Mountain Biker's Training Bible

I raced to win the overall expert category title in my age group in the Intermountain Cup Race Series (the tri-state race series for Utah, Wyoming, Idaho) in 2002. How? Hard work, natural ability, and this book. The criticisms against this book posted here are unfair ("weed hound"? sounds like something only a "weed hound" would say). This book is not an instructional book for beginners. Simply put, this book is a guide for serious athletes to become elite racers in the discipline of mountain bike racing, who chose to coach themselves. Training for mountain bike racing is similar to but different in terms of particulars from any other sport, and this book unpacks all of the information you could possibly need to set up a perfect training program. And there is A LOT of information to be had. But what about technique? Well, bike handling isn't technically part of developing a training regimen. Again, this book is what it claims to be, not what you might want it to be. And if you're looking for information like that, you're not ready for this book. As in any sport, the need for a comprehensive book on serious training is really only appropriate for those already seriously racing. If that's you and you don't have this book, now you know what the winners are reading and doing. Don't believe me? As them. Not a single top athlete I have talked to doesn't use this book, unless they are paying for a personal coach out the wazoo.

I began mountain biking February of this year('03). I threw up on my first ride. I raced my first race in April and came in 22nd of 24 finishers. I bought this book in May. About five months later I was flying through our local tough park, Markham maintained by ClubMud.org (believe it or not we have some decent cross country MTB parks in Florida). I went from a best single lap of over an hour to multiple laps of 45mins each. In the fall Ford Tough Series I placed 2nd overall in my category (Men Beginner 30-34). What a rush!The book was hard to read at first. Mainly because I wanted it to hand feed the training procedures to me. It finally dawned on me that it was training material for the self-coaching athlete that I, my own coach, had to put into a regiment based on my needs. It required that I get in tune with my body and its needs. I still reference it and still realize things in it I didn't before. The nutritional information was a big help in modifying my diet without dramatically impacting my family's eating habits. This is a book you have to read from cover to cover to get the most out of it. It's also wise to take the book's advice when taking training seriously and ease your body into it(although no-pain-no-gain does apply). I went from the slowest guy amongst my friends to the fastest after about eight weeks into the book. If you're not serious enough about getting faster to shut off the TV and read for a while for a couple of weeks than pass the book and stick to the magazines with all the pictures of guys you could otherwise be.Thanks Joe Friel.

This book was recommended to me by a local mountain bike Pro. She said if I was serious about taking my riding and racing to the next level, I had to get this book. I'm glad she turned me on to it, as it has been one of the most informative books on mountain bike specific training I've read. I wish it had more case studies and sample weekly and yearly training schedules, but the lack of them leaves their design up to your imagination. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is seriously thinking about getting into mountain bike racing or wanting to take their riding to the next level.

I've read a lot of books, articles etc. about training. Resulting in me knowing lots of details, but not seeing the big picture. Joe Friels book was a revelation. I recomend it to everyone who is serious about their training. The book helps you analyze your weaknesses and your strengths. On the basis of this Joe helps you create a training plan consisting of a prep. period, base period, build period, peak period and race period. This book gave me new inspiration, I'm no loger planning to sell my bike, but instead I'm training in a structured way to beconme the best mountain biker I'll ever be ! Thanks Mr Friel.

This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in training to become a stronger, more efficient rider/racer. Ned Overend writes the foreward/preface/praises of Friel's methods. Material covers from subjective, self-evaluative/empirical techniques, to scientific, performance result-based study of individual performance. Psychological profiling, pre-visualization, and projection techniques are covered as well as the expected mile-counting. Joe Friel is quick to point out that it is not an overnight method of strength building(show me one! ) but a process that can take years to mature. As it get's more technical in logging, metering, and studying performance values it may not be suitable for the novice trying to pick up on what they need to do to be a better weekend rider, but is _essential_ reading for those interested in bettering themselves as racers. That is, unless you are racing in my particular class of 35-39 Sport racers, in which case you should read the latest book on becoming a couch potato(_not_ a Friel book)Highly recommended