Pioneer Trek -Training

[JacSteyn]

Hi,

I'm doing the Pioneer later this year. As a middle of the field W2W participant I know the Pioneer is a whole different animal and I need to prepare accordingly. 

 

I understand periodization is the way to go. I was just wondering with 30 odd weeks to go, would I be better of doing a couple of 12 week progarms or one long stretched out periodized program until end October? Or am I just making this way too complicated? I'd rather have 7hr days as opposed 9hr days in the saddle. What do you guys think?

 

Thanks

Jac

[Vinnydabutcher]

You have plenty of time to properly prepare.

 

Consult a coach and break it down into 3 or 4 programs.

 

Start with building a proper base and work your way up.

 

General rule of thumb is 3 weeks hard - 1 week easy.

 

Evaluate your progress every month to make sure you are on target.

 

If you start early and stick with it there will be no need for 20hr training weeks and you will be both rested and confident in your ability.

 

If done right you should be looking at 6 hr days.

 

Start now so you dont have to play catchup later.

 

Work on your technical skills - going up & down.

[JacSteyn]

Thanks Vinny,

Was wondering if setting of programs can be done without coach? What do yo think? 

[GLuvsMtb]

Thanks Vinny,

Was wondering if setting of programs can be done without coach? What do yo think? 

I would say that giving feedback to a coach makes it easier, unless you are dedicated enough to stick to your program. There are online aids to help you such as fittrack.co.za. They essentially help you to monitor your progress, but I found it simpler to use Garmin connect to set goals and monitor them. Polar has similar functionality. 

I would do a 16 week program focused on base training, take 2 weeks completely off the bike and then do a 12 week program with the "big" week at around 12 hours, and the "small week" at about 7 hours in the 4 weekly cycle. Also think about how much rest you are able to get and what your eating plan needs to be to lose a bit of weight (if an issue) without losing muscle mass. 

 

Enter for one multi stage event around the end of your 16 week program as a little "reward" for the hard work if you can afford to do that. It helps with the motivation if you train for say the Knysna 200 and think of the 16 week program as training for this race, rather than Pioneer. 

 

Are you riding solo or with a partner? 

If you have a partner, consult with him / her to see if their goals are aligned with yours. It can be incredibly frustrating if you look at 7 hours on a stage and the partner is just looking to finish. 

 

Good luck with the training. The Pioneer is tough, but it has "gees" like few events in SA has. 

[burty]

Contact Science 2 Sport they have great coaches & the experience, u wont be be sorry & will be on the start line confident

[Vinnydabutcher]

Thanks Vinny,

Was wondering if setting of programs can be done without coach? What do yo think?

Hey Jac, you can but its DIY type stuff. Qualified coaches know what to look for and have the experiance of what yields the best results.

 

That being said - it can be done. I have set up my program with what I have learnt and read up about. You need to be able to accurately measure your performance and I found Wattbike to be very helpful in this regard. You also need to be highly motivated to go it DIY. Not just one day - every session as there is no one to drive you on. It can get rough. Listen to your body and you should be fine or get a coach and let him do the thinking for you.

[JacSteyn]

Thanks guys, good points!