PROGRAM OVERVIEW
This 6-Week, 6-day/week training program is sport-specifically designed to prepare athletes to complete the Colorado Grand Traverse Mountain Bike (MTB) Race. This is a point-to-point race from Aspen to Crested Butte, Colorado. In total, bikers travel 40 miles across the Elk Mountains with over 7,800′ of elevation gain. The course starts with a 3000′ ascent up Aspen Mountain before continuing deep into the Elk Mountains.
This plan is designed to be completed the 6 weeks directly before your Race. Week 6 in the plan is an unload/taper week so the plan can be completed directly before your event, which the plan has scheduled as the Sunday of Week 6.
This training program has 4 general objectives:
- Build mileage volume so you can complete and recover from a 40-mile MTB race.
- Increase bike-specific aerobic base and efficiency for longer distance rides
- Increase hill climbing strength and aerobic power
- Increase overall durability through total body and focused chassis integrity (functional core) strength training.
This training plan deploys multiple 8-mile bike assessments (flat road) and uses assessment performance and your average heart rate from the assessment for the follow-on aerobic base programming.
While this plan includes strength and core training, Its focus is on running speed and performance.
To begin this program, you must be able to complete a single, 15-mile ride, and ride xx total miles in a week.
This is Version 1 of this plan, built April 2023.
Below is the weekly volume in the plan:
Week Miles
1 41 including a long 15 mile MTB ride
2 42 including a long 20 mile MTB ride
3 52 including a long 25 mile MTB ride
4 63 including a long 30 mile MTB ride
5 67 including a long 40 mile MTB ride
6 28 including a long 15 mile MTB ride
Strength / Chassis Integrity
This training plan includes total body (lower/upper) and chassis integrity (functional core) strength programming to address strength imbalances, add work for non-biking days, and increase overall durability.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
- Mon: Total Rest (except Week 1)
- Tue: Hill Repeats (most weeks)
- Wed: 5-15 Mile Mountain Bike Ride at Moderate Pace
- Thu: 5-10 Mile Road Ride at Easy Pace
- Frii: Gym-Based Strength & Chassis Integrity
- Sat: 15-40 Mile Mountain Bike Ride at Moderate Pace
- Sun: 5-10 Mile Easy Paced Road Ride for Weeks 1-2, 5 Mile Moderate-Paced MTB Ride for Weeks 3-5.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is the Required Equipment?
- Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (smartphone will work)
- Heart Rate Monitor which will calculate Average Heart Rate for an 8-Mile Bike Assessment
- Fully equipped weight room with a squat rack, bench, barbell, plates, dumbbells and/or kettlebells
- Sandbag – 40# for women, 60# for men
- Foam Roller
How fit do you need to be able to begin this plan?
To begin this program, you must be able to complete a single, 35-mile ride, and ride 70 total miles in a week.
How Long do the Sessions Last?
1-4 hours. Longest days will be the Saturday long Mountain bike rides at a moderate pace. Friday Gym-based sessions are designed to last 50-60 minutes.
What if I miss a day?
If you miss a day, skip that session and move on to keep on the programming schedule. The programming is progressive – it builds upon itself. Don’t skip ahead.
What does 25/35# Dumbbell Crawl mean? What about 3/5x Chin Ups.
25/35# Dumbbell Crawl = women use 25#, men use 35#
3/6x Chin Ups = Women do 3x, Men do 6x.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com
DISCLAIMER
Before beginning any exercise program, consult with your physician to ensure that you are in proper health. Physical training contains inherent risks including, but not limited to, muscle strains, tears, physical and bodily injury up to and including death. This training program is not meant to provide medical advice; you should obtain medical advice from your private health care practitioner. If you are unable to assume these risks then you should not engage in this training program. No liability is assumed by Mountain Tactical Institute, Inc, its owners or employees, and you train at your own risk. Mountain Tactical Institute makes no warranty, express or implied, of any kind in connection with this training program.
- Stop Watch with repeating countdown timer (smartphone will work)
- Heart Rate Monitor which will calculate Average Heart Rate for an 8-Mile Bike Assessment
- Fully equipped weight room with a squat rack, bench, barbell, plates, dumbbells and/or kettlebells
- Sandbag - 40# for women, 60# for men
- Foam Roller
Below is the entire first week from the training plan:
**************
MONDAY
SESSION 1
Obj: Assessment
Warm Up:
10 Minute Ride at an easy pace
Training:
(1) Bike 8 Miles for Time on relatively flat dirt or paved road.
RECORD FINISH TIME & AVERAGE HEART RATE
Comments:
You can ride your Mountain Bike or a road bike for this assessment, but use the same bike for all the following assessments and all the prescribed Road Rides.
