I have been using TR for ~3 years (basically since I started cycling). I have completed 3 events/races (so low because of young kids). I just re-did the very first event I completed this past weekend and beat my original time by 20 minutes! And also completed the “critical” climb/section of the race (~0.15 miles at 20+ %) faster (by minimum 15s) than anyone else who competed in the event.
My next planned event is also a re-do of the 2nd event I did back in 2024 as well. It’s labeled as a “gravel” race (McLain Farm Adventure Race) but many use mountain bikes. It’s HARD - eastern Ohio/Appalachia - super super steep portions on very rough terrain. Needless to say it was humbling the first time (multiple points where I had to walk it, cramping, etc.). I was completely inexperienced as well (road shoes LOL, super heavy stock mountain bike, no concept of finding the smoothest/worn line in gravel, etc.)
So really looking for the best plan to choose and/or what kinds of “hard” days to target (race is 8/15). The race is 42 miles with about 4700 ft. of elev. gain. But more specifically the hardest sections are ~8-10 minute climbs that average out to about 10% but within those will be shorter sections (~1 minute) at 20%.
In the past I focused a lot on sweet spot zones and felt super fit (sustained 20 minute efforts at 90% FTP) but didn’t feel like that really translated as well.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated
Only thing I would add is obviously the best preparation would be to go out and ride the most challenging sections of the course or something close enough to it, but I live in a completely different (i.e. flat LOL) location and it’s just not something I can do
