derrickhackman

this time of year i do 2 weeks transition and 2 weeks prep so just about a month of de-tuning and resetting the clock. after this comes the base again where there will be plenty of cross training ... speedskating and other fun winter activities.

Chucklehead

There is no plan until November or so. Maybe December. There aren't any races in the first couple of months of the year that I care about.

Enthalpic

Historically it was Long Slow Distance. The term was coined in the 80's when everyone was doing nothing but very high intensity intervals. By "slow" they didn't mean crawl along, it just meant slower then the all out intervals they were used to. To clear up confusion the acronym was changed to "steady."

blue_nose

I thought that maintaining your endurance base (in the case of the OP) was a given.

A base period is only one stage of a periodized training plan. Periodization is a method of alternating training loads to produce peak performance for a specific competitive event.

All the literature I have read on periodization (Friel, Carmichael, Wenzel) have a strengthening program in conjunction with base periods. I personally think Friels’s Cyclist’s Training Bible is the best I have read on the subject.

As you transition to the Build and Peak periods - strength training (eg. weights) are reduced because the stress of straining on the bike is increased.

patentcad

Road Nazi debates about base miles are disturbingly reminiscent of Fred debates about helmet mirrors.

Brandy

I was just trying to not go fast. I suppose the debate is all my fault though.

asgelle

These two paragraphs contradict each other. If a periodization plan calls for alternating training loads, than those areas not targeted must suffer as a consequence. Otherwise, all areas are being trained at once and you have an "always fit" plan. Therefore, some part of the year must result in a decrease in endurance as other areas are trained. Everything I've seen has the base period as the time when endurance is the focus. You might want to take a look at Friel's definition of transition and base, for example.

blue_nose

I am on BF arguing about the need for a base period. I guess the leaves will be changing colour soon

patentcad

If you want to avoid deportation from the USA, you will have to learn the correct spelling of words like color and avoid any deviations into the arcane metric system.

blue_nose

Have it open right here and a weight program is included in the Base period. The whole concept of Friel's book is that you craft your training plan to focus on your limiters. If endurance happens to be a limiter that it can be a focus.

Let's just say I agree to disagree. Any modern periodized training plan that I have read about includes strength training.

blue_nose

Last time I checked we communicate in "English" on BF. As soon as there is an "American” language I will get right on removing the "u" from colour

asgelle

You read an awful lot into a single word. Nothing I wrote here says anything one way or the other about including strength training in a well designed plan. On the other hand, Friel clearly does not include recovery in his base period.

blue_nose

Yes, it is all your fault. Ride faster so we can stop arguing

patentcad

The presumption that 90% of the lunkheads here have command of the English language is a major stretch. Look nosy, you can say 'colour' but at least try to lose the Scottish accent. And whatever you do, don't wear plaid.

WickedShark

I am reading this book now and I am learning more than I can use so I will need to read some parts again as I progress. I am now starting to focus more on base miles.

Should I climb sometimes though to? When I climb I am never in Zones 2 or 3 is this ok to do like once or twice a week?

blue_nose

https://sounds.wavcentral.com/televis...ttish_crap.mp3

patentcad

Thanks blue nose, now I have orange soda in my nose and on my keyboard.

NomadVW 

You should widen your reading repertoire.

blue_nose

Are you honestly saying that a periodized training plan does not include strength training? Ladies and gentleman – I give you BikeForums…

I am going back to watching guys light their farts on Youtube.

asgelle

You really should have quit while you had the chance. Two names: Ric Stern, Andy Coggan. One position: there is no benefit from strength training on road bike performance. Look it up.

mollusk

I am now in base mode.

https://www.allyourbasearebelongtous.com/flash/

blue_nose

You really should have quit while you had the chance

Honestly, this is how we communicate...


You will notice that I used the term strength training and not weight training. I agree that there are people that do not subscribe to weight training and its direct relation to on bike performance. However, there are certainly others that do. There are a host of very successful pro riders that weight train off the bike. I personally do most of my off season strength training on the bike (eg. Hill grinders). Strength training has to specific to muscles used by cycling.

Stern’s thesis that strength training has no bearing on cycling performance is widely debated by many cycling coaches. You should look that up.

umd

I would kill to do some base miles right now... :sigh:

Rosso Corsa

So, can you summarize why?

I'm genuinely curious, and don't particularly have the time to dig through another whole book.

patentcad

This does qualify you for a Pcad Spanking, just so you know.