Reddit reviews The Time-Crunched Cyclist, 2nd Ed.: Fit, Fast, Powerful in 6 Hours a Week (The Time-Crunched Athlete)

Older Redditors are probably sick of hearing me say this but…

If you want to get faster, start a structured training program and stick with it. For what it's worth, I've noticed that there are a few different types of riders in each race, and they all finish in the order you'd expect:

• Those who just ride hard a few days a week without any structure.
  
• Those who "train" a few days a week, without much structure other than "endurance rides on Day X, sprints on Day Y, etc."
  
• Those who follow a specific training program over the course of a season, and time their training so they'll peak during the weeks of their "A" races. (The races they're targeting to win the most.)
  
  Needless to say, the riders in the third group win almost every event they enter, with the members of the second group finished in the chase group behind them.
  
  Unfortunately, I wasted my first two seasons of racing in the first group. If you don't have a ton of time to train (6+ hours a day), try the Time Crunched Training Program. Even though it's for people who are "time crunched," you still train 2-3 times during the week, and usually on both weekend days.
  
  By week three you'll be faster, and you peak around weeks 12-14.

The Cyclist's Training Bible is the go-to introduction to training concepts. It's probably information overload if you're just getting into the sport, but there's a ton of good information.

The Time-Crunched Cyclist is a really good introduction to interval training. You'd need at least an HR monitor to do the workouts. I don't follow Carmichael's plans in that book, but I did adapt it a little to fit my needs last summer.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Time-Crunched-Cyclist-2nd-Ed/dp/193403083X

This assumes you have a power meter and/or heart rate monitor. If you don't, and you're serious about making the most of your short training time, get one.

I think some of your questions are subjective and open to personal opinion. So take my response as such.

1. I think your bike is worth it to you and that's what matters most. (Honestly I think it was a good deal and a good bike.) What's more important, do you feel comfortable on it? Do you want to ride it? Than it's worth every penny. If you have a bike you don't want to ride, well, then the reverse is true.
   
2. YouTube is your friend for maintenance. There are some things you can check without tools, such as chain stretch, checking the cassette for wear, seeing if your cables stick or are frayed. Give the bike a good wash, clean the chain, cassette, frame. Make sure your brakes don't stick or don't grab properly, shift through all the gears, front and rear. If they stick you can put some oil into the cable housings or consider changing out cables. Bike maintenance isn't hard, it's just getting past some of the black magic of making things just right. That can be the difference that a bike shop can bring. But honestly, if you know how to do it yourself, I think you gain confidence in your skills and can easily tweak something without relying on a shop.
   
3. Anything is possible. It's a hard question to answer without knowing your current fitness level, but I'd say in a few months you can be ready for a century. Will you be breaking land speed records, probably not, but you will be able to do it. Just keep riding a bit longer or a bit harder each week. You don't need to do a century ride before actually doing one officially. You just have to find a pace you are comfortable with that you know you can ride for a long time. That's the pace you will need to finish a century. It's that "I could do this all day pace" that you are looking for in a long ride.
   
4. I can't answer this one as I've picked up most of what I do with a few books and fellow riders. One book I enjoy is Time Crunched Cyclist by Chris Carmichael. http://www.amazon.com/The-Time-Crunched-Cyclist-2nd-Ed/dp/193403083X
   It's great for those of us who may not have the time to train like a pro.
   
5. This is a subjective question again. A good cruising speed is what you are comfortable with. 32kph would be very respectable for a century and a good pace for any day to day ride. You'll need to get a feel for what you can handle however. Might have to build up to that, might find you can easily blow that speed out of the water.
   
   Good luck and have fun!

Copy pasta of a comment from another thread about intervals:

> If you're really interested in doing intervals check out the Time Crunched Cyclist. It's meant to get you race ready only using different types of intervals three times a week. There are plans for newbies and advanced riders, as well as for specific types of riding like long distance or for cross.

> I've been riding for three years and just did the beginner block over the winter and spring. I definitely got faster from it...which is expected as I've never followed a strict plan before.

I'd really recommend starting with the beginner plan and swap in at least 30 mins of dedicated skills work on the Sunday easy miles ride. Most peoplebeginners don't/haven't put a lot of time in practicing barriers, dismounts, and run ups and you can really put the hurt on them if you're even halfway decent.

As I said above, I started with the beginner block and I felt like I started noticing results at about 7 to 8 weeks in to the plan...which fits with the planned 'peak' the training block is supposed to provide. So figure out what your important races might be and plan to start training 8 weeks out.

