Training

[radicalrye]

I've been thinking about trying out cyclocross this fall 2010 and wanted to know what tips everyone has for training or what your routines are.

I have a friend who races and he told me of a park a bunch of cross racers go to train, but wanted to know some good exercises to do on my own the days they don't practice.

I'm into cross training at the gym as well and wanted to know of any specific routines people do to improve their racing.

[spokewench]

?? - Most people who do cyclocross use it as a added work out to other bike riding or racing. It was designed to give people who race/ride an alternative in the fall/winter when it is hard to do regular long workouts on the road due to weather, for a shorter, more intense bike workout, with some running involved.

Your questions are pretty vague and doing "cross" training in the gym really doesn't equate to "cyclocross" racing.

So, ride your bike, do a little running; mostly do alot of intense interval training cause that is what cyclecross is all about. Lots of intense intervals, whether on bike or off bike, carrying up a steep, muddy, slippery, set with obstacles hill on foot.

Go see what the cyclocross people do and you will see what you need to do for training. Also, you will need to work on your mount, dismount and carry.

spoke

[SadieKate]

Do some mountain biking or take your cross bike out on singletrack. Improve your bike handling skills off pavement.

Those that can't handle unstable or slippery conditions, or don't have the ability to make a tight u-turn, can have fabulous fitness and still be left in the dirt in more ways than one.

[SheFly]

Spokewench is right - most of us race through the season, and THEN transition to 'cross racing. I start my race season now, and race on the road and MTB through August. Then it's time for 'cross.

And LOTS of interval training is what you will need. Riding your MTB is also good advice - as SK said, if you have the fitness, but lack the technical skills, you won't get far in a race.

FWIW - I don't run. Ever. I only run in a race, and since it is short, and my fitness is good, I don't find this to be a hindrance.

SheFly

[radicalrye]

Well I don't race what so ever so cyclocross would be it for me which is why i was saying i often work out in the gym and mostly commute, cyclotour, and go on long rides for fun.

That's the extent of my training. Sorry to confuse and when I said cross training I wasn't specifically saying it was for cyclocross.

I'll probably start exploring some of the offroad trails around the area to get used to not riding the pavement.

Thanks for the advice

[SheFly]

Well I don't race what so ever so cyclocross would be it for me which is why i was saying i often work out in the gym and mostly commute, cyclotour, and go on long rides for fun.

That's the extent of my training. Sorry to confuse and when I said cross training I wasn't specifically saying it was for cyclocross.

I'll probably start exploring some of the offroad trails around the area to get used to not riding the pavement.

Thanks for the advice

In that case, let me change my advice. LOTS of base miles! Remember that you will be racing against others who HAVE been racing through the season before transitioning to 'cross. That means that you will need a lot of base miles in addition to the interval workouts and skills workouts.

Your competitors will all be coming in to the 'cross season with a good base of fitness (at least many/most of them will) from other racing - road or MTB. Just make sure that you mix up your rides between now and the start of the season - some long steady distance (LSD), and others that are shorter, and more intense.

The skills will help you either way, so keep at that as well!

Sorry if I mislead you - there's nothing saying you can't jump into racing when the 'cross season starts. Just need to know what you're getting into!

SheFly