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I just got back from my first trip to the Mega where I qualified for the main race after giving it my all in the quali. However, despite lots of training I really struggled towards the end of the race with weakness in my legs and couldn't really stand and control the bike, my legs were just jelly.
Its not pedaling strength, its standing for long periods over technical terrain.
Any suggestions to build the strength?
Cheers.
Practice standing for long periods over technical terrain.
Or squats.
Calipers.
Tight pants.
Well done on qualifying btw.
Squats, deadlifts, standing and pedaling
Uplifts would be a good solution. Lots of descending in a small amount of time.
Take the saddle and seatpost off your bike for gentler training rides. That'll build leg strength and core strength 😈
First time racing the Mega for me as well. My way of preparing was riding my bikes a lot (XC, Enduro, DH & Pump Track).
On uplift days, do full top to bottom runs, no stopping. Best places for getting the most runs in is Stiniog and FOD. BPW seems a bit hit and miss (most I have managed is 14 runs, with the bus being the blocking point)
Once a week XC training ride, getting to the end of the ride completely exhuasted. 2 hours of sprinting and high effort.
Pump track, as many laps as possible until the legs start to give out, then keep going.
Enduro ride on Saturdays, 15-20miles and 3500-4500ft, mainly shropshire with some south wales thrown in.
Did quite a few practice runs of the quali track and mega track, so had a good idea where the track wen't and how to pace myself for the whole run.
Managed to get down the qualifier in 23:17, with some better line choices and a better start could get that below 23min. Qualified for the main race and struggled on the snow, me not riding it enough during the week, much better pace on the rocks. Will be back next year!
I have the opposite problem, the altitude destroys me. I get faster as I get lower down the track. Possibly due to the asthma. For leg strength single speeding, peddle up at uplift places. I always like to peddle up the first run at BPW. Ride hardtail at unsuitable places, heavy tyres etc.
I find that when I'm unfit the first thing I notice is jelly legs towards the end of downhills. I'm slower on the climbs too but I don't notice that as immediately. So basically I think the answer is more riding, more stamina, more general fitness.
Enduro ride
Did you really say that? Cringe*.
*yes, I said 'cringe'.
Thanks. Good advice. I'd never done an uplift until I got to the Mega I must confess (not many available in the Surrey Hills) and don't have the time to go to Wales due to work/family nonsense.
I did do lots of high intensity interval training, muscle endurance and core work with my PT at the gym and tried riding out of the saddle whenever I could on my regular rides. Alas I think it was just down to a lack of doing similar riding before and not having the experience to ride the course efficiently.
I struggled on the snow big time, running in the soft slush to keep up with the pace of the main race did me in and I had to stop a few times for a gel and some re-focusing on the way down.
I did 24 mins in the quali even with a big pile up at the start, the pace and length were just about right. The mega was just too long! Next year.....