I plan and perform my cycling more for time instead of just logging miles. I typically cycle 4 to 5 hours per week, with 80% of that time at a Zone 2/3 heart rate, and 20% in Zone 4/5. I typically perform three to four rides per week. For example, today's 2-hour ride consisted of 1.5 hours at Zone 2/3 HR, and 0.5 hours at Zone 4/5 hill sprints intervals. Of course, I still take note of my mileage which was 21.44 miles today. Who else trains this way? I'm also a flat bar bike type of guy and I ride primarily on the many miles of paved trails and pathways in my area.
by joedidder
3 Comments
That’s how pros do it.
At the end of the day time is what it’s all about if you want to get better. I mean I guess we all have an idea what a 30 mile or 100 mile ride takes so in a sense we are riding for time
The majority of people who train seriously, or train at all, train on time, not distance. Like, the *vast* majority. From complete ams to the bonified riding-for-money pros.
Also, the advice I always give to new cyclists is that ‘time in the saddle’ is by far the most important metric.
For example, a training regiment will look like something like:
* 5 minutes zone 3
* 30 seconds zone 5
* 5 minutes zone 3
* 1 minute zone 5
* 10 minutes zone 3
* 30 seconds zone 5
Whatever… Its all based on time, HR, and power. Never distance.
I always break down by time.