Can TR without hometrainer help me get fit for recreational bikepacking trips?

TrainerRoad Software
1

New to Trainerroad, I’m wondering if it can help me get fit for multi day mountain bike bikepacking trips.

  • I don’t have a home trainer, I have a HR monitor and a Wahoo Element Bolt
  • I have an electric mtb (with integrated power meter), a hard tail analog XC mtb with power meter and a full suspension analog mtb without power meter (the bike I enjoy the most for now)
  • I live in the French Riviera in the southern Alps (flat terrain just doesn’t exist) and at my level of fitness, the only way to pedal in Zone 2 HR on demand is with electric assistance
  • I’m 57 yo, not super fit, started mountain biking 2-3 years ago, according to intervals.icu my ftp is circa 180
  • I’m retired and would prefer to go riding 3 times per week, each time between 2 to 4 hours maybe more if needed (it’s easier for me than to ride 5 times per week with shorter durations as if i were on a home trainer)
  • My objective is to be able to go on mtb bikepacking trips and pedal for 6-8 hours per day for 7 to 14 days with bike + gear at circa 22-24 kg
  • With some Z2 training for 2 weeks before my trip, a few weeks ago I was able to travel with gear during 6 days for 5h per day on average but on day 5 I was toast and had to do day 6 on the road
  • I don’t have any particular deadline in mind
  • I believe that I must increase my FTP in order to suffer less in the climbs (especially on a mtb when facing stones, steps etc) and be able to sustain longer trips, as well as to continue building endurance

I subscribed to TR for 1 month, but I’m not certain it’s the right tool to help me achieve my objectives given I don’t own a home trainer and given that it’s hard to plan intervals when mountain biking (I could go on a longish nearby road / gravel climb and adjust HR or power).

Issues I’m facing: when building a plan I’m not sure what objective to set - a cross country marathon maybe ?? Also I would prefer to ride 3 times a week, but TR sets 5 activities per week, many being only 1h long.

Thoughts? Should I give up TR and find a coach instead?

2

Hey!! Welcome to the TR forum!

You are in exactly the right place for these goals :raised_hands:.

:drooling_face: :drooling_face: wow luck you!!

You don’t need flat terrain to follow a TrainerRoad Training Plan, especially since you have a power meter.

It can be helpful to find a road/path where you are free from disruption so that you can execute your Workouts without too much interference (i.e as few traffifc lights and cars as possible). Realistically, we know you are always going to encounter some disruption when outside though.

Check out this artilce to learn how to do your TrainerRoad Workouts Outside: Outside Workouts.

The TrainerRoad Training Plans target energy systems, as opposed to focusing on the specific numbers that describe your event/goal. Simply put, if you strengthen the specific energy systems, you will be better prepared to cover the distance.

First, I suggest you use AI FTP detection to get an accurate measure of your current fitness. This allows your Training Plan to target the specific energy systems. You can learn more about AI FTP detection and how to use it here: AI FTP detection.

I think the Cross Country Marathon Training Plan is a great option for you! The Low Volume Training Plan will schedule 3 Workouts a week. As you mentioned, these Workouts are often 1 hour in duration. If you wish to ride for longer, I suggest you start by simply adding some easy endurance riding before and after your scheduled Workout.

If after a couple of weeks you feel able to handle additional intensity, you could use the Workout Alternates feature to select a longer Workout with a similar difficulty and profile as the orginal Workout. You can learn more about Workout Alternates here: Workout Alternates

This is a lot of information so please let me know if you have questions about anything!