Mountain Biking as Winter Cross Training for Road
What are your thoughts about incorporating mountain biking into offseason work? I have a mid/ow-end x-country MTB and there aren't a lot of offroad options here, so my mountain biking is typically shorter courses, not super technical but with lots of punchy climbs and descents. I'm sold on bike handling benefits crossing over to road. But I also know that winter training is traditionally the time to focus on base/endurance. Mountain biking, at least the kind I can do in this area, is the opposite of a plodding, Z2 ride. On the other hand, I just don't have time for long rides these days. 2-3 hours one weekend day and another 2 or so another weekend day, plus an hour during the week, is par for me from mid-November-early Feb, with 2-3 days of lower body gym tossed in. I also know that Friel and others recommend cross training during the off season and MTBing would seem to tick that box. I'm curious about others' thoughts on this.