For whatever reason, the topics I get most fired up to write about are often so nuanced that they likely only pertain to a dozen people who might just happen to land on this article. In this case, I feel like I’m hearing more and more people say, “I just want to get a good workout” during or after a bike race.
This drives me crazy.
If you care to read further, I’ll do my best to explain why in what I hope is a half-decent way.
Racing Is a Game—Not a Workout
We all have our reasons for racing bikes. For me, it’s an adrenaline rush and one of the most exciting ways I can think to spend an hour. I get a little bored during really long races, but that’s beside the point. The other reason I love bike racing is because of the strategy involved.
Road and gravel racing have been called high-intensity chess on wheels, and I think that’s a fitting metaphor. In every race, you have to make quick calculations based on your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, their strategies, team tactics, the distance left in the race—and then match all of that up with your own abilities. There are dozens of decisions to be made, and the strongest riders won’t win unless they learn to play the game well.
To boil that down: I love playing adrenaline-fueled chess on bikes.
So when somebody shows up, gets tired of playing the game, and just decides to ride as hard as possible—despite it being detrimental to their own goals and the quality of the race—I just can’t wrap my head around it.
To clarify who I’m talking about: It’s usually a solo racer who devolves into workout mode mid-race. If you have a team, putting a rider on the front to chase might make sense (debatable), but in most cases, chasing is a sign that mistakes were already made or are currently being made. For the sake of this article, though, we’re mostly talking about the solo racer who shows up to a local criterium and decides their best strategy is to burn calories by dragging the group around.
“I Just Want a Workout” Is a Bad Excuse
If your reason for entering a bike race is to get in a great workout, I think you’re wasting your money. Maybe your usual training rides are getting stale and you need to pay an entry fee to feel motivated—but even then, you could get an even better workout by actually racing correctly.
For those not familiar with this nuanced complaint I’m making, it’s not uncommon for a racer (usually at the local level) to sit on the front of the peloton and ride as hard as possible. This is arguably the worst racing strategy because:
- It guarantees that the rider “getting in a workout” will be exhausted by the end of the race.
- Meanwhile, everyone sitting in the draft will be fresh and ready to attack, leaving the “workout rider” in the dust.
So sure, I guess you did get in a good workout. But why not just go do that on any random Tuesday? At least then, your competitors wouldn’t be silently judging your life choices.
“They Paid Their Entry Fee, They Can Do What They Want!”
Yes, you’re absolutely right. If someone wants to pay to race incorrectly, they can. But that doesn’t mean it’s a smart decision—or even the best way to make a workout out of a race.
You want to know what’s really hard?
Actually doing well in a bike race.
The best workout you can get out of a race is trying to get a good result. Now, maybe you got dropped from the lead group and don’t care too much about sprinting for 8th place. Fair. But instead of switching into I’m-just-here-for-the-workout mode, why not spend the rest of the race working on skills (both physical and mental) to make sure you’re on the right side of the split next time?
The Chess Analogy
Showing up to a bike race just to get a workout is like entering a chess tournament and, once you realize your opponent might be better than you, deciding to only move your pawns forward as quickly as possible.
“Well, I’m probably going to lose anyway, so I might as well just get through this game as fast as I can.”
That’s silly, right? Instead, why not try different strategies? Fight for the best possible outcome. Even if a win isn’t on the table, at least make your opponent work for it.
The same applies to racing—don’t check out just because things aren’t going your way.
Alternative Strategies for the “Workout” Racer
If you’re one of the five people reading this who have thought, “I might as well get a good workout in”, here’s what I have to offer you: better ways to race while still getting your precious workout.
1) Try to Get a Good Result as Your Baseline
Wild concept, I know. And you might already be coming up with excuses:
“This is my second race of the day.”
“I’m training through this.”
“My belly aches.”
I challenge you to play the game with the cards you’re dealt. Adapt your strategy based on your form, fatigue, and goals. Maybe you are 60 miles into a training day before toeing the line for a local crit because you’re prepping for a stage race.
Cool. Now figure out how to get the best possible result on tired legs.
2) If You’re in a Bad Spot, Maximize Your Result Anyway
If things don’t go to plan and you end up in a bad position, don’t resign yourself to just getting in a workout.
I see it all the time—someone misses the split, realizes they’re racing for scraps, and suddenly decides their best option is to smash on the front. Silly.
First of all, races flip unexpectedly. I’ve had races where I thought I was locked into a podium, only for it to blow up in my face. I’ve also clawed back races I thought were lost.
So instead of self-sabotaging, take a second to assess the situation and figure out a new strategy that gives you the best chance for success. 99 times out of 100, it will not be “sit on the front and smash.”
3) The “I can’t help myself, training is life” approach
If you really can’t resist the urge to turn a race into a workout, here are two ways to do it that will actually make you better at racing:
-
Workout #1: Attack and Don’t Look Back
- Sprint hard. Hold 150-200% FTP for 30-60 seconds.
- If you still have a gap, settle in at 110-120% FTP for 2-3 minutes.
- If you get caught? Recover and go again.
- If you stay away? Congrats, you’re now doing a threshold interval!
- If riders bridge up? Work together and practice over-unders.
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Workout #2: The Sneaky Sprinter’s Special
- Sit in. Do nothing. Waste zero watts.
- Wait for the final sprint, then unleash everything.
- Boom. You just worked on race IQ, FRC, and neuromuscular power.
Wrapping Up
Again, I know this is a nuanced rant written for all of five people, and I had fun writing it. I love this sport and all the little strategic games that come with it.
Ultimately, I just want everyone to race to their full potential. The game is way more fun when everyone is playing at a high level.
So when I see strong riders give up mid-race and switch into workout mode, it’s disappointing. I want to see them race better.
But hey, these are just my opinions. If y’all want to keep racing objectively incorrectly, well… you paid your entry fee.
Just count on me to keep writing cheeky articles that you probably won’t read.
Kisses! 😘
