How do you train?

[cristina_velovostra]

Hello! I would like to develop a training plan generator as a side project while on my maternity leave. I have read some books (Joel Friel's Training Bible, The Time Crunched Cyclist, Tudor Bompa's Periodization research, etc) that made me think a lot of the advice there could be automated. I am curious to see if this would be of interest to cyclists. So my question is, how do you currently train? Is training and having a specific goal for improvement something important for you? If so, how do you go about it? Do you use a certain app, AI agent, or do you create a plan yourself, follow your mood? Thank you in advance for your opinion or experience!

 

[Punkawallah]

‘Train’? Ye gods! Next you will be asking if I want to go faster!
The best I can do for you is ‘I practice’. If I want to go further than normal, I’ll step up to the distance over time. No voodoo, no hoodoo. If I struggle, I’ll eat more and drink more.
Of course, this means I will never win the TdF - I suppose I’ll just have to ‘manage my expectations’.

 

[HLaB]

I use TrainerRoad and let its AI do the thinking.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Athletica and let its AI do the thinking. When I am training; I am 100% outdoors unless too icy. I am also a great believer in not training year round as I think it’s better for health (and motivation) to take a break now and again.

The main thing with these AI tools (both Athletica and TrainerRoad) is that they are adaptive, not just static plan generators. The plans update and change after every single session completed (or not) as required.

The other thing I do is strength training and balance work 2 or 3 times a week. Important particularly as we age.

 

[PaulSB]

I work with a personal trainer who also happens to be an extremely good cyclist. My training objectives, in the order below are;

1. Maintain mental wellbeing
2. Maintain physical wellbeing, suppleness and overall strength
3. Improve core strength, balance, stamina and endurance

To achieve this I stretch for 25 minutes 5 days a week and do light weights 3 to 5 times a week for 25 - 40 minutes depending on the routine. The frequency depends on riding, I don't do weights on cycling days. I'm careful to include 2 days rest per week.

If I have a specific cycling objective which includes hills I will put in 6 months of hill climbing to prepare my legs. For example I hope to ride the Fred Witton next May - 114 miles and 12000 feet. We began training last week.

I hate to disappoint you but in my view is humans need empathy not just analytics.

 

[oldandslow]

‘Train’? Ye gods! Next you will be asking if I want to go faster!
The best I can do for you is ‘I practice’. If I want to go further than normal, I’ll step up to the distance over time. No voodoo, no hoodoo. If I struggle, I’ll eat more and drink more.
Of course, this means I will never win the TdF - I suppose I’ll just have to ‘manage my expectations’.

I'm afraid that I too have always regarded training as a mild form of cheating. I just try to ride a bit more often. This may explain why I've never looked likely to win much in races, but frankly I don't think any form of training would have changed it.