probable556

I have rode a few centuries and am looking for good in-depth online training resources. I seem to only be able to find a few sites with training articles and most of those just rephrase the same few ideas.

Anyone know of some great detailed websites or links??

ericgu

Can you tell us a little more what your goals are? Are you looking for faster centuries, longer distances, racing, or something else?

I'd pick up a copy of "the ultimate ride". That will give you a good base in understanding periodicalized training and a lot of other background.

Machka 

You could try this one ... https://www.machka.net/century.htm ... although it is aimed more toward someone doing their first century.

DanielS

Check out https://ultracycling.com

probable556

I have mastered the typical 10 or 12 week program you see on a lot of websites. I have no problem making time to get in the miles. Also I am pretty good about differentiating the rides into interval, pace, recovery, etc.

I guess I am looking for a more total program including more nutrition and off the bike training (weights, etc.). I don't know if there is good online (and free ) resource or if I should go with a book.

sivat

adventurecorps.com has some good articles.

Richard Cranium

Look no further, just read my posts. [yuk-yuk]



In depth knowledge comes from an organizational approach when using informational resources. Using "century" as an investigative term is too broad in scope to return in depth results. (at least on the Internet)


Descriptive terms like "endurance exercise physiology" or "sub maximal exercise nutrition", "steady state exercise and hydration" would all produce more detailed, yet not necessarily century related articles.

However, it sounds like you most likely would just want to "BS", - there are plenty of forumites here to help with that.

Rowan

Course coming along well, then RC? You seems to have added a few superfluous words to your vocabulary as tends to be the case when someone swanks around with their new knowlege.

probable556

Aha! Endurance is endurance. Think I'll check around the marathon training resources. Not a big fan of running, but I think marathon training has to be a bigger topic than long distance biking.

banerjek

Good luck trying to figure out what to eat and what practical things you should do after reading the articles.

One low tech method for getting better is to just go on some organized long rides. When you see people who impress you, ask them what they do. Plenty of BF members listen to Machka, most likely because her observation comes from road experience rather than analysis of lab results.

Rowan

probably556, have you a heart-rate monitor yet? I could also ask if you have a PowerTap yet... but if you are like most of us, you probably can't afford one, so we have to settle for "old fashoned" training ideas.

Either of those pieces of equipment is a good start in getting some baseline data on your current fitness levels, and to enable you to draft a training plan from the resources currently available and increase your speed and stamina.

And the reason why the resources rephrase few ideas is because that is what is going around at the moment... and works. Ultracycling, as DanielS points to, is probably the best resource because the information has been assembled by VERY experienced riders and coaches in *long-distance* riding. They have put the theory to test and have concluded what enables people to finish long rides at speeds that reflect their strength, stamina and commitment.

ericgu

I'd start with a book or two. I don't think you will find an online resource that has the depth that you will find in the books, though different authors have different philosophies.

Richard Cranium

Maybe because those "ideas" are the most important, and more importantly, those "ideas" [principles] usually apply to everyone, all the time.

What I like to do is criticize forum members who post BS as principle-based fact.Quite a few blow-hards run on and on in these forums spouting anecdotal information as empirical or experientially based evidence of the "right" or "wrong" way to approach Century or long-distance riding. [and other training concepts]

On the other hand, there are plenty "book-learned" types who offer up accurate and detailed explanations of the hows and whys of exercise and training based in physiology and chemistry - only to fall miserably flat in their understanding of the differences between laboratory proofs and real-world application of these processes during exercise.

But what can I say? Burp?