Endurance MTB Deep Dive With The Pros – Ask a Cycling Coach 161

TL;DR

Top mountain bikers Payson McElveen and Sophia Gomez discuss their training, nutrition, and equipment strategies for the Carson City Offroad race.

Transcript

everybody welcome to Carson City offroad live podcast you have one guy that's excited in the corner there we go we're stoked to have you guys here we have two of the best mountain bikers in the country and even in the world with us right now it's pretty awesome Sophia Gomez be a fun yay and Payson McElveen can you give them a round of applause ever... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥺 Training leading up to races can vary depending on personal circumstances and goals.
• 🐎 Nutrition choices before a race should focus on well-balanced meals and personal preferences, rather than specific rituals.
• 😪 Equipment choices, such as tire selection and tire pressure, are crucial in preparing for race conditions.
• 🧗 The start of a race and positioning are important for both climbing and descents.
• 😫 Managing nutrition and hydration during a race requires finding a balance between consuming enough calories and avoiding upset stomachs.
• ✋ Adapting to high-altitude races takes time and individualized approaches.
• 😋 Riders need to be mindful of their cravings and find a balance between enjoying food and maintaining a healthy diet.
• 🀄 Staying within oneself and preventing going into the red zone too early is crucial for success at high altitudes.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do you change your training leading up to a race like Carson City Offroad?

Sophia focuses on recovery, with a light week of training and lots of rest. Payson aims to be rested for the race, but if he has been sick or had a setback, he modifies his training to get back on track.

Q: What do you eat before a race like this?

Sophia focuses on creating good eating habits rather than making specific changes before a race. She eats a well-balanced meal with vegetables, carbs, and protein the night before. Payson sticks to his usual breakfast of eggs and toast, or sometimes french toast if he feels fancy.

Q: How do you approach the start of a race and the climbing sections?

Both riders emphasize the importance of positioning at the start. Sophia fights for a good spot and then sets her own pace on the climbs. Payson acknowledges that the start will be hard and focuses on finding a good group to stay with. He plans to go into the red zone a bit longer in the climbing sections, taking advantage of the opportunities to recover on the fast, stair-steppy climbs.

Q: What do you carry with you for fixing flats during a race?

Sophia carries tire plugs threaded with electrical tape on her handlebars and has CO2 canisters ready. She also carries a tool, tube, and tire lever in a pack. Payson carries a tire plug kit with electrical tape, and he also carries CO2 canisters and a tool.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sophia Gomez focuses on recovery before races, with a light week of training and plenty of rest leading up to the event.

• Payson McElveen balances training and race performance, with a focus on the Epic Ride series. He aims to come into races rested and ready to perform.

• Both riders adjust their training and nutrition based on the demands of the course, including tire choices for the specific conditions.