What riding to target after a dedicated training plan?

daniel_b

Afternoon all,

I am 2 weeks through an 11 week training program, and so far it is going very well, really seeing and feeling results, and above all, am really enjoying hitting the targets and it even makes work on the Turbo (When there is no other option) bearable!

So anyway, to the crux of my question - it's a pretty intensive 11 week plan, and in the book it states that as it's fairly stressful on the body, that they do not recommend using the plan more than 3 times a year, which leave me wondering what specific type of riding I should be looking to do to at least maintain and hopefully improve my fitness a bit afterwards.

The plan will see me through to mid September, and I want to make sure that I keep the momentum up through the Autumn and winter - so just wondered what other people do.
Do you cut down your riding time a bit, or do you concentrate on just getting the miles in, or do you mix it up with a bit of interval work in there as well?

My current program is pretty much 4 sessions a week, so I would envisage dropping it to 3 times a week for maintenance weeks, and probably in the depths of winter would be on the turbo for a couple of them.

Any thoughts or personal approaches people would be willing to share?

Cheers

Dan

DeVlaeminck

Do you have any goals ? Without knowing what you want to gain from your training it's hard to advise.

daniel_b

Thanks for your reply DV.

Well the reason I started this training plan, is that I am taking part in a 102 mile sportive in 6 weeks time, aside from that I always have a desire to improve hill climbing ability (Not one of my strong points) and to increase the average speed I can cover a given course - I would say that when I started my average speed for a 30 mile route was around 15mph, I managed 16mph yesterday, only 2 weeks into the programme, and think that long term I would be delighted if I could attain an average of somewhere in the region of 17-18mph regularly on a moderately hilly ride.
Another desire Ihave is to take part in some local 10 mile TT's next spring.

JayKosta

I think you'll know a lot more about yourself and 'training' when you are in the final 4 weeks of that 11 week program.

My guess is that to maintain fitness over the winter you will need to do a mix of endurance training, and speed/interval training.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

daniel_b

JayKosta wrote:

I think you'll know a lot more about yourself and 'training' when you are in the final 4 weeks of that 11 week program.

My guess is that to maintain fitness over the winter you will need to do a mix of endurance training, and speed/interval training.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

Thanks for your reply, wise words I think.

I guess as you say just mix it up a bit, reduce the load a bit to maintain, then when ready I will carry out another 'field test' and go for the same or a slughtly different program.

poynedexter

one issue you will face is that your programme finishes in autumn. the time of year when cycling events are tapering off. the weather starts to change and so can your opportunities for cycling on the road. i would bear in mind that a sportive isnt a race even though some might treat it like one. if TT's are your spring goals then i would say try one now, you have nothing to lose. join a club and ride with them over the winter. by spring time you will be a different rider for it.