Why group outings are often counterproductive
Most cyclists like to ride in groups, with the club, friends, what we call Social Rides. Stimulating reunions that punctuate the week, from the Sunday morning meeting to the sometimes recurring one on Wednesday afternoon, or even Tuesday and Thursday evening after work. At first, group outings encourage progress. But over time, they can lead to atagnation, or even to regression. Here's why.
By Guillaume Judas – Photos: depositphotos.com
- « Are you going to ride today? Shall we meet at the group? »
- « If you're free this afternoon, I'd love to go for a ride with you if that's okay with you. »
- « You were a little short on the climb today. Didn't you like the acceleration? »
We all know these exchanges with cycling friends., especially with those who constantly find their motivation in confrontation or comparison with others. Even an outing with friends turns into a cock-sucking contest, where there is always one to do the front wheel (when riding side by side, one of the two always wants to be one wheel ahead of his companion route, as if to show that he is the strongest).
However, it is clear that most of these cyclists do not progress after a certain time.. Which is not the case for someone who has the intelligence to decline these permanent challenges from time to time.
Fatigue that builds up
That's a fact : many Social Rides often transform after a few kilometers into something that no longer has much in common with itA controlled endurance outing often turns into a frantic race to a fictional finish line. These efforts cause unexpected fatigue, which then sabotages key training, hindering adaptation and slowing overall progress.
For this purpose, It is necessary to remember that the key element to progress above the FTP threshold is high intensity. In other words, to really progress, you need to know how to ride at very high power levels, in small increments, and in well-calibrated sessions throughout the week or by following the training plan. This requires freshness. Constant group rides lead to low-level chronic fatigue, enough to disrupt the proper execution of the sessions that really make you progress.
Wasted time
Participating in group outings regularly comes at a cost: you neglect other aspects of structured trainingTraining properly means identifying your specific weaknesses and methodically developing them throughout the year. This takes time, and several group outings per week leave little room for anything else specific.
Bad timing
Many cyclists prefer group rides no matter what., even during recovery weeks or critical training phases. This disrupts proper periodization, where intensity and volume should be carefully adjusted to ensure peak fitness at the right time.
Adapt participation to this type of outing
Group outings absolutely have their place in training and progression, especially if you thrive on them.. After all, there is a lot of truth in the adage that A happy cyclist is a fast cyclist!
But we must find the right balance:
- Use intense group rides as a race simulation during a final preparation phase for competition.
- Take part in group rides regularly during endurance phases, even if you stay in the peloton and don't systematically try to get noticed.
- Adapt: If a ride is more intense than expected, adjust the following week to control fatigue.
- Skip outings if necessary, especially during recovery phases or before an event.
As seen here, It would be a mistake to base your cycling progress solely on group rides.To progress over a season, but also in the long term, it is essential to personalize your practice according to your age, your basic level, your free time and your objectives, and to respect periods where you work on certain qualities and other periods where you recover.
More It would also be a mistake to completely exclude group outings from your practice, both for their social virtues and because they also allow you to compare yourself from time to time. It's up to you to find the right balance.
