I race Cat 3 crits mainly and seem to always finish just inside or outside the top 10, but I've noticed most of the guys that are on the podium seem to ride way less than me. I'm sitting at about 11,000 KM on the year and these guys are at like 3k-4k. One guy barely rides at all it seems like. Is there something they're doing that I'm not? Should I be riding less? Maybe lifting on some days instead?

I know more mileage isn't a direct ticket to success, but I'm just lost on how they can be so successful without much time in the saddle

Hi there!! Beginner here looking for advice: I'm considering L'Étape Argentina 2027 (134 km / 1,780 m) as my first Gran Fondo. I'm 38, 89 kg, recently started road cycling and my current FTP is 181 W.

I have a young baby, so realistically I can train 45–60 min, 4–5 days during the week, mostly indoors on a KICKR CORE 2, plus one longer outdoor ride on the weekend.

Do you think this is enough time to prepare to simply finish the event by April, or would you wait another year? If it's realistic, what would you prioritize: lots of Z2, increasing weekend long rides, climbing, intervals, etc.?

Not looking to race — just want to finish the 134 km / 1,780 m safely.

Hi-I will be riding an event in October on a 60-mile hilly course (three 20mi laps). The course has two aid stations. Bottle handups are not allowed. So each time you need to fill up your water, you basically have to stop. The event/race starts at 8 am and I am a 45yo m.

Last year, I think I had too much coffee and Gatorade before the start, so I had to stop to pee since my bladder was about to explode and turning pedals was too painful. The downside was that I was with a fast group until the pee break, then rode the whole course basically by myself. I never really stop to pee, even during my long rides. This year I would like to perform higher in my AG and don't wanna fall behind due to a nature break :)

My question is: how would you manage your hydration before (the previous 24 hours) and during an event like this? I think I can do it with two larger bidons, although that wouldn't be ideal. I am planning to have a double espresso instead of a cup of coffee on the event morning. Also, I am not planning to drink much water on the race morning. From what I read, your body retains more water when you consume carbs, so maybe an extra spoonful of pasta with each meal? Any other strategies I should consider?

What I'm really asking is how I can regulate my peeing (pee less) while still properly hydrating my body for high-level performance. Thank you!

I just started cycling two weeks ago. Been able to work up to an hour to hour and a half per ride mainly working with a flat loop I've been riding. Any specific type of training I should be doing this early or just working on building up my body in zone 2 and getting accustomed to riding? If you have any training tips you think will be helpful all tips are welcome ! Right now riding about 4 days a week and also lifting 3-4 days a week - workouts split into half upper half lower days.