Race Analysis: Carson City Off-Road with Keegan Swenson – Ask a Cycling Coach 162

TL;DR

Keegan Swenson discusses his equipment strategy and race tactics in the Carson City Off-Road race, ultimately finishing second in a three-up sprint.

Transcript

all right everybody welcome to a race analysis with a special guest today Keegan Swenson how you doing Keegan good good doing well doing well we're gonna look at your Carson City off-road performance from today or I should say from this past weekend I was there at the race however I only wrote a portion of the course you guys racing on Sunday and y... Read More

Key Insights

• ⏯️ Equipment choice can play a crucial role in a race, and Swenson's decision to use a hardtail bike with specific tire pressure and gear ratio suited the terrain and his preferences.
• 🐎 Understanding the course and its challenges is essential for race strategy, as highlighted by Swenson's decision to conserve energy for a sprint finish.
• 🫁 Climbing at elevation requires a different approach, considering the lung and body stress, and pacing becomes critical to maintain performance.
• 🏇 Mountain bike racing often involves technical descents and turns, where being comfortable following closely or controlling gaps can impact overall race success.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Keegan Swenson choose a hardtail bike for the race?

Swenson prefers the flexibility and comfort of a hardtail bike and feels that it performs well on the type of terrain he encountered in the race.

Q: How did Keegan Swenson decide on his gear choice for the race?

Swenson always uses the same gear combination that he's comfortable with (36-tooth single ring up front with a 1140 XTR cassette), as it provides the needed range for the race without compromising his pedaling style.

Q: Why did Keegan Swenson race at a high tempo throughout the course?

Swenson's strategy was to ride at a high tempo to maintain speed and build gaps between him and his competitors. This allowed him to stay in contention and potentially create an advantage.

Q: What was Keegan Swenson's nutrition plan for the race?

Swenson used GU energy gels and chews for nutrition during the race, consuming them periodically. He also carried spare tubes, CO2, and tire plugs in case of flats or mechanical issues.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Keegan Swenson raced with a pivot less 29 hardtail bike and used Maxis Aspen EXO 2.25 tires with lower pressure in the back for comfort on the sandy terrain.

• He used a Stages XTR power meter and a Stages - head unit for data tracking.

• Swenson chose a 36-tooth single ring up front with a 1140 XTR cassette for this race and maintained a high cadence to be prepared for any terrain.