Nice, sounds like you’re getting really fit.
You’re obviously quite knowledgeable about training. What is your strategy for your training to improve your fitness for the fast group rides and time trials?
Is it the normal fundamentals of progressive overload, quality intervals, long rides, etc… or something more specific than that?
I remember hearing about the Hickson workouts years back, everyone got better, but no one wanted to keep training 
Dave
Progress towards fitness is being made, but there is a long way to go, particularly to get ready for TTs. That will require more attention on a specifically structured plan and periodisation than I have applied to my training for a long time.
There is no magic formula.
Consistency, specificity, progressive overload, periodisation.
That’s all there is to it, isn’t it?
I like how simple you lay this out. I agree although you missed one. Variety.
I also would point out there are nuances to all of this… meaning progressive overload volume vs intensity requires fine tuning… and specificity provides more value as you approach your main events/goals. But I am not disagreeing, over all it’s simpler than many would like to make it.
That’s basically it right?
There are a lot of camps with different approaches though.
Dave
Yes but everyone else is wrong!!! Coaches need something to sell and if they told you what he suggested they would not have any clients. It’s for sure all about the “special workouts.”
I often refer myself to the opening post of the K.I.S.S. training thread on the trainerroad forum:
On here and many other forums, I see many people seeking the “perfect” training program. As my brilliant wife once pointed out to me, there is no such thing. To reinforce that conclusion, I submit that there are really only three types of workouts (not three training “zones”):
Sprint (and/or weight- or plyometric-) training aimed at increasing maximal neuromuscular power;
“Go hard, puke, go home” intervals (i.e., high intensity efforts with lots of rest in between), intended to enhance fatigue resistance during non-sustainable exercise; and
Everything else, which is meant to improve our ability to perform aerobic exercise.
Recognition of this fact (if you accept the premise anyway) makes it a lot easier to understand why “all roads lead to Rome”. That is, there are numerous tactics that can be used to achieve this strategy, with success coming not from some “secret recipe” but simply the diligent application of established training principles (esp. overload).
Discuss!
A later post sums it up even more concisely:
“The “real world” application is to stop obsessing in pursuit of the perfect plan and get on with the business of actually training.”
As we get into details we can argue I would say there are a lot of tools in the toolbox and each one can help solve specific needs for a specific purpose for a specific person at a specific time… No one knows what that is for sure. It is the magic. Even for many/most top coaches can be a bit of trial and error…
But back to your original premise of KISS… this should be the backbone of “the plan.” When trying to solve specific issues, then out comes the toolbox. “Zone 2” can be such a tool and does not cleanly fall into your buckets and SFR is another. HIIT is likely another… I realize all of these overlap what you are suggesting but it’s possible a specific tool is worth testing.
Taking the advice above, I have a workout to do!
2 hours HR+ awaits.
A+ post. This really simplifies it.
Dave