I recently got back into cycling after a 6-year hiatus. Previously, I had only trained for triathlons. After blowing out my knee, I can no longer run, but want to get back into cycling and start doing some road races. I feel like training for road races is quite different than training for triathlons. I'm not sure exactly where to start in my training. For the past couple months, I have been riding 4-6 times a week, but often feel like I have no plan in riding besides just pedaling and going. I have been keeping track of my distance and time, but know this "training plan" (if you can even call it that!) has no structure.

I was thinking of purchasing a training book (like The Cyclist's Training Bible by Joe Friel), or searching for training schedules online. I have also contemplated paying for coaching, but would prefer to not spend that kind of money if I don't have to. I know I need to mix some interval training, hill training, and long endurance rides, but am not sure on the best way to plan a training schedule. I want to improve my endurance, strength, and ability on the bike, and ultimately prepare for road races. Does anyone have any helpful advice or guidance on this?

Any help is much appreciated! Thanks!

Go read the stickies in the road racing sub forum. Several on getting started. Find a local group/shop ride and try it. Enter a few local races and get to know some of the locals. You can ride without being a member of a team while you figure out if this is something you want to pursue. Friel, Carmichael, and many others have books & websites with training programs.

Many of the races will be criteriums (crits) - multiple laps around a smallish course, often several corners, lots of accelerations, riding full-out in a pack. Different fitness and skill set vs. the bike part of a triathalon. OTOH, a time trial will be just like a tri.

The only thing with Joe Friel's book is that is really hard to understand. His communication skills leave a lot to be desired. It was disjointed and overly complex and as a scientist I read and write scientific journal articles in immunology. So it isn't as if physiology is a tough subject for me.

I would go with one of Chris Carmichael's books instead. Joe Friel also doesn't really have any training plans in the book. It was designed for a person to understand exercise physiology and then design your own training plan.