Burn More Calories, Threshold Workouts, Crosswinds, and More – Ask a Cycling Coach 402

TL;DR

Racers taking gels in short races might not be necessary due to preloaded carbs. Placebo effect could be a factor.

Transcript

Welcome to the podcast. It's dedicated to Making you a Faster cyclist. The Ask a Cycling Coach podcast presented by Trainer Road Coach Jonathan Lee. Uh, today we are going to get into how to burn more calories. We're also going to talk about threshold workouts. Crosswinds, it's gonna be a good time. We have our head coach, Chad Timmerman and we als... Read More

Key Insights

• ⚾ Adaptive Training adapts based on FTP changes for optimal performance.
• 😒 Gel use during cyclo-cross races can vary due to course dynamics and personal strategy.
• 😇 Proper carb preloading may negate the need for mid-race gels in short events.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why might cyclo-cross racers take gels mid-race in short events?

Course conditions, competition tactics, and personal preferences may influence gel consumption for energy boosts.

Q: Is it necessary for racers in short events to take additional carbs?

Preloading carbs before the race may provide sufficient fuel for a 50-minute effort without needing mid-race gels.

Q: Could the gel consumption during a short race have a placebo effect?

The perceived benefit of taking gels may contribute to psychological assurance and performance confidence during the race.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Adaptive Training changes intensity based on FTP increases.

• Gel use in short races can be course-dependent and performance anxiety.

• Pre-loading carbs may suffice for a 50-minute race.