Training The Internet contains a wealth of information on training for cyclists. I am attempting to link these sources in a manner that is representative of a training plan outline, leaving to the reader the task of creating their own training plan. 1. Understand the Principles of Training Warm-up & Cool-down - use low intensity exercise both before & after exercise to prevent injury and to enhance the affects of your training. Overload - For training to improve an athlete's performance, it must impose stress in some way that allows the body to react anatomically, physiologically, and psychologically to the demands of the increased training load. Overload can be presented in a training session through intensity, volume, frequency (# of sets), repetition, and skills. Adaptation - With rest, an athlete's body will adapt to the training conditions imposed upon it. Progression - Overload is presented in progressively increased levels between periods of recovery. This is a key to injury prevention. Specificity - Training must adapt the specific anatomical systems and skills for a discipline (e.g., sprinter). Reversibility - The fitness level must be maintained through consistent workouts, or conditioning will be reversed. 2. Periodization: Macrocycle, Mesocycle, and Microcycle Periodization of Strength 3. Self-evaluation and establishing goals 4. Select races to facilitate your goals Check the Cycling Event Calendar 5. The competitive year 6. Designing an Annual Program Great Tips from VeloNews' Joe Friel Other Internet Training Resources: Joe Friel's Training Articles from VeloNews (you've probably already found these-read'em again!) Physiology & Performance (focused on masters, applicable to all) The Performance Model (Excellent Reference for Endurance Athletes!) CYCLING PERFORMANCE TIPS Internet Athlete Basic Strength Training Program (not cycling specific, but good diagrams on form) Weight Training for Cyclists Tips from Roger Marquis Gatorade's Sport Science Institute (more info than infomercial!) National Sports Medicine Institute Exercise Lab (UK) Is Aero better?It really might be; but learn about position as well! Coaching Do you coach or want additional coaching information? Check out the following resources for coaches: Tactical Games (from Steve Thordarson) Tactical Games 2 Trench Warfare (from Steve Thordarson) Bicycle Coaching Resources (from Allen Bean) Roger Marquis' Cycling Page Coaching Classics COACHING SCIENCE ABSTRACTS - (SDSU)