Training Babble: Off-Road Insights for Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling

Dave Schell
  • 5.0 (17)
  • SPORTS
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Unlock your endurance potential. The Training Babble Podcast takes a deep dive into the strategy and science behind training for off-road cycling and gravel racing. Host Dave Schell brings over 20 years of coaching and racing experience, including as former Director of Education at TrainingPeaks. Each episode features interviews with experts and insiders to inform your training on topics like physiology, nutrition, mental toughness, equipment selection, and race tactics. Expect an informative yet lighthearted conversation filled with practical tips to up your performance. Special guests from across the cycling world join to share their hard-earned wisdom. Whether you're an amateur looking to reach new heights or a coach wanting to refine your craft, The Training Babble Podcast offers a master-class in endurance training. Challenging conventional methods, busting myths, and digging into the latest research, this show equips you with the knowledge to train smarter and unlock your full athletic potential. Subscribe to the Training Babble Podcast and join our community of passionate off-road cyclists. With tips, stories, and advice from leading figures in gravel and mountain biking, we're here to support your journey to peak performance and beyond. Elevate your off-road cycling experience with us.

  1. Sweat Testing Made Easy with H Drop Wearable Hydration Sensor

    4D AGO

    Sweat Testing Made Easy with H Drop Wearable Hydration Sensor

    Send us a text Summary In this conversation, Adria from HDrop discusses the origins and development of their innovative hydration monitoring device. The discussion covers the accuracy of the device, its market position against competitors, and how athletes can utilize the data for effective hydration strategies. Adria also shares insights on the impact of diet on sodium loss, the importance of real-time hydration zones, and future plans for HDrop's expansion and updates. Takeaways Adria's journey began with a personal need for hydration during sports.The HDrop device was developed to be reusable and subscription-free.The first generation of HDrop was launched via Kickstarter in 2021.The device has achieved a 92% accuracy in measuring sweat loss.Hydration strategies should aim to replenish 70-80% of sweat losses.Real-time hydration zones help athletes adjust their intake during exercise.Diet impacts sodium loss, with genetics playing a significant role.Testing under race conditions is crucial for building hydration plans.Calibration can improve the accuracy of sweat rate measurements.Future updates will enhance the app's functionality and user experience. H Drop Get your own

    46 min
  2. Winter Strength Training for Cyclists with Jen Kates

    JAN 7

    Winter Strength Training for Cyclists with Jen Kates

    Send us a text Summary In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, Coach Dave Schell speaks with Jen Kates, a strength and cycling coach, about the importance of strength training for cyclists. They discuss how to simplify strength training, key movement patterns, the significance of core strength, and effective strategies for training. Jen shares her background in strength training, seasonal training considerations, and how to build power and resilience. They also touch on home gym essentials, common mistakes in strength training, and the importance of motivation and goal-setting for athletes. Takeaways Strength training can be simplified for cyclists.Durability and resilience are crucial for off-road cyclists.Movement snacks can be effective for busy schedules.Focus on six key movement patterns for strength training.Core strength includes more than just abs.Proper rest periods are essential for effective training.Form is critical to prevent injuries during strength training.Home gym essentials can be minimal yet effective.Setting clear goals can enhance motivation.Strength training contributes to overall health and functionality. Shift Human Performance

    1 hr
  3. The Athletes' Guide to Training with a Continuous Glucose Monitor with Hunter Allen

    12/17/2025

    The Athletes' Guide to Training with a Continuous Glucose Monitor with Hunter Allen

    Send us a text Summary In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell interviews Hunter Allen, a leading expert in the field of athletic performance and nutrition. They discuss the evolution of training tools from power meters to Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and how these devices can provide athletes with critical insights into their glucose levels and overall performance. Hunter shares his journey of experimenting with CGMs, the variability of glucose responses among athletes, and the importance of nutrition in managing these levels. The conversation also gets into the role of insulin, strategies for optimizing glucose during workouts, and how athletes can use CGMs for weight management and performance enhancement. Takeaways Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) provides valuable insights for athletes.Understanding glucose variability is crucial for performance.Nutrition significantly impacts glucose levels during workouts.Athletes can be categorized as fast, medium, or slow responders to glucose intake.Experimentation with glucose responses can enhance training strategies.Choosing the right CGM is essential for accurate readings.Real-time glucose monitoring can optimize race performance.Insulin plays a key role in glucose management and energy utilization.Managing glucose spikes is important for overall health and performance.CGMs can assist in weight management by tracking glucose responses. Training and Competing with a CGM

    59 min
  4. Eating is NOT Cheating! with Uri Carlson

    12/03/2025

    Eating is NOT Cheating! with Uri Carlson

    Send us a text Summary In this episode of the Training Babble Podcast, host Dave Schell talks to sports dietician, Uri Carlson from Inner Wild Nutrition. The conversation discusses how to navigate the holidays, healthy weight loss for endurance athletes, and how to fuel before, during and after your workouts.  Uri dives into the ingrained belief that eating less is the key to weight loss and exploring how this perspective can hinder performance and overall health. Uri also emphasizes the complexity of metabolism and the body's response to dietary changes, arguing that simply eating less can lead to negative outcomes such as fatigue and decreased performance. The discussion encourages a reevaluation of traditional weight loss strategies and highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of nutrition and metabolism. Takeaways Why “eating is not cheating” — the shift toward actually fueling performance.Yuri’s simple philosophy: science + the human element, not rigid macros.Easy framework for fueling before, during, and after your rides.Fasted training myths — when it works and why it usually doesn’t.How to avoid GI distress and find your personal carb tolerance.Signs you’re underfueling (and why evening cravings are a big clue).Protein reality check: it’s a daily target, not an immediate post-ride rule.Holiday strategies: enjoy the food without guilt or restriction.The biggest mindset shift: eat enough to improve performance and body composition.Real-food fueling options that work as well as sports nutrition products.

