Cannot use Xert because of terrain - advice required

Training
1

Hi - I’ve just started a 2.5 week holiday in Spain with my wife & bike. I’m on a plan for a Gravel Race in mid May.

Unfortunately the roads where I am in Southern Spain are virtually impossible for me to follow the plan on as the flattish roads by the coast are choked with traffic and the roads up into and in these partucular hills are all very steep (minimum 7/8% with significant stretches over 15%). So I am forced most of the time into low cadence threshold efforts just to get up them without falling over. Coming down them in the wind is nothing short of terrifying unless I’m on the brakes.

So building XSS is impossible and I can’t get my cadence up to do higher intensity intervals.

Do I just forget the plan, do what I can and in effect do a block of low cadence Tempo/Threshold, making sure I get adequate rest and hope that it does me some good.

And I do know this is a First World Problem .

2

I would consider it a great opportunity to do some cross training…hiking up those hills! Maybe even use a weighted vest or a pack.

2 Likes
3

Rent a mountain bike and spin up those hills. :slight_smile:

1 Like
4

I wish I’d brought my gravel bike with a 46/30 and an 11-40 on it

5

It is not too late to change that? Shouldn’t be too expensive.

1 Like
6

Anytime I’ve had a cycling holiday I always ignore the training plan and get as much riding in at whatever intensities I want. It usually ends up with red circles. As long as your total XSS per week is going up you’ll be fine. A week or two after you get back home on normal schedule you’ll get a breakthrough for sure.

1 Like
7

I would not overthink it, unless you want to sacrifice some ride time in Spain. I would just send it and ride, as @blairc suggested. Enjoy the warm(er) weather and the rides, get back on track when you return home!

After a 45cm snow dump here in Eastern Ontario (Canada), I wouldn’t mind being in Spain :slight_smile:

2 Likes
8

My road bike has been UP-graded :slight_smile: from DA to GRX 48/31 x 11-36.
If >12% I prefer 11-42.
If I decide to tackle any 12-20% climbing events in the future it’s going to be on a 1-by with sub-30T ring.
I don’t just need a climbing gear; I need a resting gear while climbing. :smiley:
That also means XMB can work regardless of what route I take. I can ease up on many climbs with those gear combos and even ride Z2 on a hilly course.
Perhaps not practical off-road unless you are choosy about where you go, but I no longer mountain bike. I’d rather hit the road in one direction or another straight from my doorstep.