Peaking guidance needed

Bikeridindude said:

Hello everyone. I was just wondering how much L5-and-above training I should be throwing into my schedule right now if my goal event (100 mile rr) is one week into July. My basic understanding is that it's ok to do L4 all year round and that won't make or break your peak, it's the higher intensity stuff that makes it happen. Is L5 even the cut off? Or is it higher? I've been doing plenty of L4 since December (Broke the 300W barrier 2 weeks ago 😄 😄 😄 ) but the current plan that I'm abiding by has me doing sprits and stuff, just wondering if it's too soon. This will be my third season and I've been averaging about 750-800 tss per week. Thanks.

I wish I could help. From what I understand, you want to add more intense workouts, and decrease volume to induce the peak. Since you are training with power, I'm assuming you are using Cyclingpeaks? If so, I think Performance Manager can be useful to plan your peak. Again, from what I understand, for the peak you will want to be around a 0 or positive TSB.

Anyways, I'll be interested in the other responses. I've got two more weeks of focused threshold work before transitioning into L5 and L6. My peak event is collegiate nats in early May, so I'm coming up on it pretty soon. I've so far done a couple L5 workouts interspersed with my L4 work, but no more than once a week, and not every week. Racing provides a lot of the L6 and L7 work, so I haven't worked on that too much either.

Add more intensity AND volume up to 3 weeks before goal event. Speedwork usually is an 8 week phase, any more and you'll get too tired.

Some riders work on sprints all year round. It is increased volume, intensity, and reduced recovery which brings about your peak.

Example to work from your race date back:

Week 8: Race
Week 7: Peak
Week 6: Recovery
Week 5: Speed Very Hard
Week 4: Speed Hard
Week 3: Speed Easy
Week 2: Speed Hard
Week 1: Speed Hard

For experienced elites, do 3 weeks hard to 1 week easy for a 10 week build.