Originally Posted by
Bandera
Interesting article in VN.
Seems that my old school coach's regimen of putting in those long winter base miles at a "conversational" pace to build into the hard work of the racing season wasn't just old-fashioned hooey after all.
What's next: Fixed gears for base miles too?
"First, an increase in base training volume improves mitochondrial size and function. This adaptation affects oxidative enzymes, which increase fat-oxidation capacity.
Second, aerobic training improves lactate-clearance capacity."
Diagnosis: How many base miles do you really need? | VeloNews.com
The interesting thing about articles like the one you link to is that they’re titled something like “How Many Base Miles Do You Really Need?” and then they turn out to be a single case study of a 25 yr old cat 1 about to turn pro. With the implication being that’s what “you” should do too, as if there are no physiologic differences between a 50 year old former couch potato and a 25 yr old professional athlete. Or that cycling discipline, or gender, or occupation, or the stress of feeling the “need” to watch your kids soccer game and also ride huge base miles are irrelevant to answering the question How Many Base Miles Do You Actually Need?