Will Gravel Fitness Help Your Cyclocross Season? Why You Don’t Have to Start Over
You’ve spent all spring and summer training for gravel. Now cyclocross season is only a few weeks away, and you’re wondering if you’ve been training for the wrong sport. Will all those long endurance rides make you too slow? Will the gravel races leave you tired before the first cyclocross race? Or do you need […]
Why You’re Not Getting Faster After 40 (And What Your Body Actually Needs)
You aren’t getting slower because you’re over 40. You’re getting slower because your body is asking for something different than it did when you were 25. I see it all the time. A gravel cyclist comes to me frustrated because they’ve been riding more than ever, yet they don’t seem to be making progress. A […]
Beyond the 80/20 Rule: Why Zone 3 Training Might Deliver Superior Endurance Results
According to groundbreaking research by Stephen Seiler and Espen Tønnessen, analyzing over 15,000 training sessions from world champion endurance athletes, elite athletes actually train 85 percent at low to moderate intensity. That’s the origin of the 80-20 or 85-15 “rule.” More importantly, they found that training distribution varies significantly based on: However, this study is […]
Train Smart, Race Strong: Matching Your Training to Your A-Race Profile
The difference between a good race and a breakthrough performance often isn’t talent—it’s training specificity. When a rider crushes gravel nationals or when cyclocross racers dominate technical courses, they’re not just fitter than their competition. They’re specifically prepared for the exact demands of their target event. Here’s the truth: Generic training gets generic results. If […]
How to Fuel, Warm Up, and Recover Between Two Cyclocross Races in One Day
For many cyclocross racers—especially juniors, masters, or those chasing series points—doing two races in one day can be part of the experience. Whether it’s a back-to-back doubleheader or a morning and afternoon event, racing twice in a day presents unique physical and mental challenges. So, how do you prepare, fuel, and recover to optimize both […]
Cyclocross Race Prep: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Race Day Success
Preparing for a cyclocross race takes more than just showing up to the start line-it’s about fine-tuning your body, mind, and gear for the unique demands of the course. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or new to the gritty world of cyclocross, race-day preparation can be the difference between a smooth performance and a rough […]
Get Race-Ready: A Six-Week Cyclocross Training Plan for Peak Performance
Cyclocross training requires a unique blend of skills, speed work, endurance, and recovery. The cyclocross season is almost upon us, and managing your training load right before and during the season is crucial. The first race in Wisconsin and the national cyclocross series is on Sept. 7 and 8 at the Englewood CX in Fall […]
Your Guide To Training And Racing Cyclocross For Your Best Performance
Are you ready to take your cycling game to the next level? If you’re looking for a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping sport that combines off-road adventure with intense competition, then cyclocross might just be your ticket. Cyclocross racing is like no other – it’s fast, it’s furious, and it’s the perfect blend of skill, strategy, and sheer […]
Get Ready For a Great Cyclocross Race With This Five-Part Warmup Routine
Cyclocross is tough. Unlike long gravel races, we start with a sprint, getting our heart rates up to near max, then “settle down” to the hardest pace we can handle for the race, and then try to “sprint” at the end. Our bodies have to be ready for that kind of effort. A good warm-up […]
Improve Your In-Season Cyclocross Training to Unleash Your Cross Racing Potential
As the leaves start to change and the air becomes crisp, it can only mean one thing: cross racing season is here. In Wisconsin, we’ve had three races, and riders chasing UCI points have already had two weekends on the east coast. So you might be thinking only about race weekends with challenging courses and […]
