Hi there
This questions come up every autumn, but as far as I can see it has not been touched in this forum or in the podcast within the last few years and it would therefore be great to hear what the most recent model data and research, if such exits, say about how to structure the upcoming off-season (at least for the northern hemisphere) for us non-pros.
[Edit] Well, okay, now I noticed that a similar question was actually asked just a few hours ago. But still, it would be great to know if the TR user data as some indications/correlations to get inspired from.
Of cause, I can just create a TR plan, add my main events for next season, and follow that plan. But it is the most common deviations from what TR suggests I thinking of, as well as whether or not to include one (or maybe more??) prolong periods where I do something completely different than just keeping on biking in some way. What does the model data e.g. say about doing weekly e-bike races during the winter? They are for sure fun, which can be importen for the motivation, but are they also physiologically efficient or maybe even counter-productive compared to following what TR suggests? And, what does the model data say about replacing a weekly session on the bike with running instead? Also, what the TR model does not automatically suggest is if it would be beneficial to skip riding for a few weeks before kicking of the buildup towards the new season, and if so, what should those weeks be spend on instead of riding?
The question is meant to be generic, but the answer might depend a lot on who you are, so here is a tiny bit about my self: I am a 41 years old father to three children, married to the mother of these children and we both have full-time jobs. I have been riding consistently for 16-18 years, today I manage to clock 7-9 hours on the bike per week (since my yongest child is now 7 years old that has become possible), and I do 1-2 strength training sessions at home per week + a few additional micro strength sessions just before bedtime. I eat healthy and get my sleep. I am at 79 kg bodyweight and my TR ftp is 360w (a few months ago I changes to Favero PRO-RS2 so now I trust those number, but let us avoid for now changing the subject to equipment and keep the focus on training planning) and my ftp han been mostly increasing to that level since I picked up my TR membership a year ago. I am mostly riding gravel and a bit of road, but previously only XC mtb for many years.
Br Jonas Morsboel