Great to have Alex on to talk about some really cool insights into his training (including how he rides at 290w for 3.5hrs at Z2 heart rate for fun…), how he picks his events and approaches periodization, and his thoughts on the Life Time Grand Prix conflicting with UCI Gravel World Championships.
Keen to hear everybody’s thoughts on what they think is the best approach with the UCI Gravel World Champs and Big Sugar/LTGP conflict!
Hot take! (@10.25) a gravel World Champs race in the US requires an organiser to bid to host it. If only there was an experienced gravel race promotor who might be capable of doing so…
@AlexWild you mentioned that you are riding your Endurance Plus rides between 260 and 300w. What percentages of your FTP this is? And maybe percentage of your max HR or LTHR.
Tnx
Regarding the world championship conflict, the easiest solution would be to add in a stipulation that anyone selected to a national team would not be required to be on the start line for Big Sugar. It already is the tie-breaker, so if that were to be in play it would obviously go to the rider participating.
I also like the idea of a no-drop race because, as mentioned, that would require a range skills and fitness within the series. Of course this is also a sport with “mechanicals,” which in turn could derail your standing without a drop race… but that also leads to equipment decisions. Maybe you choose a more robust tire with puncture resistance or don’t push that decent as hard through the chunk. It also brings in the skill of how fast can you fix a flat, which in many respects is also a part of racing. Most every other sport you need to compete through not feeling your best, equipment issues, etc. Would be interesting to say the least. Looking back to last year… Keagan probably still would have won the series but his 14th place finish at Unbound would have at least made it more interesting and uncertain.
Great podcast but that part was especially good! I would love to know the percentages as well. He had said upper zone 2 which likely would be 65-75% of FTP. That would put his FTP at 400 
I did a ton of zone 2 long rides last year with no coasting and got very good at riding the brakes on downhills and corners to keep the pedals spinning and power up. Much easier to do on the trainer.
I think Trainer Road should create a 3 hour high zone 2 workout and call it “Having a Wild Time” 
Just make sure you give us reminders to keep our cadence between 90-100!
3 hours on a trainer is definitely not my favorite. I only do it if forced to
I think Big Mountain is what you seek.
Tempo is a bit higher than that in TR terms: 76%-87%
So something like Mount Bond +1 is about as close as I can see in the catalogue.
Based on his Strava numbers, looks like he’s got his FTP set at 410.