Episode 115 - Gran Fondo Training and Incorporating “Fun Rides”

The Matchbox - A Cycling Podcast

Hello everyone. Welcome to the latest episode of The Matchbox Podcast powered by Ignition Coach Co. I’m your host, Adam Saban, and on this week’s episode we’re talking about Gran Fondo style training and how to incorporate fun rides into your program.

Today’s show is also brought to you by Flow Formulas. Head over to flowformulas.com today to check out their full suite of endurance nutrition offerings and make sure to use the discount code “Matchbox” when checking out.

As always, if you like what you hear please share this with your friends and leave us a five star review and if you have any questions for the show drop us an email at [e-mail] with email title The Matchbox Podcast or head over to ignitioncoachco.com and fill out The Matchbox Podcast listener question form. Alight let’s get into it!

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Intro/ Outro music by AlexGrohl - song "King Around Here" - https://pixabay.com/music/id-15045/

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Keywords

Gran Fondo, training plan, reverse periodization, fun rides, cycling training, endurance, heat training, mountain biking, intensity, athlete coaching

Summary

In this conversation, the hosts discuss how to effectively structure a six-month training plan for a Gran Fondo, emphasizing the importance of specificity in training and the benefits of reverse periodization. They also explore the role of fun rides in a training schedule, highlighting the need for balance between intensity and enjoyment in cycling. The discussion includes practical tips for incorporating heat training and descending practice into the training regimen.

Takeaways

• Training for a Gran Fondo requires a structured plan.
• Specificity in training is crucial for performance.
• Reverse periodization can be beneficial during winter months.
• Comfort with descending is important for race day.
• Fun rides are essential for maintaining motivation.
• Not all fun rides will fit neatly into a training plan.
• Coaches should allow flexibility for fun rides.
• Intensity can be balanced with enjoyment in cycling.
• Heat training can be incorporated easily into workouts.
• The importance of intrinsic motivation in cycling.

Titles

• Mastering Gran Fondo Training
• How to Prepare for a Gran Fondo

Sound Bites

• "How would you structure a six month training plan?"
• "Your training should always be specific to the demands."
• "Reverse periodization makes sense for winter training."

Chapters

00:00

Structuring a Gran Fondo Training Plan

11:04

Reverse Periodization and Training Specificity

20:59

Incorporating Fun Rides into Training

28:03

Balancing Intensity and Enjoyment in Cycling