Are "Bike Camps" More/Less Beneficial For Particular Types of Racing?

[Chase_McLeod]

Are bike camps more beneficial for some racing types than others? If you’re someone that does a camp, what does yours look like (This includes any type of racing: TT, crit, tri, X-Country, Enduro, etc.)?

I had this thought recently regarding bike camps. I am an enduro rider and was curious if something like a 4 day bike camp would be beneficial within my offseason training. Would a four day grouping of higher volume days be of benefit for the long run when it came to race day? My assumption is that this could prepare you for mentally while battling through the tough camp. I have noticed a lot of pros doing this lately over the last six weeks or so. Obviously the workouts would have different focuses than, for example, a triathlon. I was hoping to get peoples’ opinions.

[larry]

For enduro racing, I think that extended riding periods are crucial to having a better season. Not necessarily a bike camp, but even just a short road trip does the job. The main benefit here is getting to ride new trails, new dirt, and maybe with new people. These are all aspects of riding that can improve your skills.

[stevemz]

Yes, there is definitely a benefit to a short/well guided increase in training density. This article lays it out well: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/break-through-your-performance-plateau-by-increasing-training-density/

[RONDAL]

Structured camps: Yes
Unstructured: Sometimes

It really depends on the goal of the camp and structure (or lack thereof). Sometimes its about getting to know new teammates and just hanging out, other times its about quality time doing specific types or work or focusing on specific things which can be hugely beneficial.

I’ve also seen camps though with no structure and people wind up just digging themselves into a hole for 5-7 days and then messing up their training going forward all because it was a smash session with no structure.

For MTB, spending some consistent days away on dirt can be great. Especially if it gets you to a location where you can access lifts or areas that you otherwise wouldn’t be able. it’s always nice spending time in the bike park to hone skills and that often means travelling distances that you can’t otherwise do on a weekend.

[Harrisoncj13]

I’ve been debating this in my head lately as I will be heading to Asheville, NC for a week in mid April, in what should be week 8 of General Build HV. No doubt I will have to do some rearrangement of my training plan. I also have a B race the day before I depart (Saturday).

Anyone have thoughts on how I should restructure my plan? I recall a TR podcast where Coach Chad recommends coming into these “bike camp” weeks well rested. That would mean turning week 7 of General Build into a recovery week, doing an approximate 1hr 50min gravel race, then mountain biking for 5 days in Asheville. I suspect I would then need the better part of a week to recover from all that. Should I then start my Specialty plan after that recovery week or finish off the final 2 weeks of General Build?

I’m 39 so recovery is important. My plan would be long days in the saddle Mon/Tue, short ride Wed, and long days Thurs/Fri. That’s about how I structured it last year. This is a solo “camp” so I can structure it however I want. A race isn’t until late June, and it’s a 100 mile non-technical mtb race.

[tribuddha]

Triathletes definitely benefit from a good camp

[Chase_McLeod]

That sounds like an awesome week planned. I was thinking of a similar strategy later in my training program. The only difference would be my days would consist more of steady climbs with large decents.