The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast by CTS

Épisodes

• How to Climb Faster Without Increasing FTP 01.06.2026 14min

  Climbing faster isn’t always about increasing FTP or producing bigger power numbers. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the pacing strategies, tactics, fueling, and key workouts that help cyclists climb faster with the fitness they already have. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise Physiology. He's participated in and coached hundreds of athletes for endurance events all around the world. The Problem with Chasing Data ...
• Why Data Alone Won’t Make You Faster 25.05.2026 14min

  Endurance athletes have access to more data than ever before, but data alone doesn’t guarantee better decisions. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the role of Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE) in training and racing, and why internal awareness remains one of the most important skills an athlete can develop. We cover pacing, training zones, effort calibration, common mistakes athletes make with RPE, and how to integrate subjective feedback with power and heart rate for better lo...
• These Habits Are Quietly Killing Your Recovery 18.05.2026 16min

  Recovery isn’t just about what happens right after training, it’s about all the little things between sessions that add up. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the habits that quietly interfere with adaptation and leave athletes carrying more fatigue than they realize. We cover sleep, fueling, easy day intensity, stress management, post-workout recovery, and why the basics matter far more than expensive recovery gadgets or trends. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nea...
• What “High Quality Training” Actually Means 11.05.2026 8min

  Quality training is often reduced to intensity, but that’s only part of the picture. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford breaks down what high-quality training actually looks like and why it’s often misunderstood. We cover the three pillars of high-quality training: the process, the result, and yes, the FUN! You’ll learn why pushing harder isn’t the answer, how to close the intention–execution gap, and how to structure rides that actually move your fitness forward. HOST Adam Pulford has...
• You Don’t Have a Fitness Problem, You Have a Durability Problem 04.05.2026 14min

  Most athletes focus on how strong they are when fresh. But performance is defined by what holds up as fatigue accumulates. In this episode, we break down durability: what it is, how to measure it through fatigue resistance, and why it’s one of the most overlooked performance variables in endurance sport. We also cover how to train it effectively so you can maintain power, make better decisions late in races, and perform when it matters most. HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly...
• Why You Shouldn’t Train Alone All the Time 27.04.2026 15min

  Training alone might feel productive, but it’s not always the most effective way to improve. In this episode, CTS Coach Adam Pulford explores the concept of social facilitation and how training with others can enhance performance, motivation, and skill development. We also cover when group rides can backfire, how to find the right balance between solo and group training, and how to structure your week to get the most out of both. CTS Camp Schedule: https://trainright.com/camps/ ​​Free...
• Why You’re Overcomplicating Endurance Training 20.04.2026 13min

  Zone 2 training has become increasingly complicated, with subzones like 2a, 2b, and even 2c being thrown around. But does any of that actually improve your training? In this episode, we break down what Zone 2 really is, why most of this added complexity is unnecessary, and how to organize your endurance training more effectively. The goal is simple: build aerobic fitness without overthinking it. When it comes to endurance, simplicity done consistently beats complexity every time. ​​Free C...
• Why Shorter Rest Periods Lead to Bigger Gains (#300) 13.04.2026 11min

  Most cyclists think they need more volume or more power to improve. Coach Adam Pulford explains why that’s not always the case and how training density (doing the same work with less recovery) is one of the most effective ways to build durability, increase repeatability, and break through performance plateaus. Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ HOST Adam Pulford has been a CTS Coach for nearly two decades and holds a B.S. in Exercise ...
• Is High Carb Fueling Bad for Your Health? (#299) 06.04.2026 8min

  If you're fueling with high carbs during training and worrying about diabetes, weight gain, or gut issues, this episode will change how you think about sugar. Coach Adam Pulford breaks down why your body handles carbohydrates completely differently during exercise than at rest, clears up one of the biggest nutrition myths in endurance sports, and gives you a simple, practical fueling framework so you can stop being afraid of carbs and start performing at your best. Free Cycling Training Asses...
• Build a Bigger Aerobic Engine With These 2 Workouts (#298) 30.03.2026 9min

  Most cyclists think a massive amount of Zone 2 training is the secret to a bigger aerobic engine, but it's only part of the story. Coach Adam Pulford breaks down two workouts he uses with his athletes, from ProTour riders to time-crunched amateurs, to push aerobic fitness to the next level. Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ RESOURCES Cycling’s Latest Trend: Structured Zone 2 IntervalsZone 2 Training to Improve Aerobic Endurance and F...
• Pro Teams Are Doing Zone 2 Intervals. Should You? (#297) 23.03.2026 10min

