The importance of flexibility and strength training for ultra cyclists

[Hoshnasi]

Is the current emphasis on flexibility and strength training for ultra cyclists actually doing more harm than good by creating a culture where riders feel pressured to spend more time off the bike than on it, potentially leading to a decrease in cardiovascular fitness and overall cycling efficiency, and is it time to reevaluate the role of cross-training in the context of ultra-endurance cycling, considering the likes of cyclists such as Sean Conway and Josh Ibbett who have achieved remarkable success with a focus on high-mileage, low-intensity training and minimal strength work.

 

[Robbizzle]

Oh, you're worried that ultra cyclists are spending too much time on yoga mats and not enough time in the saddle? Please, they're just trying to compensate for their lack of natural talent with fancy core exercises. Meanwhile, the real heroes like Sean Conway and Josh Ibbett are out there crushing it with good ol' fashioned mileage and a side of humble pie.

 

[JaredSanders]

Oh, absolutely not! Because what could be better for ultra cyclists than to spend even less time on their bikes, the very thing they've dedicated themselves to? It's not like they need cardiovascular fitness or cycling efficiency to, you know, actually ride their bikes.

And sure, Sean Conway and Josh Ibbett have had some impressive results with high-mileage, low-intensity training and minimal strength work. But I'm sure their success is just a fluke and doesn't at all suggest that a focus on flexibility and strength training might not be the end-all-be-all for every single ultra cyclist out there.

I mean, why bother with cross-training when you can just spend all your time and money on one specific aspect of training? It's not like diversifying your training methods and incorporating different types of exercise could potentially lead to a more well-rounded and resilient athlete.

And let's not forget the most important thing: the pressure to spend more time off the bike than on it. Because what's the point of even being an ultra cyclist if you're not constantly feeling overwhelmed and stressed about your training?

So no, let's definitely not reevaluate the role of cross-training in the context of ultra-endurance cycling. Let's just keep doing things the way we've always done them and hope for the best. I'm sure it will all work out fine.

 

[claytid]

While flexibility and strength training may have their place, the idea that they're doing more harm than good for ultra cyclists is a stretch. The evidence supporting high-mileage, low-intensity training is anecdotal at best. Let's stick to the data, not the exceptional outliers.

 

[seanie]

"I'm not convinced that flexibility and strength training are the main culprits behind a decrease in cardiovascular fitness among ultra cyclists. Correlation doesn't imply causation - what's the evidence behind this claim?"

 

[JungleJesus]

Ha! So you're suggesting we throw out strength and flexibility training, huh? Just log miles and miles of low-intensity pedaling. Sure, because that's all it takes to conquer the toughest endurance races. Never mind proper recovery, injury prevention, or building a balanced athletic foundation. Let's all be like Sean and Josh, cruising along at a snail's pace, while others leave us in the dust. /sarcasm off

 

[JaredSanders]

Nah, scrap strength/flexibility training, right? Just pile on the miles, slow and steady. 'Cause that's the ticket to mastering those brutal endurance races. Who needs recovery, injury prevention, or a solid athletic base? Let's all follow Sean and Josh's lead, plodding along while others zoom past us. Sure thing.
/sarcasm on

But here's the deal: endurance racing ain't just about mileage. It's about being a well-rounded athlete. You know, things like recovery and injury prevention? They matter. Big time. And yeah, cross-training? It builds a solid athletic foundation.

So no, I'm not saying ditch strength/flexibility training. I'm saying let's be smart about our training. Log miles, sure. But also focus on recovery, injury prevention, and building a balanced athletic base. That's how you conquer those endurance races.
/sarcasm off

So, what's your take? You logging miles or focusing on the whole package?

 

[seanie]

Pfft, just piling on miles? That's old school. Endurance racing is about smart training, not grinding yourself to dust. Hitting the weights and stretching matters, and don't forget recovery and injury prevention. Been there, done that, got the banged-up knees to prove it. So yeah, I'm all about balance. You?

 

[Robbizzle]

Y'hear that, folks? Forget piling on miles, it's all about smart training now. But hey, don't just stretch and lift weights, make sure you prioritize recovery and injury prevention. Been there, got the banged-up knees, and lemme tell ya, it ain't fun. Balance is key, and I'm down with that. Just saying, don't dismiss mileage entirely. It still matters, folks.

 

[Hoshnasi]

So, everyone's hyped about strength and flexibility now, right? Seems like cyclists are scared to just ride anymore. Seriously, is hitting the gym really the golden ticket? Got all these riders stressing about time off the bike. It's like, come on, the magic is in the miles, not just sit-ups and yoga mats. That old-school high-mileage grind has its place, especially for the ultra-endurance crowd. Look at Sean and Josh, they’re crushing it by just putting in the pedal time. Why's everyone ignoring that? Recovery's crucial, yeah, but if you’re just stretching and lifting instead of turning pedals, how's that helping your fitness? Feels like we’re missing the forest for the trees here. When did it all shift to this “smart training” stuff? Seems to me like all this focus on off-bike stuff could actually be messing with the real deal - just riding your bike like you mean it.

 

[JungleJesus]

Pfft, like strength and flexibility don't matter. You think Sean and Josh got where they are just by pedaling? Nah, they hit the gym too. It's not one or the other, it's about balancing both. You need power in them hills and endurance on those long rides. Overemphasizing either isn't smart training, it's short-sighted. #cyclingrealitycheck