Power-to-weight ratio (PWR) is a performance metric that is simple to calculate, but also easy to misuse. Individually, tracking PWR over time reflects the combined effect of changes in fitness level (power output) and bodyweight. Between two riders, PWR may predict one cyclist’s potential advantage on specific terrain. And across a population of cyclists, PWR …
Creating interval workouts with the appropriate amount of time-at-intensity and recovery between efforts is an essential skill for any athlete or coach designing training plans. Individual workouts are the small building blocks that build upon one another to create training stress that leads to physiological adaptations and improved performance. Workouts don’t have to be complicated …
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “The Time-Crunched Cyclist”, “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Several months ago you signed up for a big summer event, with plenty of time to train for it. Now that long awaited event is only weeks away, you’ve realized you’re not ride ready and you’re hitting the panic button. Before …
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “The Time-Crunched Cyclist”, “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Time-Crunched Cyclists often struggle to carve enough time out of their schedules to complete individual long rides. To accumulate more overall training time, many ask whether they can ride twice in a day instead of once. This may mean they can …
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “The Time-Crunched Cyclist”, “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Whether you’re riding for one hour on the road or 12 hours in the woods, it is important to know what to take on endurance rides and epic cycling adventures. There are a small number of essentials you should carry …
Our friend Bill Walton passed away last weekend and many of the CTS Coaches and CTS Athletes who rode with him and got to know him have been sharing their memories on social media. Back in 2013, CTS Founder Chris Carmichael wrote a Road Bike Action Magazine column about riding with Bill. The gentlest and …
By Darcie Murphy, CTS Pro Coach I have never been more excited to be a professional coach, and that’s because there’s never been a better time to be a coached athlete. I recently spent a long weekend at the CTS Coach Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas, which was a combination of classroom seminars, in-depth discussions …
A cyclist’s speed going uphill is the product of power, weight, and technique. The first two get the lion’s share of the attention, but the last one can make a huge difference in how comfortable, confident, and economical you are on climbs. Improving your body position for seated climbing and standing climbing on the bike …
By Jim Rutberg, CTS Pro Coach, co-author of “The Time Crunched Cyclist” and “Training Essentials for Ultrarunning” Athletes use altitude training camps to stimulate the production of red blood cells, thereby increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of their blood. There are other benefits, too, but the increase in red blood cells is the most …
By Adam Pulford, CTS Premier Coach, Host of “The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast” Getting dropped from cycling group rides is a probability all riders face. Sometimes it’s caused by inadequate fitness, but even fit riders get dropped when they have poor skills and habits. So, for the beginners and those we are welcoming back to …