Cycling expert Michael Hutchinson reflects on his lackluster 2025 season, attributing it to a lack of proper goal-setting and training. He humorously admits to inventing 'junk intensity', a play on the term 'junk miles', as he often rides with high intensity but for shorter durations than intended.
Hutchinson's self-assessment of his season is brutally honest, earning a B minus at best. His training regimen, or lack thereof, is the main culprit. In previous years, he carefully selected championship races, providing structure and a reminder to stay grounded. However, this year, his goal of 'enjoying local races' lacked the necessary ambition.
Hutchinson's training mirrored this lack of focus. He rarely rode for more than 90 minutes, even less than when he had a broken hip. His rides were supposed to be two hours, but he often returned home after just over an hour. This created a cycle where he compensated for shorter rides with higher intensity, making the rides less enjoyable and perpetuating the problem.
Interestingly, Hutchinson's fitness level remained surprisingly decent despite his poor training. He attributes this to his e-racing during the winter, which involved short but intense races against strangers worldwide. However, when spring arrived, his training became half-hearted, mainly due to dodging potholes.
Hutchinson's experience raises an intriguing question: why don't his training efforts yield the expected results? He observes that his gains are consistently smaller than those of others, even those he has coached. Yet, when he doesn't train, his performance doesn't decline as much as expected.
This paradox leaves Hutchinson unmotivated, as he doesn't see significant improvements from training. He suggests that the solution might be to abandon structured training and just enjoy riding. However, he acknowledges that this could be the moment he finds inspiration for longer rides and improved form.
The article also delves into the science of sweat, a crucial aspect of cycling in hot conditions. Humans developed sweating as a thermoregulation mechanism around 2 million years ago when they lost their fur. The fitter an individual is, the more they can sweat, and the more diluted it becomes. Cyclists, in particular, are suspected of having an exceptionally high number of sweat glands.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is Hutchinson's approach of ditching structured training a viable strategy for all cyclists? Or is it a unique case due to his natural abilities? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
