Originally Posted by
revchuck
There's a thread on this in the 33 with different viewpoints. The concept is that you build a broader aerobic base over the winter, then decrease volume and increase intensity based on your priority races/events. The aerobic base gives you a better foundation for the intensity later on. Riding more slowly =/= taking time off. You're riding at your normal endurance pace, the pace you hold when you go out for a solo 3-4 hour ride.
For context: I just finished my first (ever) block of base. The riding durations during those three weeks were 18:30, 16:30 and 13:30. The next block will be similar. This isn't all JRA; one of the long days each week includes 3-4x20 minute intervals at just under FTP. After that block, I'll be going to gradually shorter, more intense workouts. My first race is mid-February, my first priority race is March 9, so my base period is completed two months before my first race and three months before my priority race.
If you are new to racing & going to be a Cat 5 with shorter duration events, would you still want such an extensive base? I guess I'm just looking to maximize the benefits from my rides. I don't want to have substantially more base than needed when I could possibly be using the training hours to increase my power. I don't mind the longer rides at base level - it's really about maximizing the training hours to produce the best results come spring.