Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Summary In this episode of Fast Physiology, Dave and Dr. Phil Batterson discuss VO2Max and its importance in endurance performance. They define VO2Max as the maximal rate of oxygen consumption during high-intensity exercise and explain its components, including cardiac output and arterial venous oxygen difference. They explore the limitations of...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Unlock The Secrets to Coaching Peak Athletic Performance All coaches want to push their athletes to sustain higher levels of performance. But building a training plan that fuels consistent growth AND prevents burnout or injury is an intricate dance. Join Dave Schell and Phil Batterson as they break down the essential pillars for optimizing an ath...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Shell is joined by exercise physiologist Dr. Phil Batterson for an in-depth discussion about key physiological concepts and their relevance to endurance training. Dave and Phil dive into topics including: W'(prime), also known as functional reserve capacity VLamax, the maximal rate of...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Unlock the full potential of your endurance training with Jason Koop, the renowned head coach of CTS Ultra Running, as we examine the pivotal role of training volume and debunk common misconceptions in athletic preparation. Grappling with a packed schedule? Koop serves up expert strategies for squeezing every drop of progress from your limited tr...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Peeling back the curtain on AI's allure, we're taking you on a trek through its limitations. Joined by Cooper Bott, we recount tales from our forays into AI-generated podcasting - a venture that sometimes had us chuckling at the language model's poetic flubs and unwavering (if misplaced) confidence. We'll arm you with a health...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Are you truly tapping into your potential on the bike, or has ERG mode taken the wheel? Unshackle your training on the latest Training Babble as I, Dave Bott, share my unfiltered opinion on why ERG mode could be stifling your ride. Throughout this episode, we scrutinize the allure of consistent power output and expose the potential pitfalls of le...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! As we gear up for an exhilarating journey into the thin air of the Leadville 100, Ryan Cooper from Best Bike Split and USA Cycling joins me, Dave Schell, to unveil the tactics that help athletes tackle this colossal mountain bike challenge. Ever wonder how high altitude affects your muscle power and endurance? This episode dives into the science...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Discover the revolutionary ways artificial intelligence is transforming the world of endurance sports with our special guest, Ryan Cooper, founder of Best Bike Split. Imagine having your own AI coach, crafting hyper-personalized training programs, nutrition plans, and race strategies just for you—whether you're a cyclist, triathlete, or runn...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave talks to Integrative Physiologist, Dr. Phil Batterson about which thresholds we can actually measure, why they matter, and how you can use them to get faster. Critical Oxygen Instagram

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on the power of skills work in racing. Dave and Matti take us through their journey of honing those critical skills and how it translated into a game-changer for Matti's racing performance. From conquering technical sections to mastering descents, get ready for some insightful takeaways th...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Matti Rowe of Gravel God Cycling returns to talk about training beyond the numbers and the importance of specificity in your training. 

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave talks to endurance performance coach Jeff Lukich about the reality of setting big goals for ultra-endurance events. In this insightful conversation, Dave and Jeff discuss the challenges that come with setting big goals for ultra-endurance events such as Leadville, Unbound, and Ironman triathlons, and ultra-marathons. They explore the importa...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave and Ryan bring it all together discussing how FTP, NP, and IF come together to make TSS and the PMC.

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave and Ryan continue their power TLA discussion with NP and IF. 

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave sits down with  Matti Rowe, the Gravel God, to discuss some of the top indoor training mistakes they see and how to avoid them, but ultimately ends up going on lots of tangents. 

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave and Ryan set out to discuss the list of power metrics and three letter acronyms you find on your head unit, training software, and basically anywhere else you read about cycling... they only get through 1.  They discuss what Functional Threshold Power is, and isn't, how to test, and why context matters. 

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave sits down with mental skills coach, Carrie Jackson, to discuss the importance of self talk in sport and life. They also discuss dealing with setbacks such as injury and illness, and some of the tools you can use to shift the narrative. CarrieJackson.com The Psychology of Suffering

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave and Ryan discuss some commonly held cycling myths, then go off on tangents about other related training practice misconceptions 

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Coach, and Elite MTB and CX Racer, Chris Baddick returns to the podcast to try to convince us to run year round. Insta - @Cbaddick ChrisBaddick. Com Revo Walking Series: Full Body Warm Up and Post Ride Mobility Bone mineral density of competitive male mountain and road cyclists

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Dave and Ryan discuss the importance of restoring balance during the offseason, getting creative with specificity, and Ryan questions whether or not gravy is a viable recovery drink.

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! In this episode of Training Babble I finally sat down with my good friend Ryan Cooper to discuss what goes into creating an optimization model, how off-road cyclists can use it, and what is on the horizon for the future. BestBikeSplit.com Case Study: using BBS to prepare for the LT 100 

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Liz and I chat about some of the bad nutrition advice that just won't die, general guidance on fueling your workouts and races, individualizing your nutrition strategy, and the 5 R's of recovery. Follow Liz on Instagram LizFood.com Athlete Eating Guidelines MySportScience.com Carbohydrate Intake Recommendations during Exercise

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! On this episode I sit down with friend, fellow coach, and former professional cyclist, Chris Baddick. We discuss the importance motivation, making the most of limited training time, and training beyond metrics. Coaching inquiries: Coaching@ChrisBaddick.com Instagram @Cbaddick

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! Your drive train is one of the most important parts on your bike, and poor maintenance, or a sub standard lube can cost you time, money, and valuable watts! In this episode I sat down with Adam Kerin of Zero Friction Cycling, a pioneer in independent chain wear testing to bust myths and get my questions answered regarding the best lubes, how to p...

Interested in working with a coach? Send us a text! I kick off season 4 with Matt Miller, the MTB Phd, a mountain bike coach, sport scientist and inventor of the Brake Ace, based out on New Zealand. Matt and I discuss, typical vs optimal pacing for MTB and gravel events, how braking can make you faster, and how the vibrations of off-road riding might be detrimental to your health. Follow Matt on I...