Why Mountain Bike Tires Win in Arkansas Gravel
by Coach Anthony James If you’re showing up to an Arkansas gravel event with the same tire setup you’d use in Kansas or Colorado, you’re already behind. Here’s the thing—most gravel racing advice out there assumes you’re riding smooth, rolled crusher dust on endless country roads. That’s fine for the Great Plains. It’s great for […]
How to Pace a Gravel Race: Finding Your Sustainable Speed and Finishing Strong
Gravel racing has a reputation for explosive starts, chaotic early miles, and long stretches of lonely riding. But if your race lasts four hours or more, success rarely comes from the rider who attacks hardest in the first hour. It usually comes from the rider who manages effort the best. Pacing is one of the […]
Gravel Racing Strategy: When to Work the Group and When to Draft
by Coach Paul Warloski If you’ve raced gravel, you already know how the early miles usually play out. The front group explodes off the line, the strongest riders disappear up the road, and the rest of us settle into smaller groups trying to hold speed and survive the day. For most racers, success isn’t about […]
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 […]
Building Mental Toughness: Training Your Mind for 6+ Hour Gravel Races
All of us have been there: The moments when we question every life choice that led you to this really long gravel bike race. Maybe the weather turned brutal. Maybe you flatted. Maybe you didn’t fuel properly. Or maybe—and this is the hardest to admit—just the sheer tedium of riding for six, seven, or eight […]
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 […]
Why 130-150 Mile Training Rides Matter for 200-Mile Races: The Science of Ultra-Distance Preparation
by Coach Paul Warloski When you’re staring down a 200-mile gravel race like Unbound, your longest training ride isn’t just mileage; it’s scientific preparation for the biggest physical and mental challenge of your season. While I couldn’t find specific research on long gravel events, here’s what the latest research on ultra-endurance performance reveals about why […]
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 […]
The Power of Cross-Training: Why Winter Is Your Secret Weapon for Gravel Racing Success
Cross-training isn’t just about staying fit when snow hits the ground. It’s about becoming a more complete, resilient athlete. Gravel racing, mountain biking, cyclocross, and trail running demands everything: endurance, technical skills, mental toughness, and the ability to adapt to whatever nature throws at you. Yet most endurance athletes approach winter training like they’re still […]
