---
aliases: ["Cycling Training"]
Is A: Topic
---
# Cycling Training

Cycling training covers the structured pursuit of road cycling performance — training plans, periodization, nutrition on the bike, gear decisions, and race preparation for gran fondos and long-distance rides. It is the primary physical discipline and a significant part of life outside work.

## Why this matters

Cycling is more than fitness — it is a forcing function for discipline, patience, and long-term thinking. The parallels with building a business are surprisingly direct: you cannot rush base fitness any more than you can rush audience growth, and the athletes who recover well outperform those who simply train more. The evergreen note [[cycling-teaches-patience]] captures this. Training also provides the physical foundation described in [[responsibility-health-fitness]], and the interplay between training load and knowledge work explored in [[training-load-and-knowledge-work]] is a constant balancing act.

## Key resources

- [[cycling-teaches-patience]] — the mental model that links cycling discipline to creative work
- [[training-load-and-knowledge-work]] — how physical training volume affects cognitive output
- [[recovery-week-in-training]] — why periodic deloads are non-negotiable for sustained progress
- [[note-born-to-run]] — book notes on endurance, though focused on running, the principles transfer
- TrainerRoad and TrainingPeaks — the tools used for structured training plans and performance tracking

## Notes

- Structured training with clear intensity zones produces better results than riding hard every day — polarized training works
- Gran fondo preparation requires at least 12 weeks of dedicated build, and skipping the base phase always shows up on race day
- Nutrition on the bike is the most overlooked performance lever for amateur cyclists — fueling properly transforms long rides
- Indoor training on the smart trainer is efficient but mentally taxing; mixing it with outdoor rides keeps motivation high
- The best cycling season starts with a proper off-season: rest, strength work, and zero guilt about lower volume
