Base Training-Scientific Evidence?



BlueJersey said:
You know, there are riders and coaches here who actually have personal encounters with the pros and they may tell you the otherwise about them doing LSD.


Mmm. Yes. Hi, how are you going?
 
Thom_y said:

Here's the Disco's winter camp schedule:

Tue – Jan 23 – Arrival Day – while the mechanics and some staff have already been in place for some time getting things ready, today's the day all the riders and staff arrive plus it's clothing distributon time - to say it will be hectic is quite the understatement!

Wed – Jan 24 – shake off the cobwebs day, and what better way than 4 hours at a moderate pace on the new bikes? There will be plenty of time to make adjustments and get things dialed in, plus it'll be the first time to see the team in force in their new kits! Our good friends from Nike and Trek will be on hand to help answer any bike, cycling shoe or clothing related questions.

Thu – Jan 25 – picture time! All riders and staff will get their official headshots done as well as the very popular team photo. But as you know, it's not all play at all here in Socal, 4.5 hours on the bikes right after the photo shoot.

Fri – Jan 26 – more pictures, but this time "in action" and on the bikes. A light day of training, just 2 hours, but then an afternoon of interviews to have ready for future publication. Add in several meetings planning out the season for the managers and staff.



Sat – Jan 27 – hope those saddles are breaking in 'cause the boys are heading out for 6.5 hours of solid riding… after lunch the remaining interviews will get done.

Sun – Jan 28 – if you liked yesterday, you'll love today, just an hour less: 5.5 hour ride

Mon – Jan 29 – bring on the media! It's time for the press to roll in, but not before the boys get 4 hours bike time first…

Tue – Jan 30 – a slight respite from training – just 2.5 hours – but then more and more media interviews


26.5 Hours

Say they're doing ~150 TSS/d, that yields an IF of 0.64 for this week. However, most of the guys are already very fit and have been training solidly for two or more months. The training camp probably is a period of 'digging a hole' to climb out of, so TSS is probably higher and therefore so is IF. Once you eliminate the rides that are going to rate pathetic on the intensity scale through no fault of the riders/coaches (CTS clients, sponsors, media shots, steady two up bunch riding, etc) you have room for some pretty good SST and maybe even some L4 or higher... and that's assuming that they are recovering 'legitimately' (please don't shout me down, I'm not saying one way or the other).

Wed – Jan 31 – wake up, go ride for 4 hours, then some very important meetings as each rider gets his 2007 season finalized in one-on-one meetings with the Directors. If you signed up to attend CTS' training camp, we'll see you that evening!

Thu – Feb 1 – another long day on the bike as the boys head out for 5.5 hours, and then more one-on-one meetings after dinner

Fri – Feb 2 – time to head to Ojai for the sponsor weekend , but the bus isn't the way: 6.5 hours on the bike is! It's time to meet the sponsors that evening with a reception and dinner thereafter.
Of course, you will have to get someone to check out what their SRM-equipped Treks are recording in terms of intensity of the rides.

16 Hours

Bet they rest up for a couple of days post training camp.

My guess: the 5+ hour endurance rides average at least 220W, sometimes more, up to 260W. At least one of them includes climbing at L3/4 borderline on one or two climbs. Most of the 4 hour rides include some mock racing or some L3/4 climbing. At least one Discovery rider will get sick after training camp (you heard it here first).