My Cyclocross Results Aren’t Improving. Is My Training Actually Working?
You’ve been training for cyclocross consistently. You’re doing the intervals. You’re riding endurance miles. You’re strength training. You’re practicing your cyclocross skills. But then you line up on Sunday and finish about where you finished last week. Or worse—you finish farther back. That can lead to an uncomfortable question: Is my training actually working? Race […]
Why Am I Still Tired Two Days After a Cyclocross Race?
It’s Tuesday morning. You raced cyclocross on Sunday, took it easy Monday, and expected to wake up feeling reasonably normal. Instead, your legs are heavy. Walking downstairs doesn’t feel particularly good. Your motivation to train isn’t exactly overflowing. And now you’re wondering: Should I train today, or do I need more recovery? For most masters […]
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 […]
The Mental Game of Gravel: How to Keep Going When the Race Gets Hard
At some point in a long gravel race, you’ve wanted to quit. Your legs felt terrible. Nothing was feeling good. Most gravel racers have felt this: Maybe you’ve had three flat tires, your shifting isn’t working correctly, and the group you were riding with disappeared up the road 20 minutes ago. Or maybe nothing is […]
When Gravel Motivation Gets Muddy: How to Keep Training When You Don’t Feel Like It
Gravel racing is supposed to be fun. That might sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget when the alarm goes off early, the workout says “VO2max intervals,” your legs feel heavy, the weather is terrible, and the couch is whispering your name. Motivation is one of those things athletes think they either have or don’t […]
Mastering the Climb: How to Train, Prepare, and Execute Faster Hill Climbs
by Coach Anthony James Great climbers aren’t just strong, they’re prepared, precise, and efficient. Hill climbing success comes down to three pillars: structured training, smart execution, and consistent fueling. But there’s one piece riders often overlook… Strength training is non-negotiable. Let’s talk about how to build complete climbing performance from the gym to the dirt […]
Do Hard Efforts “Ruin” an Endurance Ride? What Every Cyclist Needs to Know
You head out for a Zone 2 ride. Then a hill shows up. You push a little harder. Maybe into threshold. Maybe you sprint over the top. And then the question hits: “Did I just ruin the purpose of this ride?” It’s a common concern—especially with all the talk about Zone 2, polarized training, and […]
How to Taper for a Gravel Race: A Three-Week Plan for Peak Performance
by Coach Paul Warloski You’ve put in the miles, the long rides, the intervals, and the strength training. Your fitness is built. Now comes the part that trips up a lot of athletes: the taper. Here’s the truth: tapering isn’t about gaining fitness. It’s about shedding fatigue so your body can deliver the fitness you’ve […]
Gravel Training with Limited Time: 6-8 Hours Per Week Plan for 100-Mile Races
by Coach Paul Warloski One common question I get from athletes is “I only have 6-8 hours per week. Is it even realistic to train for a 100-mile gravel race?” The honest answer? It depends. What are your goals, how much experience have you had, can you be consistent with that 6 to 8 every […]
Recovery: The Hidden Component of Gravel Race Success
by Coach Paul Warloski Here’s a truth that separates fast gravel racers from frustrated ones: two athletes with identical training volumes will perform vastly differently based on their recovery habits. The hours you spend recovering are when the actual adaptation happens—when your body rebuilds stronger than before. Gravel racing demands everything: sustained hours of endurance, […]
