Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad

Hannah Otto, professional mountain bike racer with Scott Bikes and coach, shares her experience in endurance training and race prep. They cover training zones and why numbers are guides, how workouts target specific energy systems, and structuring endurance, tempo, sweet spot, threshold, VO2, and sprint work. Practical tips on recovery, progression, and applying workouts to real race demands.

Alex Wild, pro gravel and off-road marathon racer who competes at events like Sea Otter, joins to talk VO2 max training. They compare 30/30s, traditional 3–5 minute efforts, and race-specific combos. Short takes cover cadence, low-cadence torque work, recovery between repeats, and how training and age affect VO2. Practical nuances for making high-intensity sessions actually mimic racing.

Keegan Swenson, professional off-road and gravel racer with top results at Unbound and Marathon Worlds. He tells stories of racing through injury and how he reset his season. He explains recovery strategies, how to use non-priority races for testing, and practical gear talk on tires, saddles, fit, and wind-tunnel learnings.

Zach Calton, pro gravel and mountain bike racer who balances full-time work with pro-level training. He discusses protecting key interval sessions and avoiding junk miles. He talks about prioritizing consistency over big volume spikes. He covers practical pacing cues, mental strategies for hard intervals, and how to adjust training when fatigue shows up.

A rider chases a sub-7 Leadville 100 finish while tracking FTP gains, weight loss, and weekly training structure. They discuss specific TrainerRoad workouts, AI-adjusted intensity, and increasing volume. Nutrition and fueling plans are covered alongside recovery routines. Gear choices, aero and weight-saving upgrades, tire testing, and a charity fundraising goal are also highlighted.

Nate Pearson, CEO of TrainerRoad who leads product and engineering, explains how a small, specialized AI improves cycling training. He discusses where AI is used and not used, fatigue detection toggles, the new Power Records chart, and why FTP is not the core of their model. Short updates include group workouts returning and tweaks to workout scoring.

Alex Larson, a registered dietitian who coaches endurance athletes on practical fueling and recovery. She tackles real reasons weight stalls, why underfueling and recovery timing matter, and how simple meal systems and on-bike carbs improve training and body composition. Short, actionable strategies are shared for managing hidden calories, hunger, and sustainable nutrition habits.

Hannah Otto, pro cyclist and coach with elite racing experience, shares how pros build threshold fitness and why FTP is a functional anchor not a scoreboard. Shorter intervals and progressive overload often beat forcing long tests. They talk racing-specific training choices, handling tradeoffs like drop bars, and practical mountain bike technique tips.

Nate Pearson, CEO of TrainerRoad and a driving force behind their innovative AI systems, delves into the cutting-edge use of machine learning in cycling training. He explains how TrainerRoad's custom AI predicts workouts and FTP, emphasizing the importance of accuracy over traditional benchmarks. Nate debunks common misconceptions about FTP testing, discusses why more training doesn't always lead to better results, and highlights the dynamic nature of AI-adjusted plans that evolve in real-time based on user performance.

Nate Pearson, CEO of TrainerRoad, shares insights on the revolutionary TrainerRoad AI he developed. He discusses how this AI surpasses static training plans, simulating personalized workouts based on extensive performance data. Listeners will find out how it reduces failed workouts and burnout, dynamically adjusting for fatigue and upcoming rides. Nate explains the AI's unique workout selection criteria and duration customization, enhancing training efficiency. It’s an exciting peek into how technology is transforming cycling training!