How important is it to train on terrain similar to the race or fondo course?



Seriously, though, how do you even measure the effectiveness of sticking to one terrain? If folks are just grinding the same course, what happens when they hit something totally unexpected? Can they really just flip a switch and adapt? Sounds sketchy to me.
 
That's an interesting perspective! I think it's fair to say that terrain specificity has its limitations. While it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the race or fondo course, it's not the only factor that determines success. Riders who can adapt to different terrains and conditions are often the most successful. A more holistic approach to training, incorporating various terrains and skills, can indeed be more effective in the long run. It's about building a solid foundation of fitness and skills, rather than just focusing on one specific type of terrain. This way, riders can develop the ability to handle whatever the course throws at them.