The Cyclist’s Training Bible by Joel Friel

Most cycling related books these days are training ones with ways to ride better (faster). I bought my first one 20 years ago and there have been many over the years. The one that really raised the bar when it first published in the mid 90’s was The Cyclist’s Training Bible by Joel Friel. Since then it has undergone 2 major revisions and is on its 3^rd edition

This was one of the first books that really set out a more complex periodized training plan that the individuals had to set up based on their own abilities and time available. Friel says a training plan needs to address your weakness first and that by working on those you will become a better rider.

The book is not for everyone, as it requires a lot of work to develop your own plan rather then some packaged plan that will make you a better climber in 4 weeks. Friel does not talk down and assumes a basic knowledge of basic training theory.

The one problem is that this book was originally based on the ability to measure heart rate, and plan workouts based on heart rate. As power meters have become more affordable in the past 5 years recent editions of the Training Bible have tried to incorporate power training with what he originally has done, but that ends up using a power meter in a heart rate philosophy. If you have power meter then more recent books are much better, but there is still so much good stuff in the Training Bible that it is still the best on creating a periodized training plan.

Comments

[Bicycle Traning]

If you have just started riding and you don't know how to improve,Then here is a guide to get you back on the road. http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/Beginners_Guide_to_Training.html