Reddit reviews The Mountain Biker's Training Bible
We found 5 Reddit comments about The Mountain Biker's Training Bible. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Develop a systematic and comprehensive training program using a proven scientific approachTrain more efficiently with weekly goals and workouts that build skill and improve techniqueBenefit from strength work, stretching, record-keeping, and smart nutrition specific to mountain biking
Mountain Bikers Training Bible by Joe Friel.
I had my best racing season ever following this book.
I raced a bunch up until about 2 years ago when college got too busy. I worked my way up from racing in the 12-13 year old age class to junior expert to expert 19-29 at nationals (combined with the pros at local events).
Fitness wise, circuit training is awesome, sounds like your upper body should be good to go. I never did any weight training during the race season, but a lot of guys do.
If you don't have a road bike, I'd definitely try to find a long gravel road or multi use trail to simulate road on and get in some long rides that will spare you the pounding of trails. The biggest gains in performance I had were when I added structured road training, including intervals, to my regimen. Check out Joel Friel's book, as it's a great introduction to what is known as periodic training.
There's really nothing like being in a race, but I'd try to simulate one before doing it- take your gear out to your favorite trail and go as hard as you can for the appropriate distance. Bike handling is way different from when you're just cruising to when you're at your limits.
Gear: I was too dumb to carry a spare tire for a long time, but then I got tubeless with Stan's and didn't have to worry about it. I would definitely carry one if you need it and practice changing it once or twice before the race.
I also carried a multi-tool (with tire lever) just in case and energy gel in my pockets, with one bottle on the bike. That's about it for the race itself. I also had a small toolbox with the essentials (pedal wrench, chain tool, screw drivers, tire and shock pumps). There will generally be mechanics on site (who may charge) for anything major.
Clothes: if I was traveling for the race, I made one bag for street clothes and one bag for race day gear. Shoes, helmet, jersey, bibs, socks, gloves, spare tire, tool, and gels go in here. That way I only had to worry about grabbing stuff for one bag on race day. Extra safety pins are never a bad idea.
Nutrition: I think it's more important to eat healthy the night before rather than trying to cram down a lot of pasta. Chicken, rice and veggies was my favorite. Start hydrating 2 or 3 days before. Eat a light breakfast (banana, bagel, yogurt- stuff you're used to)2-3 hours before the start time. If you have a friend/parent/SO going to the race with you, have them hand you bottles every lap. I liked water on the first lap, sports drink mixed half and half the second lap and flat Coke the third lap. On hot days, I'd ride by and my dad would hand me the bottle with one hand and dump cool water on me with the other. If you don't have anyone with you, see if the organizers are cool with setting your bottles on top of a cooler in the feed zone and grab them as you pass.
Post race: Cool down for about 10-15 minutes, then change into some fresh clothes. There will usually be a bathroom, but bring a towel you can change under if necessary. I always like to wipe down with something (wet wipes, a washcloth etc.). Eat a snack when your stomach has settled to start recovery as soon as possible, I usually go with ginger ale, a recovery drink and a PB&J.
General:
I think that's about it- wall of text, sorry. Any other questions, please let me know.
All the answers you need are here:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Mountain-Bikers-Training-Bible/dp/1884737714
As /u/milliken says, having a structured training plan is definitely beneficial. I'm just now starting to develop my plan as I get back into racing after a long layoff, and I've found this book indispensable.
FWIW, I also recommend:
Nod, when I read Joe Friel's Mountain Biker's Training Bible it said that if you haven't been riding for two years, that you shouldn't do anything in his book - but merely go out and ride. I'm looking forward to this next year for sure!
Going to go out today for a quick ride, tomorrow I've got another VQ prep ride planned, and then Sunday I'm going to see if I can clock 85 miles in on my MTB. Starting 2015 off strong!
I checked out a copy of Joe Friel's Bible, read it cover-to-cover three times, and set up a comprehensive training plan including weight training, intervals, long efforts, and rest days. Then, just as he predicts, I completely abandoned the program when my life got in the way. It's a great book with a lot of helpful advice, but in reality it's impossible for a person with a full-time job and a social life to follow a training plan in the first year of trying.
I ended up cobbling together a basic plan of long rides on the weekends (6-8 hours a day) and a couple after-work rides every week (for a total of about 20 hours of riding weekly), and making sure every single ride included a substantial climb. I'm lucky because I live in Colorado, where every road and trail turns upward eventually and most of the rides are beautiful and fun. I did end up skipping a lot of parties to make those 8AM roll-outs on Saturdays, but it was worth it!