sstang13

I am posting this for my dad, he has a busy schedule with work (time crunched) and his work is also very physically and mentally tough. I was talking to him on a ride today and he would like to find a way to structure a training plan to make him more fit and overall better on the bike.

I know about the time crunched cyclist book but is there something I should look at to corporate that with him also being tired a lot? Or is this just a 'go ride lots' type of thing?

SmoothieXL

with a lack of time intervals tend to be the best bang for your buck, but you need your endurance rides in there to be balanced. perhaps it may be better to focus on your dad's nutrition and rest schedule, as much as the ride schedule, so he can maximize his training.

MinnMan

Ummm, change his priorities? I say that not to be a jerk, but more because I too have a stressful, demanding, and time-consuming non-biking life, and i wonder about this for myself. There are periods of time when I do neglect my duties and ride more and times when i can't do that and my training suffers. Between the two, I am happier when I am riding more, and this makes me think strange impossible thoughts.

hhnngg1

Get a trainer and Trainerroad subscription and start working out at 4:30-5AM to get it down in 60-90 mins before the day starts. That's how I do it with a 2 yr old and a full time job and a wife who works even more than I do, which means I have no personal time after work ends.

clausen

He's going to need more rest and ride at the proper intensities when he does. How many days/ hours a week can he ride?

Brian Ratliff

The "time crunched" training program (Chris Carmichael) is specifically to get prepared for a single athletic event. It basically gets you on the edge of overtraining, and then you rest for several weeks to recover.

If you are looking for general fitness, then just do like my signature. Find something hard to do (intervals), and do them when you can.

bonz50

with three young kids that are the single largest priority and me being the sole income earner in the household my time is precious. in order for me to "train" I had to start waking up early and commuting to work on my bike. the commute nets me about 20-ish miles per commute, not outstanding, but keeps me riding and saves me a few bucks and also does not interfere with my job or family life. I drive to a friends house and we ride in together each day (weather permitting)

datlas 

Really depends on his goals. If he enjoys riding and is not training to race or for a specific event, just ride more and enjoy it.

If, on the other hand, his goal is to race and/or maximize his fitness, then there will have to be some serious pain involved. Might not be worth it at this stage in his life, but it really comes down to priorities and goals.

Nachoman

During the week, I try and FINISH my rides before most people wake up.
Maybe that would work for your dad.

Mike F

+1

Number400

I struggle with this too. 3 hours daily in the car 5-6 days a week. Desk job. 3 kids. I struggle to get my 4 hour a week riding goal I set on Strava. I would have set a mileage goal but some of my "training" is tooling around with the kids on their bikes. I then have to race against guys who get 8+ hours training/riding time a week. For the limited training I do, I am right there with those guys but on the weaker side.

For your father, I would recommend trying to set a routine that gives him easy rides when he may be tired (after work, Thurs., Fri.), and try to schedule intervals or a more intense but shorter ride on Sunday or early in the week. Balance the effort based on work schedule. After a few months of regular riding/workouts, he should feel better and have more energy for all around for biking and work. Set a goal and as mentioned above, get up a little earlier and get on the bike.

sstang13

Thanks for the input everyone, I'll talk to him. It seems as if I should just get some base miles in as the summer has just kicked into gear and he hasn't ridden in a while, and I'll see if he wants to do shorter intervals during the week, and long rides sat/sun which are the best days for long ones. He doesn't want to race or anything, just get faster on the bike and healthier overall. I always tell him to that any miles on the bike can't do anything but good for you.