate fatigue and how to maintain energy during long races by varying food options. Additionally, Stephanie reveals essential sodium requirements for peak performance and offers tips for overcoming gastrointestinal issues. With practical advice, listeners will be better equipped for race day challenges.