**************
TUESDAY
SESSION 2
Obj: Hill Repeats
Warm Up:
- 10 Minute Ride at an easy pace
Training:
(1) 3 Rounds
- 10 Minute Hill Climb at Threshold Pace
Rest 5 Minutes between efforts
Threshold = Fastest possible
**************
WEDNESDAY
SESSION 3
Obj: MTB Build
Training:
(1) 5-Mile, Single Track Mountain Bike Ride, Moderate Pace
"Moderate" = Comfortable but not easy
**************
THURSDAY
SESSION 4
Obj: Road Ride
Training:
(1) 10-Mile Flat Road Ride at Zone 2 Heart Rate (see below)
Zone 2 Heart Rate = 80% your Session 1, 8-Mile Assessment Average Heart Rate, plus or minus 5 beats.
So, if your SESSION 1 average heart rate was 140, your Zone 2 Heart Rate is, 140 x .8 = 112, plus or minus 5 beats, so ... 107-117.
Comments:
Use the same bike you used for the 8-Mile Assessment.
**************
FRIDAY
SESSION 5
Obj: Strength, Chassis Integrity
Warm Up:
3 Rounds
- 10x Hand Release Push Ups
- 10x Goblet Squats @ 12kg kettlebell or 25# dumbbell
- Instep Stretch
- Lat + Pec Stretch
Training:
(1) 5 Rounds
- 6x Dumbbell/Kettlebell Front Squat - increase load each round until 6x is hard, but doable
- 5x Scotty Bob @ 15/25#
- 2/5x Pull Ups
- Hip Flexor Stretch
(2) 4 Rounds
- 5x Sandbag Getup @ 40/60# (Alternate Shoulders each Round)
- 5x Keg Lift @ 40/60# Sandbag
- 15/15 Standing Founder
(3) 2 Rounds
- Toe Touch Complex
- Foam Roll Legs, Low Back
**************
SATURDAY
SESSION 6
Obj: MTB Build
Training:
(1) 15-Mile, Single Track Mountain Bike Ride, Moderate Pace
"Moderate" = Comfortable but not easy
**************
SUNDAY
SESSION 7
Obj: Road Ride
Training:
(1) 5-Mile Flat Road Ride at Zone 2 Heart Rate (see below)
Zone 2 Heart Rate = 80% your Session 1, 8-Mile Assessment Average Heart Rate, plus or minus 5 beats.
So, if your SESSION 1 average heart rate was 140, your Zone 2 Heart Rate is, 140 x .8 = 112, plus or minus 5 beats, so ... 107-117.
Comments:
Use the same bike you used for the 8-Mile Assessment.
COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do you have any reviews or testimonials from athletes who have used your Athlete's Subscription
Yes. Click HERE.
Is it true you guarantee your stuff works?
Yes. If you purchase an Athletes’ Subscription, follow the training sessions as prescribed, and are not satisfied with the quality of the programming, notify us within 30 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your money, no questions asked.
How is MTI programming different than CrossFit?
This is a common question. Read our answer HERE.
You have a lot of competitors. Why should I choose MTI?
MTI is driven to improve mountain and tactical athletes' mission performance and keep them safe. This emphasis and focus on mission performance sets us apart. Read about more that sets us apart HERE.
If I purchase a plan or subscription, how do I access the programming?
All of our plans are online, accessible via username and password.
You can log in through our →Website or Mobile App →IOS and Android.
Do you have downloadable .pdf's of the training plans?
No. But you can print the programming, by week, from your browser. You access individual training plans online via a username and password.
Do you have a mobile app?
Yes, we do. Available for IOS and Android.
What is the difference between purchasing an individual training plan, packet of plans or an Athlete's Subscription?
- Plan - Like purchasing the DVD of the first Star Wars movie. You own it forever, including any updates we make to the plan.
- Packet - Like purchasing the DVD's of all the Star Wars movies. You own them forever, including any updates we make to the plans.
- Athlete's Subscription - Like subscribing to Netflix. You get access to all 200+ plan in our library, but lose access if you unsubscribe.
If I purchase an Athletes Subscription Can I cancel on my own, anytime?
Yes.
Do I have to contact MTI to cancel or can I do it myself?
You can do it yourself. Instructions HERE.
If I purchase a subscription and have questions about where to start or what plans(s) to use for my goals, will you help?
Yes. We answer dozens of training questions from athletes weekly. Email coach@mtntactical.com.
If you add new plans or update existing plans after I subscribe will I have access to them?
Yes. We are continuously adding training plans and packets (2-5/month) and updating plans. With your subscription you'll have access to all new plans, new courses and plan updates.
What Equipment is Required?
Click the "Required Equipment" tab to find out what equipment is required for the specific plan you are interested in.
Where do I find unfamiliar exercises?
See our Exercise Library HERE. The Run and Ruck Calculators are listed as exercises.
What about nutrition?
See our Nutritional Guidelines HERE.
Can I see sample training?
Click the “Sample Training” tab to see the entire first week of programming. You are encouraged to do it before purchasing.
What if I have more questions?
Email rob@mtntactical.com