The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

OVERVIEW

If you or your child is interested in racing bikes (road, mountain, cyclocross, track) as an under-18 competitor, this is the podcast for you! CTS Coach Adam Pulford is one of the top coaches to Junior and U23 Cyclists in the United States. Much of this work is through the DC Devo Cycling Team in Washington, D.C. In Episode 252 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Adam is joined by Chris Hardee, Justin Mauch, a...

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Is there a real benefit to a recovery ride or would you be better off just taking the day off completely? Both recovery rides and complete rest are beneficial, but the choice between the two depends on how fatigued you are, your mood, and what else you have going on in your life. Sports science says they accomplish the same thing and are essentially interchangeable. But there are absolutely times when Coach Adam Pulfor...

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How do you climb fast at the end of a race? Many road, gravel, and mountain bike events finish at the top of extended climbs. In Episode 250 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist", a listener asks how to prepare for a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) finishing climb at the end of a 2-3 hour race. Everything comes into play: aerobic fitness, power at lactate threshold (LT2), anaerobic capacity, VO2 max, durability, and tactical...

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Power, heart rate, or RPE (rate of perceived exertion or how you feel)? Which data point is best for gauging intensity during training or a race, and which is best for monitoring training progress? Coach Adam Pulford tackles these frequently asked questions in Episode 249 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast". Although ALL THREE metrics have their place, Coach Adam reveals the hierarchy for what matters most...

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Colin Izzard and Adam Pulford have more than 45 years of coaching experience between them. In this casual conversation between two old friends and colleagues, they pull back the curtain on how the coaching process works, how it differs from a training plan or AI-generated program, and how coaching has changed for the better with the introduction of new technologies - including artificial intelligence. 

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OVERVIEW

Wheels and Tires and Tire Pressure. These are the subjects of endless debates among road, gravel, and mountain bike racers. Wheel and tire technologies continue to change. Internal rim widths allow for wider tires, as do modern frames. In Episode 247 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Coach Adam Pulford and Velosmith's Tony Bustamante discuss how cyclists can narrow in on the wheel + tire + pressure comb...

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When it comes to the equipment choices and mistakes athletes make before big events, Tony Bustamante has seen it all. The founder of Velosmith Bicycle Studio, which specializes in customized builds for discerning cyclists, and a second-generation bike shop owner, Tony has been that guy you implored to fix your brakes last minute or install that super-important part the afternoon before your flight. Not only does he not reco...

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Interval training works, but there are ways to get stronger, ride faster, and win races without interval training. There are even aspects of performance that are better suited to no-interval training blocks. In some cases, the structured intensity with planned recovery breaks hinders an athlete's flexibility to use power and fitness spontaneously. Coach Adam Pulford breaks away from the dogma of interval training ...

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Stephanie Howe, PhD is back for Part 2 of the sports nutrition podcasts she recorded with Coach Adam Pulford. An elite ultramarathon runner who won Western States, CTS Coach, and the provider for CTS Nutrition Coaching services, Stephanie works with cyclists, runners, triathletes, and more. In Episode 244 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Stephanie and Coach Adam Pulford lay out evidence-based, practical spo...

OVERVIEW

Stephanie Howe, PhD is our go-to source for no-nonsense, evidence-based nutrition guidance. She doesn't abide fads or pseudoscience and has no allegiances to sports nutrition or supplement companies. An elite ultramarathon runner who won Western States, CTS Coach, and the provider for CTS Nutrition Coaching services, Stephanie works with cyclists, runners, triathletes, and more. In Episode 243 of "The Time-Crunche...

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How much fatigue can an athlete accumulate without hurting recovery and hindering progress? That's the million dollar question for all coaches and athletes because it reveals how much training you can do in a given time, what type of workouts to use, and even what goals are within your reach. Coach Adam Pulford delves into the software tools he uses to analyze athlete data, monitor fatigue, assess an athlete'...

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So many athletes are focused on training in Zone 2, but they don't realize "Zone 2" means different things depending on which training system you use. There is a 3-Zone system, a 5-Zone system, a 7-Zone system, and even more! Two of the most popular are 3-Zones, championed by researcher Dr. Stephen Seiler, and a 7-Zone system used by CTS and many other coaching groups. In Episode 241 of "The Time-Cr...

Overview
We love checking out what the pros are riding, but "normal" riders aiming to finish the Leadville 100 MTB in under 9 hours or under 12 hours have different needs on race day. Ten-time LT100 finisher, coach, and author Jim Rutberg talks with 3-time finisher Adam Pulford about the best bikes, equipment choices for the 2000+ riders behind the race leaders. And, since they're both coaches, they throw in a bu...

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How do you know if your threshold value or FTP or the training zones you calculated from your field test or lab test are correct? The best way is to conduct a Verification Workout! Coach Adam Pulford walks you through his go-to verification workout and reveals how it can tell you if your training zones are set too low, too high, or just right.

TOPICS COVERED

• How to tell if your threshold test was any good
• Coach tips o...

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Different cycling field tests have their pros and cons. Some are better for beginners vs. athletes with greater pacing skills. Others are more convenient and easy to fit into a training plan. And still others are more detailed and take multiple days to complete, but provide more nuanced information. Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the most relevant, high-quality field tests so you can use the best test for you. Includes...

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Canadian Olympian and Paris-Roubaix winner Alison Jackson is one of the most dynamic and entertaining riders in the pro peloton. But inspiration to train and compete at her best doesn't always come easily. Learn what inspires Alison, what she does to find or create inspiration when it doesn't come naturally, and how you can draw on the same skills and techniques she uses to inspire yourself to greatness.

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Virtual racing on TrainingPeaks Virtual, Zwift, Rouvy or other indoor cycling platforms can be a fun and intense addition to an athlete's overall program. They can even become the central focus of your season! But too much virtual racing can work against you by removing too much of the specificity and contrast your training plan needs in order for you to experience gains in fitness and performance. If you want to ...

Overview:
Joe Friel, legendary coach and author of "The Cyclists Training Bible", "Fast After 50", and "Ride Inside" (among other titles), is back on the podcast to discuss some fundamental truths and takeaways on coaching and training. Whether you're new to training or you've been working out for decades, this is an opportunity to confirm what you've experienced and learned over the...

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There's a misconception that mixing higher-intensity intervals and Zone 2 aerobic endurance riding in the same session is bad. The contention is that exposure to higher intensities hinders the stimulus that leads to improved fat oxidation. Coach Adam Pulford dispels this myth and explains how training zones work together and can be used in additive and complementary ways.

TOPICS COVERED

• How training in...