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

  • By: Dave Schell
  • Podcast

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

By: Dave Schell
  • Summary

  • Unlock your endurance potential. The Training Babble Podcast takes a deep dive into the strategy and science behind training for off-road cycling and gravel racing. Host Dave Schell brings over 20 years of coaching and racing experience, including as former Director of Education at TrainingPeaks.

    Each episode features interviews with experts and insiders to inform your training on topics like physiology, nutrition, mental toughness, equipment selection, and race tactics. Expect an informative yet lighthearted conversation filled with practical tips to up your performance. Special guests from across the cycling world join to share their hard-earned wisdom.

    Whether you're an amateur looking to reach new heights or a coach wanting to refine your craft, The Training Babble Podcast offers a master-class in endurance training. Challenging conventional methods, busting myths, and digging into the latest research, this show equips you with the knowledge to train smarter and unlock your full athletic potential.



    Subscribe to the Training Babble Podcast and join our community of passionate off-road cyclists. With tips, stories, and advice from leading figures in gravel and mountain biking, we're here to support your journey to peak performance and beyond. Elevate your off-road cycling experience with us.

    © 2025 Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling
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Episodes
  • Top Training Mistakes, and how to avoid them, with Dr. Phil
    Jan 29 2025

    Summary
    In this episode, Dave and Dr. Phil discuss the top training mistakes that athletes make. They emphasize the importance of focusing on the fundamentals of training, such as consistency, specificity, and progression, rather than chasing the latest trends or hyper-optimizing every aspect of their training. They also highlight the significance of proper nutrition, recovery, and avoiding drastic changes on race day. The key takeaways include the need to prioritize the big things that will have the most impact on training, the importance of allowing for adequate recovery and rest, and the dangers of hyper-optimization and neglecting the fundamentals.

    Takeaways

    • Focus on the big things that will have the most impact on your training.
    • Prioritize consistency, specificity, and progression in your training.
    • Pay attention to proper nutrition and recovery to support your training.
    • Avoid making drastic changes to your routine on race day.
    • Beware of hyper-optimization and neglecting the fundamentals of training.



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    30 mins
  • Training Check-In with Phil: CRAZY VO2 Max and 5 min power increase
    Jan 14 2025

    Summary
    In this episode of the Training Babble Podcast, host Dave Schell and Dr. Phil Batterson discuss Phil's training journey as he prepares for an uphill running race. They cover the structure of his training, focusing on VO2 max work, the importance of consistency and adaptation, and the physiological testing that has informed his progress. Phil shares insights on nutrition, health markers from blood tests, and outlines his future training plans leading up to the race.

    Takeaways

    • Consistency is crucial for improvement in training.
    • VO2 max has increased by 10% over the training period.
    • Quality reps are more important than sheer volume.
    • RPE allows flexibility in training intensity.
    • Dogs can be great motivators during workouts.
    • Nutrition plays a significant role in performance.
    • Blood testing can reveal important health markers.
    • Training should adapt based on performance feedback.
    • Physiological testing helps track progress effectively.
    • Future training will focus on race-specific efforts.
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    38 mins
  • End of Year Wrap Up and tips for Kicking off 2025 on the Right Foot
    Dec 31 2024

    Summary
    In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell reflects on the past year, expressing gratitude to listeners and sharing insights on coaching and training strategies. He emphasizes a minimalist approach to coaching, the importance of flexibility in training plans, and debunks myths surrounding base training and zone two training. Schell advocates for simplicity and effectiveness in workouts, encouraging athletes to focus on performance metrics beyond just FTP.

    Takeaways

    • Focus on doing a small amount of things well.
    • Be flexible with your training plans.
    • Quality time on the trainer is essential.
    • Zone two training should be viewed as endurance work.
    • Simplicity in workouts leads to better tracking of progress.
    • Workouts should be flexible in intensity and volume.
    • FTP is not the only measure of success.
    • Performance at races is the ultimate goal.
    • Consider other metrics like five-hour power.
    • Engage in various aerobic activities during winter.
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    16 mins

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