Pro Interviews: Preparing for USAC Mountain Bike Nationals – Ask a Cycling Coach 315

TL;DR

Professional mountain bikers share their training strategies, nutrition plans, and equipment choices for the high elevation Winter Park national championships.

Transcript

Hey everybody, coach Jonathan here and welcome to a very special episode of the Ask a cycling coach podcast presented by TrainerRoad. This week, you'll hear the audio quality sounds very different. Uh, and that's because this is a very special episode where we interviewed 11 professional mountain bikers and we caught them on trains, planes, and aut... Read More

Key Insights

• ✋ Athletes implemented various strategies to acclimate to high elevation, including living at high altitude, training camps in the mountains, and high-altitude intervals.
• 😇 Nutrition plans revolved around consuming sufficient carbohydrates and staying hydrated, with a mix of gels, hydration/electrolyte drinks, and electrolyte tablets.
• 😪 Equipment choices involved selecting tires suitable for the course conditions and deciding between a hardtail or full suspension bike.
• 👰‍♀️ Tapering strategies varied among athletes, with some reducing training volume and intensity gradually, and others maintaining sharpness with specific intervals and easy rides.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the professional mountain bikers prepare for the high elevation at Winter Park?

The athletes used various strategies, such as living at high elevation, performing training camps in the mountains, and incorporating high-altitude intervals to acclimate to the high elevation at Winter Park.

Q: Did the athletes make any unique equipment choices for the race?

While some athletes stuck with their usual equipment setups, a few mentioned modifying tire choices for the course conditions. Additionally, some debated whether to use a dropper post or adjust their tire pressure for better grip.

Q: How did the athletes taper their training for the race?

The athletes employed different tapering strategies, with some reducing their training volume and intensity gradually in the week leading up to the race, while others focused on specific intervals and easy rides to maintain sharpness.

Q: What were the nutrition plans of the professional mountain bikers on race day?

The athletes aimed to consume 80 to 100 grams of carbohydrates per hour during the race, utilizing a mix of gels and hydration/electrolyte drinks, with some also including electrolyte tablets and energy blocks for additional fuel.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• 11 professional mountain bikers provide insights into their preparation for the Winter Park national championships, discussing topics such as high elevation training, course specific training, and nutrition plans.

• Athletes reveal their approaches to acclimating to high altitude, including living at high elevation, performing training camps in the mountains, and incorporating high-altitude intervals.

• Many riders discuss their nutrition plans, emphasizing the importance of carbohydrate intake during the race and staying hydrated at high elevation.

• Equipment choices vary but typically involve selecting tires suited to the course conditions and deciding between a hardtail or full suspension bike.