I read an interesting article in VeloNews this morning. The overall message was that riding solo was simply a workout, but that the real joy was in riding/racing with friends.
It motivated me to compare the last two workouts I did, one with teammates and one solo. It is hard to quantify the fun I had sitting on Randall’s wheel in the last half mile on Saturdays 5-hour jaunt, with him flopping his arms around like a chicken trying to get me to take a pull and then jumping around him when he turned to holler at me. However, it is easy to look at data for the two rides–both were supposed to be endurance (zone 2) rides. Take a look at the numbers: (both were ‘long rides’, but values were adjusted to account for ride time differences)
Heart Rate:
Group Ride: Zone 2 for 60% of the ride, zone 3 for 40%
Solo Ride: Zone 2 for 91% of the ride, zone 3 for 4.1%, (zone 1 for 5.6%)
Percent of total workout spent not riding:
Group Ride: 15%
Solo Ride: 2% (I drink a lot)
The real question is, “Is the diminished workout quality and wasted time worth riding around with a bunch of dudes in tights?”
I offer you a resounding YES!. Long live Threshold!
4 Responses to “Training alone or with company: the dilemma unfolds”
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I can’t believe I’m getting up at 5:30 tomorrow, Cory!
5:30 is sleeping in
Why is it so hard to get a group of racers, who are all on a training plan that specifically states ZONE 2 for a given ride, to ride moderately?
Like it is hardwired in racers to ride fast in the presence of others.
I have been saving my tempo workouts for group ride days, since I know that the pace will inevitably lift.
I believe I have an answer for you RMM…it’s the triathletes! According to them, there is only one Zone…and it is somewhere between Zone 3 and 4.