What do pro cyclists do between races?
Discussion
Evening all,
The surprise with which the commentators reported that Rodriguez hadn't ridden his bike during the rest day got me thinking. What exactly is a pro racer's typical week like when they're not actually racing?
You wouldn't expect, say, a baker to bake just 200 rolls on his day off to make sure he keeps in peak condition to bake his usual 2,000 the next day, but pro cyclists are still out on the bike just to keep their legs ticking over.
Is it the same when they're not racing? Do they still have to do some riding every day? How quickly would their performance drop off if they didn't?
Cycling for pleasure is one thing. The thought of having to ride day in, day out to make sure you keep your job is rather daunting!
The surprise with which the commentators reported that Rodriguez hadn't ridden his bike during the rest day got me thinking. What exactly is a pro racer's typical week like when they're not actually racing?
You wouldn't expect, say, a baker to bake just 200 rolls on his day off to make sure he keeps in peak condition to bake his usual 2,000 the next day, but pro cyclists are still out on the bike just to keep their legs ticking over.
Is it the same when they're not racing? Do they still have to do some riding every day? How quickly would their performance drop off if they didn't?
Cycling for pleasure is one thing. The thought of having to ride day in, day out to make sure you keep your job is rather daunting!
Kermit power said:
Evening all,
The surprise with which the commentators reported that Rodriguez hadn't ridden his bike during the rest day got me thinking. What exactly is a pro racer's typical week like when they're not actually racing?
You wouldn't expect, say, a baker to bake just 200 rolls on his day off to make sure he keeps in peak condition to bake his usual 2,000 the next day, but pro cyclists are still out on the bike just to keep their legs ticking over.
Is it the same when they're not racing? Do they still have to do some riding every day? How quickly would their performance drop off if they didn't?
Cycling for pleasure is one thing. The thought of having to ride day in, day out to make sure you keep your job is rather daunting!
Mostly training: Wiggins spend the winter in Tenerife, f' instance. Hills and altitude stuff. Some pros just carry on racing (Kermesse racing, f' instance) to stay "on form".The surprise with which the commentators reported that Rodriguez hadn't ridden his bike during the rest day got me thinking. What exactly is a pro racer's typical week like when they're not actually racing?
You wouldn't expect, say, a baker to bake just 200 rolls on his day off to make sure he keeps in peak condition to bake his usual 2,000 the next day, but pro cyclists are still out on the bike just to keep their legs ticking over.
Is it the same when they're not racing? Do they still have to do some riding every day? How quickly would their performance drop off if they didn't?
Cycling for pleasure is one thing. The thought of having to ride day in, day out to make sure you keep your job is rather daunting!
el stovey said:
If you're interested in what they do between races, get on twitter. Most pro cyclists are prolific tweeters, some have great insight into training rides and who they ride with, others like Cav tweet mostly about the telly and what they've had for dinner.
I do like Cav's tweets, but as you say, not strictly on topic! Any recommendations for people worth following for that sort of insight?
Kermit power said:
I do like Cav's tweets, but as you say, not strictly on topic!
Any recommendations for people worth following for that sort of insight?
D Millar's are good he rides with Michael Barry around Girona.Any recommendations for people worth following for that sort of insight?
G Thomas, Swift and Dowsett have good stuff from time to time. Froomes bint is always causing trouble. Wiggins isn't very active.
I also follow boardman and ned boulting they have good info particularly during the tour.
I was surprised to hear that Rodriguez hadn't ridden on the rest day. nearly all the pro's know it's essential to do between 1.5 - 2-00 hrs, even if you don't really feel like it, or the weather is crap. After 6 or 7 days of constant racing the body adjusts to meet the demands, if you suddenly stop, do nothing, then 24 hrs later ask it to turn on again, normally it just can't do it.
I rode a 2 week stage race many years ago, the weather was really crap on the rest day so a lot of riders didn't go out. The stage after the rest day began with a long hard climb out of the town, the race started at full bore, all the guys who hadn't ridden were left struggling straight away, lost loads of time. I think it's a well known thing to always ride on the rest day.
I rode a 2 week stage race many years ago, the weather was really crap on the rest day so a lot of riders didn't go out. The stage after the rest day began with a long hard climb out of the town, the race started at full bore, all the guys who hadn't ridden were left struggling straight away, lost loads of time. I think it's a well known thing to always ride on the rest day.
This http://app.strava.com/pros/8758 is pro Ted King's profile, should give you a good idea along with his blog http://www.iamtedking.com/
el stovey said:
If you're interested in what they do between races, get on twitter. Most pro cyclists are prolific tweeters, some have great insight into training rides and who they ride with, others like Cav tweet mostly about the telly and what they've had for dinner.
I've followed a few of them and what interests me is that a surprising number of sportsmen also cycle with pro cyclists (not quite at top speed I'm sure, but obviously enough to go out with them). Cal Crutchlow, David Coulthard, Paul DiResta are all very prolific cyclists.Most endurance athletes train to a relatively high volume all year round. The training programs are carefully structured and the concept of "recovery days" where you still go out for an easy run/ride to turn the legs over, flush out the muscles etc is well understood and often used.
You lose the top end of your speed-endurance (i.e. ability to sustain a fast pace for a long time) very quickly if you don't maintain it through training.
You lose the top end of your speed-endurance (i.e. ability to sustain a fast pace for a long time) very quickly if you don't maintain it through training.
ewenm said:
You lose the top end of your speed-endurance (i.e. ability to sustain a fast pace for a long time) very quickly if you don't maintain it through training.
I'm sad to say I can vouch for this. I've had three shoulder op's in the last eighteen months, with enforced riding breaks from 2 weeks (last op) to 6 months on the first. It seems to take me at least as long as the break to get back to previous fitness each time.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff