Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling
Real talk on endurance training for gravel and MTB racing. Host Dave Schell coaches and races events like Leadville 100 and Unbound 200, and each episode brings in coaches, physiologists, and industry insiders to dig into the physiology, nutrition, tactics, and training science that actually moves the needle for off-road endurance cyclists.
Episodes
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Summary
Dave sits down with ultra runner (and self-described "clueless cyclist") Kevin Goldberg to break down the newly released course changes for the 2026 Leadville Trail 100 MTB. If you've dreaded the Power Line hike-a-bike, wondered why the buckle cutoffs suddenly got 45 minutes tighter, or you're just trying to figure out how to pace a course you've never ridden, this episode ...
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Summary
Dave and Uri Carlson (Inner Wild Nutrition) break down how altitude and heat change the fueling and hydration game for high altitude and heat. If you've ever bonked at Leadville, chugged water at 10,000 feet and still felt awful, or wondered why your usual race nutrition falls apart on longer efforts, this episode is for you.
What we cover:
- Why altitude hydration is...
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Summary
Dave and Matty break down durability, the fitness quality that actually determines whether you finish strong or fall apart late in a long race. If you've ever wondered why your FTP keeps climbing but your race results don't, this episode is for you.
What we cover:
- Why durability matters more than FTP for gravel and ultra-endurance events, and what race-winning efforts act...
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble Podcast, host Dave Schell and guest Martin Kumm discuss why cyclists get hurt and what to do about it. Martin, a sports chiropractor for Team EF Pro Cycling, breaks down the mechanics behind knee and back pain, explains why bike fit is only part of the equation, and introduces a framework for understanding how load, tissue capacity, an...
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Summary
In this episode Dave and Matti break down everything you need to know in the final two weeks before Unbound Gravel. Whether this is your first 200 or your fifth, the same mistakes show up every year. This episode is about not making them.
What we cover:
- Why Unbound is still an adventure race, not a controlled event, and why that distinction matters for you...
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Summary
A new review of 300+ studies claims athletes only need 10 grams of carbohydrates per hour during exercise. Dave and Uri dig into that claim, the history of carb recommendations, and the more important question underneath all of it: how do you figure out what's right for you?
Key Takeaways
- The research saying 10g/hr is enough is almost certainly not applicable to you. Go t...
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Summary
In this episode of Training Babble Dave is joined by Matti from Gravel God Cycling to take a hard look at sweet spot training, where it came from, why it became so popular, and whether it actually delivers on its promises.
They cover the origin story behind the zone, why it appeals to the lizard brain in all of us, how inflated FTP numbers make the problem worse, a...
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Summary
In this episode, Coach Dave Schell discusses the over-reliance on data and technology in training, emphasizing the importance of listening to your body and developing intuitive training skills. He shares personal experiences and practical tips for balancing technology use with body awareness to improve athletic performance.
Sound Bites
"The over-re...
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Summary
In this episode, Marinus Petersen shares his insights on training load, lactate thresholds, and effective training strategies for endurance athletes. Discover how to optimize your training by understanding physiological markers like LT1 and LT2, and learn practical tips for measuring and applying these concepts to improve performance.
Key topics
- Underst...
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Bible podcast, host Dave Schell interviews world-class triathlon coach Joel Filliol. They discuss Filliol's coaching philosophy, the importance of periodization, managing mental load in athletes, and the balance between technology and traditional coaching methods. Filliol emphasizes the significance of consistency in training, the psychol...
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell and nutrition expert Alex Larson discuss the evolution of fueling strategies for endurance athletes, particularly in the context of transitioning from triathlon to gravel racing. They emphasize the importance of proper nutrition for performance, body composition, and overall well-being. The conversation covers...
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Summary
In this conversation, Adria from HDrop discusses the origins and development of their innovative hydration monitoring device. The discussion covers the accuracy of the device, its market position against competitors, and how athletes can utilize the data for effective hydration strategies. Adria also shares insights on the impact of diet on sodium loss, the importance o...
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, Coach Dave Schell speaks with Jen Kates, a strength and cycling coach, about the importance of strength training for cyclists. They discuss how to simplify strength training, key movement patterns, the significance of core strength, and effective strategies for training. Jen shares her background in strength training, seas...
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell interviews Hunter Allen, a leading expert in the field of athletic performance and nutrition. They discuss the evolution of training tools from power meters to Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and how these devices can provide athletes with critical insights into their glucose levels and overall performance....
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble Podcast, host Dave Schell talks to sports dietician, Uri Carlson from Inner Wild Nutrition. The conversation discusses how to navigate the holidays, healthy weight loss for endurance athletes, and how to fuel before, during and after your workouts. Uri dives into the ingrained belief that eating less is the key to weight loss...
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell interviews John Karrasch, a bike fitter and coach who has ventured into tire rolling resistance testing. They discuss John's journey into bike fitting, the importance of real-world testing versus lab testing, and the complexities of rolling resistance and tire performance. John shares insights on tire sele...
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble Podcast, host Dave Schell speaks with coach Simon Kessler about the complexities of the off-season for cyclists. They discuss the importance of mental resets, the need for tailored off-season plans based on individual athlete needs, and the significance of setting both process and outcome goals. Kessler shares insights from his ext...
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In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, Dave Schell interviews Arnar Larusson, the founder and CEO of Tymeware, about their innovative wearable breathing sensor, the Vital Pro. The discussion covers the technology behind the device, its applications in training, and the importance of understanding breathing and heart rate for optimizing athletic performance. Arnar shares h...
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Summary
In this episode, Coach Dave Schell provides a detailed recap of his experience at the Leadville 100, discussing the challenges faced during the event, including traffic, tire choices, and nutrition strategies. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and learning from experiences. Additionally, he explores how athletes can transition their training during the off-sea...
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Summary
In this episode of the Training Babble Podcast you get to be a fly on the wall and listen in on our team meeting in prep for the Leadville 100. This conversation provides an in-depth overview of strategies and considerations for the LT100 focusing on course details, climbing and descent techniques, weather and nutrition, aid station usage, pacing, and altitude man...
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