    55 min
  5. The Quest for the Perfect Tire: with John Karrasch

    11/12/2025

    The Quest for the Perfect Tire: with John Karrasch

    Send us a text Summary In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, host Dave Schell interviews John Karrasch, a bike fitter and coach who has ventured into tire rolling resistance testing. They discuss John's journey into bike fitting, the importance of real-world testing versus lab testing, and the complexities of rolling resistance and tire performance. John shares insights on tire selection, width, pressure, and compounds, as well as advice for conducting personal tire tests. The conversation highlights the significance of understanding tire characteristics to enhance cycling performance. Takeaways Real-world testing provides more applicable results than lab tests.Rolling resistance is crucial for understanding tire performance.Tire width and pressure significantly affect speed and handling.Tire compounds play a vital role in performance and durability.Different tire brands can have varying performance characteristics.Selecting the right tire involves understanding local conditions.Conducting personal tire tests can yield valuable insights. Instagram JohnKarrash.com

    1h 8m
  6. Reflect, Reset, Rebuild: Making the Most of Your Off-Season with Simon Kessler

    10/22/2025

    Reflect, Reset, Rebuild: Making the Most of Your Off-Season with Simon Kessler

    Send us a text Summary In this episode of the Training Babble Podcast, host Dave Schell speaks with coach Simon Kessler about the complexities of the off-season for cyclists. They discuss the importance of mental resets, the need for tailored off-season plans based on individual athlete needs, and the significance of setting both process and outcome goals. Kessler shares insights from his extensive coaching experience, emphasizing the importance of consistency, managing burnout, and the role of social aspects in cycling. The conversation also touches on planning for the next season and how to help athletes achieve personal success beyond just winning races. Takeaways The off-season can be a mental reset for athletes.Different athletes require different off-season strategies.Mental health is as important as physical fitness in cycling.Setting process goals can lead to better outcomes.Consistency in training is crucial for success.Burnout can be managed with proper planning and energy management.Group rides provide social motivation and training benefits.Athletes should focus on their personal journey, not just results.Basic habits like nutrition and sleep are foundational for performance.Goal setting should include emotional and experiential aspects.

    58 min
  7. The Science of Breathing and Performance with Tymewear Founder and CEO, Arnar Larusson

    10/08/2025

    The Science of Breathing and Performance with Tymewear Founder and CEO, Arnar Larusson

    Send us a text In this episode of the Training Babble podcast, Dave Schell interviews Arnar Larusson, the founder and CEO of Tymeware, about their innovative wearable breathing sensor, the Vital Pro. The discussion covers the technology behind the device, its applications in training, and the importance of understanding breathing and heart rate for optimizing athletic performance. Arnar shares his journey from biotech to developing wearable technology, emphasizing the significance of individualized training and metabolic efficiency. The conversation also highlights the common pitfalls athletes face regarding training intensity and fatigue management, and how Tymeware aims to revolutionize the way athletes approach their training. Takeaways Tymewear's Vital Pro is a wearable breathing sensor.Breathing rate and heart rate provide different insights into fitness.Understanding metabolic efficiency is crucial for athletes.Most athletes overestimate their training zones.Breathing rate correlates better with perceived effort than heart rate.Individualized training leads to better performance outcomes.Fatigue management is essential for sustained athletic performance.The best athletes focus on smart training, not just hard training.Tymewear aims to provide objective measures for training.The future of training lies in personalized data-driven approaches.Tymewear.com @Tymewear

    56 min
  8. Leadville Recap and Post Season Training Advice

    09/17/2025

    Leadville Recap and Post Season Training Advice

    Send us a text Summary In this episode, Coach Dave Schell provides a detailed recap of his experience at the Leadville 100, discussing the challenges faced during the event, including traffic, tire choices, and nutrition strategies. He emphasizes the importance of preparation and learning from experiences. Additionally, he explores how athletes can transition their training during the off-season, encouraging adventure rides, skill development, and mental recovery to maintain motivation and fitness. Takeaways Traffic impacts race performance significantly.Improving your corral position can enhance your race experience.Tire choice can lead to substantial time savings.Nutrition strategies should be tailored to individual needs.Adventure rides can be beneficial during the off-season.Maintaining fitness doesn't require strict training plans.Skill development is crucial for off-road cycling.Weight management relates to center of mass during riding.Vision is key for better control on descents.Mental recovery is as important as physical recovery. Underbiking Your Way to MTB Glory Fast Tires: Mtb and Gravel Tire Rolling Resistance Podcast

    26 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Unlock your endurance potential. The Training Babble Podcast takes a deep dive into the strategy and science behind training for off-road cycling and gravel racing. Host Dave Schell brings over 20 years of coaching and racing experience, including as former Director of Education at TrainingPeaks. Each episode features interviews with experts and insiders to inform your training on topics like physiology, nutrition, mental toughness, equipment selection, and race tactics. Expect an informative yet lighthearted conversation filled with practical tips to up your performance. Special guests from across the cycling world join to share their hard-earned wisdom. Whether you're an amateur looking to reach new heights or a coach wanting to refine your craft, The Training Babble Podcast offers a master-class in endurance training. Challenging conventional methods, busting myths, and digging into the latest research, this show equips you with the knowledge to train smarter and unlock your full athletic potential. Subscribe to the Training Babble Podcast and join our community of passionate off-road cyclists. With tips, stories, and advice from leading figures in gravel and mountain biking, we're here to support your journey to peak performance and beyond. Elevate your off-road cycling experience with us.

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