oespinoza83

Final race was last weekend. Base doesn't start until early November. Should I continue training, ease off the gas, start early base, or other from now until then?

botto 

tldr.

mattm

Between now and November, just enjoy life.

Go on some rides without looking at the garmin/data, read books, spend time with the fam, etc.

UmneyDurak

Yep. Racing season, at least on me, is exhausting not only physically but mentally also. I use the time to just get back to riding for fun, do social rides, do other stuff I didn't have time for. Recharge the batteries for winter training, and next racing season.

Ygduf

we finally agree on something.

Jandro 

And he even edited it!

Ygduf

still 41.

mike868y

beer, lots of it.

Jandro 

(in case you weren't being sarcastic)

Nah, I'd say it's pretty specific to racing he's just over thinking it.

Offseason is just that. Off. Just ride around. Enjoy bikes. Go on some longer rides. Indulge in a hammer ride on occasion. Drink lots of beer. Eat lots of holiday food. Throw around the term "eff it! it's the offseason!" Then devour that pastry. Don't talk about #raceweight until at least January. /shrug

Ygduf

in 41 it's always the off season.

I have a low tolerance for training questions because I think the 99%-important part of training is not what, but doing it consistently.

Nobody is qualified to tell OP what to do between now and November except OP.

Just go ride and do whatever you enjoy. My same advice for racing season.

gsteinb

ok

Awesome

incorrect

that's fine. Mediocre results will likely follow though.

Ygduf

If you don't like training, you're probably not going to beat the guys who do, anyway.

n = 1, but I do intervals 1x/year and I do OK .

gsteinb

It's like you were trying to make my point for me. Thanks.

Ygduf

We're talking past each other.

If OP is counting on us to tell him what to do for racing success next year, he's pretty screwed.

gsteinb

And I'm saying beyond your understanding of the sport and training there's a wealth of knowledge in these forums. Just because you don't know your ass from you elbow, or simply don't care, doesn't mean that maps over to everyone.


No. I'm talking down to you. You're snarky and imagine you have some knowledge into the sport because you beat some 4s in a RR.

oespinoza83

Actually, if you would have read my original post, you would have read that I am not asking what to do for racing success next year. I simply said I was going to research base training online more, read a few books, AND ask fellow BF racers what their opinions were on the matter. But if you want to simply lump me as a 41 and think I am here asking for a magical Cat 1 training program, then kudos to you. Thanks.

Ygduf

Alright, I've come across poorly if you think I'm discouraging you from doing anything at all. My fault.

People agree that it's a valid question. I concede; I was wrong.
I read it as hand-wring-y and overly anxious. My fault.

My answer is still the same. Do whatever it is that you want to do, so that you'll stick with it. Consistency is a quality of training, and due to personal experience (mine) and knowing lots of people, I think it's actually the most important part of training. What you actually do matters less than doing something. Just like it doesn't matter what your meals consist of if you're eating healthy and getting the nutrition you need.

Base is still training. Minute to minute, it's not as taxing, but you need to be prepared mentally to go out and do a lot of z2 (which is not noodling) volume. Therefore, I recommend doing whatever it is that you enjoy, which will have you in the mood to spend even more time on the bike. For me, I reduce volume, but change nothing else.

mike868y

this makes no sense, fudgy.

Creakyknees

this thread is awesome.

I can't wait for winter to reaaaaally set in this year

Ygduf

I get to sass for beating up on some cat 4s. GSB gets to sass for being old. And "consistency" wasn't on Mikey's SAT score that got him into Hopkins.

OP wins, I think.

mattm

+1 **** is just getting started!!

shovelhd

OP, what I do when I call it quits is JRA. Base training is still training. Just Ride Around. Keep the time down to 5-10 hours/week. Resist the temptation to use what's left of your form to beat up on recreational riders on long rides. Rest is paramount.

mike868y

i wasn't debating that consistency is important, but it's contradictory to say "it doesn't matter what you eat as long as you're getting the nutrition you need" or "it doesn't matter what you do as long as you're consistent." and my sat scores were terrible.

rbart4506

It ain't winter till I see the while fluffy stuff on the ground... Until then, ride your bike

MDcatV

this time of the year is "transition" for me. i try to do some running or other cross training for overall health benefits of varying my routine. i think this time of the year is good for actually trying to lose some weight (if needed), clamping down on the diet more because you dont need food as much for training/recovery, getting some things done that you've neglected because of racing schedules (like work around your house or other projects) and doing JRA because it's a nice time of the year to do so (at least where I live).

i dont understand the "its the offseason so now i can eat bad and drink more beer" position. that's the jan ulrich approach.