Races count as workouts, just make sure you're getting enough saddle time though. Eg, if your race is 30 mins and the day calls for 90 mins total, make sure you're getting that extra 60 between warmups, pre-riding, etc...go for a short ride when you get home if you have to.

What age are you? Officially masters start at 30 or 31, I forget. If you're going to a bigger race with a masters category you're going to get destroyed. You'll find lots of racers that used to be hard core Cat1s in there who are just looking for a win, along with a few people in the same situation you're in. I'd really recommend staying in the beginner category this season. If you haven't made the podium in the beginner category you're in no way ready for the masters. (Even if you had, I still wouldn't suggest it)

I haven't read it, or really pursued training programs at all, but I see "The Time-Crunched Cyclist" recommended pretty frequently, including by the amateur racers in my club.

Check out "The Time Crunched Cyclist" by Carmichael it's a great book.

You can effectively train for longer rides by doing shorter ones at a higher level of effort. My longest rides tend to be 60 miles (usually average 120-150/week) and I have no trouble doing a century. It can be done, you just need to do it right and avoid "junk" miles - every mile must count. As a roadie, I'm able to incorporate trainer rides as well during the week to ensure I"m targeting the right things. If you're riding a MTB, your approach will need to be different. After I complete 6 Gap century in Sept., I'm switching to 'cross and training for the Gravel Grovel in late Nov. I'll be doing more short max. effort intervals and VO2 max work and much less endurance-type training.

> can you clarify? (new to this). Thanks!

You may want to check this book and this book out from your local library. There is a "new competitor" plan in the first book that focuses on the goals you outlined in your post. But, even the "time crunched" plans require 6+ hours on the bike per week over 3 to 4 days. Is she able to hop on a trainer once or twice a week in addition to heading out with you and the groups? Those books with the included plans may help.

Have you considered riding with your wife outside of the group setting for a bit? You'd be able to train with her and get her endurance up so she'd be able to hang with the groups you both would rather ride with.

In the end, the shortest answer to help her is "ride more" but that's more of an /r/bicycling response than an /r/velo response.

Edit: And in case anyone is curious, it seems OP is in Florida. Around my parts, 30 mile routes at 18-20mph is no joke, let alone 22 or 24mph. But, rated climbs are about 5 miles from my driveway ;)

I'd second the time crunched program - using a slightly modified version of the commuter program blended with the MTB program and it has been awesome.

http://www.amazon.ca/Time-Crunched-Cyclist-2nd-Ed-Powerful/dp/193403083X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1396165978&sr=8-1&keywords=time+crunched+cyclist

Time Crunched Cyclist by Chris Carmichael got and kept me in race shape for a couple years. Lance Lance Lance yadda yadda yadda, it worked for me. His workouts are really no longer than 1.5 hours tops--you can shorten them by trimming or removing warm up/cool down, not advisable, I know, but everyone runs late every now and again. Trying Friel's workouts this year, but not seeing improvements at all so I may go back to carmichael and try to salvage something.

EDIT: But time of day-wise, I would suggest early morning.

i've heard that coaching really helps you improve, but it sounds kind of like a book would be sufficient for your needs.

I have made great improvements using http://www.amazon.com/The-Time-Crunched-Cyclist-2nd-Ed/dp/193403083X

perfect for me because i don't have lots of time, and that book aims for about 7 hours a week max except for the endurance mtb program. and, this book has a cyclocross specific workout plan. i have gone from finishing bottom 25% of 4/5 to being competitive 3/4. i have also learned what my strengths and weaknesses are and am focusing on those before getting back into mtb season.

I've got some semi-local rides that I can check that out on.

Will definitely check out Joe Friel's books. Thanks for the beta! :)

The books that helped me the most this year are listed below. What books, or training programs, do you recommend for someone who can get on 2-3 rides a week?



http://www.amazon.com/The-Time-Crunched-Cyclist-2nd-Ed/dp/193403083X

http://www.amazon.com/The-Feed-Zone-Cookbook-Flavorful/dp/1934030767

The Time-Crunched Cyclist, 2nd Ed.: Fit, Fast, Powerful in 6 Hours a Week (The Time-Crunched Athlete) https://www.amazon.com/dp/193403083X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_URwRyb1H75ZRE

If you hate yourself, then Sufferfest videos. Otherwise, http://www.amazon.com/The-Time-Crunched-Cyclist-2nd-Ed/dp/193403083X

https://www.amazon.com/Time-Crunched-Cyclist-2nd-Ed-Powerful/dp/193403083X

Here you go...