  Zone 2 intervals are trending across pro pelotons and training apps, but are they actually superior to steady endurance riding, or just a complicated solution to a simple problem? Coach Adam Pulford breaks down the science, shares real athlete data, and gives you an honest answer on whether structured Zone 2 intervals are worth your time. Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ RESOURCES Cycling’s Latest Trend: Structured Zone 2 IntervalsZ...
• Finding Your Training Rhythm: A Weekly Framework for Time-Crunched Cyclists (#296) 17.03.2026 9min

  Struggling to fit training into your busy life? Coach Adam Pulford breaks down a simple weekly framework that helps time-crunched cyclists build real fitness — without burning out or blowing up their schedule. Free Cycling Training Assessment: https://trainright.com/cycling-training-assessment-welcome/ RESOURCES Time-Crunched? Here’s the Training Week Framework That WorksHow to Build a Strong Week of Your Cycling Training Plan - Chris CarmichaelASK A QUESTION FOR A FUTURE PODCAST HERE HOST Ad...
• We're Leveling Up — Here's What's Coming 13.03.2026 2min
• Should Cyclists Use Different Power Zones for Indoor vs Outdoor Training? (#294) 18.02.2026 16min

  OVERVIEW Cyclists almost always report a discrepancy between the power output and/or perceived exertion between indoor and outdoor cycling. Typically, this means struggling to achieve the same power output indoors than can be achieved outdoors for common workouts like FTP intervals or VO2 max efforts. Even easier Zone 2 rides can have higher RPE values (i.e., feel harder) indoors compared to outdoors. In Episode 294 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Coach Adam Pulford reveals why indoor...
• How to Build VO2 max Year Round! (#293) 11.02.2026 25min

  OVERVIEW Should cyclists incorporate VO2 max work year round or focus VO2 max work on only select periods of the year? Coach Adam Pulford tackles this listener question in Episode 293 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast". Key ideas include the fact that VO2 max is influenced by training at several different intensities, so you can work on VO2 max without always doing high-intensity intervals. When it comes to high-intensity intervals, Coach Adam provides guidance on scheduling workouts and ...
• Indoor Cycling: How to Prevent ERG Mode From Ruining Your Workouts (#292) 04.02.2026 17min

  OVERVIEW ERG Mode, or ergometer mode, is a feature on smart indoor cycling trainers that allows the trainer or connected app to set the resistance you experience as a rider. For interval workouts, for instance, ERG Mode will adjust the resistance so you stay at a constant target power output (e.g., 250 watts for 10 minutes). The downside to ERG Mode is that it can hinder your ability to conjure the internal motivation to achieve that power target, and if you can't maintain your cadence during...
• How Training VO2 max Also Increases FTP (and vice versa) (#291) 28.01.2026 18min

  OVERVIEW In Episode 291 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Coach Adam Pulford answers a listener question about the relationship between FTP and VO2 max training, particularly how and why targeting training to improve either will typically raise both. TOPICS COVERED Think of training intensities as a continuum, not as neat little boxesDescriptions of primary energy systemsHow FTP and VO2 max are directly relatedHow to organize training to maximize both FTP and VO2 maxASK A QUESTION FOR A...
• How To Level Up With Volume, Recovery, Strength, And Community (#290) 21.01.2026 18min

  OVERVIEW Although this is "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", we recognize that not everyone is time-crunched. In particular, we hear from lots of older cyclists who have more time to train now that they've retired or cut back their work hours, or their children have flown the nest. So, how do we apply some of the TCC methodologies for athletes who have some more time available? Coach Adam Pulford coaches lots of athletes in this exact scenario, and he has the techniques and information you ...
• Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Annual Strength Training Plan (#289) 14.01.2026 31min

  OVERVIEW Endurance athletes are accustomed to building Annual Training Plans for the phases of their sport-specific training, but are less familiar with building annual training plans for strength training. If this is you, Episode 289 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast" features Coach Adam Pulford taking you through the steps of creating and managing your annual strength training plan. He breaks it down for novices/beginners, cyclists who are familiar/experienced in the gym, and athl...
• Step-by-Step Guide to Building An Annual Training Plan (#288) 07.01.2026 24min

  OVERVIEW Annual Training Plans are big-picture, long term plans that map out training phases to bring the athlete into key races, events, or time periods with peak form and freshness, which helps optimize performance. For some, these can be fun to map out, especially if you like spreadsheets and planning. Others find it boring, confusing, time-consuming. Either way, in Episode 288 of "The Time-Crunched Cyclist Podcast", Coach Adam Pulford takes you through the steps of creating and managing y...