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    How to train for gravel cycling in your 40s, 50s, and beyond



    I get a few regular questions here on The Ride:
    -What’s your favorite gravel bike?
    -How do you train for gravel?
    -And, how old ARE you?

    This video answers the latter two questions, and here’s my stock answer to the first: https://youtu.be/e4wGjeNyadY

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    20 Comments

    1. @anthonyharris483 on

      I had been a competitive cyclist in the 80s club road racing. Now, nearing my 60s I ride to explore and enjoy nature. My current bike is a single speed gravel/monstercross bike that I can ride gravel and singletrack.

    2. @EvidenceofaFabulousLife on

      You got 10 years on me Ben, plenty of time whippersnapper! My next event is 2000kms in the UK, The Great British Divide. It’s just a long ride, right? 😂 Just signed up to FasCat, let’s see. Digging it so far, mostly the adaptability. Cheers, Tim

    3. @robbchastain3036 on

      This is a really fantastic conversation, Ben, thanks so much. And if I could add my two centavos, it would be to not be ashamed of safety and one thing I do is ride on flats these days. Not afraid of clipless, just that falls are instant and I'd rather not go down with the ship. I just think flats provide that little bit of time to react to slips and falls.

    6. @3TZZZ on

      Another excellent video Ben. Something I’ve found as I’ve aged is that the shrinking gap between resting and max heart rates has the biggest impact on performance. I’m 55 now which means my max heart rate is around 165bpm. This means that on any hill, I max out early! Now as we athletes age, we do get good at faking it and holding just under max HR. But there is a limit! 🙄 You’ll be 55 one day Ben! 🙂
      …It also means that training in Zone 2 (70% of max) means riding at under just 115bpm, which is effectively a gentle ride down to the shops, almost impossible for an athlete and seemingly ineffective.  Max heart rate doesn’t change with fitness.
      …Ben it would be great if you could look into Zone 2 training for older riders. Does the 70% of max rule still apply, or does Zone 2 actually remain around 125 bpm (average 40 year old) in order to be effective, regardless of max heart rate?

    8. @andymarks1049 on

      Thanks for this video. I'm preparing for two rides in September, a 20 mile 50/50 gravel ride in Idaho, and a 60 mi road ride in western Colorado. I'm not quite 150% of your age, but I've noticed over the last 7 years that my body sends bills for past transgressions, almost like in Dickens A Christmas Carol. I tend to over do everything. I like this video because your advice to break goals down and address them bit by bit is working. I'm following a coach's training plan, riding 80-100 mi/wk, with two "off bike" days I honor, and unless I go nuts with property maintenance work, Garmin tells me I'm recovering well each week. I liked the video because I'm trying to get race-day (ride, I don't race) stuff ironed out before the day, and you named a few things I haven't quite worked out yet. I'm envious of those trails you feature with Boulder's Flatirons in the background.

    10. @timothyrollins-o6t on

      Ben ! I’m new to your channel – where have I've been ?! I’m 56 this year & have been on bikes all my life ( BMX , MTB , now road & gravel ). I will def follow up on your vids . Ive one question id like to ask – I’m in DENVER ! Can you PLEASE give me some of your medium gravel routes in Boulder for me & my lady ??? Thank you so much man !

    11. @sim999 on

      I will save you ~30min. You need train & rest & eat. You will not get more from this video, no template, no details, no examples. Not sure what's the point

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